quick takeoff, but not outright launch with SST?

orthojoe · Jun 13, 2009, 10:50 PM

Hi everyone, first post so bear with me. I bought an MR last week. I was very hesitant about getting the MR b/c of the SST, but decided that the interior upgrades over the GSR were worth the risk. I have grown to like the SST, but my biggest complaint right now is not being able to do a 'spirited' takeoff by revving the rpms to 3k and slipping the clutch. Instead, I'm forced to start from idle rpm and SLOWLY make my way up until boost kicks in. Is there a way around this? I'm not talking about an all out launch, just something to get off the line quicker. I've tried revving in neutral to 2500k and then dropping into D, and that seems to get me what I want. Anybody know if this is a bad idea and that I'm destroying the SST? Appreciate any input

Joe
RR MR

smgevo · Jun 14, 2009, 12:35 AM

There is another thread on this if I remember. The normal take off on the MR is horrible. Almost dangerous. You have to modify your driving style before you think of turning in front of oncomming traffic. I would not think it a good idea to drop into D from higher rpm's in N, but interesting question.

jrsimon27 · Jun 14, 2009, 08:25 AM

put the car in s-sport mode deactivate the ASC hold the car with the brake pedal the accelerate and it will rev up to 5000rpms and then just release the brake pedal.
dont be droping the into D from neutral this could damage your gearbox

orthojoe · Jun 14, 2009, 09:37 AM

Again, I am NOT asking how to launch the car. I understand the whole ASC/s-sport/brake/5000rpm thing. Also, I am NOT talking about a full launch of the car from neutral to D.

I completely agree with smgevo about the horrible takeoff and that it's almost dangerous when turning into oncoming traffic. When you first take off, there's a HUGE delay before the car finally starts moving and I find this very frustrating.

I'd like to hear some opinions from people who really know how the SST works. When I rev to 2500, drop to drive and modulate the accelerator, the car does take off nicely without the delay, and you can feel the clutch slipping into gear like you normally would with a manual transmission. Is this the solution?

Thanks,
Joe

jrsimon27 · Jun 14, 2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orthojoe

Again, I am NOT asking how to launch the car. I understand the whole ASC/s-sport/brake/5000rpm thing. Also, I am NOT talking about a full launch of the car from neutral to D.

I completely agree with smgevo about the horrible takeoff and that it's almost dangerous when turning into oncoming traffic. When you first take off, there's a HUGE delay before the car finally starts moving and I find this very frustrating.

I'd like to hear some opinions from people who really know how the SST works. When I rev to 2500, drop to drive and modulate the accelerator, the car does take off nicely without the delay, and you can feel the clutch slipping into gear like you normally would with a manual transmission. Is this the solution?

Thanks,
Joe

i wouldnt risk the gearbox in the owners manual it states not to do this to rev the engine in neutral and drop it to D this can damage the sst.

codegrinder · Jun 14, 2009, 12:55 PM

The downside of it being computer controlled, safety and reliability. The upside is that as tuners dig deeper they should be able to change it later on.

But please don't neutral drop a 30k car

orthojoe · Jun 14, 2009, 02:41 PM

Can someone explain how doing a neutral drop in a SST is different than dropping/slipping a clutch from higher rpms in a manual transmission? I understand that in both transmissions it places stress on the tranny, but why would this be a worse thing to do on a dual clutch transmission? Just for my education...

Thanks!

codegrinder · Jun 15, 2009, 12:03 AM

The instant shock of power is hard on bearings, motor/transmission mounts, differentials and CV shafts. 300ft/lbs of torque being applied instantly from a stand still. Basically something has to give.

Dumping the clutch isn't all that great either unless the car is built for it.

When you slip the clutch, it takes the initial force and eases the power to drivetrain.

At least that's my understanding of it.

hfm · Jun 15, 2009, 02:21 AM

what i sometimes do when i want to take off a little faster is do a semi-launch: left foot on the brake and w/ the right foot rev up to about 2000-2500rpm...at the same time, i try to minimize how long my foot is on the brake so i usually wait until i think its going to turn green before i start this semi-launch. i dont convert to super-sport (i usually do it in sport mode) and i do not turn off asc.

if anyone has reasons why this is a bad idea, let me know...

pcasupreme · Jun 15, 2009, 05:14 PM

neutral drops damage most cars -_-

mrMTB · Jun 15, 2009, 10:45 PM

Use either Sport mode, or more throttle for a quicker takeoff.

Webman · Jun 16, 2009, 10:28 AM

You guys are forgetting that the only thing that happens when you actually do a neutral drop is that the computer begins to engage the clutch. The gears are already engaged, even when in park. If you actually try to do a neutral drop, you'll find that the transmission knows how to account for this, based on vehicle speed and engine RPMs. I do not remember reading anywhere in the owners manual where it says "do not do a neutral drop" or anything of the sort. I've not done any spirited neutral drops, but i have revved up the engine a bit and dropped into drive. It's basically the same as taking off from a full stop and flooring it. You feel the clutch engage slowly, and the car takes off.

As for Power braking, read this: TSB-08-22-002 W6DGA TC-SST Characteristics It specifically mentions it on page 2

IMO, you just get used to it. I complained about this when I first got the car. It takes some practice, but you'll figure it out. You just have to change your timing, and start things a second earlier.

orthojoe · Jun 16, 2009, 03:56 PM

Webman,

Thanks. This is what I've been thinking all along, but I needed someone else to confirm/agree with me.

gunzo · Jun 17, 2009, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orthojoe

Webman,

Thanks. This is what I've been thinking all along, but I needed someone else to confirm/agree with me.

good luck .. he is wrong ..

when you're neutral .. non of the gears are engaged .. and the clutch is free ..

when you go to D .. the gearbox THEN selects the gear and engages the clutches ..

When you rev to 3000rpms and selects D, the gearbox engages the gear and will sometimes be unable to engage the clutch because it tries to match the engine torque to the clutch engagement ..

You will wear out your 1-3-5 clutchpacks in no time and you'll get weird reactions from the gearbox when you're at steady state cruising ..

The suggestion to go Sport or SSport is correct .. there's less slippage and the engagement is quicker ..

DO NOT DUMP the clutch from NEUTRAL as there is NO PROTECTION from the ECU !!!

This is NO LAUNCH off a standstill using SSport .. rev just jumps to 3000rpms in D ..

orthojoe · Jun 17, 2009, 07:57 AM

gunzo, the video you posted is the kind of takeoff I'm looking for. I'm always in manual SSport and the car doesnt seem to react this way. I'll try SSport auto and see what happens today.

thanks,
Joe