Launching in a straight line

[plev]

I need some advice on how to launch or do a hole shot and come out going straight. I always end up with the a$$ end going to the right and then I correct and end up laying rubber in an "S" pattern.

I want to eventually take it to the the drag strip once this summer and don't want to embarass myself so i'm practicing.

I also have a side question: in my intial excitement (and ok, FEAR once the car started swerving) I know I hit max RPM's at 8000 for a few seconds. I've learned to watch the tach now but any ramifications in doing that once or maybe twice?

I'm on street tires and will be. This is not something I'll be doing regularly once i switch to my new tires.

[QB93Z]

My ZR-1's do not pull left or right on launch. I have "launched" a lot of times and never had a problem going straight. You may want to check that the C-beam between you transmission and differential is tightly connected. A lot of people install C-Beam plates to make it easier to tighten the bolts on the C-Beam. The plates are available from Bill Boudreau. http://www.zfdoc.com/

One quick check that may indicate the problem is does you transmission "lift" on hard acceleration? There should not be any motion of the shifter relative to the console when you accelerate.

Another suggestion is to check your alignment. I would recommend a four-wheel alignment at a competent shop.

I hope you are coming to Bowling Green for the Gathering. There will be plenty of drag racing there.

Jim

[tccrab]

That "Sweep Right, Exit Left" is normal for a C4.
Best thing you can do for it is the CBeam plates from Bill B.
Even after installing the plates you will find that the car wants to sweep a little to the right, but you won't be leaving "S" patterns in the street.

Bouncing off the rev limiter isn't necessarily bad for a LT5, just not something you want to do *all* the time.

Doing a perfect "smokie" takes a little practice.
Don't try to muscle it off the line like you would do a big block chevy.
Clutch it normally and let it roll 10 or 15 feet, then hammer it to the floor.
When the tires ignite, pull back on the throttle until the tach reads around 6k.
Feather the gas and hold the rpms between 6 & 6500.
When the tires start to get sticky the RPMs will drop slightly and then pick up as speed increases.
Lift the throttle slightly, depress the clutch COMPLETELY to the floor and quickly pull the shifter into second.
Side step the clutch and feather the gas keeping the RPMs around 6k.
When you finally get traction you will be doing around 70mph, grab third.
Before you can blink you will be at 110 or so and time to shift into fourth.

With your right eyeball, watch for red and blue lights in your rear view mirror.

Should the law catch you right about now, you will be spending the night in jail, having broken every speed law in the country and also performing reckless driving and exhibition of speed, but you will have a big smile on your face.
We call it "PermaGrin".



TomC
"Crabs

[Aurora40]

I would guess your tach is off. Short of downshifting at too high a speed, the engine will not rev above 7,100 from the factory.

And my car does not kick to the side either on launch. I would make sure your alignment is correct, and possibly that your limited slip is working properly? Do you leave two tire tracks when you "S" pattern, or one?

[plev]

Thanks for the replys. The car is scheduled to be aligned next week, it shakes slightly at speeds higher than 60, not awful but enough I'm going to have it done.

TCCRAB, thanks for the instruction I'll try to memorize it and give it a shot next time.

AURORA40, definitely two very very black and long "S's".

[WB9MCW]

Clutch it normally and let it roll 10 or 15 feet, then hammer it to the floor.
When the tires ignite, pull back on the throttle until the tach reads around 6k.
Feather the gas and hold the rpms between 6 & 6500.
When the tires start to get sticky the RPMs will drop slightly and then pick up as speed increases.
Lift the throttle slightly, depress the clutch COMPLETELY to the floor and quickly pull the shifter into second.
Side step the clutch and feather the gas keeping the RPMs around 6k.
When you finally get traction you will be doing around 70mph, grab third.
Before you can blink you will be at 110 or so and time to shift into fourth.

NOW I KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF ALL THAT EXTRA RUBBER WHEN MY TIRES HIT THE 7 YEARS OLD MARK AND IT IS TIME TO REPLACE 'EM