How long should a no gas launch be?

[TheNewbinator]

As the title says, how long should it take to go from the clutch completely disengaged to engaged in a no gas launch?

[Charles421]

I no-gas launch all the time, probably takes between 1 and 2 seconds on a flat. On a downslope, about 1 second. I haven't no-gas launched any other car except my own, so I don't have any comparisons.

How long does it take you?

[RITmusic2k]

It could be an upward of 3 seconds in smaller-engined vehicles. It will feel like a horridly long time until you get used to it, but worry not - at those RPMs you're not generating nearly enough heat to do any damage to your clutch or flywheel

[Angelbroken]

I don't usually no gas launch, I usually always accelerate a bit as I release the clutch or at the very most 'balance the two' like if I'm backing up.

But since I'm very new to standard still (Less then 50 KM on it) I take a good 5 seconds to launch from a dead stop. It might be less, but when you're behind the wheel it feels like an eternity.

What I did was take my automatic into heavy traffic, and at each red light when it goes green, I would just 'sit there' for about 5 seconds to see how long it actually was. I can honestly say I launch a lot faster then that. But even then; the people behind me not once honked or got mad. So 5 seconds defiantly seems acceptable.

[Shadow]

I'm not sure why someone would normally launch without using the throttle. I can see doing it as a learning technique, but out on the open road it seems strange that anyone would do it regularly.

To answer the OP's question, it completely depends upon the car and the grade you're on at the time. For example, there's a steep down hill by my house where I usually get stuck at the red light and I'll often start in 2nd gear after the car starts roll forward. That's not exactly a typical no-gas launch, but I'm just trying to illustrate my point.

[Tups]

Up to 10 seconds with the Escort when towing a trailer :)

[Rope-Pusher]

^ ...even longer than that when not using the clutch.

[IMBoring25]

Low speeds and short distances. It works well for pulling up at intersections and in stop-and-go traffic. The part about launching without using the clutch was intended as a joke, but with sufficient downhill slope it is possible.

[Rope-Pusher]

The part about launching without using the clutch was intended as a joke, but with sufficient downhill slope it is possible.

You've never launched w/o "the clutch"? Apply force to the synchro, Luke!

(More preferable to do with a lab car, since it is rough on the synchro. Still, if you've got a double or triple-cone 1st gear synchro, one time isn't going to kill it)

[theholycow]

I've never really measured how long it takes me. I do it all the time and I'm still the most timely car at a fresh green light. It's very useful in parking lots, traffic jams, etc. With a decently torquey car it doesn't take too long at all.

[scionkid]

The part about launching without using the clutch was intended as a joke, but with sufficient downhill slope it is possible.

You've never launched w/o "the clutch"? Apply force to the synchro, Luke!

(More preferable to do with a lab car, since it is rough on the synchro. Still, if you've got a double or triple-cone 1st gear synchro, one time isn't going to kill it)

I heard of a story about a head damaged mechanic, who tested parking brakes by slamimg the stick in gear, while standing next to the driver seat.(Those were big trucks w/o synchronizes). Well, one day things didn't go as planned. Usually the truck would just grind. That day it went in gear, all 700ft-lb of torque broke loose the brakes and jerked forward, knocked the guy off his feet,& crashed into the garage b4 he could get into the driver's seat.

[Shadow]

I heard of a story about a head damaged mechanic, who tested parking brakes by slamimg the stick in gear, while standing next to the driver seat.(Those were big trucks w/o synchronizes). Well, one day things didn't go as planned. Usually the truck would just grind. That day it went in gear, all 700ft-lb of torque broke loose the brakes and jerked forward, knocked the guy off his feet,& crashed into the garage b4 he could get into the driver's seat.

That is crazy.

We used to test parking brakes (on automatics) by applying the brake, putting the car in gear, and lightly applying a bit of throttle to see if the brakes will hold the car.

With manual transmissions, we'd apply some throttle along with a partial engagement of the clutch. Of course we'd be in the driver's seat regardless...