best way to launch an auto?

**bluefields88** · 10-29-2007, 11:29 PM

so let's say hypothetically I go to a drag day at UTI and get to drag race all day for 20 bucks. I'm new to racing and haven't really practiced launching at all. I know with manuals you can rev the engine and drop the clutch or w/e to get a good jerk off the line, but what about automatics? any advice on how to get off the line quick?

**Hot Black Trans-Am** · 10-29-2007, 11:57 PM

You'll have to try a few different ways, but holding the brake on and stalling it up as high as you can and then punch it and let off the brake when it's go time is about the best way. Depending on traction you'll have to adjust how high you launch from if you spin a lot. Don't drive through the water with street tires.

**nhraformula** · 10-30-2007, 04:39 AM

i just stab it.

**Rikki_SeVeN** · 10-30-2007, 06:26 AM

I do the foot brake and accelerate at the same time... but only till like 1800rpms... (stock stall)... and gradually mash... if theres really LOW grip... if not... just stab it... don't do it too much...or you might hurt the rear end a bit...

**INIT2WIN** · 10-30-2007, 03:36 PM

I personally just foot brake the car and bring the revs to about 800-900rpm. When the lights drop side step the brake and Hammer down. I have pulled some 1.8 60 fts on street tires in a pretty much stock auto.

**bluefields88** · 10-30-2007, 11:47 PM

how much horsepower do you think the stock auto can take? I think I heard around 450?

**Kamauxx** · 10-31-2007, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by INIT2WIN

I personally just foot brake the car and bring the revs to about 800-900rpm. When the lights drop side step the brake and Hammer down. I have pulled some 1.8 60 fts on street tires in a pretty much stock auto.

My car idles at about 1000-1050 rpm. How low does your car idle that you rev to 800?

**Kamauxx** · 10-31-2007, 02:37 AM

Originally Posted by bluefields88

how much horsepower do you think the stock auto can take? I think I heard around 450?

They can take more than that. I know someone who had appx. 420 to the wheels, plus 150 shot. Just don't give it too much traction while you have a stock rear (no slicks!).

**Rikki_SeVeN** · 10-31-2007, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by Kamauxx

My car idles at about 1000-1050 rpm. How low does your car idle that you rev to 800?

they are suposed to idle at around 500 rpm... (Mine does)... Stock... if it doesn't must be a problem with it

**Kamauxx** · 10-31-2007, 09:10 AM

Yea, my Grand Am Se idles at 500.

My Camaro isn't stock, maybe that's why it doesn't idle at 500.

**JwMonE99** · 10-31-2007, 11:49 AM

Well with the torque converter is idles pretty high too...

**98T/Aformula.** · 10-31-2007, 02:22 PM

Left foot break, right foot gas, green light smash it...not to hard, try launching it as high as you can but on a stock converter it will only be around 1500-1900, when I had street tires I would do a small burnout off to the side of the water box to get the tires a little warm and if anything you can always let some air out of them.

**greatwhiteZ28** · 10-31-2007, 04:36 PM

some say there faster with brake torqueing other say just gas no brake on green. just try both and see what works for you.

**Jays00ss** · 10-31-2007, 04:51 PM

get 373 or 390 gears, about a 3300-3500 stall, a cam, then let er rip about 3500 rpm with some mickeys. Sit down, shut up and hold the hell on!!! then watch your stupid 10 bolt grenade into a million pieces.

**jerseydevil01z28** · 10-31-2007, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by INIT2WIN

I personally just foot brake the car and bring the revs to about 800-900rpm. When the lights drop side step the brake and Hammer down. I have pulled some 1.8 60 fts on street tires in a pretty much stock auto.

100 % agree......

**greatwhiteZ28** · 10-31-2007, 05:39 PM

when you know your car + sound, dont worry or look at tach when launching on strip. you will know when the max is when it starts twisting a lil or moving. just leave it at the breaking point.

sorda a human tach

but track condtions is also considered.

**HurricaneLS1** · 10-31-2007, 05:40 PM

Left foot brake, right foot, then when it hits green let up with left foot and smash the right foot. Thats how I do it with my auto.

My best 60' was a 2.02 and that was launching at 1500 rpms. I'm gonna have to try it once at 800-900rpms to see if I get any better. Although I can launch up to around 1600-1700 w/out spinning my G-Force KDWs.

**greatwhiteZ28** · 10-31-2007, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by HurricaneLS1

Left foot brake, right foot, then when it hits green let up with left foot and smash the right foot. Thats how I do it with my auto.

My best 60' was a 2.02 and that was launching at 1500 rpms. I'm gonna have to try it once at 800-900rpms to see if I get any better. Although I can launch up to around 1600-1700 w/out spinning my G-Force KDWs.

the g force kdws arnt that bad for street tires. i got 1.909 , they surprised me.

**bluefields88** · 10-31-2007, 06:04 PM

those are my next tires. my old ones still have like, 30% of the tread left, so I have some time.

**Rikki_SeVeN** · 10-31-2007, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by HurricaneLS1

Left foot brake, right foot, then when it hits green let up with left foot and smash the right foot. Thats how I do it with my auto.

My best 60' was a 2.02 and that was launching at 1500 rpms. I'm gonna have to try it once at 800-900rpms to see if I get any better. Although I can launch up to around 1600-1700 w/out spinning my G-Force KDWs.

no one ever belives this...it's probably the reason why my differential is kinda fked... my best 60ft to day when Stock... was 1.6sec... with some Kuhmo Ecsta Supra... tires... that where almost as good as Drag Radials... I reved it up to about 1500rpms... left foot braking...and it just griped and I instantly mashed... and it went like it has never gone before... it actually scared me...

but no one believes me...and all my witnesess hate me now...and all I have is the scans of the original timeslip...