I'm going to the track tomorrow in my performance Z for only the second time ever being there. I know whats it like so it will be a lot different and I will run differently...

But to hit some lower times I need fellow Z helpers...


I'm planning on lauching about 1600 and dumping the clutch...

It's going to be about 85-90 maybe alittle warmer so I want to get traction which is why I'm not dropping it higher..

If I go higher I'll prob. give it 3/4 the pedal and when I catch I will give it full.

I have BFgoodrich G-force KDW. They are BRAND NEW, and I launched at 1800 dropping the clutch on a some-what cold night and under 1/2 second wheel spin.

So I'm asking for your guys input? what you guys think?

And I've been told R/T doesn't matter until you move, correct?

Thanks.....

 

I launched at 1750 today in the mid of the heat at 5. I didnt drop the clutch I let it out quickly but not just dropping it, what you guys think?

 

I think you should quit playing with the kiddies at the 1/4 mile, and head to a real track (w/ corners, and berms, and stuff).

 

I have no idea what is the fastest way to launch a MT Z, but you have a perfect opportunity to try it and find out. Go outsided and try to launch with TCS off starting at higher and higher RPMs say 3000, feathering so that the engine does not bog down. You may have better times with just a bit of wheel chirp as you get away. Ideally the engine will stay in the power band, and the tires will get a good grip as you launch. Downside is that you could burn out your clutch. There is no reason that you would need to speed to do this, you can speed on the track. On the track you can also use the parking brake to hold the car while you are feathering. I have not tried that.

http://www.modernracer.com/tips/drag...echniques.html

 

Depending on the track you go to, you might be able to dump the clutch at 1600 RPMS and have it hook right away. If your Z isn't hooking right away and spinning alot with that kind of launch, then you might want to slip in the clutch.

A good start for sliping in the clutch is at 2,000 RPMs. Again, depending on track conditions you may be able to launch a little higher. When your sliping in the clutch, the gas pedal should be roughly proportionate to the clutch (the more the clutch is out, the more gas you apply). If your slip the clutch and apply the gas too fast you will end up wheelspinning. You will have to figure out how fast you need to slip the clutch out while applying the gas. You should be able to get 60's of 2.1 seconds sliping in the clutch @ 2,000 RPMs. Another tip is to spin the tires on the burn-out box (not in the water) briefly - like a second or so to get rid of pebbles and water on the tires.

Here is a general guide of what to do:

1. Turn-Off TCS/VDC (Not turning it off will make your Z into a 15's car)
2.Spin tires BRIEFLY to get rid of junk on tires. (4,000 RPMs clutch dump will work) You don't need a smokey burn-out, just a second to spin the tires.
3. Line up on the line.
4. Have clutch in, apply enough gas to be around 2,000 RPMs
5. When the light hits a desired spot (some people leave on the 2nd yellow, some leave on the 3rd yellow), begin sliping the clutch and applying the gas proportionate to the clutch comming out.
6. Shift just before the redline from 1st to 4th. You should be finishing the 1/4 mile in 4th gear.

If you get the launches right, you should be around 2.0 to 2.1 60's. You might have to launch at a higher RPM to get 2.0 60's, but that depends if the track is preped well. If your hiting 60's in the 2.2 and 2.3 area, you just need some minor adjustments to your launch and you shouldn't be far from reaching your goal in a good launch.

Other things that affects your 1/4 mile time is the weather and elevation. If your expecting to get 13's, you will need to run in cooler weather and lower elevations to acheive that goal. Another side note, R/T does not affect your 1/4 mile time. To get decent 1/4 mile times, you will need good launches and the 60's is a good indicator of your launch. If you don't have a good 60', your 1/4 mile time will be crappy (even if your a speed demon in shifting).

 

Thanks a lot.... It helps... I will do what you say, so should I try maybe doing a 1700RPM feathering? or higher?

I've been to the track once... Two days after having my Z not knowing to have VDC on or off so I tried both, it was also my first time at the track. My best was a 15 because of trying VDC on and off...

I'm just hoping to hit a low 14, I will be happy.

 

and you mean by th 2ed and 3rd light... basically start letting out the clutch and giving it gas so I'm basically like going?

 

Yes. If your slow in sliping in the clutch, than take off on the 2nd yellow. If your fast in sliping in the clutch, than take off on the 3rd yellow. Of course, look at the time slip if your leaving the line too fast or too slow (the R/T). I believe a perfect light for most 1/4 mile tracks are 0.500 (if your going under 0.500 your leaving the line too early, if your getting 1.0 reaction times your slow as a turtle).

I would recomend trying to get all the weather variables and elevation of your track OR find someone that knows the DA of that day (Air Density converted into elevation equivalent). For example, California Speedway has an elevation of 1200 feet, but the temperature is 90 F and humidity of 45%, the DA will be equivalent to 4,000 feet. I ran a raw time of 14.6@95.90 with a 60' of 2.1 seconds (sounds pretty crappy for a Z). However, converting that time for 4,000 feet (you can look up NHRA elevation conversion tables) is equivalent to 13.9 secs @ 100.7 MPH at sea-level (it's just an approximate time, and more of an indicator).

Having the DA of the day will give you an approximate time your Z will be running for that day. Don't be too surprised if you run mid-14's running on a hot day in a high elevation track.

I would recommend turning off VDC/TCS if you want decent times, the time I had TCS on, it nerfed my Z to a 15 second car. When you have a bad launch and your Z starts going sideways, its better to just let off the throttle and just ease off the track and start again (too much wheelspin will give crappy times and not worth trying to run the Z hard when you bouch a launch)

I almost forgot, you might want to lower your rear tire pressure to gain some traction off the line. If you lower your rear tire pressure too much, you get a huge penalty on your trap speed. I would recommend starting with 30 PSI rears. If you feel your Z is hooking just right and want a higher trap speed than add alittle more air. If your feeling your Z just isn't hooking decrease your rears to 28 PSI and I would think going lower than 25 PSI wouldn't yield any more benefits.

 

thanks again.. do you know where I can get these tables? i've looked online and I can't find it

 

and how would I be able to find this information about infineion raceway in california?

 

Google searches should have something available. Unfortunately, I don’t have any links saved.

 

How disappointing!!!!!! I was hoping this was a thread about a real track.

 

Some people like 1/4 miles, some like road courses. Then there is people who don't do any.

 

So much for the Drag Racing section of the forum

There is a link to a race track locator in the racing section. Very usefull.

 

I ran a 14.2 @ 98.6 MPH... my 60' 2.199

 

Sounds about right around the Napa area since the elevation there is around 2000+ feet? I'm sure of the other variables, but looks about right where you should be running at.

 

yeah.. I'm going to sac because I've heard from many different sources you can do aleast a .10 better so I want to see if I can hit a 14 flat.. MAYBE break into 13's... i'd be stoaked