Start RPM on a drag?

[JST]

At what RPM do you launch your RS-T at the start of a drag race for not destroying your trany???

What is your launch technic???

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[KillerTHC]

3k - 3.5k but don't just dump it... slip it...

[8Complex]

Not recommended for anyone, but I had had good results with a 5-5.5k near clutch drop. Basically letting it out very fast, but giving it a hair of time to slip and not just shock the crap out of everything. Even NA I have had instances of rear wheel spin pulling this off.

Note: I broke 2nd gear, but never 1st.

I also suggest slight slips between gears as well.

[giulio]

This is hard to time, but works great when no clock is around.
Let go of the break and WOT. As soon as rpm reaches 3/3.5 'sidestep' the clutch... almost dropping it. but as 8C said... a little bit of slip! Give the car an instant or so to releive all the slack in our 5 driveshafts, rear diff, awd transfer case bla bla bla.
You'll get some tire spin and your head will hit the headrest and you'll smile =)
I've tried to lauch at higher rpms but my clutch wouldnt grab- it'd just burn. ACT street clutch [shrug].
Also as 8C said... be nice to 2nd gear!
g

[Aprilia Jon]

Don't do what giulio said.

You will launch really fast, but, you put lots of shock on your tranny. Basically if you feel a sudden jerk or power any time, you are over stressing your tranny. Slip the clutch, don't side step it.

I have met many people who do a very nice launch in first just to bang the crap out of 2nd. Be extra careful in 2nd. Don't speed shift second, and if you feel the car jerk when you release the clutch going to second you probably dropped the clutch too hard. Use the clutch and slip it some if you have to go really fast. A new clutch every 30K miles is way cheaper than a tranny. It should be so smooth that a passenger should ask you if it is an auto. It is possible to be very smooth and very fast.

Basically you can launch at any RPM as long as you are smooth, if you hear a bang, or you feel the car really lurch, you are stressing the tranny too much. Use common sense. If you would think " Oh that didn't sound/feel good" if you were the passenger, don't do it to your car either. And if you are spinning the wheels, that is too hard of a launch as well...
Jon

[8Complex]

Originally posted by Aprilia Jon
And if you are spinning the wheels, that is too hard of a launch as well...

OTOH, if you don't shock the driveline and you still get wheelspin, you're making plenty of power and as long as you don't get wheelhop you'll be fine.

[giulio]

Originally posted by giulio
...almost dropping it. but as 8C said... a little bit of slip! Give the car an instant or so to releive all the slack in our 5 driveshafts, rear diff, awd transfer case bla bla bla.

Never do this? Doing this will prevent shocking the tranny.

I wonder how my "inferior" 98's engine/tranny has lasted so long
No broken gears, original head gasket, etc. on my 3rd clutch though
-g (knocking on wood)