Bad Launches

[Badas2011]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the thread so if I do something wrong be nice! I have a 2011 SS with a CP525 motor and lots of other mods. When I run at the strip, I lose most of my time at the light. I get good reaction but a shity 60' of about 2 sec. I'm running 3.91's with drag radials and seems to be hooking ok. I always seem to get a lag when I drop the clutch so my lost time is in the recovery on RPM's after the initial dump. And yes all my traction control is turned off.Any suggestions out there?

[zlathim]

What launch RPM?

You may need to launch with more RPMs and slip the clutch a touch on the release instead of dumping it.

I have incrementally increased my launch RPM to eliminate bog. I started at 4,000 RPM and the bog was terrible. Now, I am launching at 5,600 RPMs, and the car doesn't bog at all anymore. The hardest part for me is getting just the right amount of clutch slip so I don't spin the tires off the line.

[frankwjr]

tires + psi + rpm x tune


what are spec's on motor and red line? what suspension mods?


do you have any prior drag experience?


so much goes into the mix including most importantly(IMHO) driver mod.


good luck!


PEACE

[acammer]

Originally Posted by Badas2011

Hey guys,

I'm new to the thread so if I do something wrong be nice! I have a 2011 SS with a CP525 motor and lots of other mods. When I run at the strip, I lose most of my time at the light. I get good reaction but a shity 60' of about 2 sec. I'm running 3.91's with drag radials and seems to be hooking ok. I always seem to get a lag when I drop the clutch so my lost time is in the recovery on RPM's after the initial dump. And yes all my traction control is turned off.Any suggestions out there?

Here is a recent pass of mine to give you an idea of just how much RPM these cars really need. That's with 4.10s, you've got less gear so it probably want's even more rpm. Like these guys said, you want a quick clutch release, but definitely not a clutch dump. You might want to learn to preload the driveline as well to reduce breakage - I use the e-brake to hold the car on the line and let the clutch up to where it just starts to bite the tiniest bit so that when I launch there isn't any snapping acting against the axles, gears, etc.

Also note, track conditions are HUGELY variable from track to track, I have another local track that doesn't prep nearly as well as this one, and you can't leave as hard. What PSI in your tires? My NT05Rs like about 18psi. Shouldn't need a long burnout, but you want a little heat in them.

[Badas2011]

Thanks guys, that is good info. I definately am not giving it enough RPM's and no preload so that is something to try. I've been street racing for years but fairly new to the strip. Best 60' I could get last night was a 2.02 which is terrible. Good reaction but losing that initial launch.

Running 19 PSI in my MT's last night. she is dynoed at 460 to the rear. What do you guys think is a good time on the quarter for that set up?

[acammer]

Originally Posted by Badas2011

Thanks guys, that is good info. I definately am not giving it enough RPM's and no preload so that is something to try. I've been street racing for years but fairly new to the strip. Best 60' I could get last night was a 2.02 which is terrible. Good reaction but losing that initial launch.

Running 19 PSI in my MT's last night. she is dynoed at 460 to the rear. What do you guys think is a good time on the quarter for that set up?

That's enough power for 11s if you can drive. Even on a relatively decent launch it should go low 12s.

[IWANTA(ss)]

I’m in the same boat partner I’m launching at 3500-4000 and all I do is spin spin spin no matter what. I need to learn to preload and clutch slip myself

[Badas2011]

One other thing I am doing after watching the video and studying the data is I am backing out to quick where I think the trap is and not following through to the farthest exit. I agree, I should be in the 11's. Thanks for the help guys!

[zlathim]

Originally Posted by Badas2011

One other thing I am doing after watching the video and studying the data is I am backing out to quick where I think the trap is and not following through to the farthest exit. I agree, I should be in the 11's. Thanks for the help guys!

No worries man. No one here was born knowing how to drag race a modified 5th gen Camaro!!

Just keep after it. I was in your exact place in April. My car was a full second off what I thought it would run. It just takes repetition to get your launches figured out. My advice is to watch acammer's videos and try to duplicate what he does. It has been working for me. I was cutting 2 second 60' times when I first started and now I'm consistently in the 1.7x second range.

One thing I will say is I've learned that a car that does 11 sec ET on paper doesn't necessarily run 11 sec ET at any kind of altitude. I still haven't dipped into the 11s with my car at the local track. The base elevation is 2,700 ft so it's an uphill battle. You have to run on just the right day to get a DA below the base elevation. 4k DAs are very common here in the summer months. My best ET so far is 12.073

I don't have my launch down as well as acammer, but here is a video of a 12.16 second pass I made. You will see that I spun the tires a little bit and I short shifted the 2-3, but otherwise that was a good pass for me. I'm still learning.

https://youtu.be/rtVGbXjp00k

[acammer]

Originally Posted by zlathim

My advice is to watch acammer's videos and try to duplicate what he does.

A sure fired recipe for mediocrity. Lol. If you want to watch the true NA 5th Gen Stick Shift guru you need to watch Billy Sharps. This is who I want to try to drive more like. This is a very similar setup/build to my car - he's on a drag pack with 26" tires, and in some really good air.

[IWANTA(ss)]

Originally Posted by acammer

A sure fired recipe for mediocrity. Lol. If you want to watch the true NA 5th Gen Stick Shift guru you need to watch Billy Sharps. This is who I want to try to drive more like. This is a very similar setup/build to my car - he's on a drag pack with 26" tires, and in some really good air.

How did he not lose rpms in the launch and manage to not blow the tires off. Does the drag pack really make that big a difference?

[ariZona28]

Are you guys power-shifting (some of the young guys I know call it "flat footing") or is that not the hot set-up anymore? I used to do that with my Big-block Olds w/Muncie 4-gear for maximum enjoyment. No rev limiters so make it quick!

[Fred 6528]

Practice using the e brake to pre load it will help with the launch

[RyangAsh]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Are you guys power-shifting (some of the young guys I know call it "flat footing") or is that not the hot set-up anymore? I used to do that with my Big-block Olds w/Muncie 4-gear for maximum enjoyment. No rev limiters so make it quick!

I lift for second, but not for 3 or 4th. I have the typical notchy second gear.