Launching is first gear

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Hof
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2005 12:57 pm

Launching is first gear

Post by Hof »

I Just bought a 2003 GT and I love it. I am, however, having trouble being efficient/quick starting out in first gear. I seem to rev the engine too much. Is this something that I will get the hang of after a little more driving or is there a little trick I need to learn. If anyone can offer some advice to help speed up my learnig curve I would appreciate it.
JustinVGT
Posts: 982
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2002 1:45 pm

Re: Launching is first gear (Hof)

Post by JustinVGT »

Well, with my 2003 GT I usually just try to slip the clutch as little as possible. When starting in first, my revs don't go beyond 2k rpm. That makes it slow initially, but once the transmission is fully engaged and the clutch is out, I mash the pedal if I want to go fast. This will extend the life of our weak clutches, but if you don't care and want to go faster, rev the engine up to about 4k rpm and then drop the clutch. You'll get some wheel spin, then it will grab, and before you know it you'll be in lift and going beyond the speed limit! I've only launched like that probably 4-5 times since I got mine in May of 2002. After reading all the clutches going out early, I'm being careful. It takes some getting used to, most people tend to slip my clutch when they drive it, including mechanics. Once you are used to it, you can treat it almost as an on/off switch and rarely slip it.Welcome to the site and enjoy lift in your GT!
Justin 2003 Vibe GT - Mille Miglia Evo5 18x8 Wheels (now stock)- Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust (now stock)- Tein S-Tech Springs (now stock)- Injen CAI - Red Painted Calipers - Hella Supertone Horns - Polk Speakers - Bazooka RS8A-HP Sub - Kenwood Headunit - Still love my Vibe, but I've just turned it back into a basic daily driver.
TheShadow
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:49 am

Re: Launching is first gear (JustinVGT)

Post by TheShadow »

I concur with justin. If you dont have a good clutch and sticky tires it is either bog in low gear or blow the tires off.
Jeremy2003 Vibe GT- Custom CAI- Custom header and complete exhaust- HP Cams- Ported and polished intake manifold- Wet 100 shot- Forged internalshttp://www.cardomain.com/ride/2390382
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: Launching is first gear (TheShadow)

Post by Mavrik »

Well I have a manual 5spd (base Vibe) and find burping the throttle when staging works very well. Basicly I rev to 2k, step off the gas and let it idle down, rev up again at 2k. when ready to go, I step off the gas very briefly when releasing the clutch (RPM is already around 2k which gets rid of the bog down) and then as the clutch is almost fully engaged I floor it.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
tcam
Posts: 912
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:13 pm

Re: Launching is first gear (Hof)

Post by tcam »

Just keap in mind that our clutch is quite different from most cars. Our clutch truly doesn't engage until you have practically lifted your foot all the way up. So naturally you will have some slipping when first learning it, but once you find that spot, you should be fine with it. And like what JustinVGT said, try to maintain the weak clutch as much as possible. It has a bad rep. of going out super early.
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Post by AKLGT »

when i had my vibe gt, i remember finding that "sweet" spot where the clutch would let go. i'd rev it up a bit, adding gas and letting off the throttle a little and as soon as the light (green) would change, i'd take my foot off the clutch (only just a little because i knew the breaking point) and let it fly. if i remember correctly, i'd rev it up to about 4500 rpms.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
tcam
Posts: 912
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:13 pm

Re: (trdvibe)

Post by tcam »

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »when i had my vibe gt, i remember finding that "sweet" spot where the clutch would let go. i'd rev it up a bit, adding gas and letting off the throttle a little and as soon as the light (green) would change, i'd take my foot off the clutch (only just a little because i knew the breaking point) and let it fly. if i remember correctly, i'd rev it up to about 4500 rpms.Hope, would you dump the clutch completely? As in, from the floor and then all the way up as fast as possible. Or would you kinda feather the clutch up a bit. As in, engaging it rather slowly and maybe letting it slip a bit.Because I've tried holding the revs at around 3,500 or so and if I just dump the clutch, I spin my tires pretty bad.
Mavrik
Posts: 8072
Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 6:41 am

Re: (tcam)

Post by Mavrik »

wheel hop/spin is easy to do with a Vibe... GT or otherwise and I doubt my clutch or axles appreciate it to much lol.
2007 stage 2 Satin White Pearl Subaru STi 2008 stage 2 Subaru STi hatch See my car at: Mavrik's car page
tcam
Posts: 912
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:13 pm

Re: (Mavrik)

Post by tcam »

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »wheel hop/spin is easy to do with a Vibe... GT or otherwise and I doubt my clutch or axles appreciate it to much lol.lol, I could imagine.
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Re: (tcam)

Post by AKLGT »

Quote, originally posted by tcam »Hope, would you dump the clutch completely? As in, from the floor and then all the way up as fast as possible. Or would you kinda feather the clutch up a bit. As in, engaging it rather slowly and maybe letting it slip a bit.Because I've tried holding the revs at around 3,500 or so and if I just dump the clutch, I spin my tires pretty bad. no, i could not dump the clutch or i'd be in the other lane just from the wheel hop and torque steer! especially after i had the CAI and unichip, it got even worse (imo). like i was saying, I'd get the clutch just to the breaking point so all i needed to do was let it off just a little (to reduce wheel hop) and after i got moving a bit then i'd dump the clutch. it's been a while, so hard to really remember.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
tcam
Posts: 912
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:13 pm

Re: (trdvibe)

Post by tcam »

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »like i was saying, I'd get the clutch just to the breaking point so all i needed to do was let it off just a little (to reduce wheel hop) and after i got moving a bit then i'd dump the clutch. it's been a while, so hard to really remember. That is what I currently do, but only when I'm racing cuz of all the grinding on the release-bearing in the transmision when you hold the clutch part-way out.And I also think this is the most efficient launch, but I was just curious if anyone truly dumped the clutch. But I agree with what u were saying. There's jut too much torque steer and tire spin that goes on when u do that. thnx for your advice
AKLGT
Posts: 11694
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 2:57 pm

Post by AKLGT »

well, ya, i don't recommend doing this every time you drive your car! LOL just when i was trying to launch for fun.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
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