Launching your FT-86

[Foobar]

Originally Posted by blkwrxwag

What do you break before you give gas?

Wind, of course.

[blkwrxwag]

In terms of launching, it would depend on the surface and the type/temperature of the tires you are running. You want the tires to spin enough that you don't bog down after they stop spinning, but not too much spin that you just sit there making smoke!

[WTF]

I have no idea how well the stock clutch takes to getting hot, but in my mr2, the best way was to actually start around 3000rpm, let the clutch slip, hold the handbrake up and slowly release brake, clutch and apply accelerator. Managed to get a 1.6ft 60ft time on street tyres which isnt bad for a rwd. (handbrake was to help the turbo spool off the line, and ensure you dont start rolling forward prematurely).

on the 86, i would guess feathering clutch and accel from 4500rpm would prob be your best bet. havent tried it myself yet though.. Im not game to dump the clutch while im on the sticky tyres, I haven't heard how strong/weak the driveline in these are yet.

[blkwrxwag]

WTF - that sounds hard on the clutch.

I do a lot of SCCA Pro Solos, and have launched a variety of cars.

Best method generally is to set your revs (say 5,000), and then lift the clutch like you just trod in dog shit. This gets the tires spinning without slipping the clutch. By using enough revs to get the tires spinning, it also takes the shock out of the driveline.

[WTF]

Originally Posted by blkwrxwag

WTF - that sounds hard on the clutch.

I do a lot of SCCA Pro Solos, and have launched a variety of cars.

Best method generally is to set your revs (say 5,000), and then lift the clutch like you just trod in dog shit. This gets the tires spinning without slipping the clutch. By using enough revs to get the tires spinning, it also takes the shock out of the driveline.

I had a heavy brass button clutch on it, it was fine with it

[blkwrxwag]

Originally Posted by WTF

I had a heavy brass button clutch on it, it was fine with it

Nice!

SCCA rules prevent me from putting a meaty clutch in my race cars, hence my method above!

[S2kphile]

Remind me not to buy a used FRS unless I'm tearing it apart & rebuilding it as a dedicated track car. These cars are gonna take a pounding from it's owners.

[jstn]

I actually did an autocross with a drag start and a 0-60 foot timer in my MT last weekend. Stock everything, including crappy tires, my best 60 foot times were had launching it at 5k. You do get a lot of wheel spin, but if you just ride it out you'll keep the RPMs at 4.5 and up so it really takes off once you get traction again.

Obviously don't just hold it at 5k and dump the clutch though. Rev it a few times and then ease out of the clutch and into the throttle as you pass 4.5k. I'm not really an expert I guess, but it worked really well for me.

[Selvedge]

Guys, he's from Quebec.

[Moto-P]

The Proper way to launch a car off the line is not one method or science. It depends on the car, and even within the same car, the condition of the clutch, tires, temperatures, and if the focus is on a reaction time RT to flip the start light trigger or to get down the 1/4 (or any distance) fastest without RT inclusion. Asphalt, concrete, painted line, VHT loaded start line, dry, wet, cold, hot, all make a huge difference and requires a different method and approach.

What you as a driver has to know is basically your body to be sensitive to how it launched upon a test or practice start at the location, and to have the ability to "feel" to forces on the suspension, subframe, chassis, body, then into you, your butt, and steering.

Also be aware that standing starts are one of the MOST abusive things you can do to your drivetrain. So its not a consideration of if the system is strong or weak, NHRA Funny Cars blow up transmissions and diff also... It is only up to the drivers to know what breaks things and what breaks things less. Eventually things will break with multiple dozens or hundreds of hard launches.

ProSolo, Drag Racing, Signal Light race, whatever you do. Just experiment, and feel for what's quick. It's one thing to hook up the tire at launch, and another to modulate the power the instant after, and down the straight, or into a corner if this is ProSolo.

Easiest and universal thing to be aware for any sports maneuver is to be very aware and well sensitized to what the tire contact patch is doing, and putting down as much force as it can handle without breaking that patch, on the wheel that needs to be doing the holding. In the case of a hard launch, that would be your two rear contact patches.

[TheCoach]

wow... just wow...

[DBacon1052]

I read that brake torquing does a heavy toll on your engine and you shouldn't do it very often

[whateatsrabbits]

Originally Posted by DBacon1052

I read that brake torquing does a heavy toll on your engine and you shouldn't do it very often

Its not really bad for your engine. bad for the motor mounts yes. But its the worst for your transmission specifically the torque converter. While power braking the trans fluid in the torque converter gets very hot. If it only gets done for a shot time, every now and then I don't see it being a problem.

[thaiguy8904]

When launching is it better to turn everything off or leave it in sport mode? I drive a MT