There were a couple of comments on how to best lanuch the car when you DO NOT use the Launch Control feature. Hopefully this will be a living document and we will all learn as we get seat time.
There is nothing about this post that should be considered as absolute, for sure, it is subject to change from further input.
1. Assume that you do not use the "Launch" feature, that is the basis we start with.
2. The only way to launch and get around the pcm intervention is to totally turn off ESC. The car must be stopped, you then hold the ESC button for 5 seconds and in the upper left of the dash you will see the ESC off icon. Keep in mind this turns off both traction control and stability control.
3. If you have not had a lot of seat time in a viper this could be dangerous and is not recommended.
4. If you are autox'ing as soon as you leave the start line you want to hit the ESC button to turn stability/traction back on. Just turn it off for the start.
5. The only launch tools (with ESC off) we have are the rpm's and the clutch modulation.
A. The launch rpm will vary with the type of tire. With the Hoosier DR's I found that you can hook with the launch rpm's as high as 5000. I want to emphasize I have not mastered this yet. There is a very fine line between a good launch and a bog. The Gen 1/2 did not have this issue since it had a lower torque curve and a heavy flywheel.
B. The key is to keep the car from bogging (nose diving) about 50 ft off the launch point. If you bog, you lose.
i. There are only two ways to keep from bogging, either spin the tires or slip the clutch. These clutches do not like a lot of forced slippage. When i say spin the tires that does not mean excessively, it is a controlled spin. Once you learn to get past the bog, you are going to have good 60' times, therefore, good 1/4 mile ET's. You just have to keep rasing the launch rpm till you get excessive wheel spin, at that point it is all modulation between the clutch and throttle.
In summary, learn to get past the natural bog this car/engine combo has and you are going to have a good launch. There is no magic, just practice.
There is nothing about this post that should be considered as absolute, for sure, it is subject to change from further input.
1. Assume that you do not use the "Launch" feature, that is the basis we start with.
2. The only way to launch and get around the pcm intervention is to totally turn off ESC. The car must be stopped, you then hold the ESC button for 5 seconds and in the upper left of the dash you will see the ESC off icon. Keep in mind this turns off both traction control and stability control.
3. If you have not had a lot of seat time in a viper this could be dangerous and is not recommended.
4. If you are autox'ing as soon as you leave the start line you want to hit the ESC button to turn stability/traction back on. Just turn it off for the start.
5. The only launch tools (with ESC off) we have are the rpm's and the clutch modulation.
A. The launch rpm will vary with the type of tire. With the Hoosier DR's I found that you can hook with the launch rpm's as high as 5000. I want to emphasize I have not mastered this yet. There is a very fine line between a good launch and a bog. The Gen 1/2 did not have this issue since it had a lower torque curve and a heavy flywheel.
B. The key is to keep the car from bogging (nose diving) about 50 ft off the launch point. If you bog, you lose.
i. There are only two ways to keep from bogging, either spin the tires or slip the clutch. These clutches do not like a lot of forced slippage. When i say spin the tires that does not mean excessively, it is a controlled spin. Once you learn to get past the bog, you are going to have good 60' times, therefore, good 1/4 mile ET's. You just have to keep rasing the launch rpm till you get excessive wheel spin, at that point it is all modulation between the clutch and throttle.
In summary, learn to get past the natural bog this car/engine combo has and you are going to have a good launch. There is no magic, just practice.
