Well I went to the test and tune today and stayed for 4.5 hrs and got 4 runs. The last two runs sucked and I know what went wrong so I wont bother posting those. Anyway for these two I feel like I hit my shift points pretty well and did ok on my launch considering the cold temps. Im new to RWD racing so I know this isnt much to write home about but I'm feeling ok considering my noob status. IMO my trap speeds seem a bit low for conditions so pick me apart guys. Tell me what you think.

 

sorry... I clicked the first attachment and saw it wasnt too clear hope this new one is better. I'm car 202.

1st run
rt .626
60' 2.229
1/8 9.140
mph 79.89
1000 11.735
1/4 13.925
mph 103.59

2nd run
r/t .988
2.107
1/8 8.963
mph 80.68
1000 11.546
1/4 13.735
mph 104.07

 

The trap speeds don't seem too far off from what they "could" be. There is a lot more to factor in than just temp's. What trim level are you?

Also, that 1/8th mile trap is right on with what I'm used to seeing, however, .3-.4 off of what I'm seeing. Its mostly in the launch from the looks of it, work on not spinning (bog is better than spin) and you should be able to get it down to about a 13.5 given the same run. Get more power down without spinning and you can be competitive for the top spots. The key is that you're losing by .2 at the end of 60' (to my times) and probably .3/.4 at the 330' mark.

Edit - how many miles and what were the conditions?

 

I have a base model and this run was on the stock tires with a 10 inch subwoofer, amp, and 20lbs of dynamat. I also didnt bother to take out all my crap or the jack and spare tire. I know I def need more practice as this is probably only my 8th or 9th pass down the 1/4 with a rwd car.

Oh and I have about 8k miles on the engine. I think it was maybe 45 degrees outside.

 

Practice X 100

Work on getting that launch down-which is very hard in these COLD temps, and on the shifting speed. Your 1/8 could be faster given the 2.1 60ft....keep going till the season ends!

 

Yeh I will definitely keep up the practice. Hopefully its not too crowded and I can get a good number of runs at cecil next week. getting 1 run every two and a half hours is not really all that great practice.

 

Depending what your sub/box weighs, that may be right on target. The stock tires are fine, honestly they have a lot of grip.

45 degrees is going to hurt you a bit for grip, but the added weight should counteract the added power.

Just faster shifting and a slightly improved launch to work with really.

Good luck. FWIW I'm running about 50 lbs up on my enthusiast, next trip will drop the amp/capacitor/rack weight, so that should help a lot.

 

yeh I could probably speed up my shifting. I dont granny shift but I admittedly dont shift as fast as I could because its a daily driver and I have been flirting with the weak clutch issue over the last month. By the way I was told its a good idea to "preload" our cars when launching. What does that really mean?

 

You did a good job.

Sometimes the staging pad will not give up 2.0 seconds no matter how hard that you try. I like sunshine on the starting line. I have little luck on grey days or at night.

As Peak350 mentioned, 1st to 2nd shift is essential for an improved 1/8 miles time. If you are spinning in second, you can forget 8.8 seconds or better.

That said, I see 13.5 seconds at 106 MPH in the spring.

 

Some racers pre load the drive train at the starting line. Automatic drivers will throttle with the brake on. Manual drivers may partially release the clutch, and hold the car with the brake.

I do not use the technique because of the type of racing that I do. Its too easy to move the front wheel, red light, and "fault."

 

Not a bad start at all. I wish the track would stay open a little longer up here. It gets cold early, but the track has been closed for atleast a month now. Good luck with the rest of your season though.

 

By the way post your time slip here: https://my350z.com/forum/drag/233840-top-25-1-4-mile-times-for-tt-st-supercharger-nitrous-bolt-ons-stock.html. I think you are #4.

 

You can "ghetto" pre-load by barely making full stage. Sitting with the clutch on the verge of moving the car - engine revved etc. Move the car SLOWLY for about 3 feet or so (increasing in speed). It gets weight back and allows a more gradual torque buildup in your drivetrain. Helps prevent shock etc., and that keep you from spinning the tires so easily.

Its actually the approach I try to use, quick slip, but following a slightly slower roll off the line.

 

I may be overshooting, but I'm aiming to hit 13.5 next weekend. I always try to set my goals high so that I work towards them that much harder. Not just in racing but with life in general. If i dont hit it, no worries practice makes perfect.

 

Sounds complicated enough to where I think I will try to practice and master the launch before I move on to preloading. As a noob, even I hate to see people redlight, so I definitely don't want to do it myself.

That makes me remember capital yesterday. A guy in a Focus could not stage to save his life and ended up going past the lights a few times and ended up backing into the lights...never taking it out of reverse...

needless to say when he launched he had to be embarrassed

 

Great times considering your lack of experience in a RWD car.

13.5 is in the cards, just keep trying.
Good luck, and keep us all posted!

 

Thanks. I will definitely let you know if I do better next week, as long as my clutch holds up.

 

I guess i'm one of the lucky few.. My clutch is fine after hard launches and numerous WOT runs.. although I never slip my clutch too much.. Excessive wear + daily driver FTL. Good times btw.. if you can hit 1.9 60s you'll be at 13.3-13.5 easy.. all day

 

Nice times. Makes me want to go somewhere to the east coast just to get a few runs with my car... I'd be very interested to see what kind of times I'd get compared to my 13.7 here...

 

Damn, those arent bad times for that 60ft.

Your car is running good, and your driving is pretty good asside from the launch.

I have the same problem. I cant launch to save my life.

My best 60ft is a 2.08 with BFG KDW's. So I suck.

As long as you have fun that is all that matters.