Launch Control

Any of you 575 guys know if that launch control trick discussed on the 599/612 threads and shown in the Top Gear Video will work on our cars? I am trying to avoid being the Guinea pig and putting my car in the ditch in the morning trying it out.

 

Fou, I posted on the 599 thread, below are Car&Drivers instructions for engaging 575 launch control

Ferrari fitted F1-equipped 575Ms with a launch-control system. This system automatically adjusts clutch engagement and throttle position to give the 575M the best possible standing-start getaway. All the driver has to do is turn off the traction control, put the adjustable suspension in the sport mode, hold the brake, bring the revs to about 5250 rpm (peak torque point), and release the brake.

 

love to hear first hand account of someone doing this before I do it in my car.

Also, I can't wait to hear the first person say "you get about 6 of these on a clutch", you know someone will say it.

 

No kidding...... My car would sit there and spin the tires until I let off with these instructions. Maybe I'll try it in the mall parking lot around 3am.

 

As is stated above

Ferrari fitted F1-equipped 575Ms with a launch-control system. This system automatically adjusts clutch engagement and throttle position to give the 575M the best possible standing-start getaway. All the driver has to do is turn off the traction control, put the adjustable suspension in the sport mode, hold the brake, bring the revs to about 5250 rpm (peak torque point), and release the brake.

If you read the cars handbook that is exactly what Ferrari tell you what to do! I assume they mean you to put it in Automatic mode and select First gear after pressing the brake but before "bringing up the throttle" rather than simply using the paddles for shifting up because you are going to be mighty busy once you release that that brake pedal.

What it doesn't tell you is that Launch controls are meant for Track days, at least that's what my garage tell me - I don't know if anyone would be mad enough to Launch release a 1.7 ton 500+ HP Ferrari on a national road, not unless you can see for miles, have checked there are no kerbs, hedges, fences or other such obstacles within shouting distance.

You have to imagine the amount of energy released and subsequent load placed on the drive train as you let that pedal go.

Maybe someone should try it - video it and put it on You Tube, I'd love to see it before i tried it!

 

I was searching for videos of 575s doing a smoking-the-tires launch (not that I'd probably ever do it with mine unless trying to escape from a hoard of zombies), but no luck.

Nor have I found any description of the launch experience and a definitive description of how exactly to do it. Vague descriptions of turning off ASR, foot on brake, 5000 rpms, yes, but no confirmations.

575F1 owners, Have we made any progress on this?

 

You know, you only get about six of these on a clutch!

 

i still haven't "floored" mine or taken it much above 6k rpm. ..............i guess that leave me out.

 

I asked the sales guy from my dealer at a 430 promotion day a couple of years back if he had any objection to me using the launch control. Never heard a guy stutter so much in all my life! Urr, urr, urr, urr, I said hey Ferrari fit the thing so they must assume it will get used. They fit a radio for the same reason, right? urr, urr. I then added, it must be safe because otherwise in America the land of litigation there would be a page dedicated to informing you that using launch control "can seriously damage your health" or "worse some elses!" or high up there "the vehicles mechanics" There are NO warnings to say, "Don't use on the street" or "only for track use" urr, urr, urr. He tells me "To be honest sir I haven't been trained to demonstrate that piece of equipment!"

"You don't seem to understand" I said, "I am going to use it not you! I haven't been trained either that is why I want to have a go!" Urr, urr, "I rather you didn't! So I ask, "if I had arrange to take a 430 for a demo and I pull over on a quiet piece of road and start the launch control procedure would you stop me? Urr, urr, probably not he replies, "so shall we run with the devil I ask?"

No sir I prefer you didn't perhaps my boss would be a better choice of passenger for such a trial

Question - would you or wouldn't you"?

 

If I remember correctly, launch control was deleted from US spec 575Ms, so that means only our European friends can try it. Launch control tries to balance tire slip and clutch slip to keep the engine at max torque and optimize acceleration. Of course, 434 ft lbs of torque can pretty much overwhelm the stock tires, even at 2500 rpm, where torque is lower, so I think there would be a lot of clutch slipping going on at 5250 rpm. Not conducive to long clutch life. No thanks, and I would not want to try it on a 430 or 599 either. Too much mechanical empathy.

Henry- Your 575M loves 7000 rpm and it certainly will not hurt the engine. Make sure the oil is warm and give it a try. You will love the music. Mine has been to 7500 rpm dozens of times. Italian tune-up.

Taz
Terry phillips

 

You don't need to take it over 6,000, but you definitely have to floor it. You have not fully enjoyed your car until you have floored it in each gear.

 

i've only put about 800 miles on it since i purchased it. still not comfortable with exploring any limits....

 

I have a 03. Sport mode on. ASR off. With Brake on, Hold down the downshift paddle for about 10 seconds until a beep sounds. A red light indicating a transmision error and one vertical bar on the shift light with be displayed. Raise the revs with the brake on and select upshift paddle to launch. Keep your foot to the floor for the computer to engage and get ready for second because it comes up quicker than you think.

 

Neat. Have to try it on my 03. I assume the transmission error light goes off afterwards and there are no other issues-right?

 

Yes you do! This engine only really starts pulling above 5,000 rpm - how can you stop at 6k? And the noise, ah it's glorious. Seriously - you do not hurt the engine in any way by revving it to the redline, it can withstand much more abuse that you can give it on the open road, particularly because of the rev limiter.


Onno

 

Onno, you remind me of why I miss my Carrera 993S (the ultimate iteration of the Carrera--the last of the air-cooled cars.) That car would sound great, I mean really good, until the Vario-ram came on about 5500 RPM. Then it seemed like all was right in the world. ...wooooooooooooWOOOOOOOWHAM.

 

I don't recommend it. I have engaged the launch control about 5 times in a row. There is so much torque. The rear tires rotated off of my rims. The tires came out of balance. The fix is to glue the tire to the rim. I am running with Novetics. Honestly, launch control isn't that exciting. It's very "controled" and business like off the line.

The 575 is a high speed bullit. I really enjoy this car over 120mph. 3rd gear is amazing. I did 200mph for quite awhile in the 575. Now that's exciting. The car was smooth, calm and stable.

 

the light goes off.

 

If one wants to take off from the line without using launch control, what is the best way to do it. Should you just floor it, or is there a more methodical way to get a blazing start? Essentially, what is the formula for the quickest start off the line without using launch control.

 

In my 550 I tried this a couple times w/o ASR and the tires kept spinning till well into 3rd gear with accelerator floored. (Not a great idea, BTW)

I suspect that if you floor the 575 off the line you'll smoke the clutch big time. Unless you're drag racing, probably better to get 1st to hook up, then lay on the throttle (respectfully). I haven't abused mine enough yet, maybe others have?

 

Yeah, that is generally the way that I do it. I have never actually had the pedal to the floor unless I am already cruising at 40mph (2nd gear), or so, on an on-ramp and pin it to merge onto the highway (quickly shifting to third as revs approach redline). With the tubi, it sounds tremendous!

In sport mode with the ASR on, how effective is the traction control at controlling wheelspin? Is there still a good amount, or will it cut power relatively quickly?