Okay, I happen to be one of those people who enjoys a little stoplight action now and again - assuming the situation is safe and I know I can win ;-)

That being said, what does everyone feel is the best way to launch a stock car on stock tires...

1. Traction control on or off?
2. RPM?

Love to know what everyones experience has been.

 

First of all, definitely turn the TC off. There have been numerous discussions here regarding this issue. And it has been determined that having the TC on will hurt your times. As far as RPM, that depends. I used to power brake to around 2000 and then let her go (I have an auto) but after my mods, if I do that now I smoke the tires for a good 2-3 seconds. It depends on your specific car. Just mess around with it until you find that sweet spot. You'll know when you find it.

 

Well with stock tires I am assuming he means stock everything. I am in the same boat with a manual tranny. This is my first manual car and I have no idea how to launch it properly. I usually hold the clutch in, rev it about 2-3000 and bring the clutch in fairly fast (not immediate). But if I am on a slight incline or something I am completely screwed since my foot isnt on the brake. Do I just need to practice heel-toeing? My body just really doesnt want to let me contort my foot that way.

Some people say "drop the clutch." Do they mean just immediately release it, or feather it out pretty fast?

 

Hey Steve... I don't have an '05, but launching a manual will be similar to other manuals... you have to "slip" the clutch. you'll probably drop the clutch pretty hard, and then feather it back in and out... the idea is to keep your RPMs as high as possible without spinning an without bogging down. If you wrap it up to 4000 and drop the hammer, you're going to sit there with plenty of time to think about buying your next set of tires.... if you start with the Rs too low and dump the clutch, you'll bog down.. It's going to take a lot of procatice. I guess the '05s are hookin' up pretty good at about 3000-3500 RPMs and slipping the clutch. Be advised... slipping the clutch will eventually smoke it, and you'll be buying a new one. That type of wear and tear is all part of racing.... so don't think you're going to get away with it all the time without buying parts here and there. Have fun and be safe... practice, practice..... go to a parking lot and work on the launch. Then remember, things like the type of pavement will effect it.... and if there's stripes on the road for a crosswalk or whatever.... those will make a huge difference too.

 

I should have mentioned that my '05 is stock all around with the automatic transmission. I'm going to do some testing today, but up here in the northeast I have found that the tires on the salty roads are definitely lacking in grip (even with the tc on and just punching it I can light em up for a good 50 feet or so). It was this obversation that made me question whether or not turning the TC off and holding the RPM at around 2k or so would make sense.

 

Your problem may just be road conditions. And because of that, you may want to just leave the TC on. And maybe not race either. Just experiment with the RPM's and find out what's best for you.

 

For an auto:
I would probably foot brake till the tire starts spinning and observe where your RPM's are when the tires start to spin. Then use that as a reference point for launching and foot brake for a launch but only go up on your RPM's a hair under your designated reference RPM point. Then lift off the brake while easing down on the gas. Of course, if you spin the tires after your launch, then adjyst your accelleration accordingly and maybe don't ease down so hard on the gas and feather it more.

For a 5 speed:
I have one and I usually rev to about 1800 - 2000 and then I dump the clutch while easing on the gas to the floor. I NEVER rev high and spin the clutch on my launches. Maybe it works for some people but I have never done that. Practice will help you find where to dump the clutch and how hard to press the gas. I have had some REALLY good 0-60's dumping at 1800 RPM's.

Just go out and find a spot to G-tech some 0-60's to practice your launches. If you don't have a G-tech, invest in one, it's a great tool to better your launches and shifting. You don't always need to run a G-Tech the entire 1/4 mile to get better times at the track. Practice your hole shot for 0-60 times and watch your 1/4 ET's go down.

 

Steve

You can use the hand brake to keep the car in place on a incline or hill. Relase brake as you release clutch. Great for starting on big hills.

 

Great question. I have a manual. I wouldn't say any more than 2000 RPMs at launch. With TC off of course.

 

I'll tell you one thing, if you have a manual, dumping the clutch with get you atleast one of the following two if not both: wheel spin or wheel hop. If you have lower control arms, you'll just spin the wheels. This car has great power and torque and you will have to feather the clutch. On stock tires, I started at 2000 rpm practicing and was at my best at about 4500 rpm. I was getting 1.8-60' times on stock rubber. When I went to slicks, I was side stepping the clutch and the clutch itself isn't enough to handle the power or the hook. The clutch is 11" and stinks. Another bad thing to do is the heel/toe method for burnouts. I have done quite a few at the track! It is very bad for the clutch. This is atleast what I've been told by some old timers that seriously race. I'm about to have a new 10.5" clutch and such plus line locs put on. Then I'll just have to break something else. The auto's I've seen have been getting their best times shifting manually as opposed to putting it in Drive and gunning. TCS definately needs to be off. This is just my honest opinion based on my experience!

 

Shifting manually in an auto? Can you be more specific, David?

 

Heel-and-toe is easier than it sounds. If you push the brake pedal with the left ball of your right foot, a slight roll of your ankle will pick up the gas pedal with the right side of your foot. A little practice, and you'll be a Pro.

 

I overheard a guy talking about launching it in 1st gear and manually pushing the shifter forward through the gears. I could be wrong. Maybe others here could verify this method.

Yikesaz--My heel to is opposite of how you mention. I put my heel on the brake and my tootsies on the gas. For me, it just felt more comfy with my foot twisting out instead of inwards. I'm sure everyone has their methods.

 

Does anyone else with an auto (or auto experience) know of manually shifting an auto? That sounds like it would work, but would it hurt the tranny over time of doing that? Very interesting.

 

I have heard that before as well. I have done it too. As I heard it, it does not hurt the tranny. The tranny will shift gears by itself anyway. So it is going thru the same motions. Agian, this is what I have heard. I do not know enough about trannys to say if this is right or not.

I do it a lot when the roads are covered in snow/ice and I am on a hill. Starting in first helps get better traction, then I just push it up thru the gears when I get going.

 

Here's an interesting point. The very same transmission in the Lincoln LS is available as a "manumatic". It's really the same thing as shifting the auto-equipped stang manually, but with a different shifter. I would expect the aftermarket to eventually getting around to making a performance shifter for it. (One that locks with a detent into each gear up to fourth)

I used to always shift the C4 in my 66' manually, but then again you almost had to with that 3 speed setup. Straight "D" was a buzzkill and would never shift when you wanted it to anyway. Never had issues with that slushbox going out on me with a fairly modded engine in front of it.

 

Is started a new thread on this topic and placed in the S197 GT Tech & Performance section for any who is interested in this or has experience with it.

Edit: ...manually shifting an automatic transmission, that is.

 

Thanks for the tip guys. I am going to try and feather the clutch at launch. I figured this would burn the clutch up and never really tried modulating the clutch while on my way through first. I guess this is unavoidable from the comments I am reading. I am also going to try the heel toe tricks.... in a parking lot.

 

Let me warn you. heel/toe method will wear on the clutch.