Drag Racing Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Launching Off a Two Step

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 24, 2005 | 02:52 PM
  #1  
1ScrudeDude's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 1
From: Boring Green, Kentucky
Default Launching Off a Two Step

With my M6 Z28, I am looking for input, especially from racers who use a Harlan Two Step for launching.

I love the unit because it holds whatever rpms I want at the line. Now, the typical operation calls for you to engage the unit by pressing the clutch in and holding the gas pedal to the floor.

I do this, but I have been wheelhopping like crazy in the 60 ft. I even dropped in some BMR LCA's, but I'm still bouncing off the line.

Now I have been setting the Two Step at 2600-2900 rpms on 18 psi Nittos and a Spec 3. I think my wheelhops are because I need to dump the clutch at a lower rpm since I have the engine at WOT as soon as the clutch is dumped. (And this is how the unit is designed to work).

So I'm thinking with a Two Step, successful launching is different than a normal holeshot. It would be more of an "aggressive rollout" vs. the traditional launch.

Am I thinking on course here? I am now scrambling to get full slicks but don't want to spend more $ since my Nittos are new. On my next time at the track, I am thinking of launching at around 2000 rpm at WOT instead.

Your input is wanted. If I can get a 1.8 or lower 60 ft., I am in the 11's. Help me get there...
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2005 | 03:57 PM
  #2  
bad2000ss's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: Burbank, CA
Default

I really have no experience launching with drag radials, but perhaps a set of slicks would be better for your purposes. I don't think there would be any benefit to setting the 2-step to a lower rpm. It seems to be all about your tire choice.

Even though your are starting your launch at 2900, as soon as you dump that clutch the motor will overpower the drag radials and either spin them or cause them to wheel hop. If you want to continue to use the nittos perhaps you should invest in a decent torque arm and a set of rear shocks.

It looks like you have a 12-bolt, why continue to use the nittos? Get yourself a set of slicks and set the 2-step to 6000rpm.

If it still wants to wheel hop, sell the car.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2005 | 04:49 PM
  #3  
1ScrudeDude's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 1
From: Boring Green, Kentucky
Default

Originally Posted by bad2000ss
I really have no experience launching with drag radials, but perhaps a set of slicks would be better for your purposes. I don't think there would be any benefit to setting the 2-step to a lower rpm. It seems to be all about your tire choice.

Even though your are starting your launch at 2900, as soon as you dump that clutch the motor will overpower the drag radials and either spin them or cause them to wheel hop. If you want to continue to use the nittos perhaps you should invest in a decent torque arm and a set of rear shocks.

It looks like you have a 12-bolt, why continue to use the nittos? Get yourself a set of slicks and set the 2-step to 6000rpm.

If it still wants to wheel hop, sell the car.
Yup, I think you are right, slicks it is. I got Nittos to be nicer to the 12 Bolt and to avoid loud whine. But since I have wheelhopped the **** out if it, it whines loud now!

It's easier and cheaper to go with tires than to change out TQ arm and shocks.

ET Streets?

Thanks for your input.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2005 | 04:57 PM
  #4  
Fireball's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,484
Likes: 0
From: Cecil County Raceway!!!
Default

yeah...launching on slicks is better suited for what the 2-step gives you...rev...foot to floor, dump clutch

you need more of a controlled launch on DRs.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2005 | 08:02 PM
  #5  
1ScrudeDude's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 1
From: Boring Green, Kentucky
Default

Originally Posted by Fireball
yeah...launching on slicks is better suited for what the 2-step gives you...rev...foot to floor, dump clutch

you need more of a controlled launch on DRs.
Decision made. Yeah, it's hard to slip the Spec 3 too, so here come the baldies.

Any suggestions while we're on the subject? The Z28 is not a daily driver and will see action on the street and strip...
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2005 | 08:10 PM
  #6  
Loudmouth LS1's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,672
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield Beach, FL
Default

Hey Tom, i'd say while still on ur nitto's, try coming off the two step at like 3200 rpm, might give a little spin and then hook up and go, it's worth a shot, 6-speeds want a little spin most of the time anyways or they'll usually bog from what I understand. Does it feel like ur boggin down when you drop the clutch? I'd say the wheel hop is being caused by the nitto's and the low rpm clutch dump, wheel hop is when the tire is like fighting to grab traction, kind of gettin it and kind of not, then it starts to bounce the crap out of the rear. So try some different settings, go up in 100 rpm increments until it stops and see what kind of 60' you get out of her! It's all about trying different things man, that's why it's test and tune!
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2005 | 01:03 AM
  #7  
bad2000ss's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: Burbank, CA
Default

Originally Posted by 1ScrudeDude
Yup, I think you are right, slicks it is. I got Nittos to be nicer to the 12 Bolt and to avoid loud whine. But since I have wheelhopped the **** out if it, it whines loud now!

It's easier and cheaper to go with tires than to change out TQ arm and shocks.

ET Streets?

Thanks for your input.
I would deffinately go strait to a true slick. I'm not sure about anyone else with an M6, but I had a hell of a time trying to hook on ET Streets. The ET Streets would spin and grab about 4 times before they would hook. My best 60' on 26X10.5's was 1.695. I've read about many other people with manual cars having the same trouble with the ET Streets.

That rear end is gonna whine no matter what you do. Mine started out quiet, but the more I pounded on it, the worse it got. There's a really simple fix for a whiney rear end, turn up the radio, or dump the exhaust at the axel.

Shocks are a lot cheaper than you would expect. I spent $80 on the Comp Engineering set I have in the back. If you are going to be strickly drag racing, they are a great buy for the money. No need to spend $250 on the 12 way adjustable QA1's. You will most likely have to change out the toque arm eventually. Mine only lasted a couple passes on slicks before it twisted like a beer can. The stock aluminun driveshaft went the same way. I also blew out the bushings in the stock lower control arms.

If you plan on launching hard, plan on replacing the stock pieces, they will eventually give up on you. I did everything backasswards compared to most people. I upgraded all the suspension before any horsepower mods. Some people push the limits of their stock pieces. Mine could barely keep up with the stock motor.

Good Luck and have fun,

Reply
Old Jan 25, 2005 | 09:09 AM
  #8  
1ScrudeDude's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 1
From: Boring Green, Kentucky
Default

Thanks Devon and bad2000ss, both ideas are taken into consideration. I am leaning strongly towards getting much stickier tires, because I will be needing them later (hopefully this Fall) when I put a 100 wet shot on her (and keeping the 4.10s).

And in the meantime, I will see if I can get the Nittos to work for me. I think the big part of the wheelhop problem is that I am not waiting for the tires to bite before getting on it. That's hard to do, being that I dump the clutch at WOT with the Two Step. So I should:

- Dump clutch at ~3200 at WOT
- slight spin
- lift throttle momentarily
- wait for hook
- back to WOT

That's kind of how I see it. Please note that on my last pass that night, I spun badly off the 2600 rpm dump, waited for a bite, I felt it hook (sort of), then spun the Nittos again for the 2nd time.

But again, it was late and dew was forming on the car roofs, so track conditions could have been the "X" factor in this case.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 25, 2005 | 03:23 PM
  #9  
Loudmouth LS1's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,672
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield Beach, FL
Default

Originally Posted by 1ScrudeDude
Thanks Devon and bad2000ss, both ideas are taken into consideration. I am leaning strongly towards getting much stickier tires, because I will be needing them later (hopefully this Fall) when I put a 100 wet shot on her (and keeping the 4.10s).

And in the meantime, I will see if I can get the Nittos to work for me. I think the big part of the wheelhop problem is that I am not waiting for the tires to bite before getting on it. That's hard to do, being that I dump the clutch at WOT with the Two Step. So I should:

- Dump clutch at ~3200 at WOT
- slight spin
- lift throttle momentarily
- wait for hook
- back to WOT

That's kind of how I see it. Please note that on my last pass that night, I spun badly off the 2600 rpm dump, waited for a bite, I felt it hook (sort of), then spun the Nittos again for the 2nd time.

But again, it was late and dew was forming on the car roofs, so track conditions could have been the "X" factor in this case.
I would definately say get slicks, but in the meantime, while you have the nitto's, try different ****. Try and get the perfect launch rpm, where they spin just a slight bit and then hook up w/o letting off the gas if that's possible with nitto's.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2005 | 04:37 PM
  #10  
1ScrudeDude's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 1
From: Boring Green, Kentucky
Default

Thanks Devon and everyone else for your guidance and time.

I just ordered MT ET Street Radials!

Reply
Old Jan 25, 2005 | 05:53 PM
  #11  
Loudmouth LS1's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,672
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield Beach, FL
Default

Originally Posted by 1ScrudeDude
Thanks Devon and everyone else for your guidance and time.

I just ordered MT ET Street Radials!

Cool, I hope they work as good on f-bod's as they do on mustangs, heeh!
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2005 | 11:54 AM
  #12  
mike c.'s Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,031
Likes: 2
From: mi
Default

bad2000ss-man i feel your pain.i broke my tq-rm,rearend,lac,driveshaft,bant a rear shock,4-clutches and 4-trans. i know i'm forgetting something......
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2005 | 01:53 PM
  #13  
1ScrudeDude's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 1
From: Boring Green, Kentucky
Default

Originally Posted by mike c.
bad2000ss-man i feel your pain.i broke my tq-rm,rearend,lac,driveshaft,bant a rear shock,4-clutches and 4-trans. i know i'm forgetting something......
NOTE TO SELF: Do not let wife see mike c.'s post
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:53 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE