In preparation for the dragstrip this Friday I tried the launch control for the first time. As the manual stated, I put in sport plus, applied the brake, pressed pedal to kickdown(floor throttle and hold there) revs climb to roughly 6,000 a beep chimes to say launch control activated, let go of brake and hold on.
The car actuallly catapulted forward, no wheelspin at all. Didn't even warm up the tires. I am willing to take an educated guess and say 1.75-.79 60' is possible with this method. Cannot wait to see the 1320ft #'s.
Weather Fri is 60 and sunny for E-town. Anyone interested will be there early.

 

Track meaning dragstrip? Not sure how you would use LC on a road course?

It is a fun feature and I used Launch Control this week to establish DynoLicious readings before and after I did a mod (of which I will soon post details/pics/video).

Very nice consistent, controlled launches for sure. Doesn't damage anything or void your warranty either, unlike in some other car makes

 

That wouldn't be far off. Best Motoring did an 11.9s (if I recall correctly) quarter mile in an 2S.

Have fun for the track day.

 

Sorry, yes englishtown is a dragstrip.

 

Looking forward to seeing your numbers, good luck!

 

Be prepared to be booed by your muscle car buddies who usually hate Porsche.

P.S. - as I said before... a 911 does not belong in a dragstrip.

 

I honestly do not comprehend how can you hit transmission with 6K RPM and somewhat 350 horses without damaging it. You still put all gears and all connected components under ultimate stress any way you call it for marketing purposes.

What different is it from revving engine to redline on manual gearbox and dropping off clutch? Essentially nothing, IMHO.

 

No haters in my camp. My car buddies, as myself, enjoy all high performance automobiles and have allegiance to no particular auto-make. We just call it as we see it....and drive it.

ps I would dragstrip a tricycle if I knew it would be fun

 

Right - that's pretty much what the owner's manual indicates - heavy wear on the car. So much so that LC is time limited forcing you to wait between executions.

Not my car though so have fun!

 

I would not say your car will explode from doing it - I did it several times myself (on manual gearbox, of course), I am just surprised how folks can say 'it is an activity under warranty now and does no damage'. Sure it does damage. Sure it can brake off 1st gear tooth. Sure it has much higher probability everything will be OK after 1-2 launch starts, but not to understand underlaying mechanics and consequences of hitting your car parts so bad is just not right.

Plus, as stated, 3K rpm start does pretty much same thing as 6K rpm start with 80% less damage and probably most of 1/2-1/4 second time difference.

 

Frankly I was glad I didn't buy the car that I tried the Launch Control on, as I have no idea how many others had already abused it during test drives, but it was total insanity. What a blast!

 

launch control is KING

 

Please document instances/occurrences in 997.2 with PDK/Launch Control resulting in damaged or broken gears? Please document that using LC affects warranty? Not trying to be argumentative, however it is important we stick with facts not guesses. And your assertions are simply not based upon facts.

PDK provides a computer controlled, wet clutch engagement, in combination with electronic torque management. This isn't your grandpa's Chevelle SS clutch dump.

"The New 911" booklet from Porsche (page 71):

"In combination with PDK, Sport Chrono Package Plus has two additional functions...to take driving to an even sportier feel. With accelerator in kickdown position, system detect drivers request for launch mode and revs the engine to an optimum speed of approx 6500 rpm. Engine torque increases and the clutch closes slightly. The message "Launch Control" appears...the driver now quickly releases the brake--and prepares for maximum acceleration."

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/20/f...ra-s-with-pdk/
"New for 2009 is an additional "Sport Plus" mode with "Launch Control" and a new "motorsport-derived gearshift strategy" with shift times and engine speeds optimized for use on the racetrack. (Porsche took all of us out on the front straight to demonstrate repetitive Launch Control starts followed by nosebleed braking to a standstill from 125+ mph – and no, it doesn't void the warranty!)"

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10061290-48.html
"There is another advantage to the PDK, and that is launch control, part of the Sport Chrono Plus package. That was demonstrated by the pro drivers, with journalists as passengers. Technique: floor the gas pedal while holding the brake, then let up on the brake. Electronic and mechanical wizardry keeps transmission damage at bay, and traction control and the limited-slip differential (optional and highly recommended) keep rubber damage to a minimum. Still, it probably could be used for chiropractic treatment. "

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/13/c...owners-busted/
"If Nissan had any idea that its Launch Control function could damage the car, it should have built a system that could protect itself. Take the new Porsche 911 and its PDK dual-clutch transmission that also has Launch Control. The new Porsche will let you rip off about a dozen runs in a row before a dashboard light illuminates and the ECU limits engine power until everything cools off. Why can't the GT-R watch out for itself like that?"

I could care less if somebody chooses to not use the LC feature, and my intent is not to convince a person to try it.

However, it is important for the facts to be clear that there is simply no demonstrable reason not to use this manufacturer provided and sanctioned feature if they so choose.

 

And, in the interest of facts, from the Owner's Manual:

Caution!
comparison with normal driving off.
Use of Launch Control will inevitably reduce the life



This function is available both in selector-lever position “D” and “M” in Sport Plus mode.
Preconditions are as follows: Vehicle is stationary, brake is applied, kickdown is active.
The function is triggered by releasing the brake. The Doppelkupplung in the transmission
now enables optimum wheel slip at maximum acceleration.
Stress on components increases significantly when driving off at maximum

 

Does a launch control get recorded on the cars computer?