Best way to launch DCT at Drag Strip

Lambobimmer · 09-04-2014, 08:00 PM

I have an FBO Z4 35i running E50 with DCT and I am planning on hitting the drag strip in 2 weeks. This car is so much easier to get our of first gear without spinning everywhere than my previous 135i 6MT but I want to get some ideas on how to run the fastest time. I have heard that it is best to launch in 2nd gear and I have also heard to launch from 1st in sport plus mode and manually shift into 2nd and so on. I could also use launch control but it seems like this will cause significant spinning to get out of 1st.

This is the first time to the drag strip with this car and I want to run the fastest launch rather than experimenting all night. What are you thoughts.

Newguy123 · 09-04-2014, 10:29 PM

From my experience it's a tricky situation LOL! What I have the best luck with is launch mode 3500rpms take foot completely off the gas till rpms drop to around 2200-2500 take left foot off of brake press accelerator about 15% AFTER left foot has been taken off the brake. Usually results in a hard no spin launch. I have my boost limited at 12 in first and 17 in second. I short shift into second at 5500 bc it cuts power If I go any higher

3002 tii · 09-05-2014, 05:15 PM

Why don't you use launch control?

Ghent · 09-06-2014, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Why don't you use launch control?

You mean that BMW thought ahead for just this situation and provided a built in system to help you launch the car when you wanted to race?

wow... they are good guys...

jake1220 · 09-06-2014, 05:35 AM

I couldn't do better than a 2.2 60ft until I read this thread. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651971
It works amazingly well. I pulled a 1.8 sec 60ft on all seasons by using it.

Newguy123 · 09-06-2014, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jake1220

I couldn't do better than a 2.2 60ft until I read this thread. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651971
It works amazingly well. I pulled a 1.8 sec 60ft on all seasons by using it.

Dude that is badass thanks for sharing

135ilust · 09-07-2014, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambobimmer

I have an FBO Z4 35i running E50 with DCT and I am planning on hitting the drag strip in 2 weeks. This car is so much easier to get our of first gear without spinning everywhere than my previous 135i 6MT but I want to get some ideas on how to run the fastest time. I have heard that it is best to launch in 2nd gear and I have also heard to launch from 1st in sport plus mode and manually shift into 2nd and so on. I could also use launch control but it seems like this will cause significant spinning to get out of 1st.

This is the first time to the drag strip with this car and I want to run the fastest launch rather than experimenting all night. What are you thoughts.

My 1er has r888, 255 in the rear, it made 350 whp on the dyno and even when I use launch control it's a spin fest in first gear and it's tail happy.

Newguy123 · 09-07-2014, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135ilust

My 1er has r888, 255 in the rear, it made 350 whp on the dyno and even when I use launch control it's a spin fest in first gear and it's tail happy.

I tried the tap tap tap technique and it works fairly well. Launching at 2600ish (on the accel) of the pedal not decel was a very hard sticky launch! If you launch in the decel it's no bueno

jake1220 · 09-07-2014, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newguy123

I tried the tap tap tap technique and it works fairly well. Launching at 2600ish (on the accel) of the pedal not decel was a very hard sticky launch! If you launch in the decel it's no bueno

Yeah, I don't know why it works. It feels like a glitch in the system, but it definitely does the job. I do not use this on a regular basis at all though.

F82M4 · 09-08-2014, 01:56 AM

Can you elaborate on the tap technique? I've never heard of that.

3002 tii · 09-08-2014, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWBABY

Can you elaborate on the tap technique? I've never heard of that.

I just think he's saying that you can't launch when the RPM's are dropping during brake boosting. You need to keep tapping or feathering the throttle?

jake1220 · 09-08-2014, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

I just think he's saying that you can't launch when the RPM's are dropping during brake boosting. You need to keep tapping or feathering the throttle?

No. Its described in the link I posted above.

Newguy123 · 09-08-2014, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

I just think he's saying that you can't launch when the RPM's are dropping during brake boosting. You need to keep tapping or feathering the throttle?

YeAh if you look above at the link jake1220 posted it explains the tap tap tap technique. Launch works good if you release the break as your lightly pressing the gas

135ilust · 09-08-2014, 11:50 AM

I'm still confused on the tap tap method! So jab the throttle lightly while holding the brake lightly???

Newguy123 · 09-08-2014, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135ilust

I'm still confused on the tap tap method! So jab the throttle lightly while holding the brake lightly???

tap the throttle to the floor while completely holding the brake down. make sure everything is turned off, you're in sport mode click left padlle to ensure in manual sport mode then tapthe gas pedal to the floor and release multiple times watch your rpms start to rise then you can launch

135ilust · 09-08-2014, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newguy123

tap the throttle to the floor while completely holding the brake down. make sure everything is turned off, you're in sport mode click left padlle to ensure in manual sport mode then tapthe gas pedal to the floor and release multiple times watch your rpms start to rise then you can launch

Ok so while I'm tapping the gas all the way down I have the brake pressed all the way down as well?

dtla1 · 09-08-2014, 12:37 PM

I must have the older software still. 10/10 Build of MY 2011. I have the circle with the exclamation point when everything is fully off and if I recall correctly the newer one has the car going sideways symbol for fully off? Or did they go back to the circle for fully off now? Anyways, this isn't working for me. Any thoughts on getting the upgraded software from the dealer? How do you even go about asking for that?

Nugget · 09-08-2014, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Why don't you use launch control?

Launch control sucks and it won't activate unless certain parameters are met. You usually don't meet these parameters if you have been waiting in staging lanes.

09-04-2014, 08:00 PM	#1
Lambobimmer Major 292 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i, 2018 TTRS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tarheel iTrader: (14)	Best way to launch DCT at Drag Strip I have an FBO Z4 35i running E50 with DCT and I am planning on hitting the drag strip in 2 weeks. This car is so much easier to get our of first gear without spinning everywhere than my previous 135i 6MT but I want to get some ideas on how to run the fastest time. I have heard that it is best to launch in 2nd gear and I have also heard to launch from 1st in sport plus mode and manually shift into 2nd and so on. I could also use launch control but it seems like this will cause significant spinning to get out of 1st. This is the first time to the drag strip with this car and I want to run the fastest launch rather than experimenting all night. What are you thoughts.
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09-04-2014, 10:29 PM	#2
Newguy123 Captain 121 Rep 653 Posts Drives: 2008 Nissan Titan Join Date: May 2014 Location: Carlsbad iTrader: (0)	From my experience it's a tricky situation LOL! What I have the best luck with is launch mode 3500rpms take foot completely off the gas till rpms drop to around 2200-2500 take left foot off of brake press accelerator about 15% AFTER left foot has been taken off the brake. Usually results in a hard no spin launch. I have my boost limited at 12 in first and 17 in second. I short shift into second at 5500 bc it cuts power If I go any higher __________________ 2012 DCT 135i PURE S2 JB4/mhd Fuel-It! direct port meth injection check out my youtube channel here Last edited by Newguy123; 09-05-2014 at 05:40 PM..
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09-05-2014, 05:15 PM	#3
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	Why don't you use launch control? __________________ Follow for latest mods
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09-06-2014, 05:35 AM	#5
jake1220 Private First Class 46 Rep 124 Posts Drives: 2012 135i DCT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I couldn't do better than a 2.2 60ft until I read this thread. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651971 It works amazingly well. I pulled a 1.8 sec 60ft on all seasons by using it.
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09-08-2014, 01:56 AM	#10
F82M4 New Member 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: E92 335i '10 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Can you elaborate on the tap technique? I've never heard of that.
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09-08-2014, 11:50 AM	#14
135ilust Enlisted Member 11 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2013 135i Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I'm still confused on the tap tap method! So jab the throttle lightly while holding the brake lightly???
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09-08-2014, 12:37 PM	#17
dtla1 Colonel 828 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, Space Grey Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Silicon Valley iTrader: (2)	I must have the older software still. 10/10 Build of MY 2011. I have the circle with the exclamation point when everything is fully off and if I recall correctly the newer one has the car going sideways symbol for fully off? Or did they go back to the circle for fully off now? Anyways, this isn't working for me. Any thoughts on getting the upgraded software from the dealer? How do you even go about asking for that?
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