Launching tha 3rd Gen
 

Just a quick question, and I'm sure it's been here before so please don't beat me! Just wanted to know - what's a good rpm/method to launch the 3rd Gen? Not for dragsters, just everyday drivers. I have a couple of mods (intake and exhaust)...pretty close to stock. Just curious and wanted to see the diff (or similar) answers! ;)

Most people rev to 3000-3500 and slip the clutch a little bit to reduce wheel hop. You have be very careful with wheel hop on these cars.

A more controversial technique is to rev much higher, like 4500 rpm. You will waste some time spinning your tires but you won't bog and you probably won't wheel hop too much either. This is close to the technique Kevin (of ASP fame) used to set some of the best times and trap speeds ever recorded for the FD (at the relative same mod levels).

I typically rev to about 3500 and then use clutch and throttle to modulate how much wheel spin I carry off the line before letting the car hook up. Once it's hooked up I am already foot to the floor and carrying max boost. That said I do NOT abuse the clutch and am happy to say my disc was less than 1/2 worn after about 30,000 miles and 150+ launches. (When motor went I replaced the disc anyway when I was in there)

What kind of 60' times do you guys get?

I've only been to the strip once and it wasn't pretty!

I went with a downpipe and cat-back. Stock size Dunlop SP 8000s.

My last four 60' times ranged from 2.16-2.19 seconds. I'm not sure what a good 60' time is for a close to stock car on normal street tires.

bump
 

Good topic

Get M2 or Pettit toe links and trailing arms. They will help alot with wheel hop. Get yourself a set of drag radials. BFG's preferred, but Nitto's will do. Drop your air pressure to 15psi. Healthy burnout. Tach at 4500-5500 and ride it out. Don't pop it unless your running et streets. In that case, rev to 7500 and drop it! Good luck. My average on drag radials is a high 1.6 60'
My average on ET streets is a 1.50 60'

hmm I guess this isn't normal for an FD... I got a 2.32 60' time on my almost stock(RB Exhaust system +20HP) 1979 12A

Sweet that means I can give competition to some FD's on the launch:)

It's so hard to say since every track is different. Even the same track differs dramatically through out the night.
At my track, they tack it right before the slick cars run and the street cars go right after. If you are at the head of the street cars, then you have a nice sticky track. If you are at the end of the line, then you have shit because of all the FWD cars dragging water up to the line and jag-off's spinning up the laid down rubber.
I only ran the FD 2x.
Best: 2.07
Worst: 2.3 - crossed the 60' mark about sideways.
From my limited experience, I say I'd say a good starting point would be to try easing out the clutch (not riding it!) from 4k while squeezing down the throttle. I ran a couple 2.1's that way... and that was at the end of the street car line when the track was crappy. Sub 2's are possible with stock tires, a little pratice, and a good track.

BTW, SA's are MUCH easier to launch! I never lost off the line with my old FB. Of course, they'd go flying by 2 seconds later.

i was just thinking the same thing here :D

2.20 is my best 60'

My best 60' is 2.10 with stock tires and 16 psi pressure.
No wheel hop.

damn I still need to improve a little more:)

this gives you an idea of how I launched with my 2.3 60'

http://members.rennlist.com/nickg2k/racevscamaro.wmv