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Old 10-31-2006, 01:50 AM   #1
3barboost
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Default Launch control = good or bad ? - experience please

Hi all

I am after opinions and facts on launch control - is it good or bad for the longevity of scooby heads / valve train - sti with sodium filled hollow exhaust valves

I have heard of people breaking valves due to launch control then I have heard of others using it for a long time without any issues - I need to know before I enable it on my car with autronic what are the risks (the benefits and fun are obvious) but I dont want to lunch the motor - your valid opinion and feedback are required.

And what are the recommended settings - cut fuel / cut ign or do both ?
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Old 11-16-2006, 01:25 PM   #2
blowbyu24
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i would like to know also....bump
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Old 11-22-2006, 12:55 PM   #3
Antyoo
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im running AEM EMS with launch control

and before the AEM i ran UTEC launch control

i have used it countless times and my engine is in no worse condition than before i first got launch control. i will never get rid of it. the main thing i like about it is that it enables floor shift which i use daily where as i launch the car only a couple times a month. not much time is really spent on the limiter as i dont launch or try to make a lot of noise everywhere i go.

you will love the effect, and much like anything else you can do to you car, in moderation it wont hurt anything.
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Old 12-10-2006, 11:38 AM   #4
Nixlimited
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I wish I could find more info on Element Hydra launch control, their website doesn't seem to have anything ... at least that I can find.
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Old 12-10-2006, 11:41 AM   #5
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Unless someone sets up the launch control for a really high RPM - I don't think you will have a problem. If you set it for like, 3800-4000 the motor can obviously handle that, but if you set it to like 6500-7000, I don't think the motor will like staying at that RPM hitting the limiter for a few seconds.
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Old 12-10-2006, 01:48 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by renegade_ View Post
Unless someone sets up the launch control for a really high RPM - I don't think you will have a problem. If you set it for like, 3800-4000 the motor can obviously handle that, but if you set it to like 6500-7000, I don't think the motor will like staying at that RPM hitting the limiter for a few seconds.
i have always run 5500rpm as my launch control rpm.

this has been for 2 years, and there were times where i was on the LC for 10 seconds or more.

car runs the same as it has for a long time. just recently dynoed it at 300whp
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Old 12-11-2006, 02:23 AM   #7
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I use it all the time no problems with my car at all
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Old 12-23-2006, 04:50 AM   #8
david amor
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We blew up 2 rally car motors within 2 weeks of each other tuning the launch control. Both cars had been using it for several rallies without problem. One car (wrx) broke a shim or the valve broke the shim and the other usdm STi melted / bent 4 valves and that side of the head. We were screwing around honestly but we already knew that with LC engaged EGT temps were rising way beyond 1200 degrees after about 5 secs without launching the car. So it can be reliable if used with caution but I don't think I'll be putting it on my street car anytime soon.
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Old 12-23-2006, 05:11 AM   #9
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I believe my car also broke a valve head due to launch control. I didn't have an EGT probe in at the time, so I cannot comment on that. The valve head came off and it appears to have been severed like with a knife. Needless to say, the damage was extensive. I cannot say it was the launch control for certain, but it was the only logical explanation at the time. Pity I don't have a icture of the head.

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Old 12-23-2006, 05:30 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McWidowmaker View Post
I believe my car also broke a valve head due to launch control. I didn't have an EGT probe in at the time, so I cannot comment on that. The valve head came off and it appears to have been severed like with a knife. Needless to say, the damage was extensive. I cannot say it was the launch control for certain, but it was the only logical explanation at the time. Pity I don't have a icture of the head.
That isn't your stage 5 engine is it???
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Old 12-23-2006, 12:32 PM   #11
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A fuel cut based launch control/flat shift like we use with the Hydra is perfectly safe. I have been using fuel cut based launch control going on 4.5 years now. I easily stay on the launch cut rpm for 10 seconds or more while drag racing and egts will peak to an acceptable range since no fuel is entering the cylinder.

Also I don't buy into this being remotely as hard on the valve train as running WOT at 550 whp, 27 psi, and at 8K rpm for 25 minutes straight. Under these conditions we regularly see 950-1000c EGTs with EGTs remaining in excess of 800c the entire time on the track. During these track sessions I use the flat-shift feature on most shifts.

I think where some systems may cause problems is when an ignition based cut is used exclusively. This type of system can build up fuel excessively resulting in some back fire or after fire. With a poorly built motor such as one with improper valve shimming it's possible for the shim to rattle loose. This should really only be of concern on a WRX with shim over bucket valvetrain. Again it would have to be way out of spec and I mean way out of spec to even happen. I have run shim over bucket valvetrains to 9k rpm.

Have fun.
Phil
www.elementtuning.com
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Old 12-23-2006, 01:43 PM   #12
Antyoo
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sitting on launch control with my car the EGT's would remain at 550c

this was with the UTEC launch control running ignition cut

on my AEM i believe its a mix of ignition and fuel cut, 70% fuel and 30% ignition i think, never really messed with the settings.

i have had launch control since ~15k miles and now im over 40k miles, again, no problems
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Old 12-23-2006, 11:06 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Antyoo View Post
sitting on launch control with my car the EGT's would remain at 550c

this was with the UTEC launch control running ignition cut

on my AEM i believe its a mix of ignition and fuel cut, 70% fuel and 30% ignition i think, never really messed with the settings.

i have had launch control since ~15k miles and now im over 40k miles, again, no problems
The AEM actually has 10 different settings for how aggresive you want your launch control. They all use a mix of ignition and fuel cut.. Unless you change your ignition cut value to a really high number that it couldn't reach. I have been using the AEM for only about 6k miles and not to many launches but have had no problems. Haven't seen the Hydra launch control in action yet but I'm sure it is as realiable like phill said.

I say good idea!
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Old 12-24-2006, 01:21 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brydon View Post
The AEM actually has 10 different settings for how aggresive you want your launch control. They all use a mix of ignition and fuel cut.. Unless you change your ignition cut value to a really high number that it couldn't reach. I have been using the AEM for only about 6k miles and not to many launches but have had no problems. Haven't seen the Hydra launch control in action yet but I'm sure it is as realiable like phill said.

I say good idea!
yea, im on level 7.
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Old 12-24-2006, 11:15 AM   #15
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Yes the Hydra EMS launch control is very reliable and has infinitely adjustable fuel cut, spark cut, or any combination of the two plus a specific fuel and spark map that can be enabled while in launch control.

I really don't think people have much to worry about when using launch control just keep the spark cut to a minimum to prevent excessive fuel build up.

Thanks,
Phil
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Old 12-24-2006, 09:53 PM   #16
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Would we be able to set this up on the 4th? during my tune
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Old 12-25-2006, 11:14 PM   #17
BobbyStylz
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Are there any launch controls that you dont need ems or anything of the sort. Just like a plug in unit? Also, will this build boost?
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Old 12-28-2006, 12:01 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobbyStylz View Post
Are there any launch controls that you dont need ems or anything of the sort. Just like a plug in unit? Also, will this build boost?

I don't think so.
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Old 12-29-2006, 04:14 AM   #19
3barboost
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launch control in its simplest form is a rev limiter where the parameters are road speed less than 2miles per hour, maximum rpm of say 5k and fuel and ign cut in certain ways to create the effect of building boost

MSD makes a stand alone system (but you need other MSD parts)
or you can just buy a generic rev limiter and set it for x rpm and have a seperate switch for it - so once you pull off its no longer active
crude but effective
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Old 12-29-2006, 02:05 PM   #20
05cgm
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Gizzmo makes one http://www.gizzmoelectronics.com/product_launch.htm , but you have to also use their tach recall shift light http://www.gizzmoelectronics.com/product_tach.htm .
My buddy has it on his 02 WRX and loves it. Only problem I have is that it is an ignition cut system and from what I have gathered, not the best option. I would really like to find a fuel cut system without having to go Hydra or AEM. Running Cobb right now and there is talk of them releasing a launch control update, but it sounds like it will only work with the V2 AP, if they even release it.
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Old 12-30-2006, 03:48 AM   #21
shaz1980
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hi all
i am new to sti any one tell wat is the best rpm to lauch for drag and where to keep the dccd for best times
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Old 12-30-2006, 04:13 AM   #22
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http://www.enginuity.org/viewtopic.php?t=1004&start=90

Check that out. I believe they've got Launch Control working by rewriting code in the stock ECU. I've got the launch control rpm set mildly right now and the car builds atleast .5 bar of boost.

Pretty good for free launch control huh?
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