scared to launch
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 592
Likes: 654
scared to launch
I'm super hesitant to try out launch control. something about standing on the gas and revving to 3500 and dumping gives me pause. Just got to 1500+ miles 23 HTC z51
i'm being dumb right?
i'm being dumb right?
Popular Reply
Jul 13, 2023, 01:06 PM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 2,613
From: Covington LA
I've never used the launch control just as a matter of my own concern with shocking the drive train like that even though I know the feature is there. I get a big enough thrill out of just stomping the pedal which still lights up the tires a little with brutal acceleration thereafter.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,888
Likes: 4,342
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Not dumb. It's your car. But, I would suggest, overly cautious. If the General thought it to be harmful, it wouldn't be a feature.
I have launched mine several times
Launch control on my 427 Vert was ~4K RPM
I have launched mine several times
Launch control on my 427 Vert was ~4K RPM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 935
From: West Palm Beach, FL
There are 2 launches you can do with the C8. Put it in track and do the same full gas and brake and you will get roughly a 1500rpm launch. Double tap traction for competition mode then you get 3500RPM.
I did the lower launch a couple times before full launch. Also not a "red light" thing the first few times. I went to an old mall that was closed down and tested it out there. Would launch then instantly let off after the shift into 2nd.
I did the lower launch a couple times before full launch. Also not a "red light" thing the first few times. I went to an old mall that was closed down and tested it out there. Would launch then instantly let off after the shift into 2nd.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 2,203
From: Massachusetts
Me Too
Me too. I will never do it when I get my 2024 HTC. Just using the gas pedal will be enough for me. I love acceleration!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,615
From: Poplar Bluff MO
Dumb, no. It's your car, many never track or launch their C8... it's your choice. I "usually" drive pretty conservative... but every now and then I like to punch it. I'm ready to do launch control, I just need to be in a safe place to do that when the wife is not in the car.
A slightly milder launch is to put it Track mode or Z mode and set the 0-60 screen and just step on it from a stand still... it's pretty impressive for sure.
JT
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 663
From: Portage Michigan
I was aware that the Z06 has some adjustability. However, the Stingray? Not that I know of. Please enlighten me with how to raise the launch RPM on a Stingray to something other than 3,500.
Last edited by RandelB; Jul 13, 2023 at 12:59 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,615
From: Poplar Bluff MO
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 2,613
From: Covington LA
I've never used the launch control just as a matter of my own concern with shocking the drive train like that even though I know the feature is there. I get a big enough thrill out of just stomping the pedal which still lights up the tires a little with brutal acceleration thereafter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 429
From: Saint George, UT
I did the launch at Spring Mountain. It was not as dramatic as I imagined. I doubt I will launch my own car. The entire C8 package, cornering included, is more fun to me than a straight line dash.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 663
From: Portage Michigan
There are 2 key words starting the paragraph relating to Custom Launch Control : “If equipped”. Has there been a change to base and Z51 Stingrays that allow adjusting the launch RPM? I understood this custom launch control to apply to only Z06.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,751
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From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
We were told at Fellows that you can do LC as much as you like and fully warrantees. We did it a few times. Pretty amazing. I thought I could launch well, but no where as well as a C8 does it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4,079
Likes: 2,414
From: Florida
Yes you can do 500 launches per day like I do and it's no issue at all. My 7 axle replacements and three transmission replacements were fully covered and probably a manufacturing defect. I will continue this practice outside of warranty because nobody said it can be damaging.
;P
The key is moderation lol. My Porsche and Audi actually have launch counters on them and the Audi locks you out of LC after 200 lifetime launches....that's it....that's all you get (of course I tuned that limit out).
…......
So is launching the car going to kill your trans or axles? Probably not. ....but can it contribute to earlier failures the more you use it versus a car that isn't launched? Of course it can.
The z51 is also warrantied for track use so leaving a car out at Ron Fellows for 10 years and 100k miles certainly won't have any more issues than a car never tracked right?
Of course not.
So just be judicious. Launching it daily with drag slicks on and on a prepped surface and you may very well damage something quickly.
Launching it on street tires on a non prepped surface a few times a month may be much much easier on it
Ultimately I bought the car to drive in anger so I could care less if something breaks. It can be fixed.
;P
The key is moderation lol. My Porsche and Audi actually have launch counters on them and the Audi locks you out of LC after 200 lifetime launches....that's it....that's all you get (of course I tuned that limit out).
…......
So is launching the car going to kill your trans or axles? Probably not. ....but can it contribute to earlier failures the more you use it versus a car that isn't launched? Of course it can.
The z51 is also warrantied for track use so leaving a car out at Ron Fellows for 10 years and 100k miles certainly won't have any more issues than a car never tracked right?
Of course not.
So just be judicious. Launching it daily with drag slicks on and on a prepped surface and you may very well damage something quickly.
Launching it on street tires on a non prepped surface a few times a month may be much much easier on it
Ultimately I bought the car to drive in anger so I could care less if something breaks. It can be fixed.
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 157
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From: Southaven, MS
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2022
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Likes: 43
Clarification on" jthornton" answer:
Reference page 216 and adjusting Launch Control RPM, yes it can be adjusted "IF EQUIPED", meaning you have Mag Ride.
If you don't have Mag Ride, SLIP and LAUNCH RPM are not adjustable.
So when the manual states, "if equipped" - If you have Mag Ride it is equipped, if you don't have Mag Ride, it is not equipped.
Just stating this, in case RandelB does not have Mag Ride and is wondering why he can't adjust Launch RPM.
Reference page 216 and adjusting Launch Control RPM, yes it can be adjusted "IF EQUIPED", meaning you have Mag Ride.
If you don't have Mag Ride, SLIP and LAUNCH RPM are not adjustable.
So when the manual states, "if equipped" - If you have Mag Ride it is equipped, if you don't have Mag Ride, it is not equipped.
Just stating this, in case RandelB does not have Mag Ride and is wondering why he can't adjust Launch RPM.
