How to soft launch so don't kill the clutch?
 

So I'm getting my X here within the next few days (waiting on the transport) and am looking to take it down to World Tuner Challenge the weekend after this just to see how it does and have some fun. It will be stock except I'm going to be changing the oil and trans fluid to Amsoil and installing Eibach Pro Kit, Nesei UICP, and a Cobb AP with just a Stage one 91 Octane tune. What I want to know, this being my first AWD DD/project (I drive them everyday at work, just not in a performance manner, well for the most part :D) is what's the best way to soft launch the car without killing the clutch. I've heard the stock clutch can't take aggressive hard launches and really don't feel like putting in a new clutch after this weekend, but would like to get off the line before the end of the night. I'm guessing it will do high 13s at this altitude? (Mile high) Thanks for any help you guys can provide. :beer: And no I'm not taking a brand new car to the track. It has 5k on it {thumbup}

man i appreciate your enthisiasm,,, but at least break in the evo,,, they usually like to be broken in before you put the hammer down. :lol:

hold your rev @ 3k rpm and hold your clutch right before it connects. raise the clutch slowly then while it connects add more throttle while continuing releasing the clutch. Key is to steady the rev and not mash the gas the second it connects, but apply smooth pressure. Mashing it will make a slip. Once you start connecting, don't dump the clutch either haha.

+1 works very well, just dont hold to long or you will burn it

^^pretty good advice right there. Dont 'dump' the clutch at high rpm. Slip it at moderate rpm. Start low like 3k just to get a feel for slipping and slowly work up to 4 or 4.5.

I figured 5k is plenty for being broke in. I am not one to take the car off the lot to the track. I'm pretty good with cars and do my research, work on German cars for a living and have modified a few different cars. But from what I knew 5k miles was plenty time to get broken in, even as low as 3k. I was hoping to have it for a little longer before so I could get used to it more, but things didn't work out that way. Thanks for all the advice, I'll try and remember all that while I'm staged and my heart is pumping. :beer:

Im goin to the track tonight...I have been goin for a couple times and really couldnt figure out of to launch it right...My 60ft hasnt been right...ima try this and c if it works out for me...with my mods i should b well past the stock 13.8s hopefully 13.0 or less...

The best way to launch is to buy an auto Mustang GT or Chevy SS. Wait for the light, hammer the gas pedal to the floor. You will be half way down the track while the Evo is still gathering revs and destroying it's clutch.

dude you're giving launching advice now?

to op any launching is going to wear the clutch. you may as well use the 2 step and at least get some boost built when doing it. but i agree that you should probably play nicely until it's broken in a happy.

I'm pretty sure it's broken in. Like I said it has 5k on it. I don't mind a little wear since I will be replacing the clutch eventually and def by 15k I would expect, I just don't want to have to tow it home because I blew the clutch. I'm not turning this into a drag car, maybe a few track days a year just for fun, but i'm looking to get back into auto-x. I just want to take it to the track for the hell of it and see what it'll do almost stock. As for lowkey, I'm not big into domestics, although like the Mustang, and hate automatics in performance cars unless it's an all out drag car which is a much different automatic. Thanks though. :beer:

I've got over 40 5,500rpm launches on my stock clutch right now with 2700 miles on the car.

All I have to say is Wow. And how do you launch? Just use the "launch control" and feather the clutch?

WOT off the 2 step at 5.5k clutch out waiting till its almost starting to grab, then feed it out. Its not abrupt like stabbing it out as I get no wheel hop and the tires just spin for a foot or two. I should take a dash cam video.

Clutch still grabs but the cars making only ~310whp. Hopefully I can get well over 100 with the hd twin I have waiting.

Well at least you are not asking me if I ever go outside like you did in that exhaust thread. /claps for effort.

Fast but goodness, just don't try to turn...