How do I accelerate off the line? Tips?

[johnnynova]

Hi there,

I recently purchased a 99 Boxster 5 speed manual. The car looks to be in great condition, just needed new tires. I've been playing around with it and having a blast but I'm wondering how to REALLY drive this car without wrecking it. I see that gets really fun to drive around 500O RPM but I'm specifically wondering how to get off the line quick. I know these cars aren't really fast off the line but I'm wondering how to do it without burning the clutch. I've tried a few times but it seems like I pretty much have to red line it to get any real punch, and if I let the clutch out too slow, it smokes the clutch. Can I red line it and sidestep the clutch or will my tranny fall out? Any tips on how to get this car off the line quick are appreciated.

Thanks

JN

[Quickurt]

Buy a Mustang GT500 or the latest big block Corvette.........maybe a Viper?

[eightsandaces]

"but I'm wondering how to REALLY drive this car without wrecking it."



Step one is to not rag the **************** out of it from a dead start like you have a team of Zuffenhousen crackerjacks at the ready to make cost free repairs.

[landrovered]

X2

0-60 times have very little to do with driving on the street. They are published to sell cars not because it is practical or a smart thing to do too often. Remeber you bought a "roadster" not a "dragster".

The Le Mans start may be why the key is on the left in a Porsche but even when I want to put my foot in it I usually do it once I get into second gear.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by landrovered

X2
Remeber you bought a "roadster" not a "dragster".

Very true, it's been said before but it's worth repeating. Johnnynova, if you are looking to win stoplight grand prix's or impress your friends with neck snapping acceleration you bought the wrong car. Hopefully those aren't your intentions.

[Lil bastard]

You don't use a screwdriver to remove an appendix - that's not what it was designed for...

You don't use a Boxster to win stoplight challenges or A-to-B sprints - that's not what it was designed for...

Save yourself the pain, agony, embarrassment and cash of trying to make it do what it's not designed to do...

Sell it NOW and get the 'stang, EVO, WRX of your choice and live HAPPY!

Cheers!

[Adam]

There is no exact RPM someone can tell you because of all the different variables. Tires, temp(tire and ambient), and pavement surface are just a few big factors that affect a launch. When I autocross and launch the car at the start I vary rpms depending on those factors mainly and use 2.5k-4.5k launches typically. Wheelspin = slow plus with the boxster it usually = wheel hop so try to minimize both. Don't slip the clutch too much, but don't treat it like an on/off switch either.