New respect for drag racing, AKA analyze a N00b's data
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Tucson
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Thumbs up](https://my350z.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif)
First off just let me say that I didn't buy my car to win drag races but would like to know where I can make some improvement. I will probably drag race it 2-3 times a year. I went with a 350 Z, I have a G35 coupe, and we both are new to drag racing. I had over 1/2 tank of gas, didn't change tire pressure (~35 psi all around), and left my sub box in the trunk. I ran at SIR in Tucson, elevation a little over 3,000 ft. and the temp was right around 70.
There seemed to be a lot going on and everything happened really quickly. This is my first car over 150 HP and my first time ever at the strip. I am sure the more practice I get things will slow down a little and come more naturally. I made sure all the little things were done: VDC off, stereo off, AC off, etc. Here is how things went:
1st run: Missed third gear, ran a 15.8 DOH
2nd run: DQ'ed? I don't know - I was late off the line but for some reason did not get a time. Too bad because I think this was my best run.
3rd run: This was my best so I will post all the details.
R/T - 1.008 No way was I going to red light
60' - 2.419
330' - 6.584
1/8 - 9.944
MPH - 74.42
1000 - 12.813
1/4 - 15.237
MPH - 92.45
4th run: Bumped the rev limiter in 3rd, ran a 15.6
Besides the obviously bad 60' time, how do the rest of the numbers look? I am sure there are improvements to be made in my shifting as well, but I didn't want to be too aggressive as I am planning on keeping this car for a long time. I was launching, or trying to, at about 2500 rpms. I got a lot more wheel spin than I was expecting. Should I launch at a lower RPM or feather the clutch more? If I got my 60' times down to around 2.2 how much of an improvement would that make?
It seemed to be a fairly slow track or people didn't know how to drive. There was an M3 that raced the Z I went with and won pretty easy. He (the M3) only ran a 14.2 however. Realistically with my N00b driving skills and street tires, it seems unlikely I will ever break 14.5 at this strip.
All in all it was a good time. There was a wide range of cars there but everyone I talked to was really cool. It was a totally different experience than what I was used to with encounters on the street. I think just the fact you are at the drag strip eliminates a lot of the true rice boys and posers. Most people said it was the first time they had seen a G35 at the strip and were asking me lots of questions. Too bad I couldn't have represented better and ran some better times, but you gotta start somewhere. I am learing quickly that magazine times don't = real world times, especially with all the variables and an inexperienced driver.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and help,
Nathan
There seemed to be a lot going on and everything happened really quickly. This is my first car over 150 HP and my first time ever at the strip. I am sure the more practice I get things will slow down a little and come more naturally. I made sure all the little things were done: VDC off, stereo off, AC off, etc. Here is how things went:
1st run: Missed third gear, ran a 15.8 DOH
2nd run: DQ'ed? I don't know - I was late off the line but for some reason did not get a time. Too bad because I think this was my best run.
3rd run: This was my best so I will post all the details.
R/T - 1.008 No way was I going to red light
60' - 2.419
330' - 6.584
1/8 - 9.944
MPH - 74.42
1000 - 12.813
1/4 - 15.237
MPH - 92.45
4th run: Bumped the rev limiter in 3rd, ran a 15.6
Besides the obviously bad 60' time, how do the rest of the numbers look? I am sure there are improvements to be made in my shifting as well, but I didn't want to be too aggressive as I am planning on keeping this car for a long time. I was launching, or trying to, at about 2500 rpms. I got a lot more wheel spin than I was expecting. Should I launch at a lower RPM or feather the clutch more? If I got my 60' times down to around 2.2 how much of an improvement would that make?
It seemed to be a fairly slow track or people didn't know how to drive. There was an M3 that raced the Z I went with and won pretty easy. He (the M3) only ran a 14.2 however. Realistically with my N00b driving skills and street tires, it seems unlikely I will ever break 14.5 at this strip.
All in all it was a good time. There was a wide range of cars there but everyone I talked to was really cool. It was a totally different experience than what I was used to with encounters on the street. I think just the fact you are at the drag strip eliminates a lot of the true rice boys and posers. Most people said it was the first time they had seen a G35 at the strip and were asking me lots of questions. Too bad I couldn't have represented better and ran some better times, but you gotta start somewhere. I am learing quickly that magazine times don't = real world times, especially with all the variables and an inexperienced driver.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and help,
Nathan
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Moline IL
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://my350z.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Obviously you need to launch better, the elevation is obviously not going to go away either. I think most people here try to stall to 3000-3500 rpms, and then quick feather the clutch for a split second before going WOT. Try dropping your tire pressure to 22 psi or so. I would think you should be able to get a mid 14 if not better depending on the day. Some ET streets on some nice Welds would be cool as well, try a 150 shot too, you will like the results. Good luck.
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Washington State
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://my350z.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
sounds like me when i first went... kept messing up... my best run was a 14 flat though! when everything works perfectly,, I want the ECU CHIP it feels like it needs to go past red line.. LOL
#4
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MD
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://my350z.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Try running 28 psi in the rear tires. I've tried lower psi and it didn't seem to do much and I've run my best times with 28psi. Rev to 2800-3000rpm and feather the clutch to get a good launch. My best 60' so far has been a 2.046 using this method. Try not to floor it after you let the clutch out or you'll get alot of wheel hop; just continue to apply the gas smoothly until your at WOT. Don't worry about R/T just yet, once you're good at launching then you can worry about getting good at the light. My first run with my Z was a 14.3 and I'm now runnnig 13.80s consistantly, although I have added mods as well. I'm usually the only Z at the track since most people don't buy these cars to drag but I enjoy it. I'll be getting into auto-x and roadcourse racing next season though.
#5
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (19)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Tucson
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://my350z.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thanks for the tips everyone, you have given me some good info for next time. I left myself plenty of room for improvement so my times should be significantly better next time. I might dig this thread up in a couple of months with an update of my new times. BTW, I am not really interested in running nitrous, but everything else I will try.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Colombo
Forced Induction
35
11-09-2020 10:27 AM
Boots patrol
Exterior
6
11-07-2015 12:26 PM