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Thread: What RPM is BEST to launch at?

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    Asian Persuasion KevinT707's Avatar
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    Default What RPM is BEST to launch at?

    I'm looking to receive opinions and insight on this area because I've heard so many different things from different people and I would like to hear from fellow Drag Strip enthusiasts. This is more focused on the Honda/Acura people but whatever's clever!

    My setup is an LS/VTEC making 174 WHP N/A weighing in at 2205 w/out me; VTEC engaging at 4700. Currently my lauch control is set at 4K and on my daily street tires (not DRs) they don't seem to spin too much IMO at this RPM. I'm yielding a best of 2.3-60' but it ranges from 2.3-2.5.

    My question: How can I cut better 60', by launching at lower RPM or higher RPM (in VTEC; where there's a stronger powerband for Hondas), at what RPM and what clutch engage technique works best?
    Same question for STREET, SLICKS and DRAG RADIALS.

    Please share what has worked for you on your setup, Thanks!

  2. #2
    2.3 Evo 8
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    You can't figure it out by asking other people. You need to do a trial and error to find the optimum rpm and technique FOR YOUR CAR.

    There are too many variables.(track prep/condition, suspension, tire pressure, rpms, etc...)

    Silly roadrunner.

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    Asian Persuasion KevinT707's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2.3 Evo 8
    You can't figure it out by asking other people. You need to do a trial and error to find the optimum rpm and technique FOR YOUR CAR.

    There are too many variables.(track prep/condition, suspension, tire pressure, rpms, etc...)

    Silly roadrunner.
    Just figuring out what works best for cars with my similar setup so that I can get a ballpark figure and make adjustments accordingly.

    Oh yeah, its hard to "figure out" which RPM is best also because on the ECU program that I'm using (Crome), unless you have the program on your computer + E-Prom Burner then you're out of luck till you meet your tuner & get them to edit your launch control RPMs ..
    Last edited by KevinT707; 03-21-2007 at 05:46 PM.

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    i launch at 4 or 5K... start from 2 and keep going higher until you find your sweet spot.
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    Well front wheel drive is harder to get a good 60ft unless you have sticky tire's. Try starting at what you are use too and work your way down in RPM's. Like 2.3 EVO 8 said their are alot of variables that can play affect on how your car launch's. If all else fairs get a sticky tire like a DR of Slick, or trade the car in for a AWD or RWD vehicle.
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    Its not just about RPMs, other things come into play like how quickly/harsh you engage or slip the clutch, power, tires, track conditions etc. Personally id slip the clutch some close to your power band (near vtec engagement) and go from there. But sitting it on your 2-step limiter and dumping the clutch probably isnt the best launching technique.

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    when i raced you at SDR i had my 2-step set at 3k, which for street tires was doing pretty good. i would try going a hair lower than 4k because you would rather do a low rpm launch and stick than just burn out at the line, because all its going to do is blow the tires off halfway into 2nd, meaning when it catches you bog the shit out of it and actually slow down. i would try an aggressive street start and go from there.
    Who knows?

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    Asian Persuasion KevinT707's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hondabuilder
    i would try going a hair lower than 4k because you would rather do a low rpm launch and stick than just burn out at the line, because all its going to do is blow the tires off halfway into 2nd, meaning when it catches you bog the shit out of it and actually slow down. i would try an aggressive street start and go from there.
    I guess with the technique that I use it doesn't spin that much launching at 4, I slip the clutch, and feather it until I feel it grips in 1st then I smash it before shifting into 2nd.

    I'll be trying some small slicks this Friday also so I'm thinking I might need to raise my RPMs for that .. ?

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    2.3 Evo 8
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinT707
    I'll be trying some small slicks this Friday also so I'm thinking I might need to raise my RPMs for that .. ?
    Or adjust tire pressure accordingly. Thats what I am trying to explain, there are so many variables to dial in a car. It's not just "throw on a set of slicks and go".

    What about your suspension? Is it setup for drag racing?

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    Asian Persuasion KevinT707's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2.3 Evo 8
    Or adjust tire pressure accordingly. Thats what I am trying to explain, there are so many variables to dial in a car. It's not just "throw on a set of slicks and go".

    What about your suspension? Is it setup for drag racing?
    Yeah you're right, they're are TOO many variables to take into consideration & no my suspension is not setup for drag racing.

    It sucks cause you can't get as many runs in as you want at Commerce nah mean? So it leaves minimal time to figure things out..

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    2.3 Evo 8
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinT707
    So it leaves minimal time to figure things out..
    Only a little time in an empty parking lot in a far off place in never never land.

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    Asian Persuasion KevinT707's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2.3 Evo 8
    Only a little time in an empty parking lot in a far off place in never never land.
    You know what though, every blue moon I try launching on the streets and it seems to grip more for some reason than at the track?

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    dont you want a little bit of spin of the tires in fwd cars
    2006 Evo IX - Bolt ons

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    Put it on the rev limiter.

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    10,000 rpms
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2.3 Evo 8
    You can't figure it out by asking other people. You need to do a trial and error to find the optimum rpm and technique FOR YOUR CAR.

    There are too many variables.(track prep/condition, suspension, tire pressure, rpms, etc...)

    Silly roadrunner.
    yup
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    Quote Originally Posted by Init2winit
    Put it on the rev limiter.
    i love this guy
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    ok all kidding aside:

    1) Street Tires (kuhmos, any DOT non drag radial tire)
    2.2-2.3 is about the best you will see. I cut a 2.1 ONCE on some 711s but it was an act of god. Not really what you want to be running on at all, ESPECIALLY in a FWD car. my old 190whp GSR i was 2.2-2.3 consistently running 13.8-14.1


    2) Drag Radials
    Drag radials i would prob try 3500-4000 an slip the clutch. Without an LSD, it will be tough to hook up, maybe cut a 1.9-2.0. with that little whp, you cant cut a 1.6 etc on drag radials, i have never seen it. Turbo cars can do it, so can nitrous car WINK WINK

    3) slicks
    I have never run with slicks. so my information it limited based on what i have seen, helped others do, and discussions with people running slicks. On your car, i would run 22s, 24.5 is prob too big unless your on the bottle. ALL MOTOR you want to launch near the rev limiter, 7500-8000rpms, sometimes 9000 if you have enough power. But the problem is, you cant just Let the clutch out, you have to slip it or you will destroy axles an transmissions. you also have to learn how to do a burnout

    If you search on honda-tech, there was a thread in the all motor forum called "what are your 60ft times/quarter mile/launching rpms"

    the guys cutting 1.5-1.6 60fts were launching at 8000-9000rpms and had 220-240whp running 11.5-11.8s in a 1800-2200 lb chassis (civic/CRX)

    but Phil is right, suspension setup plays a big role. if you have crazy weight transfering in a FWD car cause of your shitty suspension, 15 year old bushings, non lsd, dont expect awesome times. best advice i can say is buy some Skunk2 Drag Launch springs ($80 and 1100lbs) and some spare shocks. when you go to the track, swap those on, remove after the track. if i were you i would learn on drag radials before moving to slicks.

    P.S. If you contact scotty he will remove launch control for you. hes here all the time, and sometimes makes housecalls. 678-614-3596
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    Quote Originally Posted by KevinT707
    You know what though, every blue moon I try launching on the streets and it seems to grip more for some reason than at the track?
    i do as well i have heard it is beacue of less rubber build up on the road than that that is all on the track.. taht's why if your running street tires at the track you tend to spin and bounce
    You know better; next time will be a ban.

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    i'm to lazy.. notes plz.. lo
    You know better; next time will be a ban.

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    Asian Persuasion KevinT707's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. KiDD
    Preciate it homie, I'll be practicing all night on some BFG DRs and baby slicks to figure this thing out

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    there really isnt a magic number. you just have to keep keep upping the rev until u feel its "right"

    but to keep on track...on street tries use a 2-step at 5500rpm and with slicks i stage at 7500rpm.
    94 Supra= 500rwhp

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    Senior Member Nang's Avatar
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    try 3-3.5

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    i gotta find my new sweet spot since i have changed alot on my car since the last time i drove it a year ago
    You know better; next time will be a ban.

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    NO MORE TOY'S LEFT fastasscrx's Avatar
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    HELL! ,lauch it at the highest rpm's you can get out of it, then play with the rev limiter! then when you shift to 2nd hit the NOS I always launched mine at 8k, BUT it had some 22.5's on it.
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    Asian Persuasion KevinT707's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fastasscrx
    HELL! ,lauch it at the highest rpm's you can get out of it, then play with the rev limiter! then when you shift to 2nd hit the NOS I always launched mine at 8k, BUT it had some 22.5's on it.
    Preciate the tips but all I can say is BFG DRs @ 10 PSI wouldn't grip till 3rd on the bottle so I was slow for the first half of the track then at the end it'd move! . . 14.8 at 105 MPH

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    DYLAN DYLAN DYLAN DYLAN!1 Black R's Avatar
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    best rpm = 8500 and heat up those slicks and preload the clutch! :thumbup:


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    My first time at the drag strip with my altima I messed up. I had it reved to luch cause I didnt know. The light turned green and the integra took off and Im smoking tires like a sob and not moving then BAM it lined up and was like a rubber band shooting down the strip, I got beat by 1/10 of a sec. So I just started tweaking after that.

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    I'm a big fan of launching off of redline and slicks

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    this is gey. u need to let some one else drive ,if u dont know what to leave at.

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    superduper LLLLLLLLL
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    silly road runner..
    the higher the better..

    street tires - launch at 12000rpms
    drag radials - launch at 15000 rpms
    slicks - i'd say about 35000 rpms

    you should be able to cut a 1.0 60'... otherwise you SUCK


    =x

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    Quote Originally Posted by sirhatch1030
    this is gey. u need to let some one else drive ,if u dont know what to leave at.
    You're gay.

    It must be just my setup then or something because I never feel the "sweet spot" where it just hooks right out the hole. This is on street tires and BFG DRs, they always seem to spin no matter what RPM .. then I have to feather it till it catches, just the DRs catch sooner

    So what now? Perhaps its my stock soft struts or what ..

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