anyone know a proper way to launch the 3G TL? Going to the track soon and never have actually tried launching but need to know somewhat how to so I can get a good time

 

I'd be interested to know as well, just for the hell of it..

 

My stupid guess at it:
Leave VSA on

Rev to 3.5K in drive, when the light turns green, let go of the brake and mash the gas...

 

The VSA has to be off. About the other things, I don't know

 

Turn off VSA.

I've been experimenting lately and have found that a 2600-2800 launch with close to no clutch slipping works pretty well. Much more than that and you're looking at ridiculous amounts of smoke and wheel spin. Get a set of drag radials if you want a decent 60' time.

 

Not on OP's 6M.

VSA off; watch for torque steer off the line.

I don't know the best launch RPM for the 6M, but it'll likely be with dropping the clutch above 2000 RPM to get best ET. OP might have to experiment a couple of times between 2K and 4K RPM if a search doesn't pull up any threads on launching and AZ members w/drag experience on regular TLs don't chime in.

EDIT: see anx1300's post above. I'm by a hanging browser and internet connection.

 

Go to the Racing & Competition subforum and look at the drag racing tips, I believe it's stickied.

 

 

Well first off, FWD cars are notorious for having poor traction. So unless you're willing to spend the money to make some serious suspension mods geared to drag racing, about the only things you can do is to polish your technique and get a good set of tires designed for the purpose.

I have found that a launch from the neighborhood of 2500-3000 RPM (anx1300c mentions 2600-2800 and he's right in there) with a little clutch slipping will minimize wheel spin. But with street tires, as soon as my clutch is fully engaged and I have gone full throttle, the wheel spin starts all over again and continues until I shift to second gear. Of course, the VSA is off during all of this. If I were to install tires meant for this action, I could virtually eliminate most of the first gear wheel spin, but Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires just ain't gonna do it for straight line runs.

 

Everything that SouthernBoy said + if you don't want to spend the cash on drag tires, lowering the tire pressures to the 26-28 lbs range can cut down on some wheel spin.

 

Yeah, you know it's funny how some people think that FWD cars have better traction than do RWD cars. While there are a few cases where that is true, under most situations, it is not. Several people at my work just cannot seem to understand this.. they basically believe the sales pitch and such. FWD cars have their place and have certainly come a long way, but they are just never going to be able to match serious RWD machinery. And then there is this. Not one of the world's finest driving machines is built on a FWD platform. Not one of NASCAR's racing teams campaigns a front driver. And not one of the top drag racing classes has a FWD car in their stable.

This may all sound like I am hitting on FWD cars but that is not at all the case. I just recognize the difference and the characteristics between the two. I am still very happy with my '04 manual TL and have no intention of unloading it any time soon. It serves me quite well.

 

No i totally understand what you are saying...i grew up on driving a RWD car and then got this and was in a little bit of shock...I know i cant seriously launch this car, but If i am at the track and that light turns green I need to do a little more then a normal start out of the gate, in otherwords i need to give my car a little bit of umph towards that finish line. As far as spending all of that money....no thanks, im not doing this to have a drag car, i just have a little curiosity of where my car stands....thanks everybody for the suggestions, i am going to have to practice a little before i make it to the track

 

According to April 2004 Road&Track mag when they reviewed the car they stated: Drop-clutch launches while holding the TL's engine RPM at 4000 give the best acceleration results. Clutch pedal actuation is a bit vague, preventing the engagement from being smooth and consistent.

No mention of VSA on or off in the mag. Haven't been gutsy enough yet to actually put it to the test.

 

Trust us. A serious launch and a run through the gears with the VSA one is quite a bit different than with it off. Perhaps R&T's test TL had the stickier summer tires.

 

These cars don't come with LSDs so I'd get one since its FWD.

 

The 6MT does have an LSD.

Edit: Maybe not....the CL-S 6MT does though, no?

 

The 6-speed has both a Lsd and sweet ass Bremos.

 

Car & Driver had an article on how they & other magazines do the launch in the tests to get the best time.

Its strictly a "its not my car" launch. They bring the car's RPM up, side step the clutch & in their words "ride out the wheel hop"

Its very hard all thing being equal to get better times then they do unless you are very willing to abuse the car big time.

 

i want to save gas so i will try not to do this...

 

i want to save my car so i will not do this.

 

I want to keep my car as long as I can, so I will not do this.

 

No sir, side stepping a clutch on a hard launch is not conducive to longevity.. particularly in a FWD car.

Many years ago at 75 & 80 Dragway (the track that Motorweek does its quarter mile runs on), I watched a Mercury Comet A/FX (Moyer's) wring out their car one weekday for the weekend runs. The car had a 427 NASCAR side oiler with an altered wheelbase (the precursor of Funny Cars). When he did this, he pulled some awesome wheel stands... that was abuse.

 

Do you know which issue that article is in? If not, I'll search their website. I'd like to read that one.