W208/209 CLK55 AMG Racing tips/launching advice
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From: Southern California
2017 W205 C43 AMG
W208/209 CLK55 AMG Racing tips/launching advice
I just lit up a 1997 Porsche Carrera C4S (993 Chassis) on Newport Coast Drive this morning and wanted to ask how you all launch your cars:
1) What transmission setting do you use? (M) Manual (paddle shifters); (S) Sports setting - automatic?
2) ESP on or off? I put it on off and started burning out at the light instead of going forward! The CLK55 has too much torque!
3) RPM level? 2,000? 3,000?? Power brake?
I think the secret in a drag race on the street is to hook up the tires and launch well. That means my lead foot needs to take it easy and make sure I hook up, then mash the pedal. CLK55 brothers - your thoughts??
1) What transmission setting do you use? (M) Manual (paddle shifters); (S) Sports setting - automatic?
2) ESP on or off? I put it on off and started burning out at the light instead of going forward! The CLK55 has too much torque!
3) RPM level? 2,000? 3,000?? Power brake?
I think the secret in a drag race on the street is to hook up the tires and launch well. That means my lead foot needs to take it easy and make sure I hook up, then mash the pedal. CLK55 brothers - your thoughts??
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From: Portsmouth, NH
none
I'm sure its similar to mine and many other AMG models, also high power cars in general. I recomend rolling into the throttle. Don't stomp on it. It was once explained to me by pushing your foot down without lifting your heel up, as if it were hinged to the ground. In a smooth yet progressive way, roll your foot into the throttle. Keep it straight from there
I would also keep ESP on. I once went out to a new development with just roads and practiced a few launch techniques. I would try that, it will tell you alot.
I would also keep ESP on. I once went out to a new development with just roads and practiced a few launch techniques. I would try that, it will tell you alot.
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From: New York City
1 V10, 2 V8
i agree with nitrogenbalance. brake boosting doesnt seem to help. the rears still go. too much torque. but if u want to go for the fun, esp off, floor it, and see smoke coming from the back. i normally go for the manual mode.
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From: Las Vegas
2005 SL600 by SPEEDRIVEN
If you are really racing- at the drag strip for example or you have time to prepare a little, which may not be possible in a spontaneous street race at a light, you will have the most success power braking at around 1200 RMP or so. The key is to get the tires moving but not braking loose (i.e spinning to much). You will notice that you have to apply the right amount of brake pressure in order to do this- too much brake and the tires will have a hard time spinning. To little and the car will move forward- you don't want that either.
When its time to go, press on the throttle steadly in a fluid motion, as others have described, so that the wheels don't over spin but move forward aggressively. Practice is the only way for you to really get the technique.
As for me, I always turn off the ESP as it will cut in if the car experiences any bumps in the road. In a straight line you don't want it to think for you....
My CLK55 doesn' have paddles so not an option for me but I can assure you that with the amount of TQ in our cars trying to shift from 1st to 2nd gear will come to quickly for you to manual shift as fast as the car can. You will most likely end up overreving the car and loosing time to the car you are racing. Thus, I would keep it in auto mode and focus on a good launch out of the hole!
When its time to go, press on the throttle steadly in a fluid motion, as others have described, so that the wheels don't over spin but move forward aggressively. Practice is the only way for you to really get the technique.
As for me, I always turn off the ESP as it will cut in if the car experiences any bumps in the road. In a straight line you don't want it to think for you....
My CLK55 doesn' have paddles so not an option for me but I can assure you that with the amount of TQ in our cars trying to shift from 1st to 2nd gear will come to quickly for you to manual shift as fast as the car can. You will most likely end up overreving the car and loosing time to the car you are racing. Thus, I would keep it in auto mode and focus on a good launch out of the hole!
Last edited by ashutt; Oct 26, 2007 at 06:02 PM.
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From: NYC
CLK 55
i've driven this car in "M"anual mode just about every day since i purchased in 05...i'll follow up just like everyone else, roll into ur start, then mash away...wildly enough, i just started driving the car with ESP off, and i cant stop turning it off now...haha, the car just drives so much smoother with ESP not active...i wish i would have tried this earlier in the game, maybe not tho, u all woulda prob. been reading about me in the newspaper over the summer "CLK55 in NY, found in bushes etc etc"...i get less of the bogging out when launching and seems like WAY more torque is allowed to pull thru...although it's a nice treat, i wouldnt recommend driving with ESP off unless u've driven the car for a while, and are used to what it's capable of...in any event, ENJOY!
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From: Hotlanta
AMG
As others have pointed out, my experience has been that my best launches have come with:
1. ESP off
2. Leave in Drive
3. Slight power brake 1200-1500
4. Roll throttle progressively
Have fun!
1. ESP off
2. Leave in Drive
3. Slight power brake 1200-1500
4. Roll throttle progressively
Have fun!
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From: NYC
CLK 55
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GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
I’m sure you have been practicing your techniques diligently.
How ‘bout joining me and the other incorrigibles (E?) for a night of good clean fun at the digs? http://www.irwindalespeedway.com/dra...eet_rules.html
I have a few tweaks of my own to test and verify.
You can optimize and document the 55’s superiority on each run…lol!
How ‘bout joining me and the other incorrigibles (E?) for a night of good clean fun at the digs? http://www.irwindalespeedway.com/dra...eet_rules.html
I have a few tweaks of my own to test and verify.
You can optimize and document the 55’s superiority on each run…lol!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Southern California
2017 W205 C43 AMG
I’m sure you have been practicing your techniques diligently.
How ‘bout joining me and the other incorrigibles (E?) for a night of good clean fun at the digs? http://www.irwindalespeedway.com/dra...eet_rules.html
I have a few tweaks of my own to test and verify.
You can optimize and document the 55’s superiority on each run…lol!
How ‘bout joining me and the other incorrigibles (E?) for a night of good clean fun at the digs? http://www.irwindalespeedway.com/dra...eet_rules.html
I have a few tweaks of my own to test and verify.
You can optimize and document the 55’s superiority on each run…lol!
Maybe one of these nights. I am still busy unpacking and crap. Never ending story!
