Today after a long day at work and to release some stress, I tried to have a bit of fun with my 8.
I went to a big vacant parking lot practicing my launch involving a few burnouts with the following result; I reved to about 6000 rpm in first, dropped the clutch and get a "half" burnout with some rear jerking from the rear tires, as if the tires were not fully gripping the asphalt.
I thought to myself ok perhaps I'm not on level ground that's all. Retry and get only 1 out 3 launches that has actually nice gripping/burnout. I decided on the way home to give it a try on the street (vacant street with no police around) which looked pretty level and again got rougly the same result, half jerking - half burn.

So my question is the following, what is the most plausible cause for this? and how to get a nice clean launch with good burnout/gripping?
It almost feels like either the ground is not level or the rear of the car is too light? (should be 50/50 distribution)
or perhaps am I dropping the clutch too fast? need to rev it at an even higher rpm? or maybe my tires are too new or too hard (too inflated)?

 

From what I've heard, 4000-4500 is the highest you can "drop" the clutch with full traction...

Try letting it out a little slower.

 

Don't just drop the clutch, let it out slower and keep your RPM's up by giving it gas. You might be doing some damage by just dropping the clutch.

 

Sounds like you may be experiencing axle hop. I would back off the burnouts unless you want to replace your clutch at frequent intervals, not to mention possibly shortening the life of your trans.

 

Is your DSC off?

 

I remember hearing that when they got the 5.9 0-60 time, it was done by dropping the clutch at 9000rpms w/ the tires heated up. I could be wrong...

 

It was 7500 rpm - motor trend

 

I see, but I presume "riding the clutch" will also shorten it life while being easier on such other component as the axel... right?

Is there any possible way that one with experience and skill could perform moderate launch / burnout without hindering the clutch, transmission of the car at all? if perform properly.
or are those fast launches / burnouts although executed correctly always damage something to a different extent ranging from minimal to extreme.
I just want to know the limitation of the car and how much one can get away with.

btw: no DSC involved here.

 

I've found that a smooth, slow-release of the clutch between 4k-6500RPM is just about right for nice silky burn-outs. Once the back end is loose, you can have all sorts of fun - driving sideways, spinning 180s, etc. :D The Rx-8 also lends itself well to long-run burnies because of the RPM range - but you have to be somewhat masterful with the accelerator to ensure you don't just dump it into red-line right away once the tires start spinning. This is the equivelant of pre-mature ... well, let's just say the fun will be over before it starts if you're not careful.

 

Dear Mazda,
If you are reading this, pay no attention to the man doing burnouts dropping the clutch. His driving habits are not indicative of the majority of RX-8 owners. Therefore, if in the future we begin to have tranny problems, you can not hold this against us.

:-)

 

You're right, letting the clutch out more slowly will wear the clutch more.

Would you rather peroidically replace the clutch . . . or the tranny, diff, axels, etc.?

Peace
policy

 

Believe it or not, the salesman that I went on a test drive with actually told me to get the revs up to 8000 rpm and basically drop the clutch!

The car burned out for a bit before the traction control engaged, but the car definitely jumped forward with this kind of start. Then again, I wouldn't make this kind of start common in my own car!

 

[QUOTE=Rob Tomlin]Believe it or not, the salesman that I went on a test drive with actually told me to get the revs up to 8000 rpm and basically drop the clutch!

/QUOTE]

He's just trying to sell the car, he doesn't have to drive that one home (or pay the maintainence bills for it).

Depending on the timeframe, it also may have been a "test drive only" car, that wasn't ever going to get sold to someone that might want to hod them to the warranty later.

 

[QUOTE=bgreene]I agree.

Mission accomplished!

 

polak had a pretty good time dropping the clutch at 8k...

 

They apparently used this argument with me. I had to pay for my second tran. and i was not even that hard on it! $3200 down the drain. I think im going to start looking at the 350z.

 

How much is it to replace a clutch in the 8? A dealship's manager told me it was fairly easy to replace.

 

What is the point of this thread? So you get a nice burnout at the cost of ruining the tires and clutch.

What is it about us North Americans and 0 to 60 times. I would much rather practice proper corner entry and exit than drag race.

 

I agree 100%.

If I wanted to drag race, I would not buy an RX-8.

What's so excited about going fast in a straight line? The RX-8 excels at great handling, and that's where pure driving excitement is, IMHO.

 

The jerking is the DSC/TCS at work - switch it off and you get nice, smooth wheelspin.

A good launch is essential for a good autocross run - those start from a standing start just like a drag race.

I've found that with the TCS off, about 2500~3000 RPMs with a fast release (but not "dumping" the clutch or sidestepping it) gets you a nice little chirp at the start, then it all hooks up and you're off like lightning with no wheel spin.

With the DSC on, don't exceed 2500.

 

If you believe their are no thrills to be had in straight line driving, obviously you havent been to a drag strip on a friday night, did a burn out in your car, staged your car, looked over and saw a beefy mustang GT reving his engine at you, and watched with adrenaline as you prepared for the best launch of your life as the christmas tree lights started going down from yellow...yellow...yellow LAUNCH ... green... And then either pulling ahead for those 13 second, or trying to catch up for those 13 seconds.

Anyone who says it isnt "fun", really hasnt done it before, and im my experience the people who use that excuse use it because they know their car cant compete in that way.

I own an rx8, and love it. The handling is by far the most appealing aspect of this car, no one doubts that. But even in auto crossing, your car can handle like a champ, but if you dont have the out of the turn pulling/pushing power, you cant compete with cars like the wrx. Its just a fact. I dont care if my 8 can out handle a wrx or 350z, because ill never get a chance to prove it. They pull away in the straight aways hard core, and hit the turns before you hard core. So your left using our excellent handling, 3 car lengths behind the other car.

 

I really don't disagree with much that you say, other than the following:

You would be wrong about me not having ever drag raced. Been to Pomona many times. My 93 RX7 is fairly fast, even in a straight line. I could run in the high 13's in the quarter mile.

Again, I do NOT find it to be particularly exciting. I would much rather run at the limits in a corner and feel the lateral G's than go as fast as I can in a straight line.

Unless you are talking about a car than can do the 1/4 mile in less than 12.5 seconds, it just isn't very exciting. At least not compared to a great handling car running all out on a road coarse.

I do have a friend who is 100% pure drag racer. He has nearly $40,000.00 invested in his engine. He has broken the 9 second barrier. I have not done that, but I would image that type of drag racing would be hell fun, if not a bit scary!

I also have a 125cc Shifter Kart with a 6 speed sequential gearbox. 3 lateral g's in the corners! 0-60 in 3 seconds. But we don't drag race. We run on a road course. There is nothing more fun than trying to run the Kart in front of you down and make a pass. And the race lasts more than 13 seconds!

 

Out-of-a-turn power is a bit of a different animal than off the line power, though (especially with the Renesis).

Accelerating out of a curve, you can usually downshift to keep the revs in the meaty part of the powerband, whereas you're always starting at the bottom of the curve off the line.

 

^^^Exactly^^^

 

Who says hard cornering is not tough on your suspension and tires?

What is the point of your reply?

Never doubting the RX-8 capability for cornering, this thread is simply in regards to launching the 8 faster and knowing its limitations in that department.
How do assume that straight line is more important to me than good cornering? Not because I have not talked about it in this thread that makes it irrelevant to me.
Beside even if it were, it would simply come down to a matter of preference, which has no wrong or right. So unless you have something constructive to say or voicing your opinion in a non discriminating way I suggest you keep your thoughts for yourself.