Launch control

[ozi_musl]

Hey guys, I've got VE SS 6sp. and just wonder if anyone knows if u can get launch control , something similar to the one that FG XR6T comes with, and what do u recon about it?

[Philthy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't launch control in a manual called a clutch pedal?

[cpbait]

lol, yeh it is, launch control is only needed for auto's or the powerglide gear box's i think that drag cars use.

unless he means traction control?

[Deco28]

Launch control is th computer holds the cars revs at say 2500rpm till you want to go. It controls the start.

I don't know where t get it although, I'm pretty sure Holden can't fit it.

[INVSBL]

lol, its called ur right and left feet

:P

is all seriousness, u cant get anything more technical then traction control in ur manual for launching.

[HoldenOnn]

Launch control is something that is possible with an aftermarket ecu like Motec. I have never seen it work and I have only ever briefly read about it, but I do not know its effectiveness or costing. I would think that it is an unneccessary modification for 99% of street and street/strip cars, plus I wouldn't think it would be cost effective to require on even a highly modified street car. There are plenty of options to get better traction on launches like bigger softer stickier tyres, softer rear springs etc etc.

[Junny]

isnt it the same as a torque staller thing?

[HoldenOnn]

isnt it the same as a torque staller thing?

Hmmm, unsure if your talking about a torque converter. A torque converter is responsible for the stall speed of an auto gearbox. This doesn't have anything to do with traction control. Also, my VL has a transbrake on the auto gearbox. This transbrake locks 1st and reverse and allows engine revs to be raised without moving the vehicle until I release the transbrake button.

Both of these items do not have anything to do with traction control systems.

[ozi_musl]

2010 corvette ZR1 is coming out with new launch control as an update, and apparently it will cut close to .5 of sec from 0-100.

How it works

This device combines the effort of an electronic-driven accelerator and a computer program in the car. The software drives the accelerator according to engine specifications to make the car accelerate smoothly and as fast as possible, avoiding spinning of the drive wheels, engine failure due to over-revving, and clutch and gearbox problems. This feature is only available at the start of the race, when the car is stopped in the starting grid. After the car is running at a certain speed, this computer program routine is disabled and everything is back to normal operation.


Reason for use

In high-performance racing vehicles, the driver has a very small threshold when it comes to acceleration. High power delivered by the engine to the gearbox and driven wheels cannot be easily managed even by the most experienced drivers.

Facing this issue, and with the growing development of electronics during the 1980s, led to the introduction of this type of software.

this is the best i could find: B&M Launch Control - ModYourCar.com - Car Accessories | Car Parts | Performance Parts | Aftermarket Parts

[INVSBL]

its another electronic tool used to save rich butt heads from looking like a tool.
sif learn how to control the power.

[ozi_musl]

yeah, probably but it helps at drags!!!!

[minux]

its another electronic tool used to save rich butt heads from looking like a tool.
sif learn how to control the power.

Says the high powered V6 VS driver...

[f1tzy]

its another electronic tool used to save rich butt heads from looking like a tool.
sif learn how to control the power.

You do realize its not as easy as you make it out to be to get a car with power off the line cleanly

[INVSBL]

Says the high powered V6 VS driver...

oh im sorry, didnt know i had to own a specific car to make a point on an public forum, next time, ill wait till i own a ferrari b4 i make a point.

wait, this is an open forum, my opinion is allowed.


i never said it was easy, never said i was a pro driver, all i said was its another device used mainly buy rich show offs to save them looking like fools when they wanna do a 'full bore' take off.

most enthusiasts would rather learn how to control there car and do it all them selves.

[HoldenOnn]

oh im sorry, didnt know i had to own a specific car to make a point on an public forum, next time, ill wait till i own a ferrari b4 i make a point.

wait, this is an open forum, my opinion is allowed.


i never said it was easy, never said i was a pro driver, all i said was its another device used mainly buy rich show offs to save them looking like fools when they wanna do a 'full bore' take off.

most enthusiasts would rather learn how to control there car and do it all them selves.

I do know how to control my 500hp VL Berlina Turbo. And to prove it, click the link below and check out my full street trim VL Turbo data from Gtech;

the 4.9 second challenge

But I can tell you that having launch control would be fantastic in the fact that the fine line between wheel spin and non wheel spin is that close, that having a computer to give me the absolute as close to the limit power on take off would be awesome in certain circumstances and not to mention safer so that sideways action is reduced and forward motion is increased.

Im definetely not heading out to get my Motec modified to have launch control, but it would be awesome to have when required or wanted. Does this make me a 'rich butt head' for saying that it would be handy to have in certain situations????

It is challenging at times not to cross the fineline of wheelspin as opposed to traction with a high powered vehicle, but when that line is crossed, that is when you indeed find out whether you can control a vehicle or not.

[INVSBL]

thats the point though, uv learnt how to control it with out those systems, y should there be an easy way for people to do the same thing.

and no, saying it would be usefull dosnt make u a rich butt head, u dont hav a half a mil auto ferrari.
the point im making is that the only people who would really need this are show offs, im pretty sure drag racers dont use it, if they did, that would remove the only difficult thing bout drag racing.

o and safer, wat u mean safer??? ur on a drag strip, dont see how u can get any more safer, if uv got a car with power u cant control u shouldnt be behind the wheel trying to use it to the max.

[S2_VR_]

he's probably got a 6speed auto VE??? yeah??
EDIT: NOPE just saw his "Ride" thing

[HoldenOnn]

Whether on a dragstrip or not, less or no wheel spin at all takes away another variable when racing a car!!!!

Up until just recently, the Formula 1 vehicles all had computer controls to aide with traction on take off (read as launch control as launch control incorporates traction control of the drive wheels), braking and some other aspects of their vehicles. Many of the drivers were a little worried that all these measures had been taken away. It seems to have not hampered the racing at all, and the drivers have had to learn to control their car in a different way ofcourse. But Im sure most of the F1 drivers, when questioned, would say that having the launch control took away another variable which can contribute to a loss of control of their vehicle....hence SAFER!

So in my opinion, in certain circumstances, having launch control would be fantastic. Yes, even on the dragstrip would be safe or safer if you like. Not because Im saying that myself or others cant control their car, but it takes away the wheelspin aspect which can be Unpredictable. Its the unpredictable nature of racing that can and has caused accidents.

Im not fussed that my 10 sec VLT hasn't got launch control when I race on the strip, I use tyres that give me traction to reduce or stop wheel spin and allow for the quickest possible takeoff, and use different take off approaches to aide with combatting wheelspin, but in some circumstances the drag strip is more slippery and not as grippy as it should, so not having to worry about wheelspin is safer.....yes safer! But as I say, Im happy to continue without launch control on my car.

My point being that in alot of circumstances it can help aide in avoiding a loss of control which is the unpredictable nature of driving any motor vehicle.

*** Do you think cars should lose their ABS, ESP, LSD's because they aide the driver in controlling the vehicle???? It's another feature that is an advancement in high powered cars and thats the way of the future with high powered vehicles, love it or hate it. ***

Edit: I have edited the above and substituted traction control to read launch control as its meant to read that.

[INVSBL]

some how i knew u were thinking i was on bout traction control.

iv got nothing against traction control, im all for that for people who need/want it, but traction control dosnt launch ur car, in most cases all it does is cut fuel, which in turn cuts power. this will not make u take off faster.

wat im against is launch control, two seperate things.
launch control does just that, controls ur launch giving u the fastest take off posible with little skill needed. its useless once uv finished ur first gear acceleration.

u dont need lauch control on the street, and using it at a race is defeating the point of having a human in the drivers seat.

thats my opinion.

(please ignore my spelling and ill grammar, i really cbf on a forum)

[HoldenOnn]

I have edited post above to read 'launch' in replace of traction. I wasn't talking about traction control as in what most commodores have these days, I was indeed referring to launch control.

It is safer in many circumstances but not necessary. Yes if you can control your car and you know the limitations, then thats great, but you can't always be aware of how much grip the road or racetrack has.

Having launch control uses many devices to make a car take off as quick as possible (its a much more technical version of traction control, as is ESP alot smarter than traction control also). My mate has a BMW M3 and the launch control on that is insane. Yes it is fun to take off under your own skill, but if you want to take off at the absolute limit of traction in the quickest way possible, then launch control would be awesome and it is. If you haven't experienced it, I would suggest you do. Its exhilarating.

What is also exhilarating is taking off in my VL Berlina Turbo on the verge of traction and crossing the line slightly and controlling it. But wheelspin slows you down and doesn't create as many g's and hence less forward motion which sometimes you just want to mash the throttle and accelerate as quick as possible on certain occassions.

So yes, its not necessary, but if launch control was on my car, I know that I would use it at times when taking friends for drives to give them the full feel of the power my car produces.

Remember, the more power you can put to the ground without spinning the wheels, means the greater the speed will rise and the faster you go. Any wheelspin is going to do nothing to help with forward motion.

The less wheelspin, the faster you accelerate and thats what we inevidably want when modifying vehicles!!!

[ozi_musl]

[QUOTE=HoldenOnn;1214582]

Remember, the more power you can put to the ground without spinning the wheels, means the greater the speed will rise and the faster you go. Any wheelspin is going to do nothing to help with forward motion.

The less wheelspin, the faster you accelerate

and thats y i want it, so do u know where can i get it from?????

[HARVZ-6]

Its like a low set revlimiter..

google beeR limiter

[HoldenOnn]

and thats y i want it, so do u know where can i get it from?????

On a VE, well I doubt anyone would have it yet. If you went aftermarket computer like Motec, then added launch control option to it (expensive task though), then maybe you could have it.

Otherwise, drive around on semi slicks with grooves. They are DOT approved, just don't drive in any rain at all

[INVSBL]

sif not drive in the rain, its like adding 3000hp in the rain on semy slicks, and thats below 3000rpm

[Steery]

I personally think if you own a car powerful enough to need launch control, you should know how to put the power down. Although I do somewhat agree with the safety factor, I also firmly believe that the car scene would be a very boring place if every brain dead muppet could pull the same 0 - 100 and 1/4 time in a 500HP VL Turbo.

Comparisons with racing are pointless, there is a reason why they are racing drivers and we are not.