Best RPM to Launch at for 1/4 MT?
 

Hey everyone, figured I would try to save my tires some tread and see what everyone else thought about what RPM is the best to rev to when launching with a manual transmission car for the quarter mile. Will be taking my ride to the tracks soon, and don't want to look like a fool with my car all bogging down on me during my launch lol. I currently have a nismo with the 19inch rim/tire setup. My last car i had, (toyo celica gts), I had to rev it up to like 5500 rpm to get a great launch. I was a bit reckless back then hehe. I'm sure this car is a lot different

There's no best RPM to launch at, and it depends on a ton of different factors. I find I get the quickest launches when I hold it at about 3k-3.5k and allow almost no wheelspin. On my little accelerometer I get consistent 5.1-5.3 0-60's with that and 5.7+ when I just drop the clutch at just about any RPM. The trick is basically getting your car to no wheelspin, clutch fully out, and revs above 3500 as quick as possible. If the clutch is completely out by that point, you have very little power and will have a terrible launch.

For reference I am stock except for Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

Street tires don't work great on a well prepped track. They will stick better than on bare pavement, but when they start to let go, they let go all at once.

Slicks will give a more progressive loss of traction.

With that said, you launch at 3,000 rpm on the street and you get a steady controled wheelspin and off you go. At the track, 3,000 rpm wont yield any wheelspin and you'll likely bog the engine for a slow start.

Launch it at 3,500 and let the clutch out too fast and your tires will be up in smoke.

As a baseline, I would try 3,500 and let the clutch out nice and controlled. The key is to not get too excited and let the clutch out too fast. ;-)

Car & Driver agrees with you. +1 rep

+1

All tracks are different, and of course conditions vary.

3500-4000 RPM seems to be the sweet spot for my Z at my local track. Lowering the tire pressure to 25ish PSI seems to help as well.

50 Years
 

I've been a Dragracer for 50 years and from my experience with street tires on the strip is as follows. In the 'Z' bring the RPM's up to 4500 and release the clutch about half way(you will develop a feel) holding the RPM's at 4500. As the car moves forward apply more gas and more clutch until it's time to change gears. Remember for the quickest times (Lower E.T.) change gears with the power on (WOT).

:twocents:

IDK...I've tried all RPM ranges suggested here at my track...seems that my Trapped Speed will be high, but my overall E/T is slower...The launch pad at our strip is made of concrete that eventually blends into asphalt...Launching anywhere from 2500-+ on the RPM range causes my Z to sit and spin out since its launching off the concrete....I have found that launching between 1800-2000K works best with no wheel spin....I'm also the type that drops the clutch and mashes the gas once that light turns green...Could this be a contirbuting factor? Still trying to feel out my car at the track...

What times are you guys running the 1/4 mile in ?

Seems like that is the factor. You need to slip the clutch like has been suggested in previous posts. Drop it and you will just light up the tires...

Running a 14.2 and 14.1....Nothing compared to the numbers on this thread...Our track sits at 526ft (MSL) above sea level and we are in the pacific which is humid with tempatures reaching its lowest point at 81-82F

Whoops...sorry....I do slip the clutch...typo on my part...meant to say "Drop the hammer" like Cole Trickel in "Days of Thunder" LMFAO!!!!!!

but I do get on the gas right away...I kinda have to feather the gas out of the box...A lot of guys from off island really hate our launch pad here....They say that our track isn't anything like the states...Like explained earlier the launch pad is 100% concrete...it doesn't help when they flush down pre launch area with water for those running slicks...Once you roll on that water and get onto the concrete launching pad its spin city....until you merge into asphalt....this is where you will feel the tires bite.

I've only officially raced at our drag strip these past couple of weeks...Old timers that have done serious track time say that it just takes time getting used to.

Make sure you try to drive around the water box and do a quick "burnout" to clear your tires of debris and/or water. You don't want to literally do a burnout, just a quick spin of the tires before you stage.

^^^ Thanks for the advice...will be trying some new methods recommended this Friday at our drag strip...Will keep you all posted.

Didn't someone tell you that already bolio?? How did you do friday? I didn't go. remeber what I said for this track:

-when you do your little burnout, do it at the beginning of the box/staging area. Do not do it where you will be staging. You are trying to get debree and water off the car tires not put on your staging area.

-when staged let the clutch out until you feel it "grab" or the car want to roll

-rev a about 2,500-3,000rpm

-then on the second light, think go in your head and begin lightly releasing the clutch but dont push on the accelerator yet just rev.

-by then the car is rolling very slowly and the 3rd light begin your launch but dont slam on the acclerator, depress it slowly. if you slam it you will stay there until next year and you may throw a red. should take about 1 second maybe, if that gives you an idea of how fast to do it.

-then just run the car up to red cuz we make power all the way up to it and shift fast :)

You don't need to worry about the lights since you're not racing. Just go whenever you are ready as your reaction time has no impact on your ET unless you're out there brackeet racing.