I've done quite a bit of research on adding launch control to the 2009 corvette. You are all aware that the 2010 series all have launch control as standard equipment. Their are several options for the 2009, some are great and some are not. If you have a 2009 Z06, you can simply have the ECM and EBCM changed and reprogrammed, some dealers will be happily to do this for you, parts are 1K plus labor. My dealer for example was quite happy to make the change, and you have launch control. But this option is only good for the Z06 as the braking system in the 2009 Coupe is NOT the same and the 2010 launch control cannot be added.
Now MSD offers a nifty little gadget part number 8733 actually. Problem with this one is that it cuts spark and as a result should you keep it engaged for more than 30 seconds you will have dumped enough raw fuel into the catalytic converter to have an explosion that will destroy the exhaust system in the car. In fact to be sure of this I called MSD and spoke to their engineer who said indeed he knew about this and recommended using it for far less than 30 seconds or ooops you have a problem. Frankly for me, maybe not you, this is simply to great a risk.
Lingenfelter has pretty much the same system as MSD only more money. Same problem as the MSD though, in fact Lingenfelter told me they'd actually had a vette destroy the exhuast system just this way. So, they will not install their system on any vette with catalytic converters on them. You can bypass the cats if you like then you are fine with both systems.
I saw a post up here about someone who'd added the 2010 Launch control to his 2009 Z06 and I can confirm that GM will allow this to happen and yes it does work. Well I still have no safe launch control for my 630HP 2009 coupe so if someone else figures it out let me know
Good luck
Peter

 

How are you launching it now?, at what rpm, with what tires, and with what 60' results? and what are your expectations for how all that will change if you are able to get LC?

 

Excellent questions!! Is the OP planning on using it for drag racing? Or just to have it on the street....?

If the OP is "Serious" about drag racing it.. there are many "Better" methods to get a good 60' time... I'm interested also to see what he actually wants it for?

With my car I turn OFF the TC and Active handling when I'm on the drag strip.. however some drivers prefer to leave the AH on...thats ok also everyone has their own way of launching their car and what is best for them....

 

Launch Control? 3 things........practice using your head and feet.

 

Well, I do want to drag race, but to be honest, I just enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to do this stuff, lots of time so that's the reason. I would like to try it on the street. I realize practice using your head and feet is really the fastest way around the problem, but I am hooked on the challenge of it. Anyone have any other suggestions on how to accomplish it? Should I take it to drag race I'll put some slicks on the car.
Peter

 

Spinning the tires is more than half the fun unless you are actually at the drag racing... Im good without LC, thanks.

 

Also the Gizzmo Launch control does not work on American V8 engines per Gizzmo. I was surprised by that but they were rather clear about it all.
Peter

 

Not sure who told you it wouldnt work on your coupe but I've done it on a 2009 Coupe for a local; works just fine. While true the braking system is different on the 09 coupe vs Z06 the 2010 coupe has it as well with the same base brakes.

 

Any possibility you and I can speak on the phone? The GM rep told me it would not work so I would like to hear more about your success??? If you PM me you number I'll give you a call.

 

dont waste ur money on LC, just enjoy learning to beat it! in GM's own test, their driver still beat the LC, not every time but thats half the fun right there

 

by .05 LOL I'll take the ability to pull that off consistently and if you want to screw around you can always turn it off.

 

the idea that LC is going to get you within .05 of a "good" run is very difficult to believe. I know that figure comes from the "bash" video, but I don't think that will translate into real world experience, and in fact I don't think the runs shown in the bash video are the same runs that are plotted in the graphs. In most situations you will likely get a 0-60 that is a full second or more slower than a good run. It's for doing fun smokey peel outs, but it's not a performance tool. If you have launched your car on street tires on an average surface then you know that a 4k clutch dump is not a realistic way to attempt to get max accel.

if you think about the things that can go wrong with a botched launch, you have a bog on one end of the spectum and wheelspin all the way to the rev limiter on the other end. What GM is trying to do is keep any given bafoon from those two extremes. The ridiculous 4k clutch dump is there to exclude the possiblity of a bog. At that point, without intervention, you will spin the tires to the rev limiter, so the computer cuts in with this on the fly detuning/power cut. Viola, you have a loud, fun, smokey launch that has not been a total disaster. But to say it's going to give a result that is near the performance limit of the car is beyond optimistic.

 

All I can tell you is I did a 3.57 0-60 and backed it up with a 3.62 on a Vbox so I'll take that repeatability any day The car moves incredibly hard with the system on and leaves very little rubber in the process The system is far better at launching this car than me personally.

 

please tell us more. what tires? what surface? do you have a video?

 

Stock tires on concrete and unfortunately no I dont have video. I'm working on some other projects with the LC and this was part of my testing.

 

I am still interested in talking to you or anyone else who is knowledgable about the differences between the 2009 and 2010 coupe braking systems, ECM and EBCM????? Feel free to post here but what I want to know is the differences in sensors, brake size, type, computer stuff etc so I can be assured the addition of launch control on the 2009 is really a possibility as other than your post I can't find a soul on the net who has also done it. I don't see why it wouldn't work myself but before I dump 1k into parts I want to be sure it will really work and not create other problems.
Thanks

 

On concrete, Thats why the car the hooked so good. Try it on the asphalt, Most roads are made out of that. LC does take out the factor of driver error. If I had it I would use it. I would look for better tires, Then you don't need LC.

 

Launch control ... COW tune ..A6 w/3.46 gear ..heated rear tires .....

 

There was a step by step install install posted a while back. You will probably find it with a search. Post may have been by GTPprix? can't remember

 

Yep its up there but its for the Z06 not the coupe. Only one person has said it is possible on the coupe. I have been reading about the 2010 coupe and indeed Launch control is standard on that model. The brakes on the 2010 Coupe though, that's what I need confirmation of, are they the same system as the 2009??????? If that is the case then indeed Launch control should work unless someone knows differently, one poster here says they have done it, I'm simply looking for a second source to be sure its correct.