View Poll Results: How do you launch?
I drop the clutch.
106
20.99%
I slip the clutch.
399
79.01%
Voters: 505. You may not vote on this poll
How to Launch
Originally Posted by Smogrunner
Dang, there is a lot of bad info on this thread. Some good too. Here is my two cents.
Slipping the stock clutch is a recipe for disaster unless you are a pro (which I am not!). Reving too high (at or above 6500rpm) and dropping is the second worse thing to do.
Simple: You need to get the tires spinning off the line. If the tires spin, there is a manageable amount of stress on the driveline.
This method will get you 1.8 60ft times (not bad but not great either) all day on a lightly modded Evo 272 to 350bhp:
1. Put 35lbs of air in stock or similar tires.
2. Rev the engine to 6000rpms.
3. Drop the clutch fairly fast, but not as fast as you can.
4. The tires will spin about half way through first. Be ready for them to catch. When they do catch, look at the tach and shift at around 7200rpms.
As you get better, and more comfortable with this approach, let a little more air out the tires. I wouldn't go too low though, maybe 30lbs. I personally like a lot of air in my tires, even now. The 1.65 60ft time I did a couple of weeks ago was on less grippy than stock Advans (Michelin Pilot Sports) at 34lbs. Remember, more air in the tires should help MPH as your roll with less resistance. Also, as you get better you can drop the clutch at lower and lower rpms until you get to the point where the tires will spin, but just enough to NOT bog. I use the term drop instead of slip because that is what I believe works. BEWARE: When you start getting to the mid to low 5000 rpms, you risk bogging, which will break and burn stuff. Play it safe.
As you mod your car more, the technique you use depends on your mods. With my current setup, I slip my Cusco twin disk fairly fast when climbing my rpms up somewhat quickly. I engage at around 4800rpms, I think...
Of course, I am only sharing what worked for me on my particular Evo. I pulled my stock clutch at over 20,000 miles. It was still in good shape.
Slipping the stock clutch is a recipe for disaster unless you are a pro (which I am not!). Reving too high (at or above 6500rpm) and dropping is the second worse thing to do.
Simple: You need to get the tires spinning off the line. If the tires spin, there is a manageable amount of stress on the driveline.
This method will get you 1.8 60ft times (not bad but not great either) all day on a lightly modded Evo 272 to 350bhp:
1. Put 35lbs of air in stock or similar tires.
2. Rev the engine to 6000rpms.
3. Drop the clutch fairly fast, but not as fast as you can.
4. The tires will spin about half way through first. Be ready for them to catch. When they do catch, look at the tach and shift at around 7200rpms.
As you get better, and more comfortable with this approach, let a little more air out the tires. I wouldn't go too low though, maybe 30lbs. I personally like a lot of air in my tires, even now. The 1.65 60ft time I did a couple of weeks ago was on less grippy than stock Advans (Michelin Pilot Sports) at 34lbs. Remember, more air in the tires should help MPH as your roll with less resistance. Also, as you get better you can drop the clutch at lower and lower rpms until you get to the point where the tires will spin, but just enough to NOT bog. I use the term drop instead of slip because that is what I believe works. BEWARE: When you start getting to the mid to low 5000 rpms, you risk bogging, which will break and burn stuff. Play it safe.
As you mod your car more, the technique you use depends on your mods. With my current setup, I slip my Cusco twin disk fairly fast when climbing my rpms up somewhat quickly. I engage at around 4800rpms, I think...
Of course, I am only sharing what worked for me on my particular Evo. I pulled my stock clutch at over 20,000 miles. It was still in good shape.
But if you do this and do it wrong, you're going to hop and break just about everything in your transmission /transfer case. That and you may just as well save up for the engine too,.
This happened to few people who launched in drop. But, it is good for the clutch and is the fastest way to launch.
But quick slip is the best at around 4000 ~ 5000 RPM.
It wont shock your t-case to expand. but then again, it's just hard to launch AWD, epecially evo.
I've tried to slip act at arond 4000rpm, taking it easy, and it seems to work fairely fast (engages fast) and no clutch smell, since I took my foot off the clutch fairely fast.
The ACT seems to grip real fast and well, so you don't have to slip it too much like the stock clutch.
Originally Posted by wrcevo
nope...ur right...the more the wheelspin...the slower ur launching..thats why it does take skill to minimise wheelspin and maximise forward thrust.
unless the twin disk evo;s got the 2 step, that's just not going to happen.
You'll spin the tires, but on AWD, it'll hook up a lot faster than regular 2 wheel drive.
The good thing about spinning your tires are, it's less harsh on your transmission as well as you're in boost once you take off at higher gear.
Originally Posted by Thoe99
Isn't dropping the clutch meant to transfer all the power to the wheels in the form of wheel spin? If so, dropping the clutch on a stock car would be better than feathering it. The longer it takes for you to let the clutch out by feathering, the more wear you get on the clutch. Therefore, dropping it will allow the clutch to grab instantly (unless your clutch is defective to begin with), and only wearing the tires as they spin. You want that tire spin to occur to transfer all that power, otherwise, you'll just shock the transmission pretty badly (aka bogging). I don't launch my car, but logistically, what do you guys think about this method:
rev to 3k
as it comes time to launch, mash the gas
when it hits 5k, drop the clutch
That way, you get the full turbo spool up, since you're at full throttle, and therefore, peak power, when you drop the clutch. Merely holding it at 5k rpm, you won't have any boost when you drop the clutch, that's why you gotta drop it while you mash the gas.
rev to 3k
as it comes time to launch, mash the gas
when it hits 5k, drop the clutch
That way, you get the full turbo spool up, since you're at full throttle, and therefore, peak power, when you drop the clutch. Merely holding it at 5k rpm, you won't have any boost when you drop the clutch, that's why you gotta drop it while you mash the gas.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
im sitting here in my room cringing thinking about you people who are dropping the clutch on an all wheel drive car, or launching it at anything over 6000 rpm -- dont you CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR?!?!?! get a hyundai until u get over ur vehicle destruction phase and give me da evos
Evolved Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Riverview, FL
Originally Posted by lam4chineguns
im sitting here in my room cringing thinking about you people who are dropping the clutch on an all wheel drive car, or launching it at anything over 6000 rpm -- dont you CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR?!?!?! get a hyundai until u get over ur vehicle destruction phase and give me da evos
Evolving Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Southern Cali
I've gotten my car to launch really good at 6,000rpm with the clutch all the way in and then just slipping it very slighty then just dumping it all the way. No clutch smell after that. I managed to get some good 1/4 times. I tried to launch lower than 5,500 rpm and all I get is bogs. I managed to do the same launching routing at the track everytime with no clutch problems and no clutch smell. I have a friend that cant launch his evo at all. I tried to launch in it and it didnt work on me either. I must of tried like 10 times and all I got was bogging, but once I stepped in to my evo everything changed. Launching is great on my evo. Some react different to others...(thats just my theory)
All you guys saying how to get 1.8 60's by leaving at 6K are wrong. I get 1.70 all day by leaving at 4500. It's faster and easier on the car and I do not drop it. It's all about matching the throttle and the clutch. It's no big secret. It's everyday driving, but in fast forward.
Originally Posted by EVOTEXAS
All you guys saying how to get 1.8 60's by leaving at 6K are wrong. I get 1.70 all day by leaving at 4500. It's faster and easier on the car and I do not drop it. It's all about matching the throttle and the clutch. It's no big secret. It's everyday driving, but in fast forward.
I noticed a couple of people posting doubts about dropping the clutch and making comments about a 1.8 60ft suggestions I made.
First, I drag raced my car bone stock pulling 13.7 at 100.52mph a couple of times. I dropped my clutch at around 6000rpms and had absolutely no trouble getting the tires to spin. So, stock Evos can spin the tires, which is good for saving the drivetrain. I never had wheel hop issues either doing it this way.
Second, I used the drop the clutch method at least 20 times at drag strips on my stock clutch and it never broke, my t-case never broke, and my tranny never broke. When I changed my stock clutch for a new Cusco Twin Disk at over 20,000 miles (I was planning to do a big turbo upgrade and was advised to upgrade the clutch first), my old clutch showed plenty of wear, but was in good working condition.
I posted "good for 1.8s all day" because newbies can easily attain 1.8s using this method. With some practice, I ran consistent 1.7s using this method. With my Cusco Twin I ran a 1.65 60ft which I believe is one of the best 60ft times recorded here on Evom:
I slipped it a tiny bit more from a lower rpm, but it was still almost a drop because this clutch could take the abuse. Those who disagree with my methods can't argue with my results and my car's durability. Not too many folks get into the 11s at under 115 mph.
First, I drag raced my car bone stock pulling 13.7 at 100.52mph a couple of times. I dropped my clutch at around 6000rpms and had absolutely no trouble getting the tires to spin. So, stock Evos can spin the tires, which is good for saving the drivetrain. I never had wheel hop issues either doing it this way.
Second, I used the drop the clutch method at least 20 times at drag strips on my stock clutch and it never broke, my t-case never broke, and my tranny never broke. When I changed my stock clutch for a new Cusco Twin Disk at over 20,000 miles (I was planning to do a big turbo upgrade and was advised to upgrade the clutch first), my old clutch showed plenty of wear, but was in good working condition.
I posted "good for 1.8s all day" because newbies can easily attain 1.8s using this method. With some practice, I ran consistent 1.7s using this method. With my Cusco Twin I ran a 1.65 60ft which I believe is one of the best 60ft times recorded here on Evom:
I slipped it a tiny bit more from a lower rpm, but it was still almost a drop because this clutch could take the abuse. Those who disagree with my methods can't argue with my results and my car's durability. Not too many folks get into the 11s at under 115 mph.
I would like to point out also that spinning the tires are not "good for the drivetrain." The tires are AFTER the drivetrain and the shock required to break your tires loose has already passed through the crucial parts. It is better to slip your clutch than your tires WHEN TALKING ABOUT DRIVETRAIN PROTECTION.
Originally Posted by EVOTEXAS
I would like to point out also that spinning the tires are not "good for the drivetrain." The tires are AFTER the drivetrain and the shock required to break your tires loose has already passed through the crucial parts. It is better to slip your clutch than your tires WHEN TALKING ABOUT DRIVETRAIN PROTECTION.
You seem pretty knowledgeable.... What are your specific experiences with drag racing your Evo. Where do you go? What are some of your times? How many times have you done it? Where have you posted your slips?
Last edited by Smogrunner; Jan 8, 2005 at 02:05 PM.
hmm.. i can't wait for the season to open up so i can take my car to the track. although i'm not a big fan of the 1/4 mile racing, i would like to see how i do with the 5.5k rpm LC.