Launch RPM

[weedburner]

Originally Posted by terry1

What would be an acceptable drop in RPM between the launch RPM and when the clutch is released?
Terry K

Something has to slip to get a manual car launched, there are a few schools of thought...

Most common is that slicks need a few rotations of the tire off the line, which helps keep the car from bogging too hard until the car has a chance to gain some speed. Problem is the engine likely does not have enough power to break the tires loose on it's own, so the clutch needs to hit hard enough to cause some rpm drop. That rpm drop is evidence of the engine borrowing power from it's rotating assy to get the tires turning. If the tires are pretty closely matched to the conditions, it won't take much rpm drop to get the tires turning. If the tires stick too good, it's going to take more rpm drop to break them loose.

Personally I prefer to keep the tires stuck and let the clutch do the slipping, which makes it possible to leave without any bog or rpm drop at all. This maximizes power production by raising your average rpm during launch, and after all shifts made using the clutch. The fast Coyote Stock guys i mentioned above use this method.