I don't know about everyone else but I have a routine I go through every time I launch the car. It rarely deviates and then only in certain points and durations.
This is what I do:
-When I get ready to pull into the water box I look to see where everyone has been doing their burnouts and make sure I'm lined up with those marks on the track.
-I roll through the water box and look for my spotter to motion me to stop. If I don't have a spotter I have already chosen a point on the wall to line up with that insures I'm out of the water.
-once my spotter motions me to stop I wait for the track official to signal the burnout.
-I pump the brakes 3 times holding them down the last time and engage the line lock.
-I bump the shifter forward to insure it's in first gear and roll into the throttle till it sees 2000rpm. I then stab the throttle when it hits 5000rpm I pull the shifter into second give it more throttle till it hits 5000rpm again. I then release the line lock and throw the shifter into neutral. letting off of the gas at the same time. Car will roll slowly out of the burnout.
-I then stab the gas twice while the rpm's are still coming down from the burnout. I'm watching the Boost gauge while I do this and making sure it jumps to 10lbs boost each time (making sure the blower drive is not loosened by the burnout).
-I then drop the shifter back into 1st bumping it forward twice to make sure I didn't catch 2nd by accident.
-engage the nitrous and check the gauge, should read 11000. I then purge twice to make sure it's nice and white.
-roll up and take the prestage bulbs with the right foot on the gas and left on the brake.
-Once the other lane lights his prestage I start loading the converter, coming up to about 1500 to 2000rpm while standing on the brake. I then hit the transbrake and let off the foot brake. The car will roll forward a few inches. If it doesn't trip the stage bulbs I'll repeat the process going back to the foot brake and then back onto the transbrake causing the car to roll again.
-Wait for the lights to drop. At the first yellow I roll into the throttle once it's past 2000rpm stab it to the wood. The engine tone will change briefly when the T/C is fully loaded and I'm listening for it. Last yellow let go. Both hands on the wheel and HOLD ON!!
That's my routine. I've learned from a lot of pro's they all have a routine they follow in their car. I could do mine in my sleep, heck sometimes I actually do.
I'm betting if you think about it each of you has a routine also! If not then It's time to start developing one! That's one of the keys to consistency! A solid routine!
I've shared mine, so lets hear yours! What do you do when you get ready to launch your car?
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2007 Mustang GT Vista Blue 740RWHP/motor 904RWHP/spray 9.01 @ 152 mph 1/4 mile, 1.40 60' 2008 Clash of the Titans World Finals Champion 2009 Strictly Street Points leader/ET & MPH Record Holder
2009 GT500 Grabber Orange Vert 594 RWHP 11.5 @ 120mph it's my slow car!
i pretty much the same as you with the burnout....
except with the 5sp car i start the burnout in second gear
i run the motor up to 5000 as soon as see smoke in the mirror realese the line lock ......
push the clutch in roll up to line the i turn on the 2 step and n20
purge ...... pre stage clear the motor....
stage ......1st light to the wood(to coin a phrase) let the 2 step do its job
3rd light engage clutch quickly (not to be confused with side stepping the clutch)
then let it eat......
>>>>>>>>>Off topic alert>>>>>>>>>>>
Ever thought about purging into the motor to clean them plugs real good from the idling and burnout? We've done it on a couple nitrous cars and it really helped!
>>>>>>>>>>Back on topic>>>>>>>>>>>
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2007 Mustang GT Vista Blue 740RWHP/motor 904RWHP/spray 9.01 @ 152 mph 1/4 mile, 1.40 60' 2008 Clash of the Titans World Finals Champion 2009 Strictly Street Points leader/ET & MPH Record Holder
2009 GT500 Grabber Orange Vert 594 RWHP 11.5 @ 120mph it's my slow car!
1. Pull through the waterbox.
2. Dump the clutch slightly to evenly coat my tires with water.
3. Dump the clutch again once I get the signal and stand on the brakes while I heat my tires.
4. Pre-stage
5. Turn on the nitrous switch.
6. Purge it twice.
7. Stage.
8. Drive it like I stole it.
Drive around the water box and back into the area where it's damp and give it a quick spin
When I see the car in front of me get about half way down the track I drop the clutch in first gear (When it was 5 speed).
When I see some smoke in the side view mirror I let off the brake and let the car pull forward until I feel it hook.
I hit the pre stage light and flip on the nitrous switch(the heater switch is on the whole time).
I give it a few WOT revs with the nitrous engaged to purge it through the motor since I have no actual purge.
I stage fully and get the revs to about 3500-4000 RPM's, once it's green I slip the clutch out the hole and launch kinda like a sissy so I don't end up walking home (28 spline axles yikes!)
Run wut I brung and hope I brought enough
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93 LX 2.3 to 5.0 conversion. 60% of the time it works every time.
VTEC - All the lag of a turbo............None of the boost
Well I am working on my routine. I tried launching in my driveway today. I tried holding the rpms as high as I could, and then launching. Then I tried from idle , what a difference. I had the power that way that I like. So this being said , this will be my next launch.
1. Turn off TCS.
2. Turn Off overdrive. major thing not to forget when spraying nitrous.
3. I line up in the holes of the water box .
4. Spin a bit in the box and roll out about 3 ft.
5. Put it in Neutral, arm the nitrous and goose it to purge since I have not set that system up yet. Then turn off the Nitrous.
6.Do my burn out till I see a lot of white smoke.
7 Stage the first yellow lights.
8. creep up to light the next set.
9 launch off of Idle
10. Arm Nitrous and hold on. Now this may change to arming from the get go have to see.
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Airraid CAI/BAMA tune,moto blue pullies,3:73`s,LPW girdle;Powerhouse DS,CHE safety loop,CHE LCA`S & Adjustable UCA,Kooks LT`S & O/R X Pipe,prothane MM`s,Steeda CMDP`S,Eibach springs,Tokico D specs,Polished TB(by Me),Steeda radiator support,MT DR`S,Zex kit 100 shot. Taylor Relocation batter kit and cut off switch
11:933 ET, 1.674 60`,111.877 MPH
As I have not set an actual routine, I need to... In the past I've had a spotter to line me up in the water box and heat the tires until told to roll forward by spotter. I footbrake/torque up as high as I can until the car is ready to start pushing, hold, and release.
Not on track but in front of house () I've tried lauching two ways. Idle and "nailing to the wood" and the car fell flat on it's face. I figured it would at least spin the slicks on the streets but the car died!
I tried "my" normal launch of foot braking and the car screamed and left 20' posi marks on my street.
I don't have nitrous or a trans brake so my routine will develop with less work than you all's!!!
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Building it right from the beginning is always better than starting over to build it better because it was temporary.
93' LX hatch, 460 with mods, TH400 trans, 9" w/ 3.89 spool. Best (so far!) of 10.18 @ 131 mph with 1.39 60'
As I have not set an actual routine, I need to... In the past I've had a spotter to line me up in the water box and heat the tires until told to roll forward by spotter. I footbrake/torque up as high as I can until the car is ready to start pushing, hold, and release.
Not on track but in front of house () I've tried lauching two ways. Idle and "nailing to the wood" and the car fell flat on it's face. I figured it would at least spin the slicks on the streets but the car died!
I tried "my" normal launch of foot braking and the car screamed and left 20' posi marks on my street.
I don't have nitrous or a trans brake so my routine will develop with less work than you all's!!!
Sounds like you are figuring out the routine , as I have.lol I think you will do well. The drive way is a great place as long as you face the street. I had a cop drive by , he asked what I was doing. I told him I was working on my launch. He told me ok.
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Airraid CAI/BAMA tune,moto blue pullies,3:73`s,LPW girdle;Powerhouse DS,CHE safety loop,CHE LCA`S & Adjustable UCA,Kooks LT`S & O/R X Pipe,prothane MM`s,Steeda CMDP`S,Eibach springs,Tokico D specs,Polished TB(by Me),Steeda radiator support,MT DR`S,Zex kit 100 shot. Taylor Relocation batter kit and cut off switch
11:933 ET, 1.674 60`,111.877 MPH
2007 Mustang GT Vista Blue 740RWHP/motor 904RWHP/spray 9.01 @ 152 mph 1/4 mile, 1.40 60' 2008 Clash of the Titans World Finals Champion 2009 Strictly Street Points leader/ET & MPH Record Holder
2009 GT500 Grabber Orange Vert 594 RWHP 11.5 @ 120mph it's my slow car!
My Routine is:
1) when pulling up to water box, shift car to 2nd gear.
2) Roll through water, quick spin
3) pull forward until spotter signals to stop
4) watch spotter for signal to burnout.
5) brakes to floor and engage line lock
6) Do burnout until decent amount of white smoke
7)while letting off gas slowly release line lock
8) prestage and wait for other car to prestage
9)Roll forward to stage
10)Launch off idle and hold on.
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2006 GT black (AUTO)IUP Saleen supercharger:Saleen Super Shaker 3.2 pulley: GT500 fuel pump: Roush tensioner:XCAL2 :JBA Long tube headers:JBA O/R H-pipe:JBA axle back exhaust:YNOMAX Resonaters:Strange3:90 gears:TCI 3000:BMR upper and lower control arms with relocation brackets:Power house drive shaft:cervini ducktail wing: cervini side scoops
1: Roll front wheels into water box
2: Depress clutch
3: Put in second gear
4: Pull e-brake handle
5: Rev to 3500-4000
6: Drop clutch
7: Gas it a about halfway
8: Keep wheelspeed around 60 mph
9: Drop e-brake
10: Let off clutch and gas after burnout
11: Roll into staging
12: Pump brakes when staged to keep from creeping
13: Hold clutch in
14: Mash gas to 2-step at 4600 rpm
15: Let off clutch and putz down track
Consistency is key at the strip, because you want to online alter one variable at a time to see if you improve your results.
1. Roll though the water box, I open my door or check the mirror to make sure I'm out of the water. (My spotter/wife is never paying attention)
2. Wait for the signal to start the burnout.
3. Put the car in second
4. Pump the brakes and hold, press my cruise control/line lock button.
5. Bring the RPMs up to about 3k and release the clutch.
6. Wife is still chatting, so I check the mirrors for smoke.
7. Release the line lock, and press the clutch in.
8. Bring the car up to pre stage.
9. Wait for the other car to pre stage.
10. Stage the Car.
11. Bring the car up to 5k by the second light.
12. Sidestep the clutch on the last light.
What's your routine when you stage? 
