Need help launching...

[AWDTalonTSi]

Ok, I've been rummaging through different threads trying to find out how I'm supposed to launch. I've got a 95 Talon TSi AWD. I love this car!!! It's pretty much stock, except for the test pipe and downpipe. I also put front and rear upper strut bars, but they don't make it any faster.

Anyway, I found a post that says to launch around 5k. From the post, I assume I'm supposed to ease the clutch out (mine's not stock) until I feel it grab, then dump it and slam the gas. Ok, that's one way. I've also got this buddy of mine in Raleigh that just got a new WRX. He says to just hold steady at 5k, dump the clutch and punch it.

I'm not sure what to do now. I didn't think the stock drivetrain would be able to take all the strain of staging at 5k. I used to launch at around 3k and ease off the clutch till it grabbed and then floored it. Did OK for awhile. But from reading different posts, it seems I've been doing it all wrong. I've never jumped ahead of anyone off the line before. I usually catch them in 2nd and 3rd. Those seem to be my happy gears. By that I mean the car likes to go REALLY fast in those gears.

OK, sorry for the long post but I would really like some advice. Anyone around the Cherry Point area hit me up too. I'm not in the service, anymore, but live around there. Thanks in advance.

 

[GalantVR41062]

plant foot to floor dont lift not even for shifting @7,500rpm use revlimiter as stuter box and build boost. Or be a wimp and slip it from 4k.

ps
I recomend 5k launch, dump or slip its up to you.

 

[AWDTalonTSi]

Thanks for the response. I tried the 5k launch the other day. WOW!! Didn't know my car had that big of balls! It was badass!! Still gotta get used to power shifting though. Not real clear on how to do it, so I'll just stick with speeding up my granny shifts. Hehe... Anyway, thanks for your input.

 

[niterydr]

Originally posted by GalantVR41062
plant foot to floor dont lift not even for shifting @7,500rpm use revlimiter as stuter box and build boost. Or be a wimp and slip it from 4k.

ps
I recomend 5k launch, dump or slip its up to you.

i agree.

 

[Thalomos]

Enjoy your tranny now i guess heh. I'd slip it from 4500-5 grand... slipping is the key, if your gonna mess up anything, let it be the clutch, not the tranny

 

[AWDTalonTSi]

Hmm... How long will the tranny last launching like this? I am still covered under my warranty. And yes, my tranny is covered under it. I made sure of it already. Well, I'm in class so I gotta run. Thanks for replying.

 

[Got Grip]

I was able to cut a 1.94 60' time with my car bone stock using the following method:

When the first yellow comes on, floor the car, when the tach hits 4500-5000 quickly slip the clutch. I also cut .560 RT's using this method. For street racing, I guess just hold it around 5000 and quickly slip the clutch, the clutch wont like you but the drivetrain will thank you for slipping instead of dropping.

 

[AWDTalonTSi]

Those are some pretty nice times. I'll try slipping the clutch this weekend. One question though. How fast/slow should I let the clutch out? I don't want to burn it faster than it will already be burned. Thanks for the post.

 

[GalantVR41062]

what ever seams not so violant to break stuff but not to slow to cause it to burn a lot do your 5k bite and slip it 1/4 and 3/4 dump, it comes down to what you like to do and what the car will take.

 

[AWDTalonTSi]

Thanks. I did the straight dump from 5k and really liked the way it jumped off the line. Stopped at a couple of shops here in town and they all said the same thing about that kind of launch. The front diff(?) has a real good chance of breaking.

I did the slip method also. Wasn't as exciting at the launch, but still got the job done. I did smell something burning afterwards, which I suppose is the clutch. Anyway, I'm still working on my release point.

Thanks again for posting. Anyone else want to deposit their $0.02?