From my experience, the best way to launch a turbo car is to apply a load on the motor, in effect spooling the turbo and bringing up the boost. Now on an automatic it's very simply holding the motor up against the torque converter (depends on the stall speed) using your foot on the brake or a 4-wheel brake line lock. On a crotch rocket you blip the throttle on and off until boost pressure's increase and drop the clutch. On a factory clutch/stick setup (don't forget our 3300 lb + driver weight (3500lbs)), it's nearly impossible to use all the turbo's benifits to launch a car. However we do have one advantage going for us, all the torque comes in at a low 3500rpm with 19psi. Now launching a stick is an art in itself especially if you want to be consistant. If you want to save your clutch, work your clutch at a speed around 3500rpm. Don't hold it at 3500rpm and dump the clutch (bog). Hold it at 2 (ready), then step on the throttle with your foot to the floor (set), when it reachs 3500rpm let the clutch go (go). You will partially be under load with the butterfly wide open and the speed of the clutch (car) will grab much faster at a lower engine speed than a 5-6000 rpm hold it and drop it. All-motor, high reving cars are usually lighter and don't have the torque to get them out of the hole, they need the upper power range. Your 60' foot's may suffer a little, but your clutch and tranny will like you for it. If your car still bogs alittle, go to a little higher rpm or slip the clutch a little. Like I said "it's an art". I have found my sweet spot lower than 3500rpm. Just my 2c, Good luck

 

When I said feather the clutch I didn't mean ride the clutch.
Let the mechanicals engage before full power hits them.

Which does more damage to a baseball, Throwing it or hitting it with a bat? Shock is not a good thing.

Why would your clutch wear out in 2 months?
Do you dump your clutch everytime you start?
Where do you live Dragville?

 

Thanks for the advice.. Maybe i should use a pos wrx to practice..

 

If Silencer found a "sweet spot" lower than 3500, than he has no idea how to launch an AWD car... Dude is missing out on all kinds of G's of launching power....

 

I was trying to figure that out myself.
How is he possibly keeping the turbo spooled and rpms at or above 3500 when launching like that? Maybe he has a NA awd car. NA cars always launch at lower rpms. Turbos always launch higher due to power band and spool up time.

 

Well the topic of the post is how to launch an AWD car, so I'm thinking he is trying to get the most out of his EVO. It's not a matter of if lauching like that is good or bad for the car...In my oppinion, I would'nt suggest anyone launch an AWD car, because no matter what your putting stress on the tranny. BUT...if your going to do it, you might as well go all out, becuase you will have a higher risk of frying your clutch by trying to feather it in and or slip it in, then by dumping it, especially for a newbie to AWD.

Like I said, it's all about timing.... GTO guys have known about this for a while now. But it does'nt matter... you see what happens when you finally get an AWD car and try to feather the clutch in at 5000-5500RPM, and then talk to me...

 

3 words.
Practice, practice and more practice.
Practice makes less horrendous but practice also means breaking things...

 

Not sure how many of you are new to AWD cars and whatnot, but I would check out some of the DSM sits for into on Launching your car. Your going to find the best info, from guys that have been doing it for years.

 

Don't listen to the people saying "Don't dump the clutch, you'll kill your drivetrain!" No you won't.

From all accounts, the EVO drivetrain is MUCH more beefy than the drivetrain on a DSM. There are MANY 12 second DSMs that drop that clutch at 5500 RPM without a care.

You have a STOCK EVO. I'd AVOID slipping the clutch, as that WILL fry it. The chance of you damaging the beefy drivetrain with by dropping the clutch is slim to nil however.

On my DSM, 5500 is the sweet spot to drop the clutch at. Any lower, and it bogs like crazy.

The first time you feel a good AWD launch, you will get the biggest ****eating grin on your face.....

 

Gee and here I thought the Evo was based on a Rally car - silly me I guess we should all go buy camaro's!

I will be working on sliding mine side ways around gravel road corners - as soon as our dumb *** government (Canada) allows them into the country.

 

Dang you make it sound so fun.. Launching the evo at 5.5k hahah and i did fry my clutch already.. but hopefully it still works.. maybe killed the lifespan of it by 1 month...

 

Go ahead and fry this one... Then get an ACT 2600 with a street disc and you'll be much happier...

 

what does it mean to "slip" the clutch?

 

Moving to Driving Techniques.

 

Keeping on the gas while steadily letting your clutch go instead of letting go of the clutch entirely right away.