what is the best rpms to launch at...and when i do should i immeadiately shift into 2nd or run through first and then into 2nd...sorry for the dumb question but i am new to the whole manual tranny thing

 

You talking about racing or getting groceries?

 

i launch at about 1500-2000rpms. i dont floor it until im already going about 15mph. then once i floor it i take it up to redline and powershift into 2nd(shifting without letting off the gas). then its smooth sailing from there.

 

What's that smell??? Oh its Evan's clutch...........

 

haha

 

i dont mean everyday driving i mean racing

 

I launch between 2-2.5k easing off the clutch giving a little more throttle, once i feel the tires start gripping, off the clutch, mash the gas. Of course best i've gotten to date is a 2.28 so i'm still workin on it myself.

 

what about automatic?

 

haha i think thats vaughn's clutch remember??? im the one pulling the 2.1 60' times on stock tires.

 

And shift right at redline. The more pratice the more time you'll shave off.

 

im with brandon. just remember the race track is much more diff you gripp way better. the more you race the better you get.

 

Mash the pedal on the right.

 

Thats exactly what I do, As soon as the first light comes on, I blip the throttle to get it to 1500 to 2k and then launch on the last yellow. The key to no wheel hop is to hold the throttle at 70-80 percent until about 3 or 4k, and then smoothly go to the floor as you go to second gear, And you have to back off the throttle a little (not quite a 'true' powershift) or else you will just bounce off the revlimiter and the clutch won't catch the gear.

 

Not that simple maybe in an auto.

 

When I did it, I held it at 2k and let it go then once it started to pull good, I mashed it and I got a 15.7 out of it.

 

On the track I held around 2500rpm, dropped clutch and immediatly mashed it. Gave me 2.1 60' and 15.04

 

FOr an automatic, put your shifter into 1st gear to turn on the TCS, hold the brake all the way, punch the gas all the way, and release the brake when you're ready to go. Don't forget to shift back up to drive after 1st gear. All you really need it for is the TCS.

 

Really stupid n00b question, but how do you shift w/o using the clutch? I've heard of people doing that, but never have figured how/when, because I didn't want to grind gears while experimenting, lol.

 

very simple you just bump it into nuetral

 

My best launches have been in best results in the 1/4th mile. I think it is one of the most important parts of a front wheel drive car, or any vehicle for that matter. With this said I have fond flooring it through first gear will do nothing but spin and you won't travel anywhere quickly. I feather the clutch and launch @ 1600 rmps. Once I feel the car grabbing I go FT and crack second @ 6300 rpms. I wind second gear out as long as possible. Must not hit the rev limit. If you crack into 3erd gear right before you hit the rev limiter you will have a very good 3erd gear pull. I ride 3erd gear out the rest of the way in the 1/4th. The biggest problem for me at the race track is should I shift into 4th or not. On my best times third gear runs into the rev limiter right as I hit the 1/4th mark. Somtimes it doesn't which means I have to shift into 4th gear.

 

R&C Rally, get the gmpp stage2 and that will give you the extra 500rpm to play with ... The car is alot stronger and the extra 500 ropm is wonderfull!! And GM will back up your car 100%

 

Then how does it work going into the next gear w/o the clutch? (If I'm not mistaken, I believe that you can do that?)

 

well...can't go into first without the clutch..im sure we all know that. But to shift without the clutch you gotta be going the right speed for the gear. Once you're at the right speed just pop it in, and if it's correct, it should go in smoothly. I tried it a few times before, and i think from first to second i did it at around 15mph, second to third at about 25mph, and third to fourth around 35mph. Just play with it a few times to see. Be warned, you may grind the gear the first couple times. If you start to hear that grinding sound, don't force it.

 

Alright, thanks for the info.

 

thats mostly with hondas and eagle talons that i have heard of doing that, please dont do it in the cobalt...ahhhh its warrentied go for it!