How To Launch The Evo

TRDHarrier · Jun 27, 2003, 07:42 AM

I just cant seem to properly launch the Evo. I dont burn the clutch and never smelled a burning smell. When I drop the clutch from 5K, it doesnt move. When I slowly disengage it from 5K, it goes. What is the proper way to launch it? I was used to driving FR and FF in manual. Only drove AWD in automatic. I just cant seem to get it right and don't want to mess my clutch up.

SikWitIt · Jun 27, 2003, 10:47 AM

I'm not quite sure either. I think you might have to rev to 4500 and then fan it a little bit. Not sure though, Haven't tryed it alot due to screwing up something.

TRDHarrier · Jun 28, 2003, 10:34 AM

Yeah. It's hard to launch an AWD. Someone reply please??

ChillinEvoVIII · Jun 28, 2003, 11:34 AM

u have to burn your clutch.... if your planning on launching a lot..... dont plan on not burning your clutch... awd cars... in order to really slighshot from zero... you got to ride out your clutch a little bit while giving more gass as u ride it out and right when u feel the car catch WOT

DSM Power · Jun 29, 2003, 09:48 AM

This thread on the DSM forums gives you LOTS of advice on how to launch an AWD - including the EVO!

http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/showth...threadid=50056

The secret is practice, practice, practice!

HIGH REV · Jul 6, 2003, 05:33 PM

From reading several other magazines, it seems that there isn't a real "universal" way of launching the Evo. Some magazines claim their 13-second times to holding revs at 5000 rpms and slipping the clutch. Some magazines recommend dumping the clutch at 6000 rpms. Some even recommend dumping at 6500 rpms, close to redline. As for myself, I have no clue. I've never fully launched an AWD car before, although my teammate has (he has a Galant VR4). He recommends high revs at the light and some slipping of the clutch. If the front of your car goes up slightly, he says you did it right. I trust him on that. I'll trust anyone who's VR4 runs 12.1s

SOUTHSIDEITALIA · Jul 9, 2003, 11:11 AM

I TOOK MY EVO TO THE STRIP A FEW WEEKS AGO, TRIED LAUNCHING AT 5-6000 RANGE, NO LUCK. FIRST GEAR IS TOO LONG TO NOT USE IT. THINK ABOUT IT, LAUNCH AT 3500-4000, DUMP THE CLUTCH, AND WHEN YOU TAKE OFF, YOUR TURBO IS KICKING IN AT 3000. TAKE ADVANTAGE, TAKE ADVANTAGE. RAN 13.70 BONE STOCK. WHEN THEY TURNED OFF THE TREE, A 94 400 HP SUPRA GAVE ME THREE CARS, BIG MISTAKE.

boostedwrx · Jul 9, 2003, 11:15 AM

You either need to:
a- slip the clutch
b- rev it so high and dump it, but make sure you spin your wheels

in each scenario the drivetrain is not taking the majority of the abuse. Clutches and tires are cheaper!

EVO SPECIALIST · Jul 9, 2003, 11:21 AM

OK on a AWD --NEVER DROP THE CLUTCH--- especially at high rpm's,you wanna distroy your tranny,do that,you wanna launch right,rev it up to about 35-3700 rpm and slip out the clutch till you feel the frontend rise up then let out the clutch completly at that point your pretty safe.trust me you don't want to drop the clutch at a stand still at 6000 rpm.!

TRDHarrier · Jul 14, 2003, 09:33 PM

OK. Few days ago, i tried slipping out the clutch at 5500 rpm and it slipped like crazy. I smell the nasty smell of a burning clutch. I got out of the car and said sorry to my Evo. I think the best way is to slip the clutch out at 3500-4000 rpm but it's kind of slow.

EVOFREAK · Jul 18, 2003, 04:18 PM

Yes you never want to drop the clutch in your AWD car. It is very bad for the transmission as well as the LSD. I rev to 5K then slip, when you slip the clutch you must do it fast but not too fast, and right about when the clutch is all the way in just drop it. So its a slip then a drop. But never a full drop from a stand still.

RENN-ART · Jul 26, 2003, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TRDHarrier
OK. Few days ago, i tried slipping out the clutch at 5500 rpm and it slipped like crazy. I smell the nasty smell of a burning clutch. I got out of the car and said sorry to my Evo. I think the best way is to slip the clutch out at 3500-4000 rpm but it's kind of slow.

yup! i did the same thing a couple times before someone told me i was slipping it too much (i had already been told to launch over 5k.. but i thought i was supposed to slip the clutch)...

the key is to sort of drop it/sort of slip it.. but mainly drop it...

it should be at around 5k+ rpms.. otherwise you'll bog the car.. i think 5500 is perfect!

note that what i'm talking about is at a track!!! not on the street.. cus on the street u'll have a little bit of slip in the dirt/debris on the road.. on the track u have MONSTER grip!.. the car will bog if u don't go above 5k.. period...

if u slip too much at 5k.. then what the guy above said will happen..

hard to explain.. u just have to practice, basically..

RENN-ART · Jul 26, 2003, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SOUTHSIDEITALIA
I TOOK MY EVO TO THE STRIP A FEW WEEKS AGO, TRIED LAUNCHING AT 5-6000 RANGE, NO LUCK. FIRST GEAR IS TOO LONG TO NOT USE IT. THINK ABOUT IT, LAUNCH AT 3500-4000, DUMP THE CLUTCH, AND WHEN YOU TAKE OFF, YOUR TURBO IS KICKING IN AT 3000. TAKE ADVANTAGE, TAKE ADVANTAGE. RAN 13.70 BONE STOCK. WHEN THEY TURNED OFF THE TREE, A 94 400 HP SUPRA GAVE ME THREE CARS, BIG MISTAKE.

1.) Take off the caps please

2.) You're wrong about the best launching technique.. So what you don't "take advantage" of the first gear.. second is way better!.. You'll bog the car at 3500.. 3500-4000 is for FWD and RWD cars..

3.) Others run 13.1-13.4 bone stock.. just to let you know.

HIGH REV · Jul 26, 2003, 11:18 PM

I found my issue of Car and Driver when they tested the Evo. They had a racecar driver do the driving tests on the Evo. He said he had to slip the clutch while at 5000 RPMs.

I also found my Motor Trend issue when they tested the Evo. They launched the Evo at 6000 RPMs while slipping the clutch.

Both magazines pulled 13-second passes at the track.

So I guess the proper way of launching the Evo is...

1. Rev high, preferrably beyond 5000 RPMs
2. Slip the clutch

hel_if_ino · Jul 27, 2003, 12:06 AM

The best way i have found to launch the evo with MINIMAL burnt clutch smell is to "blip" the throttle from about 3500-4000 about 2 or 3 times, then just agressively slip the clutch on the last blip, should do you pretty good, i have tried all sorts of different ways and this works the best for me. Also, when i was at the evo commercial shoot, i asked Rhys Millen how he was launching the 8, he said he uses the e-brake to keep the car on the line and still while he keeps the clutch right at breaking point, and just slams the gas, it worked pretty damn good for him, he spun all four tires. I cant attest to this process though as i have not tried it yet.