[jmanpatsfan]

I'd say the worst part about a manual transmission is the lag at takeoff (for me at least.) I think I am doing something wrong. When I drive the Mustang takeoffs are very slow, then when I hop in an auto, I can just floor it and get a great takeoff. Whats the best way to jump off the line (dont worry Im not doing any street racing....never have), If I rev it high enough and then completely take my foot off the clutch pedal without stopping at the friction point, will the car just buck forward, or will it jump off the line (or will it spin the tires). I am being robbed of my favorite part of driving.....quick takeoffs. Someone please help me!

[stlwagon]

Launching is an art. Try some 2500 rpm partial clutch dumps to see where you're at. The more experienced you get you can try a 3000-3500 launch.

[EagleAutosports]

It takes practice to master a good launch with a manual tranny. That's the only way to get better is to get out and try it again and again.

[Blnpony05]

Learning to launch....lol....slt is right it's an art that you have to do over and over. I have ran mine down the 1/4 about 50 times and I am still not happy with my launch...sometimes it's good but mostly I spin and I am using my TC, it's fun to pratice tho! I launch at about 3k maybe I should drop that....

[blackbeast07]

AHHH great minds think alike! Love those stripes man

[jmanpatsfan]

Originally Posted by blackbeast07

AHHH great minds think alike! Love those stripes man

HAHA, thanks bro, it was the first thing I did to the car. Makes me smile every time I look at it.

[JetBlack]

At the track, I launch at about 2000-2500 RPM and spin a bit. If you don't heat the tires, you will spin a lot, no matter what. Turn TA off, on your dash. If you have 3.31 gears in your five speed GT, I don't know what to tell you about the lag you will feel. Get 3.73s and that will go away.

5TWENTY told me he launches at redline, with his Mickey Thompson drag slicks so if our local track doesn't get sold to the indian reservation, next year, I will buy those. His 60 foot times are 75% of mine. What that means is get bettter tires and you will launch better. Nitto555s are great, I hear but they don't last long.

Here's a video of me... uh... in Mexico... on and island.... where there are no traffic laws. Anyway, I launched at 2200, I think.

Remember Mustangs are famous for power. Not traction

YouTube - Straight Pipes

[jmanpatsfan]

Originally Posted by JetBlack

At the track, I launch at about 2000-2500 RPM and spin a bit. If you don't heat the tires, you will spin a lot, no matter what. Turn TA off, on your dash. If you have 3.31 gears in your five speed GT, I don't know what to tell you about the lag you will feel. Get 3.73s and that will go away.

5TWENTY told me he launches at redline, with his Mickey Thompson drag slicks so if our local track doesn't get sold to the indian reservation, next year, I will buy those. His 60 foot times are 75% of mine. What that means is get bettter tires and you will launch better. Nitto555s are great, I hear but they don't last long.

Here's a video of me... uh... in Mexico... on and island.... where there are no traffic laws. Anyway, I launched at 2200, I think.

Remember Mustangs are famous for power. Not traction

I have 3.55s. So what exactly did you do with the clutch pedal there - that is my main issue.

[cravens02]

its all about what feels right for you I launche at like 3000 but I slip my clutch it somewhat works for me lol

[marshall_series]

I would start low and work your way up. Practice a few at 2,000, then move up to 2300, then 2500, etc. Find what you feel is the most fun and just keep working on it. I personally like the feel of 2,000 RPM launches but that's just me. I try not to slip my clutch for the sake of.. my clutch.

[fine89lx]

Get your self slicks.

Launch at 3500 or maybe more since your have the 4.6 not pushrod

And let it rip

[93mustang]

Originally Posted by JetBlack

At the track, I launch at about 2000-2500 RPM and spin a bit. If you don't heat the tires, you will spin a lot, no matter what. Turn TA off, on your dash. If you have 3.31 gears in your five speed GT, I don't know what to tell you about the lag you will feel. Get 3.73s and that will go away.

I agree with the gears. With 3.73's in the rear and my old T-5 with a 3.35 1st gear, my car use to throw me back in the seat when launching with Nitto Drag Radials at 3500-4000rpms, not dumping the clutch, just letting it out as fast as possible and mashing the gas to the floor at the same time.. And that was with my old motor at only about 248 hp.
Last year I put in a new motor, 345 hp, a new T-5z , and Hoosier QuickTime Pro DOT Slicks. The T-5z has a 2.95 1st gear unlike the 3.35 in my old T-5 and the car is now a dog out of the hole. It boggs when I launch compared to before. I could really use 4.10's to bring that magic ratio back. This car is not a daily driver, it's used every weekend for drag racing.
What is the 1st gear ratio on your car?
I think that the rear gear ratio is the main problem with your take off.
Also a set of Drag Radials or Slicks with the gear change will help you get the traction you need.
If your not going to do a gear change, stick with your street tires or Drag Radials at the most. With out a gear change, and running slicks, you'll bogg even more. Don't get me wrong , it can be done, but you have to find that magic rpm number, and the right amount of clutch slip. To do that consistantly is almost impossible. And if you're bracket racing, you need to be consistant. Also, a slight bit of wheel spin is good. Dead hook and you'll bogg, unless you have a large amout of horse power.
So here we go.
1) Street tires with your current set up.
Don't heat up the tires. Street tire become slippery when heated.
Drive around the water box and launch with out having your rpms up.
I know a guy with a 2007 Parnelli Jones Mustang, and he runs in the low 13's and gets his best 60' times this way.
2) Drag Radials or Slicks with a gear change.
Drive around the water box and back in. Spin the tires quick to wet them and pull ahead about 3'-6'. Line lock (you'll need one these to keep your burn outs consistant) in 2nd gear and clutch in, Rpms to 4000 rpms, dump the clutch, when you see some good smoke , roll out of the burn out and prestage.
Stage, rpms to what ever works best for you and let the clutch out as quick as possible. I wouldn't just side step your foot off of it. Things won't last very long that way!

I don't know where your engine makes the peak horse power, but I would shift somewhere above that so that you stay in the power band.
My peak is 5100 so I shift at 5500. A shift light is a good thing to have to keep you consistant.
It all depends on what you want to do, and how much you want to spend. It can get real crazy money wise.
If you just want to go to the track once in a while to see how fast you can go. I'd go with keeping what you have and run your street tires and just have fun.
If you want to bracket race, go with the gear change,slicks,line lock,
shift light. You can even bracket race with your current set up and have some fun. That's what it's all about!!!!
Good Luck!!!

1993 GT Mustang / Ford Racing GT-40 Crate Motor B-303 Cam / 24 lb. Injectors / Stock Ignition / MSD EFI Blaster Coil / Edelbrock 5.0 Upper and Lower Intake with BBK Phelonic Spacer / Professional Products 70mm Throttle Body / C&L C.A.I. w/76mm MAF / Stock Air Box w/K&N Panel Filter / Holley Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator / Electric Fan / BBK Underdrive Pulley's / A.C. Removed / BBK Short Headers / Flowmaster Exhaust / Tremec T-5Z / B&M Short Throw Shifter / Alum. Driveshaft / 3.73 Gears / Eaton H.D. Posi / Moser 31 Spline Axles/ Subframe Connectors / Line Lock / Driveshaft Loop / B&M Short Throw Shifter / BMR Upper and Lower Control Arms / Lakewood Adjustable Drag Shocks/ Holley 190 lph Fuel Pump

[dsilvey]

Jetblack that was a cool ass video!!!!!

[adriano_917]

what about an auto at how many RPM's do I have to launch ?

[Red02GT]

I agree with these guys 2500-3500 launch depending on the tires. Practice your launches