Has anybody ever tried a second gear launch?

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IMACHU2
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Has anybody ever tried a second gear launch?

Post by IMACHU2 »

I was stuck in traffic day dreaming about SR20 powered Miata's and boobies, and I accidentally took off from a stop light in second gear....quite smoothly. This got me thinking, has anyone tried this at the track? Thinking skip first and go through the traps in 5th?
(KLZE powered 323 with MX-3 5 speed transmission) :shrug:
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fowljesse
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Re: Has anybody ever tried a second gear launch?

Post by fowljesse »

I think Goldmember used to, and a couple others. I always start in 2nd, if there's any downhill slope. With my stiff motor mounts, clutch, and such, first is almost useless. Also, I have 205/ 50/ 15s, so I reach the end of 1st even faster. Let us know how it works!
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Nd4SpdSe
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Re: Has anybody ever tried a second gear launch?

Post by Nd4SpdSe »

A guy with a B6T Festiva used to launch in 2nd at the track. If you have the torque, why not? Harder on the drivetrain tho. I could only see it an advantage if you have issues with a lot of wheelspin in 1st....
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Re: Has anybody ever tried a second gear launch?

Post by mitmaks »

I'll usually start out in 2nd if I'm on downhill.
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IMACHU2
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Re: Has anybody ever tried a second gear launch?

Post by IMACHU2 »

Although I have not dynoed mine yet a bone stock KLZE with Pacesetter headers, a cold air intake and a 75hp shot of nitrous all tend to make about the same: 240 hp 240 ft/lb. I want to up it to a 100hp shot, but I fear for the life of my ACT Stage II :shrug:
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hppwdn
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Re: Has anybody ever tried a second gear launch?

Post by hppwdn »

fowljesse wrote:I think Goldmember used to, and a couple others. I always start in 2nd, if there's any downhill slope. With my stiff motor mounts, clutch, and such, first is almost useless. Also, I have 205/ 50/ 15s, so I reach the end of 1st even faster. Let us know how it works!
Incorrect sir, I did not launch in second. Unless you have really short gears and really small tires starting in second isn't typically in your best interest.

Now on the street for driving around town I would start in second all the time, moreso from being lazy. I would take off in second, get the revs up and go from 2nd to 5th and cruise down the road.
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Nd4SpdSe
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Re: Has anybody ever tried a second gear launch?

Post by Nd4SpdSe »

On the street I used to start in 2nd all the time if I was just too fast to let me get it in 1st gear. If I was going to start in first, I came to a complete stop and launched it, lol.
1992 Mazda Mx-3 GSR - 2.5L KLZE : Award Winning Show Car & Race Car ['02-'09] (Retired)
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MrMazda92
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Re: Has anybody ever tried a second gear launch?

Post by MrMazda92 »

I rarely do a 2nd gear launch(I do it in the Civic for a laugh sometimes), but I do shift at about 5-7 MPH in the MX-3s. Kind of annoying, really.
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