As you said, sport response puts the car in Sport+ and in sport+ you can launch
The pdk gets a different mapping in sport response but what that means i dont know, it feels like a "overtake button"

One thing that can do a world of difference is to put TC in sport, on good surface you will be a rocket.
On not so good surface the tires will spin alot.

 

How do you put TC in Sport? I thought you're supposed to deactivate TC when launching. And I thought you can only activate or deactivate TC.

 

I'm pretty sure I remember that my instructor at PEC Atlanta had me do a series of launches, including the base conditions plus the Sport Response button, suggesting that this would be the fastest condition. As usual, information in the manual gives us a rather shallow view:

"In SPORT Response mode, the engine and transmission are set to maximum response with timer-control:

1. Faster build-up of boost pressure
2. PDK switches to special gearshift map"

Looking at "The Chart" (people know I'm a big believer in "The Chart"), the only difference between "Sport +" and "Sport Response" lies in the PDK:

I've not done any launches with Sport Response. In fact, I've probably done more launches than calls for Sport Response, because I normally drive in Sport + or Sport.

 

Speaking of launches, I read somewhere that you can launch without the Sports Chrono package - I have a 718 B - just by holding the brake and gas together and the RPM limiter will keep things in check until you release the brake. Is that true? Interested in trying it...

 

From what I've read and tried, (718B PDK without Sport Chrono) the answer is "sort of".

Sport Chrono will keep the rpm at the correct level for take off while the turbo spools up. That's something you have to gauge when you floor the throttle without SC. The limiter (AFAIK) will allow more rpm than SC and that might be hard on the clutch.

The couple of times I've tried it I let the brake go as the rpms pass 4000 and it's really a fast launch. I didn't buy the car for its launch times so it's not something I will repeat much.

In general driving I find that about ½ flooring it (without brake) and then pushing the rest of the way after the car starts moving works really well. A full flooring without any speed seems to bog the engine briefly.

Have fun experimenting, Porsches are built for hard use, but I'd advise against being stupid.?

 

In nearly 6000 miles I have not yet used the launch control but I wouldn't mind trying one day just out of curiosity for numbers.

Anyone know a good App that can measure the 0-60/0-100 and 1/4 mile times? I understand the GPS based apps are too slow to update and you need something that can read from the OBD port.

 

Anyone know a good App that can measure the 0-60/0-100 and 1/4 mile times? I understand the GPS based apps are too slow to update and you need something that can read from the OBD port.

Harry’s Lap Timer. If the gps in your phone isn’t fast enough you can get an external gps that will communicate with your phone, or an obd port that will, Harry’s lap timer will talk to either. Check amazon for which is less expensive at the time. New iPhones do 10X per second sampling though, which should be fine for this.

 

Thanks guys, i´m going to try myself and give you the results here!!

 

Even though these cars were not intended to be drag racers... you really need to experience the real LC at least once!

 

So when doing LC do you guys have TC on or off?

 

I believe that in the non-Sport Chrono cars you have to have it off, otherwise it will cut the revs if the tires momentarily broke contact. Try it at your own risk...

The Sport-Chrono equipped cars probably take care of it in the programming.

 

Will have to try it, I have Sport-Chrono

 

Take a video of the experience if you can!

 

As mentioned in other threads I have read, launch control does work on non Sports Chrono cars. In one thread, a guy stated he learned this from an instructor at one of the Porsche Experience locations.

Put the car in sport mode, turn off PSM, hold the brake down firmly, quickly floor the throttle and the RPMs will jump to about 4000 and hold there (if I remember correctly). While continuing to hold the throttle to the floor, release the brake quickly and off you go...

 

 

I don't know who's video that is but that is not the procedure I would recommend for LC. The gradual application of throttle is going to keep trans engaged until it reaches the LC threshold. IMO that's how axles or transmissions break. All steps seem good to go except the application of throttle should be a stabbing of the throttle to full application. You can hear this car go directly into LC with the throttle applied all at once.

 

There is something missing when you do not have sports chrono. Base models dont have the launch control message in the right instrument guage, so I could see the turbo boost. When you rev your engine it stops at 5000 rpm, so the launch control works as mentioned by holding brake and flooring it. What I think is missing is there is no turbo boost as I could see the turbo meter. It stays at 0 till you start moving, so when i let go of the brake the rpm actually drops to 3500 rpm which is not the best result. If you look at videos of sports chrono vehicles the rpm does not drop at all. That is the big difference, imagine how much more momentum you have with turbo boost. I have a video if anyone wants to see base launch control. Even without launch control the numbers are impressive.

 

Of course this will put extra pressure on the clutch, and probably increase the wear. The question is how much? Given that the SC Launch does roughly the same thing but cuts the ignition (my assumption) to keep the revs stable until the brake is let off, I can't think the wear would be serious. It is a wet clutch.

I have seen a video of one Porsche launched 25 times in a row without the driver noticing any changes at all.

For the fake launch I tried brake, floored throttle, as the rpms approached 4000 rpm let the brake off. No bog was noticed. It was fun but hardly useful in daily driving. I think I've done it 3 times in 3.5 years.

For fast starts without SC (not a real launch) try a "fast push" (not a slam) to about 50% throttle and then push the rest of the way after the car is moving well.

In 2017 Car and Drive got a 0-60mph time of 4.0 seconds with manual shift on the PDK and no launch control, so something is possible. That's fast enough for me!

 

agree with your statement , I never tried launch control, even on my m5 , I havent done it yet , the whole LC in my opinion is useless and not practical, but thats how manufacturers are getting away by releasing 0-60 #s with LC and not normal stomping the gas or what ever... thats cheating in my books, it even says in the manual clearly that using LC "stress on components increase significantly" so who ever says porsche has designed the LC and you can do as many times as you want is drinking cool aid.

 

Please remember, before doing any LC or any spirited driving, to make sure your car is properly warmed up to above 190F. To make sure your car is well lubricated, to limit engine and transmission wear.