How To Launch The Evo
I'm looking forward to launching this thing at the track on Friday. I'm used to launching awd 1st gens but I'll start off a little easier with this. I care about this one a bit more 
I agree with post #8 from back in 2003. Slip the clutch or spin the tires (a little). Keep the load off the hard parts. Raise the two step limit & drop it from there ftw.
The only problem with this technique is that the stock clutch won't always hold the built boost on launch and you will likely burn up the disk while holding the throttle through 2nd gear.
I'm not saying it won't work, because it certainly WILL launch the car hard, but beware of smoking the clutch.
One technique I picked up from racing a Lotus Esprit Turbo (X180R) for a bunch of years... Lotus has glass trannys too, for the record... is that opposite of a heal toe shift for launch.
When testing the new SPD subarus' (with their glass trannys) I used the same technique for what one engineer told me was the the hardest launch he had ever seen in an STi.
Step on the clutch, right toe on the brake and begin the rev with your heel. Start to engage the clutch while building RPMs with the brake ON. As the rpms drop with clutch engagement, the resistance builds boost. Release the BRAKE and remaining clutch as the same time and bury the accelerator.
Like all launching techniques, it takes some practice but when you get it right, it is MUCH easier on the clutch and when you drop a ton on a clutch, you might want to save it as much as you can.
Scott
I'm not saying it won't work, because it certainly WILL launch the car hard, but beware of smoking the clutch.
One technique I picked up from racing a Lotus Esprit Turbo (X180R) for a bunch of years... Lotus has glass trannys too, for the record... is that opposite of a heal toe shift for launch.
When testing the new SPD subarus' (with their glass trannys) I used the same technique for what one engineer told me was the the hardest launch he had ever seen in an STi.
Step on the clutch, right toe on the brake and begin the rev with your heel. Start to engage the clutch while building RPMs with the brake ON. As the rpms drop with clutch engagement, the resistance builds boost. Release the BRAKE and remaining clutch as the same time and bury the accelerator.
Like all launching techniques, it takes some practice but when you get it right, it is MUCH easier on the clutch and when you drop a ton on a clutch, you might want to save it as much as you can.
Scott
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1
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From: Toronto, Canada
the best way is probably, rev your car until ur in the boost power band, so between 4-6k, then let the clutch slip until the engagement point then rev ur car even higher (about 500 revs higher then wat u were revving at) then u let out the clutch completely =p
Ok first of all launching is something that you have to feel. Its very hard to just read it and go out and do it perfect for the first time. Here is what I have learned and read to safely launch the car.
Note: Never launch the car if you just had to put it in reverse align to the drag lights. If you went over , then reverse the car further back and start rolling forward to re-align.
-Press in clutch
-Pull hand brake
-Raise rpms slowly to rev limit before hitting WOT to bounce on it.
-Slowly release clutch to the point where it grabs ever so slightly but the brakes wont let the car roll forward.
When you do your creating preload. This will set the gears in the drive train to prepare spinning forward. At the same time it will not allow the gears to slap onto each other during the launch. This slap causes a hard shock that is one of the main reasons drive train parts break.
-From this point you can slip the clutch out while releasing the hand brake. You need to practice to learn how fast to release the clutch pedal so that it is not burning the clutch but at the same time not dumping it either.
If you dont want to do the hand brake method, you could just allow the car to inch/roll a little forward right when launching before doing the fast slip. This slight roll will help set the gears with some load before the hard launch.
Good luck,
Note: Never launch the car if you just had to put it in reverse align to the drag lights. If you went over , then reverse the car further back and start rolling forward to re-align.
-Press in clutch
-Pull hand brake
-Raise rpms slowly to rev limit before hitting WOT to bounce on it.
-Slowly release clutch to the point where it grabs ever so slightly but the brakes wont let the car roll forward.
When you do your creating preload. This will set the gears in the drive train to prepare spinning forward. At the same time it will not allow the gears to slap onto each other during the launch. This slap causes a hard shock that is one of the main reasons drive train parts break.
-From this point you can slip the clutch out while releasing the hand brake. You need to practice to learn how fast to release the clutch pedal so that it is not burning the clutch but at the same time not dumping it either.
If you dont want to do the hand brake method, you could just allow the car to inch/roll a little forward right when launching before doing the fast slip. This slight roll will help set the gears with some load before the hard launch.
Good luck,
The best way i have found to launch the evo with MINIMAL burnt clutch smell is to "blip" the throttle from about 3500-4000 about 2 or 3 times, then just agressively slip the clutch on the last blip, should do you pretty good, i have tried all sorts of different ways and this works the best for me. Also, when i was at the evo commercial shoot, i asked Rhys Millen how he was launching the 8, he said he uses the e-brake to keep the car on the line and still while he keeps the clutch right at breaking point, and just slams the gas, it worked pretty damn good for him, he spun all four tires. I cant attest to this process though as i have not tried it yet.
^^I do this and it works flawless
If you dont want to do the hand brake method, you could just allow the car to inch/roll a little forward right when launching before doing the fast slip. This slight roll will help set the gears with some load before the hard launch.
Good luck,[/QUOTE]
This is exactly how i do it. The handbrake method can get confusing.
Good luck,[/QUOTE]
This is exactly how i do it. The handbrake method can get confusing.
I have had really good luck launching my car. Went through an ACT HDSS in about 6000 miles just to learn how to lauch. You definitely do not want to "drop the clutch" that's the quickest way to replacing the tranny or transfer case because of the impact on the gears. I found that having a 2 step rev limiter set in place is perfect for me. I have a bigger turbo on my car so I launch from 6000 RPMs I also set up a 2 step in my buddy's stock evo 9 at 5500 RPMS and I can launch his pretty good.
From a stop I floor the gas (MAKE SURE IT IS FLOORED) Not just bouncing off the rev limiter at half throttle (My mistake when I was learning) that will send you into a horrible bog and you wont go anywhere. Don't be afraid to floor it.
slip the clutch a little until you feel it start to grab and then let off the clutch completely. If you hold the clutch too long you will burn it up. Once you get it down you shouldn't be burning the clutch too bad.
I am able to launch without smelling any clutch at all and I can get off the line quicker than my buddys ZR1 Corvette. I spank bikes off the line pretty well.
just make sure you keep the throttle floored and don't let off when you let off the clutch
just my .02
From a stop I floor the gas (MAKE SURE IT IS FLOORED) Not just bouncing off the rev limiter at half throttle (My mistake when I was learning) that will send you into a horrible bog and you wont go anywhere. Don't be afraid to floor it.
slip the clutch a little until you feel it start to grab and then let off the clutch completely. If you hold the clutch too long you will burn it up. Once you get it down you shouldn't be burning the clutch too bad.
I am able to launch without smelling any clutch at all and I can get off the line quicker than my buddys ZR1 Corvette. I spank bikes off the line pretty well.
just make sure you keep the throttle floored and don't let off when you let off the clutch
just my .02
I have had really good luck launching my car. Went through an ACT HDSS in about 6000 miles just to learn how to lauch. You definitely do not want to "drop the clutch" that's the quickest way to replacing the tranny or transfer case because of the impact on the gears. I found that having a 2 step rev limiter set in place is perfect for me. I have a bigger turbo on my car so I launch from 6000 RPMs I also set up a 2 step in my buddy's stock evo 9 at 5500 RPMS and I can launch his pretty good.
From a stop I floor the gas (MAKE SURE IT IS FLOORED) Not just bouncing off the rev limiter at half throttle (My mistake when I was learning) that will send you into a horrible bog and you wont go anywhere. Don't be afraid to floor it.
slip the clutch a little until you feel it start to grab and then let off the clutch completely. If you hold the clutch too long you will burn it up. Once you get it down you shouldn't be burning the clutch too bad.
I am able to launch without smelling any clutch at all and I can get off the line quicker than my buddys ZR1 Corvette. I spank bikes off the line pretty well.
just make sure you keep the throttle floored and don't let off when you let off the clutch
just my .02
From a stop I floor the gas (MAKE SURE IT IS FLOORED) Not just bouncing off the rev limiter at half throttle (My mistake when I was learning) that will send you into a horrible bog and you wont go anywhere. Don't be afraid to floor it.
slip the clutch a little until you feel it start to grab and then let off the clutch completely. If you hold the clutch too long you will burn it up. Once you get it down you shouldn't be burning the clutch too bad.
I am able to launch without smelling any clutch at all and I can get off the line quicker than my buddys ZR1 Corvette. I spank bikes off the line pretty well.
just make sure you keep the throttle floored and don't let off when you let off the clutch
just my .02
Ok first of all launching is something that you have to feel. Its very hard to just read it and go out and do it perfect for the first time. Here is what I have learned and read to safely launch the car.
Note: Never launch the car if you just had to put it in reverse align to the drag lights. If you went over , then reverse the car further back and start rolling forward to re-align.
-Press in clutch
-Pull hand brake
-Raise rpms slowly to rev limit before hitting WOT to bounce on it.
-Slowly release clutch to the point where it grabs ever so slightly but the brakes wont let the car roll forward.
When you do your creating preload. This will set the gears in the drive train to prepare spinning forward. At the same time it will not allow the gears to slap onto each other during the launch. This slap causes a hard shock that is one of the main reasons drive train parts break.
-From this point you can slip the clutch out while releasing the hand brake. You need to practice to learn how fast to release the clutch pedal so that it is not burning the clutch but at the same time not dumping it either.
If you dont want to do the hand brake method, you could just allow the car to inch/roll a little forward right when launching before doing the fast slip. This slight roll will help set the gears with some load before the hard launch.
Good luck,
Note: Never launch the car if you just had to put it in reverse align to the drag lights. If you went over , then reverse the car further back and start rolling forward to re-align.
-Press in clutch
-Pull hand brake
-Raise rpms slowly to rev limit before hitting WOT to bounce on it.
-Slowly release clutch to the point where it grabs ever so slightly but the brakes wont let the car roll forward.
When you do your creating preload. This will set the gears in the drive train to prepare spinning forward. At the same time it will not allow the gears to slap onto each other during the launch. This slap causes a hard shock that is one of the main reasons drive train parts break.
-From this point you can slip the clutch out while releasing the hand brake. You need to practice to learn how fast to release the clutch pedal so that it is not burning the clutch but at the same time not dumping it either.
If you dont want to do the hand brake method, you could just allow the car to inch/roll a little forward right when launching before doing the fast slip. This slight roll will help set the gears with some load before the hard launch.
Good luck,
At the track, i plan on preloading, quick slip to grab then dump... 2step is set at 5800. Wish me luck.
bren
this is good to know. recently tried my first launch, took it up to about 4300 or close to that. dumped the clutch like i used to on my integra. BAM! loud clank, car jerked then muhhh... took of slower than my stock 240 volvo
thought my car was ****ed up before. good to know my car is not F-ed up and all i need to just take it a bit higher and slip the clutch. prob not gonna be going out and trying right away but at least i wont look like a total idiot when i take it to the strip
thought my car was ****ed up before. good to know my car is not F-ed up and all i need to just take it a bit higher and slip the clutch. prob not gonna be going out and trying right away but at least i wont look like a total idiot when i take it to the strip