[avengermike]

quick question was wondering if someone could expain side stepping.
was talking with one of my boys who was a sti about launching, and he was saying he bounces of the rev limit and side steps his car, dont want to look stupid so i thought i would ask u all what that is.

[pharo]

side stepping is just letting go of the clutch, no slipping, just BAM. it really hurts your drivetrain and will not net your a better launch than slipping the clutch. as for reving to the rev limit and bouncing off it, its another bad idea. you should launch where your car has maximum torque. I would recomend reading some other posts on how to launch. If you had a rwd or fwd car that would allow the excess stress to be released through wheel spin that would be the way to do it, you have sticky tires and awd. Don't worry about traction for now, and just learn how to slip your clutch. Good luck to you.

[BluSTi]

I have to disagree. Dropping the clutch has no more adverse affects on the drivetrain than slipping. The excess HP is absorbed through tire spin as opposed to through the clutch plate. Tires cost less than clutches. On the off hand chance I do need to do a hard start, I'd just as soon use every bit of traction from the tires instead of the clutch.

As for side stepping, this (I believe) is caused from wheel hop when the tires spin. The STi suspension wasn't designed for doing wheel spinning burnouts , hence no traction bars. When you hit the rev limiter (which also is fine for the engine provided you don't do it for an extended time), and drop the clutch, the car lurches forward and to the left a bit. It's a blast, but make sure you do it in an environment where you're not going to bash anything or hurt yourself. Basically, hit the gas, drop the clutch, hang on, and get ready to shift again!

[highboost145]

Originally Posted by BluSTi

I have to disagree. Dropping the clutch has no more adverse affects on the drivetrain than slipping. The excess HP is absorbed through tire spin as opposed to through the clutch plate. Tires cost less than clutches. On the off hand chance I do need to do a hard start, I'd just as soon use every bit of traction from the tires instead of the clutch.

As for side stepping, this (I believe) is caused from wheel hop when the tires spin. The STi suspension wasn't designed for doing wheel spinning burnouts , hence no traction bars. When you hit the rev limiter (which also is fine for the engine provided you don't do it for an extended time), and drop the clutch, the car lurches forward and to the left a bit. It's a blast, but make sure you do it in an environment where you're not going to bash anything or hurt yourself. Basically, hit the gas, drop the clutch, hang on, and get ready to shift again!

I might have to disagree...launching AWD cars in general, is bad. Where the FWD cars dissipate the torque via wheel hopping and RWD cars dissipate the torque via wheel spin, the AWD cars...it will all go directly to clutch plates, because of the fact that AWD have minimal wheel spin.

[jays05]

I would rather accelerate clutch wear than have to replace broken rear axles. I slip the clutch off the line and it makes nice timeslips.

[Illusive]

"side stepping the clutch"

common term for old school drag racers. most older cars didn't have a foot rest for manual transmissions, so when they would drag race they would slide their foot off the clutch pedal to the left, and let the spring pressure engage the clutch.

hence the term "side stepping" your moving your foot to the side.

most commonly used for a quicker reaction time. since moving your whole leg back takes more time than pushing your foot off to the side.

[Davenow]

"your boy" is a moron and will never get a REAL good launch if thats how he launches.

Sorry to come off so harsh, but thats the reality of the situation.

[mx270a]

This topic has been beaten to death for years.

Side stepping the clutch = bad bad bad
Slipping the clutch = much better
Not launching = not going to break stuff

[Sideoiler]

When you side step the clutch, the weakest point in the drivetrain will eventually break and STi drivetrains have some really expensive stuff that can go wrong.
I'm of the opinion that once you get a feel for the point at which the clutch is about to engage, you'll get the hang of quick launchs without the risks of side stepping. Seat time and practice are your best friends. Your buddy is blowing smoke up your...
My $.02

[kuleinc]

it is not easy to launch an AWD car, takes lots of practice, I boke my AWD in my isuzu impulse before I could get the hang of it lol...

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by BluSTi

I have to disagree. Dropping the clutch has no more adverse affects on the drivetrain than slipping.

The problem is that there is slack in the STi drivetrain. I might be wrong but if the drivetrain is "loose" and you suddenly apply a massive amount of force over an extremely short amount of time, the drivetrain parts "snap" into tightness and then transfer the torque being applied. It's this sudden snap of force that breaks things.

My thought is that by slowing the engagement by slipping the clutch (even if only for 1/2 a second), you are removing the slack in the drivetrain before applying a sudden amount of torque.

Obviously the amount of stress that the drivetrain is going to experience is related to the amount of torque required to overcome tire traction. The difference between side-stepping and slipping is the initial state of the drivetrain and how quickly maximum torque is transfered through it.

This is how I see things and I'm sure the gurus here will correct any mistakes in my logic.

[BluSTi]

Originally Posted by Digitalfiend

The problem is that there is slack in the STi drivetrain. I might be wrong but if the drivetrain is "loose" and you suddenly apply a massive amount of force over an extremely short amount of time, the drivetrain parts "snap" into tightness and then transfer the torque being applied. It's this sudden snap of force that breaks things.

My thought is that by slowing the engagement by slipping the clutch (even if only for 1/2 a second), you are removing the slack in the drivetrain before applying a sudden amount of torque.

Obviously the amount of stress that the drivetrain is going to experience is related to the amount of torque required to overcome tire traction. The difference between side-stepping and slipping is the initial state of the drivetrain and how quickly maximum torque is transfered through it.

This is how I see things and I'm sure the gurus here will correct any mistakes in my logic.

I stand corrected. Yes, snapping a loose drivetrain will put undue strain on some expensive bits. But, if you engage the clutch for just a smidge (professional term only) to sneak everything tight, the clutch drop is pretty benign.

[scoobdude]

another way to launch ( due to the valve inthe clutch system) is to slip to get rid of the slack and start the car rolling just a bit, then side step.

but side stepping itself is hard on the drive train. I would not due it unless it was for pinks or something where there are high stakes.

Joe

[GotSTI?]

You guys think too much. Just punch that sh1t and try a few different techniques. Trade it in before warranty expires and don't launch all that often.

[greysave]

Originally Posted by BluSTi

I have to disagree. Dropping the clutch has no more adverse affects on the drivetrain than slipping. The excess HP is absorbed through tire spin as opposed to through the clutch plate. Tires cost less than clutches. On the off hand chance I do need to do a hard start, I'd just as soon use every bit of traction from the tires instead of the clutch.

As for side stepping, this (I believe) is caused from wheel hop when the tires spin. The STi suspension wasn't designed for doing wheel spinning burnouts , hence no traction bars. When you hit the rev limiter (which also is fine for the engine provided you don't do it for an extended time), and drop the clutch, the car lurches forward and to the left a bit. It's a blast, but make sure you do it in an environment where you're not going to bash anything or hurt yourself. Basically, hit the gas, drop the clutch, hang on, and get ready to shift again!

I disagree and 3 sets of broke axles and a broke diff also disagree with your comment. But its all dependant on how aggresive your clutch is. With a puck clutch I would never advise dumping the clutch. The stock clutch should slip some no matter what.