Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

How to launch the 8..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 09-17-2002 | 09:37 AM
  #1  
Quick_lude's Avatar
Thread Starter
Love to rev!
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga - Ontario
Question How to launch the 8..

I have never driven or launched a rotary powered vehicle. My Prelude has to launched at about 4K rpm or more. I know the S2000 has to be launched at 5K or more for optimum results. I don't drag race very much and I know this won't be a drag car but still I would to know how to launch it. Any feedback on this?
Old 09-17-2002 | 10:51 AM
  #2  
Sputnik's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO, USA
I would think that there's going to be more difference between launching a RWD vs. your FWD, then there will be launching the high-rpm rotary vs. your VTEC engine.

---jps
Old 09-17-2002 | 12:05 PM
  #3  
Toadman's Avatar
Nomad Mod
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,520
Likes: 0
From: Hilton or Marriott
Take a look at the HP/Torque curves someone posted here somewhere. or the 3rd gen RX-7, optimum launch RPM was 3500rpm, but that was for the turbos benefit
Old 09-17-2002 | 09:18 PM
  #4  
danger's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver British Columbia
when you launch what are you talking about? Depress clutch, rev up to rpm, clutch in. This it?

i dunno what im talking about.. someone explain launching to me please.
Old 09-17-2002 | 09:21 PM
  #5  
ZoomZoom's Avatar
Drive it like U stole it!
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 859
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge, Ontario
Originally posted by danger
when you launch what are you talking about? Depress clutch, rev up to rpm, clutch in. This it?

i dunno what im talking about.. someone explain launching to me please.
danger,

Sounds like you’ve already got it down pat.
Old 09-17-2002 | 09:29 PM
  #6  
danger's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver British Columbia
sweet sweet. sweet...

sounds to me all this would do is burnout? isn't the point of a launch to get moving as fast as possible? not move, spin tires, and then jet like a bat out of hell?
Old 09-18-2002 | 08:22 AM
  #7  
Grimace's Avatar
Certifiable car nut
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Danger, the optimum launch gives maximum acceleration without spinning the tires excessively, but at the same time not bogging the engine. This is trickier than it sounds, and pavement quality is a variable.
Basically, a smokey burnout is impressive but gets you nowhere, while a low-RPM launch saves your tires, but doesn't exactly catapult you forward until the tach swings north of 5 grand (for example).
(Very) generally speaking, about 1-2 seconds of brief wheel spin is optimal, on most cars.

Edit - forgot to mention that some people side-step the clutch (let it out abruptly) while others slip it (not recommended unless you like the stench of crispy clutch in the cabin).
Fortunatly the 8 is rear wheel drive, probably the easiest car to launch vs. FWD or AWD. Well, some AWD are easy to launch, but most have too much traction, and bog horribly. Or you can be like my friend with his WRX, and try a high-RPM sidestep to avoid bogging. <BANG> Differential went to the big wrecking yard up in the sky...

Last edited by Grimace; 09-18-2002 at 08:28 AM.
Old 09-18-2002 | 03:59 PM
  #8  
Sputnik's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO, USA
Originally posted by Grimace
...Or you can be like my friend with his WRX, and try a high-RPM sidestep to avoid bogging. <BANG> Differential went to the big wrecking yard up in the sky...
And some of it ended up over in the bushes, and some of it ended up in the other lane, and some of it...

---jps
Old 09-18-2002 | 04:16 PM
  #9  
BlueAdept's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: London (England)
Originally posted by Sputnik
And some of it ended up over in the bushes, and some of it ended up in the other lane, and some of it...

---jps
LOL, a few of my friends and I went to a deserted parking lot (My god I'm speaking american).. to have a play... which ended up in one of them doing exactly that to another's car!!! Differential in pieces on the floor... Mind you it stopped us all getting arrested since when the police turned up we were all sitting round discussing this pool of oil on the floor, not messing around with the cars...

It was a while ago, when we were at college, and we had this rule of thumb... if you can't spin the tires you need a bigger engine... and if you CAN... then you need bigger tyres. Both myself and the guy above found a way out of this cycle by breaking parts of the drive train.

I broke a half shaft!... Bang... oops, no drive!
Old 09-19-2002 | 05:36 PM
  #10  
wakeech's Avatar
mostly harmless
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,440
Likes: 0
From: Greater Vancouver Area, BC
but hey danger, if you do wanna burn-out, you just side step it from a high rpm on a road WITHOUT tremendous grip in a higher gear (lots o' wheel speed)... like poppin' it from 5.5K or something in 3rd... hopefully the tires loose ALL grip, and you're just floatin'... then the heat builds up and rubber burns.
Old 09-20-2002 | 06:52 PM
  #11  
danger's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver British Columbia
Originally posted by wakeech
but hey danger, if you do wanna burn-out, you just side step it from a high rpm on a road WITHOUT tremendous grip in a higher gear (lots o' wheel speed)... like poppin' it from 5.5K or something in 3rd... hopefully the tires loose ALL grip, and you're just floatin'... then the heat builds up and rubber burns.
thanks.... hey i see you're from vancouver... around what parts?
Old 09-20-2002 | 09:08 PM
  #12  
wakeech's Avatar
mostly harmless
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,440
Likes: 0
From: Greater Vancouver Area, BC
oops, i should change that to "Greater Vancouver"... i live in the suburb Surrey... ya ya, i know the jokes, it's not like i was born here...
but not a bad place to live, in the nicer areas...
why?? where're you from?? canadian of some sort i suppose...
Old 09-21-2002 | 03:06 PM
  #13  
danger's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver British Columbia
im from the east sive of vancouver.. no not hastings.... but the better area. Im near Queen Elizabeth park, but not by the government housings, a little further than that. hehehee...
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rotorocks
Series I Tech Garage
47
05-11-2016 03:23 PM
Jonesboy2398
New Member Forum
4
09-13-2015 05:28 PM
Titanium Grey
Europe Forum
8
06-11-2003 07:26 AM
ggreen29
RX-8 Media News
0
04-18-2003 11:23 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: How to launch the 8..



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:21 AM.