What RPM to launch at?

[FinalEd357]

I'm taking my GTS to the dragstrip tomorrow for the 1st time. Have taken past cars (Mustang and Z06). I need your help, please.

Which RPM do you recommend launching at?
Which RPM do you recommend shifting at?

I plan to make 4 runs. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated!!! I'd hate to come home disappointed with awful times. I'd love to get low 12's.

(Stock 02 GTS, K&N, smooth tubes, Borla catback, stock tires)

Thanks,
John

 

[PhoenixGTS]

When I had Pilots, on the street I had the best launches going from idle. Light would turn green and I would floor it and let the clutch out at the appropriate pace. Hopefully the drag strip will be stickier than the street and you can use some rpm, but they are not always grippy and you might just make your first run from idle and work your way up from there. At least you will have one run in the bag where you do not smoke the tires. Even with the off idle launch my car would spin the tires hard when it came on the pipe at 3,500 rpm so you just have to use trial and error in the given situation to get it right. Rev first close to 6k rpm but after that short shift under 5,500 rpm. You might have a 2 second 60 foot at first but if the weather is good a low 12 should come if you don't smoke the tires.

 

[Jeff-00-ACR]

I ran an 11.852 @ 119.61 1.89 60' Bone stock 2000 ACR. Launched at about 1200rpm and shifted at or just before redline. Check the video below. If you launch at a higher rpm on street tires you will just sit there at the line spinning. When watching the video pay attention to the engine rpm sound at launch. I bring the engine up to about 1200rpm before the light. You will also hear just a slight tire squeel during launch, which means the tires are right at the edge of traction.

In-Car Video of 11.852 @ 119.61

My other cool videos

 

[sbkim]

Jeff - awesome driving. One thing I noticed is that you didn't let your RPM drop that much between shifts. I must be a terrible drag racer but for some reason my rpm seems to drop down alot more between shifts. What am I doing wrong??

Thanks!

 

[yellow02]

sbkim hes probably not taking his right foot off the gas much... im sure it beats up ur car pretty good, but its def the fastest way to get down the track.

 

[Bratatatat]

Good post. So launching at idle to 1200 rpm is best?