Launch RPM and Shift RPM
 

I have a race coming up in 5 hours and I just got my Ingalls ETD on last night which by the way I love! :twothumbs

So I have a few observations I've made about the SS S/C.
2700 Rpms seems like a good launch area for my stock tires that are semi worn.
Now in first gear we all know is pretty useless. So heres my question.
Instead of running all the way to 6500 rpm in first. What if I shift at 5200 to 5500 rpms into second. I should drop to 3000 to 3200 rpms which keeps me in my powerband. And since we make the full 200lbs of torque in that range I should save my self a half to full second in the run correct?

Let me know if I'm full of shit or right on the money cuz I want to be able to get the best time. Let me know if you have a better technique I'm open to anything.

2700 is too high, slip slightly at 2000-2200 and dont mash the gas, gently apply throughout first

2nd will bog if you shift that low IMO.

agreed, you need to wind it out

2nd will bog if shifted from first at 5200 rpms?

yeah. ideally you want to be up at 4k after shifts.

not really "bog" you will just be well out of the powerband. the 1-2 is already bad enough on a stock cobalt if shifted at redline.

I occasionally bounce off the redline in 1st to get some traction before i shift into 2nd, then you will be in the sweetspot.

that makes no sense

you either need to limit your boost, or know how to use your throttle properly, to maintain traction through first to get a good shift to second.

spin to much and your just going to roast your clutch, or bog hard.

i learned that the hard way, and my clutch is fried, and need a new one bad and not sure wat to put aftermarket or stock since money is an issue also, and time, thinking just throwing a stock one back in

Exactly what he just said.

If you end up spinning 1st your clutch will most likely slip 2nd. If you dont give enough gas you will bog hard.

I found the perfect limit, and roast the tires in 2nd until I lift up or hit 60mph. :)

if you treat it right the stocker will handle the power that 95% of us are making.

well i think i might just do the stock clutch and flywheel, becuase i dont ahve the money for aftermarket, and i never knew that spinning the tires will cause clutch failure and clutch slip, and yeah i know im a newb because this was my first stick car and now i know, thanks to you anomalous

Unless your making alot power i'd throw a stocker in. You know how to drive it now so it shouldn't be an issue the 2nd time.

If you CAN save up, I would and at least throw a spec in there.

my excedy goin in tommorow so ill be hitting the track and shooting for 12's with drag radials..woot woot

but ya slip the clutch at 2200-2500rpm and like ppl said dont floor 1st gear,u gotta play with the throttle so ur still moving forward but with less spinning,and shift outta first a 6000rpm

hmm im running a 2.6 and 2.8" pullies and 60 lbers in there, should i than go aftermarket than spec stage 1 and fidanza flywheel, also gotta remember, this is my DD and i dont want the clutch to be hard nor wear fast

:lol:

Like I said, you know how to drive it now.

When mine goes and I don't have much cash, the stocker will definately be going back in unless I have the extra bones for aftermarket.

yeah i know how to drive it now, because stupid me, being a teen and all likes to show off and roast the tires and there goes the clutch, and also i learned on this car so i stalled 894273984234 times and also road the clutch hard sometimes, but im so used to it now im good

hey, at least you have the intelligence to be able to accept if you made the mistake....instead of alot of these young new drivers who automatically say it was the clutches fault.

it takes years to know how to drive well. ive been doing it for 14 years, and im very much still a rookie.

but as long as you keep learning along the way your always getting better :)

Maintaining traction is not the issue. I can launch at 2500 to 2700 by sliping the clutch (I know but it's for half a second) and then slowly easing into the gas. By slowly I refer to a second to a second and a half at best. Till I'm almost 3/4 gas. By then I'd reach 5500 rpm and shift to second. As second engages go straight wot. Second should drop the rpm and if I remeber right thats where the most torque is made at 3400 rpm roughly.
From there run second straight to redline and then thrid straight to redline Fourth if you still have room before the finish.

But your saying the power band does not start in the 3300 to 3500 rpm range?

Where does it start?

yeah man even people tell me wow uve been driving the car for a year and a half and u got alot better, haha coming from my best friend stephanie who always use to beat me in races since i couldnt drive and now i MURDER HER!!! haha since i dont roast the tires, and all that, but now both of our clutches went and we both need new ones haha, so who says stocker?

I Just Take Off At 2200 And Shift At 6500 When I Race,and I Really Good

thats what i did at the strip and it worked great