"...getting the Porsche 911 Turbo's svelte physique off the line simply requires trust in German engineering. Because of its twin turbos, all-wheel drive and sticky Pirelli P Zero Asimmetrico 225/40ZR-18 front and 295/30ZR-18 rear tires, you have to raise the engine rpm to 5000 before dropping the clutch (yikes!) to get a better start off the line. This is to break loose all four wheels' initial bite and to prevent bogging down the powerplant. Once you are comfortable with shudders and some axle tramp in the drivetrain, and believe the 911 can handle the abuse, the Turbo rewards with immense, though not instant, power and a strong surge that continues to build and feels like it will never end." (Road & Track, 8/2003; Viper SRT-10 vs Porsche 911 Turbo X50 comparo )

Is that a sane thing to do to your own Porsche? I'd love to try it but don't want any unexpected trips to the repair shop.

 

I read that same article, as an experienced drag racer, I must say that I disagree. I have drag raced several 996TTs, from the stock 415hp version all the way to my GT700. The 996TT has a real tendency to wheel hop BADLY. I have dropped the clutch on my 996 X50 at 3000rpm at the strip and it bounced down the track like a basketball. The proper technique, that works for me, is to take the revs to approx 3300rpm, and then slowly release the clutch while feeding in the throttle until you get a perfect mix of both, the clutch catches and the car explodes out of the blocks.

 

As with all turbo cars, the trick is getting enough torque to launch and avoid wheelspin. This requires skill and a bit of luck, but feels so good when it all clicks together. Call it the challenge and joy of driving.

 

This sounds like good advice. I usually go to 5000 and drop it. Its pretty bouncy and a rough ride.

I'll try going to 3300 and a slow releas tomorrow.

 

wooooozers 5 k scares me have always feathered the clutch... 2nd gear will squrm abit.and then i'm gone.........also am worried about breaking something at a hard launch should i be?

 

What i did in my M3 to avoid wheel hop and spinning as well was rev to about 3-3500k rpm as well and to let it up to the point where it grabs and ride out the clutch alittle bit to prevent to much power from just dropping the clutch, havent tried it in the 996tt yet, but i assume i would use same technique as mentioned from the other member

 

I use 5000 RPM launches with some clutch slip to get 1.7x 60' times and 12.2 @ 117 MPH with a showroom stock 996 TT. I'd say the advice is fairly good, just a little more clutch modulation required (rather than drop the clutch).

 

Right on the money, i figure with every car the same technique should be used no?

 

Road and Track tests their cars ONLY with Clutch Drops to take "Driver Skill out of the equation". They do NOT use the best technique like other magazines like "Car and Driver" who test various types of launches and use the best technique for their published run. That's why Car and Driver times are always better than Road and Track times.

I personally think Road and Track's "Pick an RPM to Clutch Drop" method is stupid because different cars need different techniques to launch perfectly.

- KJ