Theoretical and Street Racing Use this board to ask questions about street racing, discuss your street races, and "who would win?" questions. Keep it safe.

Launching a manual

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-24-2007, 12:00 PM
  #1  
Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
vbMike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1987 Camaro IROC-Z28
Engine: TPI 350ci L98
Transmission: T56 - Hurst Shifter
Axle/Gears: BW - 3.70
Launching a manual

I知 sure this will sound stupid but what is the best way to launch a manual car at the track or on the street? With my automatic I would hold the brake and rev the engine as much as I could without rolling and then hit the gas and release the brake when the light turned green.

I have driven a manual for several years but never raced one. Should I rev to a certain RPM and then dump the clutch or should I slip the clutch a little before. Is it possible to break the axel or driveshaft if I do it wrong? I知 not running slicks, just street tires. I don稚 want to burn up my clutch either. I just put in a T56 6speed and a hays street/strip clutch. I can drive it just fine and can speed shift it good but I知 just wondering about launching at a light.
Old 05-24-2007, 12:28 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member

 
freestylzz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Toronto CANADA - GM Parts Rep.
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1987 Iroc Z28
Engine: The KING of the 3rd gen TPI's.
Transmission: Beefed up T5
Axle/Gears: Aussie 3.45's
Re: Launching a manual

There are alot of variables that can make or break a manual launch. Road / track conditions, hp / trq, drivetrain / suspension setup, tires / tire condition, posi / non-posi, gearing, driver experience etc etc all factor into having a good launch.

Well personally, what I'd suggest is to do a few trial runs to figure where and how to launch to really hit that (so-to-say) "sweet spot" that's right for your particular vehicle (not all 3rd gens are equal).

Of course on the street it's a matter of dropping it into first and juggling the clutch and the gas to get it into that rpm range where your car will launch like a bat outta hell. Dropping the clutch at too much rpm on street tires and your sure to leave a great smoke show for quite a few feet. Too little rpm and your risk the possibility of falling flat on your face (bogging into 2nd). I find hitting the right rpm range and easing the clutch into gear works alot better (and is alot easier) on my drivetrain than dumping it.

With a good setup and drag radials / slicks you can launch real hard and much higher in the rpm range as opposed to street tires on the street (cross your fingers and hope the drivetrain and rear end hold up).

The real nice thing about a 3rd gen (as opposed to alot of stangs I've seen) is that the back end is pretty forgiving and doesn't get real crazy-like and squirrely on a bad launch.
Old 05-24-2007, 12:43 PM
  #3  
Member

iTrader: (5)
 
89305formula's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: forest hill md
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 89 formula
Engine: 305tpi
Transmission: t-56
Axle/Gears: ford 9" 4.11s
Re: Launching a manual

when im at the track i set the limiter to 6500 and launch it with my foot on the floor with drag radials its only a 305 tpi but i still goes low 13s
Old 05-25-2007, 06:06 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
stroker_SS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1984 Camaro Berlinetta
Engine: 355
Transmission: Th-350
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Launching a manual

Originally Posted by 89305formula
when im at the track i set the limiter to 6500 and launch it with my foot on the floor with drag radials its only a 305 tpi but i still goes low 13s
I aint calling BS, but that is surely something i'd like to see.
Old 05-25-2007, 07:32 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
one wheel peel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: ft.wayne indiana
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 84 camaro
Engine: 72 chevy 406 sbc
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 eaton posi
Re: Launching a manual

me too,heck id even be willing to stand by with a shovel and bucket to help pick up the rear end parts scatterd on the ground lmao
Old 05-25-2007, 10:50 PM
  #6  
Member

iTrader: (5)
 
89305formula's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: forest hill md
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 89 formula
Engine: 305tpi
Transmission: t-56
Axle/Gears: ford 9" 4.11s
Re: Launching a manual

i broke a 9 bolt a month ago and a 10 bolt last wednesday if you dont belive me i really dont care come to cecil county on a wednsday night in about a month or so and see for your self, sister said she would video tape it next time we go but i need a new rear and u-joint first, my foot is never off the floor from the second amber till the traps and i have a t-56 cause the t-5 would never hold up to speed shifting

Last edited by 89305formula; 05-25-2007 at 10:55 PM.
Old 05-26-2007, 07:28 AM
  #7  
Supreme Member

 
freestylzz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Toronto CANADA - GM Parts Rep.
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1987 Iroc Z28
Engine: The KING of the 3rd gen TPI's.
Transmission: Beefed up T5
Axle/Gears: Aussie 3.45's
Re: Launching a manual

Originally Posted by 89305formula
i broke a 9 bolt a month ago and a 10 bolt last wednesday if you dont belive me i really dont care come to cecil county on a wednsday night in about a month or so and see for your self, sister said she would video tape it next time we go but i need a new rear and u-joint first, my foot is never off the floor from the second amber till the traps and i have a t-56 cause the t-5 would never hold up to speed shifting
Okay, so what your saying is you make it a regular routine to blow up rear ends??

Cool. You must have deep pockets eh. I guess we'd all love to see video of that anytime!
Old 05-26-2007, 12:34 PM
  #8  
Member

iTrader: (5)
 
89305formula's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: forest hill md
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 89 formula
Engine: 305tpi
Transmission: t-56
Axle/Gears: ford 9" 4.11s
Re: Launching a manual

i dont try to blow them up it just happens the guy who taught me how to race has a gt350h with a 358 windsor and his car is a 4 speed he launches at 7200 flat shifts at 7800 and goes 9.95, i listen to whatever he says im only 18 and hes been racing a manual for 40 years, if he says to do it i will, and i dont have deep pockets but i work full time and live at home so pretty much all my money goes to the formula or my jeep, im saving for a 9 inch moser so it doesnt happen again
Old 05-27-2007, 12:20 AM
  #9  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
DIGGLER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SC
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 0
Received 75 Likes on 60 Posts
Re: Launching a manual

i didnt figure a 305tpi could even make it up to 6500..... lol

with a stock clutch and stock 3.42 10 bolt, and 5000 dump on et streets, you can make a couple of passes before fragging something. (did this with a '97 z28 with some weight reduction)

with my heads/cam LS1 car, i revved it to ~6200, put it to the wood and dumped it. with 12 bolt, 4.30 gear, and et streets it was getting mid 1.5's.
Old 05-27-2007, 01:08 AM
  #10  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
305q_ta86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1993 Nissan 240sx
Engine: Turbo KA24DE
Transmission: 5 spd
Axle/Gears: 4.08 VLSD
Re: Launching a manual

What I did was I found an abandoned road in the middle of nowhere and I picked a launching RPM of about 3000, then I tried to see how fast I could release the clutch and roll on the gas without spinning or bogging. What ended up happening was the first time I tried it all I got was smoke. Then I backed off a bit and still spun a lot, but just tried to spin a little less each time. It's all just practice.
Old 05-27-2007, 10:07 AM
  #11  
Member

iTrader: (5)
 
89305formula's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: forest hill md
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 89 formula
Engine: 305tpi
Transmission: t-56
Axle/Gears: ford 9" 4.11s
Re: Launching a manual

the 305 has aluminum heads ported edelbrock base 560 lift cam and as& runners so it revs pretty good
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Fireslash
Camaros for Sale
3
04-11-2016 06:43 PM
darwinprice
Organized Drag Racing and Autocross
17
10-11-2015 11:51 PM
bjpotter
History / Originality
17
10-04-2015 07:48 PM
Galaxie500XL
Suspension and Chassis
2
10-01-2015 01:05 PM



Quick Reply: Launching a manual



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:17 AM.