• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

Best launch strategy

I drag race regularly but just not in my Contour (might make a baseline pass this year).
For launch, you're going to want a little spin for best 60', probably have to test riding out the clutch a little instead of straight dumping it and that will take some rpm testing. I would start around 4-4.5k.
Also, what tires?
-J
 
For right now I am running street tires. I will be upgrading my suspension, wheel size, and tires later this year. I am just baselining more or less my self. With my care in pretty poor shape I got a 10.71 in the 1/8th. Doing a tuneup, fluids, etc. and adding a WAI to see difference. I am also going to look for a cheap couple of wheels to add slicks to. I get too much wheel hop and spinning over 3000 or so.
 
You could try loading up the axles by holding your e-brake and riding your clutch, but I'm not sure how long your clutch would put up with that :)

I had a friend that did that pretty successfully with his old FWD Acura, never broke an axle even with slicks. He put down decent 60' numbers too.
 
^^^^ yep. and he even has a girls' name. hahah just kidding.


yeah i gotta keep my axles loaded, and turn down my 2 step. then i shoudl be hitting consistent decent 60' times
 
i know mines not a 2.5, but i'd launch at 4-5K with my Zetec for 33 passes and didnt have a problem. the lower 2500-3000RPM launches didnt work that great.
 
To hit consistent 2.2 60' times, and a 2.13 at one point, I always used the same method with my old SVT. When you get up to the line, you have to keep your foot on the brake, and let out on the clutch until you just start to feel it grab. Once at that point, push it back in slowly until it's no longer grabbing. This does 2 things. It takes the shock off of the axles by keeping you from dumping the clutch, and also allows you to modulate the wheel spin. I usually used this technique at around 3000rpm's. Once you've gotten off the line, you have to keep both feet working together to keep the tires spinning slightly, and the rpm's right in that 3000-3500 spot. This allows you to go WOT when the tires do grab, and you're into the secondaries at that point. From there, it's just ripping through the gears, so either you've got it or you don't. Of course, everyone on the internet is a great driver. :crazy:

The technique should always stay consistent for this platform, but the amount of clutch/gas modulation will depend on your setup. I had a 206whp 3L with a built transaxle, very sticky street tires and a stiff suspension.
A 2.5L with all seasons and stock suspension takes a little more emphasis on the go-pedal to keep the rpm's in the sweet spot.

If you're breaking axles, you're doing it wrong. ;)

Mark
 
Y2KSVT said:
If you're breaking axles, you're doing it wrong. ;)
Click to expand...

Agreed... It's a FWD car not an RWD drag car... You want to accelerate/launch at the limits of traction. Be it riding the clutch out of the hole or easing into the throttle (more powerful 3L & turbo cars).

Also, If you're running a stock diff, be very careful launching the car...
 
all i gotta say is a 2.1 60' time isnt exactly a good strategy. maybe a better strategy would be some real slicks, or a new car. lol
 
TRicker said:
all i gotta say is a 2.1 60' time isnt exactly a good strategy. maybe a better strategy would be some real slicks, or a new car. lol
Click to expand...

For the car it's being done in, that is good time. My actual mission given to me by my friends is to beat a certain Civic hatchback. The guy runs a turbo into a supercharger on his slightly modded 4 cylinder. All I have to do is beat 9.75-10.0 to get into range. And as bad as shape as my car was in and being a noob to drag racing, I think I can get there with good rehabilitative maintenance, a tune up, and maybe losing that resonator and a short air intake. I don't think I will manage it in a week so it's going to be a long term project(2-3 months or so). Should give me time to get my ride into shape.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top