I thought I ask all the org members what they do for there launches to perfect there time in an FWD car and avoid wheel hop and lots of tire spinning. I always engaged at low RPM (1-1.5k) and just hit it and always seemed quite fast to me (as well as beating anyone I raced = or less in HP)but I was told that will get me a low track time. (have not tried it yet)

So I revved it up to about 2 grand and slightly popped the clutch and little and I got the massive wheel hop... which I hate cause not only is it bad for your car but it looks retarded.... as well as probably gives u bad times....


So what do you guys to to achieve good launches in your stick shift Maximas or any other cars?

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ghlight=launch
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ghlight=launch
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ghlight=launch
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ghlight=launch
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ghlight=launch
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ghlight=launch
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ghlight=launch

 

i launch at almost 3k rpm, going to try higher when i go next. you cant really compare it to on the street because the track is 100x stickier than the street. you also need to slip the clutch, just dumping on street tires wont result in a good launch.

 

you can't use the same techniques on the street as you can on a prepped track. talking about launching won't make you a good drag racer, you need to practice and see for yourself what works. it's like riding a bike, you can't learn how to ride a bike by reading about it, you have to do it.

 

yea I got u... it was just the only issues I am having is massive wheel hop. I am good a driving stick and I win just about every race if the car is near me and wants to go but I hate that wheel hop....

 

So instead of launching differently... why dont you FIX the wheelhop! lol

Makes launching alot easier and more consistent when you dont have to worry about wheelhop. Urethane motor mounts/ Control Arm Bushings/ x-member bushings, and IF you can get your hands on a used set, get some JClaw Traction Bars. Those things >*, ESPECIALLY with urethane everything upfront.

^^ that is my current setup. And I must say, street tires or slicks, ZERO whelhop, just clean spin

 

wheelhop is mostly a problem with your equipment not your launch technique. you have something that needs replacing most likely.

 

need stiff springs and shocks and youll eliminate wheelhop for the most part

 

Wheel hop i find was mostly due to worn control arm bushings and tired motor mounts. Low profile tires do not help either. I have almost no wheel hop with my snow tires on, but they have much more sidewall, and are softer compared to my summer tires.

For a prepped track, i can launch MUCH more aggresively then i can on the street, for tracks, i can do a very fast aggresive slip at about 2500rpm and result in little spin, if the track is not prepped properly i find its almost as bad as a street launch, which is more or less at about 2200rpm and a quick slip. The idea is to minimize spin without bogging, it takes practice, not everyone will have the same technique.

Prepped track - fast aggresive slip at 2500rpm
street/unprepped track - quick slip at about 2200rpm.

Best advice i can give you is to hit a track, or find an empty parking lot and try it. Its not like you need a lot of room or anything, launch is primarily first gear. Try what works best, i find clutch drops are USELESS unless you have slicks or et streets. My first time at the track i dumped my clutch from 5000rpm and spun all first, slammed into second while spinning, spun most of second too, netted me a 2.9 60ft and a very very embarrasing 1/4 time. Part of me kinda knew it was a bad idea but it was fun lol.

 

I have a FWD turbo Honda, and I slip the clutch at 5000rpm on BFG 225 DragRadials.

In my dad's Maxima, which is a VQ30de Supercharged, a 2500rpm slip on BFG 245 drag radials will be enough.

So basically you have to think about your powerband, and how much traction you have to work with.

 

But that’s pretty damn cool man. Dad’s s/c’d Maxima, son’s turbo Honda. Like Jime's family.

 

In my experience, you can't be told how to launch perfectly. To launch, all you need is a few pointers on how to actually launch. After that, as Neal said, you just need to practice. No one can ever tell you the perfect launch because everyone launches slightly differently. We would all love to ask Neal how he pulls his amazing 60's on street tires, but no matter how hard he tried to explain it wouldn't make a difference. You just have to go and keep improving on your own. See what works for you and what doesn't.

Remember listening doesn't make perfect, only practice does.