I stink at launching

[jbrown13]

I stink at launching my 2011 SS A6 (stock converter) w/ NT555R drag radials. I can't get below 2.0x and I can't launch w/o wheel spin. If I roll into the throttle I lose a lot of time, as seen on my data logs. Can anyone offer me suggestions?

[Pro Stock John]

I run the same tires. Do a healthy burnout, and I turn off traction control. I hold revs 200 rpms over idle, and hit it. 1.83-1.87's. I'd 60 better if I had more converter.

[jbrown13]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

I run the same tires. Do a healthy burnout, and I turn off traction control. I hold revs 200 rpms over idle, and hit it. 1.83-1.87's. I'd 60 better if I had more converter.

Do you get any wheel spin? I have tried what you suggested and still got wheel spin. I did a burn out in M1 until I got smoke and then powered out of it. How would you describe a "healthy" burnout? Maybe the 2 tracks I have run on are not well prepared, I know today at South GA Motorsports Park most of the purpose built cars were having traction issues and getting sideways off the line.

[Pro Stock John]

I put mine down between 20-26 psi depending on the track.

Healthy for me is to heat them up until I see some smoke.

Are you talking about Valdosta? Our cars don't have much converter... I'm going 12.37-12.50@112 on a 1.83-1.87.

[jbrown13]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

I put mine down between 20-26 psi depending on the track.

Healthy for me is to heat them up until I see some smoke.

Are you talking about Valdosta? Our cars don't have much converter... I'm going 12.37-12.50@112 on a 1.83-1.87.

Yes, Valdosta. Silver Dollar in Reynolds is closer, but they are shut down for the winter. Yesterday I tried everything from 25 psi to 19 psi (in 1 psi increments) and still couldn't get rid of the wheel spin and couldn't get below 2.0x 60's. It was kinda warm at 75 degrees, but I was surprised how many purpose built cars on slicks were having launching issues. I only saw one that lifted the front end on launch, many got sideways immediately.

Thanks for your input.

Jeff

PS That Merc in your signature is one of my all-time favorite cars. In my teen years a friend had a 1950 Merc coupe and I was in love with it.

[Russell James]

Line lock, and a bigger burnout, maybe a bit less tire pressure.

18's help a lot too. 20's without much sidewall aren't the greatest for launching, even with DRs.

I have a friend that launches an auto L99 real hard, and those were his tricks... 18's on the rear with slicks, a big burnout using line lock, and fairly low pressure. DRs on 18's would also do better than DRs on 20s.

If your going to be doing a lot of drag racing, line lock is a must.

[SGOS252382]

Your track prep must suck.

I was pulling 1.83 sec 60' times with 20" NT555Rs (basic bolt ons).

NT555Rs need a nice burn out. Back into the water box and get your rear tires wet. Then pull forward and do a nice burn out. I used to brake stall just above idle and roll into the gas. Just flooring the gas would give me too much wheel spin most of the time.

You shouldn't be "losing" time by rolling into the gas. If you're having too much wheel spin, rolling into the gas should help with the wheel spin. If your tires are hooking you can roll quickly into the gas. If your having issues hooking, you need to roll more slowly into the gas.
A smooth launch with very little wheel spin is what you want.

But track prep and outside/track temps are very important. A launch technique that works on one track may not work on your track.

[Apex Paul]

Originally Posted by Russell James

Line lock, and a bigger burnout, maybe a bit less tire pressure.

18's help a lot too. 20's without much sidewall aren't the greatest for launching, even with DRs.

I have a friend that launches an auto L99 real hard, and those were his tricks... 18's on the rear with slicks, a big burnout using line lock, and fairly low pressure. DRs on 18's would also do better than DRs on 20s.

If your going to be doing a lot of drag racing, line lock is a must.

Good stuff. I might also say a launch controller could net more consistent launches. (maybe not in this case, because of the auto trans, but for others with launch problems)

[dekan513]

yep , i installed a lnc-2000 for pullin timing and it has a 2 step , makes things much better

[jbrown13]

Originally Posted by Russell James

Line lock, and a bigger burnout, maybe a bit less tire pressure.

18's help a lot too. 20's without much sidewall aren't the greatest for launching, even with DRs.

I have a friend that launches an auto L99 real hard, and those were his tricks... 18's on the rear with slicks, a big burnout using line lock, and fairly low pressure. DRs on 18's would also do better than DRs on 20s.

If your going to be doing a lot of drag racing, line lock is a must.

I have a line lock laying on my work bench, but haven't got around to installing it yet. A Jan/Feb project.

I'm running 275/40R20's on the rear. I haven't been able to get any concrete info on 10" wide 18's that fit over the Brembos w/o modification. If I found some I would probably go there at some point.

Thanks all,
Jeff

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by jbrown13

I have a line lock laying on my work bench, but haven't got around to installing it yet. A Jan/Feb project.

I'm running 275/40R20's on the rear. I haven't been able to get any concrete info on 10" wide 18's that fit over the Brembos w/o modification. If I found some I would probably go there at some point.

Thanks all,
Jeff

Most the 18" wheels that fit over the Brembos require you to shave off the top part of the brake pad (roller skate weights) unless you have an early build (they don't come with the roller skate style brake pads).

I run 18x10.0 Forgestar F14 and they fit my car without modification, but I have an early build.
I know the 18" TSW Nurburgrings also fit similarly. You will have to cut off the roller skates or change the brake pads.

F14s weigh around 20 - 21 lbs
Nurburgrings weigh around 18 - 19 lbs

18x10.0" Forgestar F14s with 305/45/18 NT555Rs - I'm hoping to run 1.6x sec 60' with this 18" setup. I was running 1.7x with 20" NT555Rs.

[Pro Stock John]

Post all of the slip info, and your mods.

Rolling into it, I think my best 60 is 1.92 on street tires. Even on my local track which got iffy on my last outing, I was able to squeak out some high 1.8's going wot as soon as I saw green on the tree.

Are you getting the tires hot, and I guess you could roll into the gas super fast, should go low 1.9's at least I'd think.

I've heard good things about Valdosta for events.

[jbrown13]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Post all of the slip info, and your mods.

Rolling into it, I think my best 60 is 1.92 on street tires. Even on my local track which got iffy on my last outing, I was able to squeak out some high 1.8's going wot as soon as I saw green on the street.

Are you getting the tires hot, and I guess you could roll into the gas super fast, should go low 1.9's at least I'd think.

I've heard good things about Valdosta for events.

Alright, here is my first run at 25 PSI, which happened to be my fastest.
2.082 - 60', 5.706 - 330', 8.613 - 1/8, 85.14 MPH - 1/8, 11.075 - 1000', 13.138 - 1/4, and trap speed of 109.50 MPH. DA for that run was 1039 Ft. I got slightly slower as I lowered the tire pressure and the temp went up. My worst run was the last run at 19 PSI, which was a 2.203 - 60', 5.829 - 330', 8.755 - 1/8, 84.54 MPH - 1/8, 11.237 -1000', 13.318 - 1/4 @ 108.59 MPH and DA of 1560 Ft. The other runs all fell between these two.

My mods are CAI cold air kit with scoop, Dynatech LT headers, high flow cats and full Dynatech 2-1/2" exhaust, and JRE tune. I was hoping with these mods I would never see 13's again, but not to be.

I ran 13.17, with a 2.039 - 60', at Silver Dollar with a DA of 1133 Ft. before I had the LT headers, HF cats, exhaust and updated tune.

Jeff

[Pro Stock John]

Heintz Racing does good tuning, maybe have them go over your tune? Even spinning you should run better over all. I can show you slips of mine where I went 1.97 and still went 12.5's @111.