launching at the track

**MBH** · 09-04-2008, 02:02 PM

OK so I need the driver mod. I don't know how to launch my car at the track

I think I just have to let off the clutch quicker, but I can't do much other than hover around 2 second 60' times give or take. I have the IRS with a brace as well as 275/45/17 ET Street radials and ran them at 18 psi.

The way I "launch" right now is by bringing the engine up to around 3000-3200 rpm and riding out the clutch without putting the throttle down much until it engages. I think my problem is that I'm afraid of bogging the car and its just muscle memory to let the clutch in slow for me.

How do you guys do it?

**scott5** · 09-04-2008, 02:15 PM

from what i hear, someone needs a new clutch

**MBH** · 09-04-2008, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by scott5

from what i hear, someone needs a new clutch

It holds the power OK. I did some testing on the street dyno on the way home to check

I was talking to Andy about it maybe needing more holding power or maybe being driver error, so I'm assuming thats who you heard it from?

**o4c0b|2a** · 09-04-2008, 02:32 PM

Guys on here, have cut like 1.6ish (maybe lower) 60's on a stock clutch and rear. Gates for example. Try 4-4.5k rpms and let the clutch out faster, and if it spins or bogs, adjust the tire pressure accordingly.

**biminiLX** · 09-04-2008, 02:37 PM

Does it spin now? I've heard (and experienced) the MT DRs like to be shocked, so you might want to try side-stepping the clutch and see what it does. I've gotten either bog or spin when dumping it, only hooked well once. They are known to wheel-hop by leaving to easy and only wheel-hopped for me when I tried to leave like you said (but did match my best 60' that way). BTW, I only run 13psi on my 325/50/15s on a 15x10.
I also ran mid-1.9s to 2.0 sixtys in my '04 with 305/35/18 Nitto DRs by launching more off idle/under 2000rpm ease-out like you, but I was NEVER aggressive with it after exploding my '01s IRS and didn't want the risk :)
Good luck.
BTW, what did it run?
-J

**GOT SVT** · 09-04-2008, 02:44 PM

lower tire pressure, it just takes practice

buy some et streets ( not the street radials ) and then up the launch rpms

**scott5** · 09-04-2008, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by MBH

It holds the power OK. I did some testing on the street dyno on the way home to check

I was talking to Andy about it maybe needing more holding power or maybe being driver error, so I'm assuming thats who you heard it from?

yea thats who called me last night when i was on my break, about beating his mom.

All you can really do is just test, try the 4-4.5k rpms like eddie says and just try to see what works for ya

**Stangman701** · 09-04-2008, 02:56 PM

Your launch technique is perfect for street tires or even the nitto DR's, but I think you can be a little more agressive with the MT's. I've never been to the track with a good clutch and MT's, but I got both now. Let me know the next time you're heading out maybe we can learn together, haha

**schiavon8241** · 09-04-2008, 02:57 PM

im not the king of drag racing or anything. but when i was running et streets. not the radials all my 60fts were around 1.6's. buy some et streets. heat them suckers up. and dump it at like 4grand. dont be afraid of bogging because everyone learns from mistakes and youll figure it out. also try bringing your tire pressure down a bit. i ran mine at 13psi.

**MBH** · 09-04-2008, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by o4c0b|2a

Guys on here, have cut like 1.6ish (maybe lower) 60's on a stock clutch and rear. Gates for example. Try 4-4.5k rpms and let the clutch out faster, and if it spins or bogs, adjust the tire pressure accordingly.

Thank you, I'll try to let the clutch out quicker next time. That RPM seems awful high for my taste, maybe I'll work my way up to that.

Originally Posted by biminiLX

Does it spin now? I've heard (and experienced) the MT DRs like to be shocked, so you might want to try side-stepping the clutch and see what it does. I've gotten either bog or spin when dumping it, only hooked well once. They are known to wheel-hop by leaving to easy and only wheel-hopped for me when I tried to leave like you said (but did match my best 60' that way). BTW, I only run 13psi on my 325/50/15s on a 15x10.
I also ran mid-1.9s to 2.0 sixtys in my '04 with 305/35/18 Nitto DRs by launching more off idle/under 2000rpm ease-out like you, but I was NEVER aggressive with it after exploding my '01s IRS and didn't want the risk :)
Good luck.
BTW, what did it run?
-J

I'm absolutely positively afraid of side stepping the clutch. I feel like thats just way too hard on a street car, and especially one with fragile IRS like the cobra. I'm glad that you said thats how you got hop from it the same way I did, I was honestly worried that the tires didn't want to leave any harder than that. I was so bummed lol, I had no idea that it was just something they don't respond well to. Last night my best was a 11.72 @ 118.64 and a 11.76 @ 123.19, the car didn't feel all that strong when it was at the track, but it felt great on the way home. Not sure why it was being finnickey with me

Originally Posted by GOT SVT

lower tire pressure, it just takes practice

buy some et streets ( not the street radials ) and then up the launch rpms

I probably should have bought the streets, but its too late now.

Originally Posted by scott5

yea thats who called me last night when i was on my break, about beating his mom.

All you can really do is just test, try the 4-4.5k rpms like eddie says and just try to see what works for ya

oh man he did beat the vette! I didn't get to see him afterwards so I didn't have a chance to find out. What did they end up running?

Originally Posted by Stangman701

Your launch technique is perfect for street tires or even the nitto DR's, but I think you can be a little more agressive with the MT's. I've never been to the track with a good clutch and MT's, but I got both now. Let me know the next time you're heading out maybe we can learn together, haha

Yeah, it seems to work "OK" on the street, more so with the nittos than the MTs. I'll PM you next time I'm heading out, maybe we can help each other out. Either way its always more fun when there are more terminators in the mix.

Originally Posted by schiavon8241

im not the king of drag racing or anything. but when i was running et streets. not the radials all my 60fts were around 1.6's. buy some et streets. heat them suckers up. and dump it at like 4grand. dont be afraid of bogging because everyone learns from mistakes and youll figure it out. also try bringing your tire pressure down a bit. i ran mine at 13psi.

Seems like the psi of choice, I'll have to bring the psi down more next time, thanks man.

How much heat do the street radials like?

**scott5** · 09-04-2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by MBH

oh man he did beat the vette! I didn't get to see him afterwards so I didn't have a chance to find out. What did they end up running?

i think he is at a low 12 with the t/a and the vette was a low 13 high 12

**97LaserRed** · 09-04-2008, 05:01 PM

I think ur clutch is fine. When I went for a ride with you it seems to grab hard and not slip. I just say try launchin a little higher and let it out faster and see what happens from there. Like everyone else said adjust accordingly. It never hurts to try. Expecially when ur going for 10s!

**Martin0660** · 09-04-2008, 05:44 PM

I told you my launch technique, put it on the limiter and sidestep that clutch :D If it dont hook, it needs more tire :D

I have said over and over, the solution to all problems automotive is MORE RPM :D

Bob Myers

**How Much?** · 09-04-2008, 06:25 PM

NO Crap!! I launch my coupe at 5200 with a 4cyl tranny and 3.73 gears!! Ran 18psi in the Nitto drag radials and good god that thing hooks so freakin hard! Needless to say im on my third tranny and second rear

SIDESTEP IT!!!

**o4c0b|2a** · 09-04-2008, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by MBH

Thank you, I'll try to let the clutch out quicker next time. That RPM seems awful high for my taste, maybe I'll work my way up to that.

I see what you mean. It sounds high, but a lot of irs cobra guys go from around that rpm area. Just keep practicing. If you wanna run a fast ass time, you gotta be prepared for any mechnical misfortune to happen at any point. Hell I broke something in my tranny the last time I was up there (which was a while ago) hah. It's all costly fun

**sutyak** · 09-04-2008, 08:43 PM

I launch like Martin!

6500 RPM:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...20013040114885

The Focus on the other hand is a whole different story.

Launching a FWD sucks.

**PaxtonShelby** · 09-04-2008, 11:41 PM

Hey Lou - I might be mistaken, but don't you launch around 6k?? The quick Cobras I have seen at the track seem to launch at serious rpms. The scary shreiking noises those puppies make at the line when the light goes green are a beautiful thing!!

**KBCobra** · 09-04-2008, 11:43 PM

Like ed said, get some ET streets and grab urself a RAM powegrip, best clutch I ever used in my termy. When I was still runnin the stock pullied supercharger, I was pulling consistent 1.59 60's.... revving it about 4300 and dumping the clutch on et streets, worked every single time.

Edit: Another thing too..whenever u drop the clutch, u want the car falling directly into the torque band, usually anywhere around 2300-2800 rpms, that will help drarastically with any bogging issues.

**HidalgoGT** · 09-05-2008, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by scott5

i think he is at a low 12 with the t/a and the vette was a low 13 high 12

No wonder I lost to that damn thing lol. So the lil blue thing is more then likely a mid 13 second car. Slow but meh I dont wanna drive it no more lol.

Anyhow, When I ran et streets on my 04 I was launching at 4800-5k on stock axles and nitrous. Let that baby fly least if it breaks you know the weak spot and can put better in.

**Sonic03snake** · 09-05-2008, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by PaxtonShelby

Hey Lou - I might be mistaken, but don't you launch around 6k?? The quick Cobras I have seen at the track seem to launch at serious rpms. The scary shreiking noises those puppies make at the line when the light goes green are a beautiful thing!!

I launch @ 6800, Big heavy car, little motor = lotsof RPM to get moving. LOL.