Cascade Crew

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:44 pm Post subject: How to launch a t56

Hey all, I'm hedged to the drag strip this friday to have some fun, and settle a friendly bet between my lt1 car and a buddy's 91 mustang cobra 5.0. I know we both are close in power and it should be a driver's race between us. And being that I don't have a lot if seat time in my new combo, I'm looking for all the help I can get

What are some tips for how to launch a manual on street tires?

-jake

Alphius · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:50 pm Post subject:

Practice on onramps first. Wink

Don't just drop the clutch and nail the go pedal. All your excitement will just go up in smoke while your buddy pulls away.

Work on launching from about 2500-3000 and slip the clutch for a split second, only enough to spin the tires a couple revolutions, then give it just enough throttle through first to keep the rear mostly solid but maybe spinning a tiny bit. When you hit second you should be able to just floor it and go, but beware if your tires break loose to let off a bit and get back on it for more traction.

Excessive wheelspin is your enemy. It's tricky to get just the right balance of clutch slip, wheelspin and throttle to get going at a high rate of speed.

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:19 pm Post subject:

I can do a pretty good launch in my 92 HP mazda lol. I'm sure your camaros a different story though. Little bit easier to spin the tires.

fiveoformula · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:43 pm Post subject:

Couple tries and you should get the hang of it. lol how well does the mustang guy drive?

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:36 pm Post subject:

What rpm's should i be launching at?

And yes, he's a pretty good driver. He's had his car/motor combo for a few years now. Where I've just started driving this thing again a couple weeks ago. This should be an interesting grudge match for sure.

Alphius · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:49 pm Post subject:

2500-3000 works good on my car with street tires, should be similar on yours. It's not terribly critical, just do whatever feels right without lugging or roasting the tires. Smile

That's why you need a couple practice launches first.

Dewey316 · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:48 pm Post subject:

part of it is going to depend on the clutch and what it will allow. Some clutches will overheat really easily if you slip them much, some will chirp and chatter, some will let you get away with hanging out in the friction zone for quite a while.

The trick is whatever you do, find a balance between spinning the wheels, and bogging the motor down. What RPM that is, and how long you stay in the friction zone of the clutch will depend on the motor/clutch/trans combo.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 9:06 am Post subject:

All very easy to talk about the theorys of it. Much much more difficult to put into practice when you're up at that line for a few seconds that feels like no time at all.

QwkTrip · Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: How to launch a t56

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:02 am Post subject:

Is it worth it to air down street tires in an attempt to gain a little traction? I've heard that on street tires it isn't effective. Thoughts?

-jake

91RSVert · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:33 am Post subject:

In my experience, just a few will psi helps. But as everything, there is apoint where you let to much out and it makes it worse.

IROCDave · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 6:57 pm Post subject:

As mentioned before, practice launching on the street / freeway etc. If you buddy's mustang is stock / near stock you dont have anything to concerned with. If he's modded, then who knows. I would go for base line runs, dont worry about him. Get off the line without smoking the tires then bang each shift.
In my wifes LS1 6sp TA I found that it would get off the line with a decent 60' time with a 2400 rpm launch / little more than gently applied clutch. Then no lift shift if your shifter is up to the task. BTW, the factory installed hurst shifter was not up to that task going from 2nd to 3rd.

An LT1 should mop the floor with an 91 Cobra. Put that LT1 into a lighter 3rd gen and it should be no contest, no engine mods to no engine mods.

QwkTrip · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:10 pm Post subject:

Use the clutch to shift. Don't ruin a $3000 tranny.

flea · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:51 pm Post subject:

Pretty proud of myself.

This topic has been going on for a couple of days, and I have not yet linked to Top Gear Launching a car off a carrier.

The temptation is strong, but I am stronger. Smile

aaron_sK · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:59 pm Post subject:

QwkTrip · Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:38 pm Post subject:

hehe... I did misinterpret that.

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 8:38 am Post subject:

So how did you do Jake?

-Schultzy

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:22 pm Post subject:

Well got back from the track late yesterday and had an absolute blast!

I didn't get the times i was hoping for, but i learned a ton being my first time ever on a drag strip. But the good news is... I smoked my buddy's cobra! HAHA. I beat him 4 out of 5 races. The LT1 performed beautifully! Drove 80miles to the track, pulled strong, beat up on a mustang, and drove 80 miles home without a hiccup. I can't say how happy i am with this thing. I feel so proud that i was not only able to pull off such a complicated swap, but to see it run so well...and stomp on a cobra Smile

On to the time slips.
I either had massive tire spin on launch or not enough. Also my tach doesn't read right so i was shifting based on sound and feel. Turns out i ended up short shifting the entire night since i'm used to listening to a 305TBI red line at around 4500, not an LT1 red line at 6K. So all in all, a blast! there is much more to be gained with more experience (and better traction control) but i'm pretty happy with my first time ever on a track.

My top time was
2.24 60ft
9.2 1/8mi
78mph 1/8mi
14.2 1/4mi
100.76 mph

QwkTrip · Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:20 pm Post subject:

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:19 am Post subject:

Awesome!

Great job bud.

-Schultzy