Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - Thinking of trading the Z for a GT-R

MC · 01-23-2012, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgrudgex

What does problematic mean?

Only while launch control is enguaged or....?

from our FAQ its a good read for those considering buying a GTR new or Used

Quote:

4B. Tell me about Launch Control.
The first USMY2009 GT-Rs originally shipped with a launch control system popularly referred to as LC1. It was enabled by putting the car's transmission/suspension/VDC in manual+race/race/off modes. From there, holding the brake would allow you to rev the car to 4,500rpm with the accelerator pedal at the wide open throttle position. The instant you lift off the brake, the computer will drop the clutches and the car will launch forward. This yields 0-60 times of 3.3-3.6 seconds depending on the surface. It's an extremely aggressive launch and is very hard on the transmission internals. It's use is not warrantied by Nissan.

Starting with the USMY2010 GT-R, Nissan offered a new Launch Control, "LC2". LC2 is easier on its gears than LC1. At launch, up to 3000rpms are used as opposed to the 4500rpms seen in LC1. A customer satisfaction program was offered that allowed 2009 owners to upgrade to this new transmission software, aswell as mandated that all unsold 2009 inventory be upgraded be dealers. In its engagement, the transmission computer will slip the clutches as opposed to suddenly engaging them. LC2 is mode independent and is otherwise engaged via the same two step method. Using this technique, the GT-R's launch is somewhat more tame than LC1 but still more aggressive than flooring the gas pedal from a stop. Turning VDC OFF does not seem to effect the initial launch. Note that LC2 is widely viewed as being inconsistent- the RPMs given may vary. Also, LC2 equipped GT-Rs can be launched from higher RPM levels by using a pump method. This involves letting the RPMs drop down after reaching near 3K rpm then immediately slamming the accelerator back to the floor while the brake is still depressed. The results of this are not consistent but will yield more launch RPMs. In performance terms, LC2 is seen as being at least a tenth or two slower than LC1 although some initial tests found it's performance to be similar. Use of LC2 is warrantied by Nissan so long as VDC is ON. The GR6 appears to handle LC2 well- there have been no known failures from launching using it, despite some cars having much more than 200 launches on them .

For the USMY2011 GT-R, Nissan quietly revised the launch control system and created a revised system we refer to as "LC3" . LC3 can only be engaged with the GT-R in Manual+R/R/R but allows 3,300rpms quickly, reliably, and consistently. The launch from LC3 is reportedly better than that with LC2.

With it's platform revision for the USMY2012 GT-R, Nissan publicly announced a new, dedicated, Launch Control. This system called "R Mode Start" (what we term as LC4), is engaged by having the GT-R in Manual+R transmission and VDC settings . It enables a 4,000rpm launch that is reliable and consistent. It is more aggressive than any of the prior Launch Controls except LC1 and is as reliable as LC1. It can be used up to four times in a row before the GT-R must be driven for over a mile for the computer to allow additional launches. On an unmodified GT-R, it is widely viewed as the fastest Launch Control system to date. With the addition of 50 more horsepower, DBA-R35 GT-Rs can achieve 0-60mph times in under 3.0 seconds(2.88 official time) At a drag strip, 1.6 60' times are common. It is fully warrantied by Nissan.

*Note that with all launch control systems, certain requirements must be met including minimum and maximum transmission temperatures.