Hi. I picked up my evo 9 a few weeks ago. I've been taking it easy on the launches but the other night some bloke in a skoda wanted some while we were at the lights so I gave it some throttle. The revs were probably at about 2.5-
3k when I started feathering the clutch and although he got a slightly better start, I shot past him in no time. Jobs a gooden, obviously I won, but the pretty bad puff of clutch smoke that came out of the bonnet vent did worry me a little considering it was hardly a redline launch... The clutch was replaced late last year but it was just a basic exedy that only cost a few hundred quid. I read about 2 step launching and saw a few vids so I went to test it out, but it looks like it's not turned on. None the less I done a 5k launch and there was a pretty impressive puff of smoke out of the bonnet.... Obviously the clutch is not appreciating the beating but should I be worried about it, maybe I should think about upgrading to a decent exedy rather than the cheap and cheerful that's in there?

Any advice appreciated.

 

You need to upgrade your launching skills...if you are seeing '...a pretty impressive puff of smoke out of the bonnet' you are obviously slipping the clutch too much.

Do not side step your clutch (don't dump your clutch in other words)...rather slip it just little bit.

I hope you didn't over rev your motor figuring out you didn't have 2 step launch control set up.

 

What kind of rpm would you launch at?

I just built the revs to 5k and then gave it a quick stamp to see if it held. It didn't...

 

How can you not have 2 step activated? It has to be activated from factory.

Your issue has half of it to do with the clutch not being a decent clutch for launching, and the other half of it is your launching skill.

I've launched on a stock clutch before, it launches nicely, but it'll wear out quite quickly. Either your clutch was worn to begin with or you're slipping it too much.

 

I don't have 2 step on my Evo 8. I first come to a complete stop and then I take up any slack in the drivetrain, then rev it up to about 6,000 rpm & slip the clutch just a bit, floor it when it grabs then let her go (just about the time it grabs I'm releasing the clutch). Barely, if any, is there clutch smell .... but I don't launch hardly ever.

This is not a HOW TO.....so do your own research and You Tube it...there are quite a few videos that can show you how to launch your Evo...with and without 2 step set up...

 

Apparently the car has been mapped although I have no proof of it so really don't know. The fact it's still got the standard fuel pump makes me doubtful. I heard some people have it turned off when getting the car mapped??

I don't doubt the fact my lack of skill is playing a part in it, i was hoping for some advice. Im stepping up from a 280bhp Leon cupra r to an evo 9, so there's obviously going to be a learning curve.

Yeah, I'm over slipping... I think I'm trying to launch it like a motorbike rather than a car, because on a motorbike if you launch like that you're coming off the back of it...

 

Yeah it can take a bit of practice to learn how to launch evos without frying your clutch or breaking something in your drivetrain.

Have fun learning! You'll grin ear to ear once you do your first kickass launch and feel the rear end squat like never before!

 

Thanks for the help. Just so there's no confusion, build the revs to 5k, let the clutch out slightly to take up slack in the drive train, and then literally just whip my foot off the clutch and pin the accelerator?

 

Exactly.

 

Awesome, thanks. It sounds mental lol

Cheers

 

Here are some Google Results for your to thumb through...sorry...I don't want to give you any misinformation or be the reason you fried your clutch or xcase. There are a bunch of links to read and videos to watch...

How To Launch Your Evo

Another Thread on Evo M on launching:

How To Launch The Evo

 

Wicked, thanks

 

I just gave it another go on the way to work this morning. Built the revs, slowly let the clutch out till the car started to move and then let it out pretty sharpish. It wasn't a brilliant launch but was definitely better, but there was still a bit of clutch smoke. I think i still might not have been quick enough dumping the clutch. I'll have another go later. Dumping the clutch like that just goes against everything i taught myself when learning how to launch a bike... I see a new clutch in the not too distant future but my mate is a mechanic and does me a good price on labour so it shouldn't be too much of a wounder hopefully

 

With a better clutch you'll have better results

 

Would a more expensive clutch be better at dealing with this kind of torture, or are clutches not really designed for this kind of punishment and I'd just end up toasting a much more expensive clutch?