First time and I suck:(

[DEZMO]

Hey all,
Car is a 2003 Touring 350Z MT, bonestock This is my first time at the track, ever! Question 1. Is it necessary to do a burn out before staging? 2. Is there a recommended PSI for the rear tire? This was my best run that night and will try again this Friday and see if I get better. I know I need to work on my Reaction time and my 60ft. but is there anything else? I just want my car to be strictly NA though Mine is the one on the right The one on the left is an 07 mustang. The place is Guam, middle of the pacific, sea level of course.

[Z33_kid]

u did 15 secs ? wow dont worry man juss practice

[sk26dett]

Search is your friend.
anywho, short answers:

1. Only briefly, not to heat them up, but to remove debris.

2. Some leave the PSI alone, some swear by dropping the tire pressure for more traction. I myself leave it alone, the tire is made to preform at the recommended psi, imo.


Your reaction time doesn't affect your 1/4 mile times, You need to work on shifting quicker and on your launch, even with that 60 ft you should be in the HIGH 14's.

[DEZMO]

Actually, my first stage was 16.9, then 15.7 and a 15.3. It's gradually going down. I have read a couple of tips here and there in the drag section of the forum. What RPM do you guys shift from 1st 2nd 3rd? Do you maximize it and shift at 6700RPM? Can you explain how to shift quicker? I'm new at this so go easy one me

[davidv]

Are you pressing on the gas peddle? The one on the far right?

[Peak350]

Your trap speed seems low. Were you spinning down the track, on the throttle all the way, waiting for the revs to match between shifts?

Traction control off?

Should have at LEAST another 5-8 mph on that trap, and another 4-6 on your 1/8th mile speed.

[BlackMamba2448]

dont worry man ive been to the track in boise, d.a. usually = 3500+ (teh suck for my stocker @ the time w/ bigger wheels and tires), about 4 times (15 or so passes) and my best is 14.7+ @ 94.xx.

make sure vdc is off, start off a little slow (2500 rpm), and rather than trying to "power shift" just shift cleanly @ ~6500 or so.

once you get the hang of it start picking up other things

everybody sux @ the beginning you just need seat time

[DEZMO]

Originally Posted by Peak350

Your trap speed seems low. Were you spinning down the track, on the throttle all the way, waiting for the revs to match between shifts?

Traction control off?

Should have at LEAST another 5-8 mph on that trap, and another 4-6 on your 1/8th mile speed.

I was spinning the whole time at the track. Slamming on the pedal as soon as I see green and shifting at around 6600/6700 to 2nd then 3rd. My first run, the VDC was on and ran 16.9 the second run I turned off the VDC and made two more passes 15.7 and then 15.3. I'm gonna try it again this Friday to see if I can improve on it. Since I suck so much, the only thing left is to improve right

[DEZMO]

Originally Posted by BlackMamba2448

dont worry man ive been to the track in boise, d.a. usually = 3500+ (teh suck for my stocker @ the time w/ bigger wheels and tires), about 4 times (15 or so passes) and my best is 14.7+ @ 94.xx.

make sure vdc is off, start off a little slow (2500 rpm), and rather than trying to "power shift" just shift cleanly @ ~6500 or so.

once you get the hang of it start picking up other things

everybody sux @ the beginning you just need seat time

Thanks for the positive input mang

[DEZMO]

Originally Posted by davidv

Are you pressing on the gas peddle? The one on the far right?

Far right.... I thought the gas peddle was on the throttle body. I drilled a hole in my hood and tied a string in the throttle....I try to syncronize the throttle and the clutch when I pull on the string but my timing must be off

[Nexx]

god sucked my first time too but i managed to get a couple of mid 14's in.

launch at 2500rpm, easily letting off the clutch, just dont drop it. dont forget to have the clutch semi loaded to reduce drive train shock. no power shifting for now, just shift at 6700rpm for a 07. try not to be nervous and have fun.

[BlackMamba2448]

^ " the nervous" is hard to get over too, i'm still not over it but for me its more adrenaline than nervousness

[SuperBlack350z]

everyone one starts somewhere. At least you got out there and tried. Like most said, more practice. When i dropped the PSI in my tires, i did so much better. I just feather my clutch off the line and shift really fast. You will do better. I do get nervous because everyone is watching you.

[DEZMO]

I plan on going out again to get better at it but a quick question though, has anyone ever broke/snap a drive shaft on a 350z before? If so, were you using slicks?

[tywinter]

You will most likely brake an axel first.

[Peak350]

Originally Posted by DEZMO

I plan on going out again to get better at it but a quick question though, has anyone ever broke/snap a drive shaft on a 350z before? If so, were you using slicks?

Don't worry about breaking stuff in NA form with street tires. You can cause damage if you get constant wheel hop and don't back off, but a quick run on street tires shouldn't do anything to your axles.

Don't drop your tire pressures - its a placebo effect on street tires.
Launch from a low RPM (say 1,500-2,000) slipping the clutch until you get the feel for how the car responds at launch and when to launch, etc. Then up the RPM's to 3,000+, find what works for the car and conditions. I typically launch at over 5,000 (if the track will hold it).

If you get wheelspin lift at least partially until you regain traction and then smoothly reapply throttle. You obviously aren't putting power down (from your timeslips) and controlling wheelspin will help you immensely.

A smooth (even slow) launch will put you ~ a 2.2-2.3 60' and set up for a low mid 14. Once you get used to that you can slowly chop away your 60' and watch your time come down.

Good luck and have fun.

[Kuruma-san]

60ft is high, just need to work on launches it looks like, probably spinning the whole time

[davidv]

Originally Posted by DEZMO

Far right.... I thought the gas peddle was on the throttle body. I drilled a hole in my hood and tied a string in the throttle....I try to syncronize the throttle and the clutch when I pull on the string but my timing must be off

Just kidding. Work on the first 60 feet. The rest will take care of itself.

[davidv]

Originally Posted by DEZMO

I plan on going out again to get better at it but a quick question though, has anyone ever broke/snap a drive shaft on a 350z before? If so, were you using slicks?

Yes drag racing breaks stuff. If you are anxious about breaking stuff, I guarantee poor times. If you decide to push the car to its limits, then that’s what you must do.

[ajcool2]

Ususally I'd say somthing like everybodies first time is their worst but that is pretty bad man. Practice makes perfect.