Lauching the SC400, quickest way!!!

[stevechumo]

Does anyone have any tips to launch the auto SC400 off the line quickest? With ECT on or off? With Overdrive on or off?

1. Stepping on the brake pedal and pulling the hand brake while revving the gas pedal, and then let go both brakes together? What RPM is ideal?
2. Stepping on the gas pedal while the shift is in Neutral, shift to Drive, and then floor the gas?

Any inputs and experiences? I haven't tried real hard on number 1 because I'm afraid my 145K miles SC won't feel too good.

 

[Pro]

if it's a stock SC400 tranny - the ECU will limit the revs when the torque convertor is loaded - but the vehicle stationary - to 2000rpm so there isn;t a lot you can do except hold the brake, rev it to 2000 and then let the brake go and floor it witht he O/D off.

 

[xirforever]

What pro240 said

And please dont do #2

 

[stevechumo]

So do you guys think an aging 145,000 miles SC can do this often? I also learned to use this way to check for the tranny if it's in good condition from a Toyota tranny specialist. He told me that if the RPM jumps quick without hesistating to about 2800 and hold it steady in 2 seconds, then it's a good tranny. Otherwise, if it's sluggish, then it's doomed. Is he right?

 

[Toysrme]

Flush the fluid, then follow either a yearly flushing, or drain every oil change.
It'll last...

Installing an aux. transmission cooler is the greatest thing you can do for an A/T car.

 

[jibby]

Two words pal....TORQUE CONVERTER.....upgrade.. Get that rear spinning off the line...

 

[stevechumo]

I had the tranny fully flushed continously for more than 1/2 hour. After the flush, the tranny feels a little bit more smooth than before. But it still has a 1 time slugghish in the first drive of the morning. After that, it's smooth as silk. I'm sure will get the tranny cooler once I have a forced induction system installed.

My dream would be an upgraded torque converter. I prefer the rebuilt one with higher stall speed and strenghtened fins. It's much cheaper. However, I'm not sure if it'll be as good as the Dragon one.

 

[budzsc]

Are any of those way of launching your car faster off the starting line really healthy for the car? They seem pretty brutal to me...

 

[jibby]

Fear not BUDzsx- These SC's are built like tanks, a torque converter will put a little more stress on the drive train but on coming from the stock motor with 230hp you should have absolutely nothing to worry about. Trust me I have that and more in addition to a 125hp nos shot, and have been hammering my 1992 SC400 almost daily for over a year now with 100,000 miles on it, all I can say is that the car runs as smooth as ever, not one problem to speak of...

 

[budzsc]

Thats incredible, i hope ill have the same luck that you do when i get my sc400 this weekend...

 

[jibbby]

Steve, your turbo SC4 bolts now that I know......Curious, how are those off the line launches for you? Did you ever get a TC stall rate change to complement your turbo or are you still brake torqueing from launch? Just curious as a ran across this older thread...

 

[ihiryu]

How about a line lock??

 

[jibbby]

What's a line lock?

 

[traps1971]

a line lock,lock the front brakes so you can do a burn out easier.drag cars with front runners will in most cases push the front tires when you try to heat up the rear tires.

 

[stevechumo]

Steve, your turbo SC4 bolts now that I know......Curious, how are those off the line launches for you? Did you ever get a TC stall rate change to complement your turbo or are you still brake torqueing from launch? Just curious as a ran across this older thread...

I was almost going to launch my car at a dead stop to see how quick it goes, although I don't have the modified TC yet. However, I think the turbo bearing went bad and it makes some weird whining noise from it. I also lose boost due to this issue as well. I used to have 6 psi coming on really quick. Now I only have 4 psi and it takes some times to get to that psi. :frown: That hesitates me. I should have gone with a new turbo instead of this used turbo. I paid $100 for this used turbo on Ebay. Bad luck! I'll need to take it out for a rebuild. Then I'll put it back on and test it for real.

 

[jibbby]

Sorry to hear that Steve... Did you over heat the turbo by any chance...Is your cooling system adequate? I would get your $100 back and return it if the turbo failed for no apparent reason...You barely used it....

I guess it is a good idea to always get a new turbo rather the a used one. Where did you buy it from? Ebay?

 

[stevechumo]

Sorry to hear that Steve... Did you over heat the turbo by any chance...Is your cooling system adequate? I would get your $100 back and return it if the turbo failed for no apparent reason...You barely used it....

I guess it is a good idea to always get a new turbo rather the a used one. Where did you buy it from? Ebay?

I can't return it because there's no warranty. And yes, I bought it on Ebay. I guess I get what I pay for. This turbo costs around $550 new and I only paid 1/5 of it. No wonder.

 

[jibbby]

Yeah, Ebay is a hit or miss sometimes with working auto parts...I would still notify the guy about it and maybe threaten him with a negative...Too soon to fail even if it is used...

There is a chance the guy probably new it was failing and that is why he removed it from his car and decided to sell it on Ebay with no warranty.....

It's in my nature not to trust anyone on Ebay, been burnt too many times..