Who HAS used Launch Control: does it really do anything?

[drtwo]

I went into competitive mode by double tapping the launch control button. I jammed the accelerator to the floor and it held at 4.2K RPM and I let out the clutch fast. I left about a 25 foot black mark and then it hopped a little bit and grabbed. I did the same thing with the traction control and stabilitrac both OFF and didn't do anything different accept that the RPM would not (obviously) hold at that 4.2K RPM range.

Isn't the launch control supposed to adjust the motor speed and braking to limit the wheel spin? I really can't say that it does anything other than hold the RPM from redlining.

Has ANYONE else (or could anyone else) tried to launch with and without the Launch Control engaged. Did it respond differently for you?

[Havok1327]

I've tried it a few times with my car and every time I've had a little tire spin and then have hooked up and gone. My assumption has been that the computer kept the car under control and moving forward without lighting them up..

[CamaroSpike23]

I will give you some advice. while launch control is a cool idea....

Isn't the launch control supposed to adjust the motor speed and braking to limit the wheel spin?

that is exactly why I would not use it. with an electronic throttle body and the computer basically throwing power then pulling power away from the wheels hundreds of times a second, it is asking for busted halfshafts.

its nice that it holds it at a specific rpm to launch from, but after that, the torque management and lc in the car exacerbate wheelhop issues. that coupled with all the rubber bushings in the driveshaft just add insult to injury. the best way to launch the car is to turn everything off, hold it at your rpm and go. just be aware of the output shaft issue.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Isn't the output shaft issue only within certain vin #'s?

[NUCAR]

Originally Posted by Havok1327

I've tried it a few times with my car and every time I've had a little tire spin and then have hooked up and gone. My assumption has been that the computer kept the car under control and moving forward without lighting them up..

Here

Corvette's Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter 'spalins how it works. The Camaro system is the same with slightly different launch rpm hold points. You need to smartly move to WOT, quickly engage clutch to break the tire loose and hold 'er down while the computer does its thing in first. After that, you're on yer own

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

Isn't the output shaft issue only within certain vin #'s?

if it can break on one, it can break on any of them. I know there was a certain range that GM provided, but ya never know.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

if it can break on one, it can break on any of them. I know there was a certain range that GM provided, but ya never know.

Well I was under the impression it was due to a bad batch of shafts, if it is something innate to all drive shafts, then yes this is worrisome.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

Well I was under the impression it was due to a bad batch of shafts, if it is something innate to all drive shafts, then yes this is worrisome.

wheel hop is an issue for any driveshaft/output shaft. even the ones that are rated at 1000+hp. you get the right combination of oscillation and vibration put together and any component can fail.

I've been telling people the first thing they should do with the car is lay the hammer down right off the dealer lot. break it early and get it fixed under warranty rather than down the road when dealers start getting finicky about it.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

I've been telling people the first thing they should do with the car is lay the hammer down right off the dealer lot. break it early and get it fixed under warranty rather than down the road when dealers start getting finicky about it.

But if it is not a batch problem then it could happen even after it is fixed.

[UCF w00t]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

if it can break on one, it can break on any of them. I know there was a certain range that GM provided, but ya never know.

What range did GM provide? I don't ever recall seeing one. The last thing I saw was "we'll call the people with weak output shafts" but that never happened.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

But if it is not a batch problem then it could happen even after it is fixed.

not in the same manner that it is now. the previous issue was due to a bad batch (effectively weaker) output shafts that werent up to snuff. the "always there no matter what vehicle you drive" issue is wheel hop and power. any part can fail given the right circumstances.

[MikeL]

Reading this all I could think in my head was "Launch control this is Houston, we have a problem."

[drtwo]

Maybe my traction control isn't working then. I didn't get any control of the wheel spin, it laid rubber no differently than with the launch control off. hmmmm

Essentially the only difference that I noticed was the RPM hold that launch control DID do.

[THUMPER20X]

I dunno. I think launching the car hard with experience and feel will do better. Gotta race it like you wanna break it to get good times. This launch control seems like |Drag Racing for Dummies. I have never and will probly never use it. Take off the traction control and be the ball nuhnuhnuhnuhnuhnuhnuhnuh.