Pontiac GTO 2004-2006 - Launching gto on slicks

Anyone have any tips on launching a gto on some sticky tires. This is my first IRS car. Trying to figure out the best way to launch with stock clutch and IRS without breaking. Any tips would be appreciated

Street tyre work best holding the revs at 3,000rpm and sliding the clutch.
With sticky tyres I would suggest trying the same somewhere between 5 & 6,000rpm.:cool:

I swapped out my a4 for a 3 speed manual and can not wait to try it out for the first time....been working on the car for the last 5 months, and hope to be finished and fire it up again by the end of this month

I'm going to Houston to Get my Drag Radials on Saturday. You really think 5k rpm launch on stock suspension and clutch is wise?

I used to launch mine at about 6k. Would net high 1.6 60's. Would have probably dipped to low 1.6's but (at the time) slipping a Monster Clutch is hard lol

I was to scared to break my half shafts with a stock suspension, trying to look for after market 9'', never know

You're going to break stuff drag racing. Period.

You can buy a bolt in IRS 9"
If you want a SRA, its going to have to be a custom job.

I picked up a 9" strait axle for $80, dropped in 4.56 gears, backhalf with 4 link, and 15x18.5 wheels with 31-18.5 15 tires.....once these are wore out I'll step up to a 33-21.5 15 tire.

I should have no problem dead hooking, but we will see lol

If you want a SRA, its going to have to be a custom job.[/QUOTE]

moser sells a conversion kit kinda pricey

when i first went to slicks on ym TA i remember trying 3k dumps, and it would bog, then 4k, then 5k, then 6k... was so nervous..

i eventually used a two step/studder box at 6000 rpm's side stepping the clutch. it was a nerracking at first but then became FUN.

pretty sure the IRS would not like that. but anything less will be a bog, and require a clutch slip.

f you have deep pockets you can get gforce1320 axles and stubs, or driveshaft shops axle and stub kit.

I do not lol. Trying to stay stock clutch and rear. Let's keep the talks about gtos guys.

I do not lol. Trying to stay stock clutch and rear. Let's keep the talks about gtos guys.

I seriously doubt with the stock clutch you'll need to worry about breaking things launching hard on slicks. I can just about guarantee it will be slipping before anything breaks.

im hoping

I will start by saying I dont race at the track alot.

--Glenn

No. You got more wheelhop because an NT01 is not a DR. Its a stiff sidewall, soft compound road racing tire.

You want to get rid of wheel hop? Dont waste your money on bushings and axles etc.....get 100% traction and its gone. Period.
Now the upgraded driveline parts are definitely worth it if you're making power and dont want to worry so much about breaking.

Should have ended that at "let me start by saying I dont race at the track alot" lol

Yessir took mine tonight on the et streets no wheel hop cuz all traction. Very first pass dumped/minimal slip at 4700 1.8 60 8.2 1/8 and then missed fourth :( I think that was my 12.8 or .7. Ended up going 13.1 at 103. Hot lapped it. Launched at 4200 bogged a bit. 1.9 60 foot. Baby shifting not trying to miss a gear. Went 13.06 at 110. :( then rain came. My question is do you guys think I can get a 12.6 to 7? Also do these passes seem slow for a full weight stock clutch Cammed 3.91 geared six speed? I raced my buddy's z28 on the way home from a 40 roll and it was neck and neck until traffic. He went 12.6@117. So it seems to run good from a roll. I was just hoping for more trap than 110. Could my clutch be holding me back?

Holding back in driving always netted me less than optimum results in a GTO. A 1.8 60' and a harsh driving style should net 12.80 or better.

I'll be going back Wednesday continuing my quest for 12s

I'll be going back Wednesday continuing my quest for 12s

Swapping feet will net the best results. Hold at 4.5k slip the clutch out in a quick but controled speed while feeding throttle at the same time. The clutch pedal should hit the top when the throttle hits the floor. Cooling the clutch between runs is a must especially with a stock clutch, as you drive back thru the pits hold the engine off idle with the clutch pedal depressed as you coast to cool the cluch. Also make sure you use the "ranger method" to keep the fluid in check, doing these things will keep you from having shifting issues very common to the GTO.

Funny you say that I just did the ranger stuff. I'll post a pic of how dark it was before

Todd knows his stuff and I too have noticed that one must drive one's GTO as though one hates it in order to get the best times....:(

I need to seriously work on my launching technique, compared to your technique I was essentially popping the clutch...that would explain the breaking of odd things like driveshafts and halfshafts! LOL!

we have a couple other sponsors on here that should chime in on the parts mentioned in this thread. no offense to G-force (Chris is one cool guy)

With a cam and gears, you should be able to dip into the twelves without any issue. Sounds like you were almost there without the bog.

Yessir took mine tonight on the et streets no wheel hop cuz all traction. Very first pass dumped/minimal slip at 4700 1.8 60 8.2 1/8 and then missed fourth :( I think that was my 12.8 or .7. Ended up going 13.1 at 103. Hot lapped it. Launched at 4200 bogged a bit. 1.9 60 foot. Baby shifting not trying to miss a gear. Went 13.06 at 110. :( then rain came. My question is do you guys think I can get a 12.6 to 7? Also do these passes seem slow for a full weight stock clutch Cammed 3.91 geared six speed? I raced my buddy's z28 on the way home from a 40 roll and it was neck and neck until traffic. He went 12.6@117. So it seems to run good from a roll. I was just hoping for more trap than 110. Could my clutch be holding me back?

So wait, you ran neck and neck with a 116 trapping fbody for a considerable distance? If so then you really need to work on the shifting too. 110 trap seemed very low for a cammed and geared gto.... If you can trap 115 or so, 11s shouldn't be an issue, you just need to stick the launch and hit 3 gear changes pretty quickly.

Go over to ls1gto.com and go into the drag racing section and find the thread about the zl1 camaro. Watch the vid. The guy driving is damn good.

The zl1 was tuned by my tuner ;)

Also went back to the track. Had a 1.7xx 60ft 7.943 eighth mile and missed 4th the first throw got it on the second and went 12.6 @108

I think my 4th gear problem is the shifter. Its a B&M. No problems other than 4th. I was SLAMMING 2nd and 3rd with cash flow results. On my best pass I had a 1.70x 60 ft. 7.900 1/8th and missed 4th and coasted to a 13.3 at 80.

When you shift into fourth, are you pointing your thumb down? Believe it or not, doing that makes hitting fourth easier. Todd driving the zl1 doesn't but I notice he also rotates his wrist counter clockwise right as the shifter is about to enter the gate. This also keeps the shifter coming straight back.

But hey those are some awesome awesome 60' times!! And did you have fun? :)

Had a blast, Cant wait til I hit fourth and hopefully a low 12! I think Im throwing 4th to close to my body I need to practice pushing away from my body.

I wish I could run what yours did, thats NASTY!!!

Your trap seems slow for a cammed goat. What engine ls1 or ls2? What was the DA?

Ls1. And idk whatever Muncie Indiana is lol. I have yet to have a good pass. The 108 trap was missing 4th waiting a second then hitting it. I'm hoping for at least a 112 trap hitting all the gears