I got ashamed last night. On the big parking lot, I raced against 98SE 5spd w/only intake, and 95 GSR 5spd w/intake and lousy exhaust..lost to 4th gen by about a car from the stop, and started gaining only when it was time to shut down. I lost to GSR only about a door's length then starter gaining @ end of parking lot...damn. My heavy 18's, 3/4 of gas, sub box in the trunk, and lots of wheel spin.

 

Looks like launch wasn't your problem, more like weight. Heavy 18s, system, gas, etc.

DW

 

I had my wheels spinning like crazy, but the car didnt go. Well, the rubber has about 1000 miles on it, that should not be a problem. I think I am going to sell my sub box, I just have no use of it.

 

Most probably a weight issue as well. I remember way back i could easily chirp/squeal 2nd on a roll with a full load (5 ppl, me included).

With just me in the car it's still possible but not as easy to come by and have the same effect.

 

I mean high RPM (4000+), pop clutch and go?

You may want to launch more in the 2500-3000 zone...not the best part of the power band, but once the tires start rolling (not spinning) you can jump on it and go. This also helps keep weight distribution issues more in check...if you don't hammer it right away, then the weight is not as violently thrown to the rear of the car...let the balance and torque work for you, not against you.

 

way back when i killed a TL from a stop, a launched at like 3300rpm and walk the clutch. I tried to do the same now, but I think I let go off the clutch too fast.

and btw i just noticed that my new Kumho tires have like little bits of tread missing...when the tires came here, they had "made in December of 2000" sticker on them. I would not assume that these Kumhos have worse traction rating than my stock 15" Dunlop SP 5000's. And 1.5 yrs old for a tire is not too old for it to fall apart.

 

it might be the tires then...some like Kumhos, some don't...I guess it depends on which tires a person had first and then went to them...

I had a set of SP4000's a couple years back on a FWD car (hate to say it but a Prelude) and they were rather good with good bite...maybe you DID give up something in the traction area going to the Kumho's...

 

but how come these Kumhos are soo goood in corners and in the rain?

 

I think Kumhos are better in the rain than they are in the dry. They sacrifice a bit of dry handling for that wonderfull wet handling.

DW

 

I had the same problem last night with a Harley Davidson F150. My problem was the wheel hop. It was so bad that my wipers came on.

 

When Car and Driver tested the 2K Maxima SE, they said the perfect launch was 2500RPM and pop the clutch. They got a chirp and took off.

I put my magazine down, went out to my car, tried it, and what do know, those Car and Driver guys know what they're talking about.

 

Wow! Now that is some SERIOUS wheel hop!

 

GXE-r, I allready told you son, I need to teach you a couple of things before you race with my dinner!

 

That may work on the street, but definitely NOT at the track. I would think C&D would be testing at a track though. I wonder if 16" or 17" rims were used.

At the track, I wasn't able to get down a good launch, since my street tires just spun or I had major wheel hop. Either way, I couldn't give any throttle until I finally hooked up and it was pretty much time to shift to second. Even then, I couldn't hammer the throttle until the car settled after the shift or I would get frightening wheel hop and even some torque steer.

On the street, I usually slip the clutch close to 3K RPMs for my best time and do NOT hammer the gas. I have to ease into it, until I 4500K+ RPMs in first gear. Then for a HIGHER consistency I use the rev limiter bounce to shift. My shift light only has 200rpms increments, so I use the 6200rpm pill(6400 is just barely above the rev limiter in first gear). However, this is too early for the 2K-2K1 which pull to redline. Therefore, I try and wait a second or two before my slow a$$ shifts. Sometimes, I judge the delay good, sometimes not.

Again, for GREATER consistency just use the rev limiter and shift as fast as possible. So far, my G-Tech Pro seems to agree.

 

yeah I realized that anything below 3000RPM wont move the car, or it will take too long for the power to kick in. Thats why I am giving it a little more than 3000RPM and ride the 1st gear till about 5500rpm, anything beyond that is just a waist of time. It is important to shift into 2nd within the "powerrange" at 3000+rpms. Too bad Max has no low-end, gotta keep it revved-up like any Jap car.

 

OMG you gotta be kidding me yo!

 

Be ashamed very ashamed! Nah! You know I had the stock 15" steelies on before too and just by the weight difference in my rims I can tell that my car is definately slower. Launching is a different story. Your rims cannot be heavier than mine and I take my friends GSR with intake, exhaust, ignition. You just need to practice your launches, learn your clutch and keep the lead foot to a minimum when the clutch is disengaged.

 

I know...since I took the same GSR out on the roll last year...