With First Running of the Benzes rapidly approaching and considering my big head and helmet (size 8) and my big mouth (projecting 12.8's) :-) I realized that I never dragged an automatic before! YIKES!!!
I was thinking the best result would be by throttle braking, reving to about 2-3K, ESP off. It's gonna be hard not going for the clutch. Any launch technique suggestions?
Gary

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http://clubs.snap.com/mercedesbenze55registry/index.lhtml
00 AMG E55
96 DCM Impala SS
94 ZR-1
81 Corvette Cpe

I find that the car bogs down if i hold the brake while stabbing the go-pedal. It confuses the computer or something. My best lauch comes when i let the brake fly up and mash the gas. I've never done a true drag race, with timing lights, so i'm not sure what the best technique will be.

See you saturday

noah.

PS: went to a wedding last night and many of the people where autocrossers. The wedding party brought helmets for the photos.


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Noah
1999 C43
http://4Noah.homepage.com

Lee has done the drag thing in his 500E. I would think that the best way is on the brakes and the rpm held at 1,500 or so. When you launch, you don't want to hit ASR if you can help it. It will slow you down.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Having dragged my 500E only once (but having practiced under other circumstances quite liberally ) ) this is what I came up with; engine brake to 1,500 RPM, then unload brake and stab it hard. As you well know, traction will be much better than on the street; so maybe you can get away with more RPMs with no spin.(Noah, I frankly don't understand why your car bogs; must have something to do with your electronics acting a bit differently than mine)

With my stone-age ASR, I actually keep my foot slightly on the brake pedal; it throws off the ASR (sometimes; hard to do repeatedly)and will allow a little wheelspin.

This ought to be interesting...my camera's ready!!

See y'all this weekend.

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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

well i'll try again with holding the break - but since i can tern ASR off i don't think we'll use the same technique. I did read (CandD maybe)that when getting the fastest E55 1/4 mile you can't hold the break for the same reason i experienced. The magazine said there fastest time came from just releasing the brake and then flooring it. We'll see saturday.


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Noah
1999 C43 http://4Noah.homepage.com

[This message has been edited by Noah (edited 03-13-2000).]

If I can pry the keys out of my wifes fingers, I'm gonna try a few different techniques before Saturday. Since I have less than 2K miles, I wanted to take it easy, but, what better way to shake out the bugs!
I alway shut off the traction control/ESP for race situations, but as far as I know, ABS is always on. Usually, I pull the ABS fuses out of the Corvette for track use. Is there a way to disable it for track use with the MB?
Gary
Gary

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http://clubs.snap.com/mercedesbenze55registry/index.lhtml
00 AMG E55
96 DCM Impala SS
94 ZR-1
81 Corvette Cpe

In both a 500E and C36 the fastest technique I've found is to rev/brake torque to a particular RPM where you will get a hint of wheelspin but nothing epic. From there just let up on the brake and push the gas pedal through the floor. You can hit the ASR defeat or snowchain switch but even when it says ASR is off it isn't 100%.

The rpm you brake torque to depends on conditions. Most of the time i've found it to be about 1,500rpm. The trick is that the harder you "hit" ASR, the more it will slow you.

Example of a G-tech run: If you have a 500E be sure to notch the shifter into 1st. Hit the ASR defeat/snow chain button on the dash. Then hold the brake while gently bringing the rpms up to 1,500rpm (for starters). Hold it there until you are ready to go. When you have the rpms dialed in to the amount you think is best for "barking" or hint of wheelspin yet staying out of ASR just let off on the gas as you put your foot on the gas as quickly as possible. Also, make sure your floormat is clear of the gas pedal and that you are on the little "button" at the end of the gas pedal travel. From there, just keep the wheel straight and your foot "in it" until you are 150% sure you are past the finish line. From there just hit the brakes and take the path around to the staging area for the next run. BTW, you seem to get the best R/T's in drags by waiting for the 2nd yellow light. When the 2nd yellow begins to glow, it is time to go...

Damn do I wish I could make "Running of the Benzes"!!!! Best of luck and please do take good pics. Send pics and/or copies of timeslips and we'll publish the info.

Hope this helps....Lee

Thanks Lee!
Made some trial runs at a secret location
1500 seems to be optimum revs with rear tire pressure @42PSI. I'm going to decrease tire pressure and try again. The ZR-1 gets best traction @25PSI, but its a manual and traction control is totally off. I did find that even with the MB ESP system switched off, traction control kicks in with some wheel spin and cuts throttle . Gotta work on that.
Gary

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http://clubs.snap.com/mercedesbenze55registry/index.lhtml
00 AMG E55
96 DCM Impala SS
94 ZR-1
81 Corvette Cpe

Gary,
As torquey as the E55 is I'd imagine you'd want to take rear tire psi down closer to 25lbs. Believe me, it IS quicker to never light the little ASR triangle at all. Specific launch rpm depends heavily on conditions but 1,500rpm seems to be best most of the time on the street at normal rear tire psi. As for pedal work...when the critical launch moment/instant comes let the brake pedal snap back up while simultaneously putting your foot through the firewall on the gas. Its better to do this at a slightly lower rpm and stay 100% ASR free than have higher RPM's at the ready but ASR pulling the teeth on the engine. You have a flat enough torque curve to give up a few rpm on launch. The only cars where more RPMS are better just about always are the M102/M103 motors (that is you 300E owners) Guess my nutshell advice would be to fine tune your launch to know exactly how many rpm's and how much throttle you can get away with on launch without touching ASR at all. Find that out and you should get the best run you can. 500E owners...just try to keep the engine temp down below 100C. Closer you are to 80C the better. A second coolant temp sensor and/or a resistor on the intake air temp sensor should help buy you a few extra tenths. Good luck to all!

Hope this helps...Lee