Hello. Looking for advice on best lauch tactic for my bone stock 2010 Grand Sport automatic. First time at the track last night and it didn't seem to pull hard off the line though it quickly came into its own. Ran high 12's all night with 2.2 60' times. Didn't have any issues with traction. Loaded the converter to b/w 1500 and 2500 each run. Should I not load it at all? What's ideal launch RPM? Competition driving mode?

Advice greatly appreciated!

 

That question would apply to any automatic transmissioned Corvette. I have pulled 1.88s in the 60' with OEM tires. Here's how I do it:

1. 1/4 tank of gas and remove all junk from car including mats
2. Front tires pumped up to 45 lbs
3. Rear tires at 25 lbs
4. Traction control and stabilitrack off
5. Transmission in S mode (tighter shifts higher RPM don't use paddles)
6. Drive around the burn-out box
7. Do 2 second burn out to clean tires
8. Line up in the groove (black marks made by previous runs)
9 Stage shallow on second smaller amber staging light (creep forward until the light just lights)
10. Foot brake to 2,000 rpm (a little test and tune with tire pressure and launch rpm will optimize your 60' times)
11. Release foot brake as soon as you see the last larger amber bulb light (getting this perfect can get you a few 10s advantage over your opponent...called a "hole shot") .00X is best, .3XX and up is bad
12. Punch throttle to floor (you want to gage how much tire spin you encounter. Too much: either adjust launch RPM or tire pressure...it's best to spin a little)
13. Watch the competition disappear in rear view mirror

My advice: Buy a set of rear wheels 17, 18, or 19s and mount drag radials. I have a set and use them at the strip, not so much as to gain traction (it helps), but to save the very expensive street tires. Drag radials are about half the price of OEMs and it doesn't take long to wear out a set of OEM rears if you drag race often. They say 17" wheels are optimum since they are lighter and only slightly shorter than the stocks depending on the size of drag radials you buy. Not sure what's best for the GS. AmericanMuscle (yeah, I know a Mustang site) has the best price possible on drag radials with free, almost overnight, shipping. I've bought two sets from them.

Using this technique, I won runner up in bracket class one year and 3rd place the second year at the Holley LS Fest at Bowling Green, KY in my Camaro SS. They're doing Index classes now.

 

i have made my best runs with no load on the conveter. Just mash it from a dead idle. My car is a base 08 A6 with 2.56 gears and totally stock. Rear tires set at 27 lbs cold.. All nannies were off.

Here's a video of my best pass...


2nd best pass has been a 12.03 with all nannies on...

 

Thanks guys for your comments! I'll be trying these techniques soon! A couple followup questions if I may:

Sounds like I should not use 'competition mode'?
and, if i take off in "S" will the car automatically upshift - seems so based on your instructions...just confirming.

 

yes it will shift in S as long as you dont hit the paddles. I just push the T/C button once. If you get a few runs try it in D also. my car was quicker in the !/4 in D. 1.8's all day on a sticky hot track.

honestly with the stock A6 converter they just launch kind of lazy.

 

Thanks MadMax. Do you launch from idle or are you loading the converter?
When someone says they "flash the converter" what does this mean?

 

I do 1200 rpm.

flash means leaving from an idle or a little more and hammering the throttle down. causing the converter to "flash" to its stall rpm, = how high it will rev with your foot on the brake. If your trans is not tuned i think it is approx 17-1800 rpm