Reading Road and Track Mag I noticed they did some kind of launch control and got a 0-60 4.2 and 4.4 on different tests. Now I assume Lexus did not use that type of technique to achieve a 0-60 time and gets a 4.6. However reading the way the launched the car I still don't get how they did it, if someone has tried this please let me know.

Theres no launch control on the IS F. All they did was fully disable TRAC (Trac OFF and VSC OFF) by holding the TRAC OFF button for 3 seconds and put it in Sport Mode. Then from that point they did torque breaking to the stall point of the torque converter. I don't recall what RPM it is.

I think it was 1500rpm

Ask the guys here that drag race. They will knowthe best conditions for launch. IIRC they rev to 800 or 1100 rmp. Anything more just becomes a smokie mess of wheel spin.

Caymandive is a good person to chime on this. He's achieved the fastest N/A times for an IS F to date.

As for launching properly, its also best to deflate the rear tires and keep your trunk empty. Its doable...you just have to find a balance. If you have a 2010 or 2011, you are at an advantage with the factory Torsen LSD.

Here's CrazyMPG, Joe Z (when he still had the IS350) and an 08 ISF with no moonroof that I was evaluating at the time at Auto Club Dragway 3 years ago already (6/6/08). The track temp was near 100 that day so all our times were not that great:

All of my best launches were done by sitting at idle (Trac OFF/VSC OFF/Sport Mode) and then mashing the gas right before the green light. I have played around with torque braking and have been unsuccessful at trying to launch anywhere above 1100rpms on both drag radials and my PS2's. The car just doesn't like it in more ways than one.

Published acceleration numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. Really depends on the conditions, mods (if any), weight, wind direction and track prep. It's a balance you have to play around with.

How are you able to launch it like that? When I was driving one when I floored it it just spun the tires..... Am I missing something?

Tracks are generally sticky from being prepped with VHT for the big HP cars. Walk on one and you will instantly know why

How much do you figure the radials impact your better times?

None really especially since they weigh more than my stock wheels/tires, but they provide consistent launches and save on the wear/tear of the PS2's.

Bump. How does turning traction control and other things off affect launch speeds? Isn't all power going to the wheel with them on or off? Wouldnt turning htem off make the car more likely to do a Corvette WHOOPS I CRASHED AT 30MPH

peload the transmission by left foot on the brake and rev your launch with your right foot. many factors in this... your tires, climate, temperature etc, so you could have mixed results launching at 4,000 compared to someone else depending on these factors and more.

No one has cut a quicker 60 foot with the TC stalled. All fastest runs have been with mashing the gas from idle. The gearbox won't tolerate much time at stall speed either. The service manual is very clear that a stall test will do great harm if you are imprudent.