How to launch a mustang?

oatmealr · Oct 20, 2004

I am going to get my mustang this week most likely, and it will be a huge change for me. I have been practicing a stick on my girlfriends '95 neon, and I currently drive an auto VW Golf... so this is a huge change for me.

How do you properly get a V8 monster to launch properly? I can change gears pretty easily after 1st, but I think everyone knows 1st gear is the trickiest to master. Just go through the steps for me, if you could?

2112 · Oct 20, 2004

oatmealr said:
I have been practicing a stick on my girlfriends '95 neon

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Its simple, wind up to desired RPM and drop the clutch. I did it at about 3K last night on my drive in the GT and it worked great

peyotesands · Oct 20, 2004

oatmealr said:
I am going to get my mustang this week most likely, and it will be a huge change for me. I have been practicing a stick on my girlfriends '95 neon, and I currently drive an auto VW Golf... so this is a huge change for me.

How do you properly get a V8 monster to launch properly? I can change gears pretty easily after 1st, but I think everyone knows 1st gear is the trickiest to master. Just go through the steps for me, if you could?

17 x 10 deep dish Bullets with Slicks should do it.

Man, you're going to have fun if you're moving from a douche bag car like a VW to a 05 Mustang GT. And a 5 speed no less. Rock on!

oatmealr · Oct 20, 2004

Yeah, but I was hoping for a bit more description. How slow do you pull out the clutch when trying to get a good start? If I'm on a slight incline and my foot is on the clutch to 'drop it' am I holding up the hand brake so I don't roll back? Or am I letting it slip ever so slightly and then pulling out?

I'm a newb when it comes to sticks, I'll be honest.

peyotesands · Oct 20, 2004

oatmealr said:
Yeah, but I was hoping for a bit more description. How slow do you pull out the clutch when trying to get a good start? If I'm on a slight incline and my foot is on the clutch to 'drop it' am I holding up the hand brake so I don't roll back? Or am I letting it slip ever so slightly and then pulling out?

I'm a newb when it comes to sticks, I'll be honest.

Honestly depends on the clutch. My 98 GT is really short. I can't speak for the 05. Mine engages as soon as i let up on the pedal. one foot comes up and the other foot goes down. Remember there's a ton of torque behind the 05 engine. it won't take much to make a smooth launch at a low rpm. start off keeping it below 2k during launch until you get comfortable. There's bound to be a world of difference between a neon and 05 GT as well.

I still like the other dude's suggestion of revving it to 3k and dumping the clutch. You'll probably figure it out a lot quicker that way.

VOORHEES · Oct 20, 2004

I went from a four cylinder clutch to a V8 clutch when I bought my 94 GT in 1996. I was used to a clutch, so the difference was easy to adjust to. Just don't use the e-brake on hills. Practice more and about a week you'll have it.
-Jason

peyotesands · Oct 20, 2004

VOORHEES said:
I went from a four cylinder clutch to a V8 clutch when I bought my 94 GT in 1996. I was used to a clutch, so the difference was easy to adjust to. Just don't use the e-brake on hills. Practice more and about a week you'll have it.
-Jason

if he's that concerned he should take it to an empty parking lot and practice.

stangmi · Oct 20, 2004

for a gentle start.
1. floor the clutch
2. rev the engine rpm to 1000-2000
3. release clutch slowlly
4. when the clutch reach the G-point, hold it there for a second or so until the clutch fully egages.
5. AFTER the clutch fully engages, step on the gas to accelerate to a proper rpm for 2nd gear.

the G spot is very important when handling a stick. You can try to feel it with this practice.
park the car in a parking lot, keep your right foot off the gas,
now, release the clutch VERY slowlly, feel carefully at which point the car starts to move. repeat this practice until you memorize where the G spot of you car is.

dont rev your engine too high or hold it there too long at G spot though, this can burn your clutch. because this when the clutch plates are grinding.

FallenPhoenix · Oct 20, 2004

it's going to have to be mostly by feel, we can tell you the basics but once you do it a few times you'll get the hang of it

Ernad · Oct 20, 2004

Like said, just get to a praking lot and practice.
As far as the hill thing goes: There are two ways to start going uphill without, or a minimum, backdrop.
One, your car is in gear, your L foot on the clutch, your R foot on the brake. Quickly, your R foot moves to the gas pedal, giving an x amount of gas, while your left foot lets out the clutch enough so that you have a smooth start without back drop. This needs some practice, to find the right amount of gas + right amount of clutch use.
Two, you use your e-brake. You pull your e-brake up. Put your car in gear. Give it some gas and stay on it, say 1500-2000 rpm, and let out the clutch to the point where the car would start to move. Then, you slowly lower your e-brake and your car starts to go forward.
Using the e-brake the right way, you will not be going down, however, I don't recommend it unless you have to. Once you get used to the car you'll be able to start uphill with minimum backdrop.

Sainted · Oct 20, 2004

The new stang has the brake and gas properly positened so you can give it gas whith out taking your foot off the brake i.e. heal toe. I like to use my toe for the brake and heal for the gas but some do it the other way. Don't use the e-brake. And like the previous poster said go to a parking lot (empty) and with out giving it any gas slowly let out the clutch till you feel it start to grab and get use to that distance from the floor.

iviustang50h · Oct 21, 2004

Do exactly what Stangmi said above for starting at lights and such. Once you get used to starting with no problems then start at 2000rpm and let off the clutch completely while mashing down the gas. Determine if that was too much wheel spin or if the car bogged. If it was too much wheel spin try smoothly applying the gas once you disengage the cluth. Once you practice you will find the best rpm and the best way to apply the gas (slamming it down or smoothly applying). Good luck and have fun!

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