Sunday I went to a nice drag strip in southern Georgia, and I rolled with a friend who drives a Greddy boosted RSX Type-S.

It was great, decent prices all around (food, parking/watching, competing) and will do again at Reynolds.

I was not to happy about my times, I am still 100% stock and after today I have a new stand on what I would need to be a better performer.

Most sources state that stock 350Z do low 14's (14.1) in the 1/4 mile, I couldn't do better than mid to high 14's and the weather was quite nice

My friend in the RSX did pretty good, mid 13's and naturally went further in the competition (heads up, only thing was we were classed by if you are front wheel/rear wheel/all wheel drive).

Anyway I got to do 7 runs, though only three are sorta ok.

R/T ... .196
60 ... 2.263
330 ... 6.263
1/8 ... 9.527
MPH ... 76.66
1000 ... 12.291
1/4 ... 14.643
MPH ... 96.55

R/T ... .320
60 ... 2.312
330 ... 6.388
1/8 ... 9.691
MPH ... 75.82
1000 ... 12.471
1/4 ... 14.834
MPH ... 96.93

R/T ... .331
60 ... 2.352
330 ... 6.424
1/8 ... 9.738
MPH ... 75.56
1000 ... 12.531
1/4 ... 14.897
MPH ... 96.96

My four other runs were either just test and tune (that is what they called runs that didn't count in comp.), so I won't waste any time typing them LOL.

Wished I had my digi cam, cause there were alot of nice rides and hot girls. Next time I won't forget and hopefully can drag more folks with us to also race.

 

Practice....

 

lots and lots and lots of practice

 

what is your elevation there

it plays a key role and can significantly lower your trap speed

 

I guess I am going to need to find out, though I don't think we have it to bad here. Since we are not as high or low considering other places.

Also yes practice, and what have you guys been doing stock?

I think nerves did play a big role, and the fact there was alot of down time before each run so tires would get cool.

 

Are you 5AT or 6MT? I didn't catch that.. but anyway 2.2 60' really isn't bad at all you should be able to run very low 14's with that on a stock Z. I know lower Georgia shouldn't have elevation problems. I would guess your shifting is the key player (or lack there of here) ... no offense. What RPM are you shifting at and how SLOW are you shifting? I think that is your biggest problem considering your 2.2/2.3 60' times. If you are automatic, then ... gratz I guess.

Always use the 93 octane, shift at 6300, and I mean as fast as you can. Get the 60' to 2.1 or better to hit 13's. I dunno, seeing only 96 mph I would guess you are 5AT (or a G35 lol).

 

Practice is the key, first time at the track is always kind of different... you expect better results than what you actually get, but the more you go to the track the better you get. Main thing is to have fun.

 

Don't tell me it was SGMP?

 

Damn alot of practice.

 

My first run ever 2.18 60ft 13.80 @ 101.2. My 2nd run was a 2.052 60ft, and I went 13.77 @ 101.4. And my 3rd and final run when I was stock I went 13.86 @ 100 with a 2.08 60ft-the headwind picked up on that run Work on your launch and your shifting, BTW I shift @ redline.

 

what r u guys launching at? also whats ur 1/8 mile time? i ran a 9.7 first time at the track(touring model w/vdc on). Some guy said that he ran 9 flat when he was stock(base Z). Is that a pretty easy time once you learn how to launch?

 

Mine was a 8.9

 

2500 rpm slip with tires @ 27psi. My best 1/8 stock was 8.8X @ 80mph...and for **** sake turn your VDC off when your @ the track. Even b!tch shifting into 2nd I can get the VDC to kick in for at least 2 seconds in my car(it sucks), TURN IT OFF!!!!

 

6 spd, and I do have to admit my shifting is not as quick as I would like though I think it has to do with the fact I love smooth complete shifts so in the Z I do not power shift, or shift hard, no where as quick as my last car... Though the way the gears engauge in the Z is much different than many of manuals I have driven (RSX, SI, S2000, SRT-4). Also naturally I shift at redline in every race I have done (not tech a complete newb to racing just at the stip, used to do quite a bit on the streets when I was younger and much more stupid).


Yeah, and we did have alot of fun. I was actually kicking myself for not doing it sooner. I always wanted to go before, but stuff kept coming up keeping me from going before.


What does that mean?


Yeah I could def. see the launch is very important, does set the tone for how the rest of what you do kinda goes in the run.


I actually didn't launch above 1K, just enough so I wouldn't stall but also wouldn't ride the clutch to much waiting on the tree to give us the green light. I am sure that also hurt my times, not giving it more at the start. Also I suffered alot of tire spin through the first two gears which is why I tried not to launch to high oh and at spec. OEM tire pressure.

 

peking, SGMP = South Georgia Motorsports Park, Cecil, GA.

 

Yeah, thats not right.

Shift just before the limiter, I set my shift light for 6,900, and launch at around 2,500, feathering the clutch out quickly.

Even with practice, your trap speed seems low.

Maybe you had some bad gas. You are using 93 correct?

 

I think the lack of trap is slow shifts, losing a little extra inertia there. I don't really try to tack a certian RPM for launch, I just 1/2-gas it for a split second to get moving and immediately floor it. Gives me enough wheel spin to get moving without bogging down. 60' was 2.100 and 1/8 mile was 8.9'ish at 81 mph I think. I have noticed when racing other (stock, or intake only) 350Z's my car just seems to pull a little harder in 3rd+ gear. However, since having my transmission replaced under warranty a few weeks ago, I seem to have lost some of that extra top end. Lately I have been getting 14.1 @ 99 times at the track, although humidity has been a bit high and has rained alot. Is the new "stronger" transmission also a little heavier?

 

learn to shift like this
www.sesamestreetracing.com/bpa960incar.wmv

it will amek a world of difference in ET and trap
practice in the staging lane or at home with a friend

 

Thats sweet, I wish my car was that fast

 

Oh, we went to the Raceway in Reynolds (I think that is what it is called).


My shift light is at 5900, though I do not use it... I just watch the needle and shift before redline.

Will try to launch higher, was below 1K before so 2500 could be quite helpful. 93 octane, full tank just about through the whole thing.


Gotcha, will try to speed up my shifts next time.


Haha, noice Well not a huge fan of the huge *** tach but cool vid.