Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Dyno and Drag 1/4 Mile Times -- Not so good

Hey guys, I took my 2000 SVT down to the drag strip for the first time. I didn't run so good, so I'm looking for some pointers. Here's my fastest time:
1.091 RT
2.535 60'
6.985 330'
10.657 1/8
67.23 mph
13.806 1000'
16.491 sec
83.58 mph

The elevation at the track is around 6000'.

Also, I got my car dyno'd a few months ago and the numbers were low. My hp is 157.2, tq is 149.8.

The only 'go faster' mods I have is a KKM intake and an s-afc. I've also removed my resonator and have done a couple of suspension mods.

I'm going to take out my plugs today to see if they are okay or not, but there's definately something robbing my car of it's desperately needed power!

Tim
'00 SVT

What's that equate to at sea level? I think NHRA's site has the factor they use. If it comes in at mid-15's, you are fine. I wouldn't go tearing the car up yet. Also remember, hot and humid doesn't make for good times (what was the weather that day?) and track conditions could also be worse than other tracks. You can't compare numbers too much unless they are the same track on the same day, really. I'm spoiled: I have a good sticky 300' elevation track within about an hour of me.

Other than that, I would concentrate on your 60' time. That's where all of your race happens (unless you make a mistake shifting later down the track). It took 5 trips to the drag strip before I got the hang of it. Shoot for 2.3x or lower. 2.535 can definitely be improved on. The launch is truly the biggest skill in drag racing for ET. R/T doesn't matter unless you are actually competing, but that's skill #2 to master.

Your reaction time is way off.

If this is your first time to the drag strip with any car, then you simply need practice launching.

Corrected: ~15.3 @ 90.3mph

You could make up another 2-3 tenths by lowering your 60' to 2.3x

Personally I don't think I could live in high altitude...

Reaction time needs work big time, and 60" time, lower your tire pressure a little and work on slipping the clutch on the launch and you should get that down into the 15's easily

Ryan

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice!
I know I could have ran better times, it's mostly the anxiety buildup for the first time drag racing. My tires on the car aren't the greatest, they were replaced before I bought the car with some cheapo tires. What's a good tire pressure? For normal driving I keep it around 35psi.
The temperature started around low 80's and ended the evening in upper 70's. Humidity? This is Colorado, we don't have any! I have heard the track isn't that great. There's one up in Denver which is supposed to be 100 times better.
I did check the plugs in the front bank. How do I know if they are double plat or regular? They say motorcraft 32f, but didn't have anything written to imply they were the preferred plug.

I think I'll go find some smooth abandonded road around here and practice my launch. I know it was killing me. All I would hear is my tires squeal, even when dumping the clutch at 2.5k. I just get excited when I seen the green light that I didn't think about slipping the clutch a tad. Atleast my shifts were quick and smooth, one of my runs I was shifting from 3rd to 4th and forgot what gear I was in, so I threw it into 5th.

Tim
'00 SVT

Do NOT lower your tire pressure. These are low profile street tires. Less tire pressure = less contact patch and less traction.
It's not like they are drag tires with big sidewalls to flex and cushion the weight transfer to the Rear wheels.

Higher pressure also equals less rolling resistance. Less resistance = better trap speed and slightly better ET's.

I normally run 36psi fronts and 38-40psi rears. At the track you could even up the rears to the max limit (~45-50psi - it differs slightly by tire manufacturer & design)

Even with a perfect launch it will be hard to hit the 15's at that altitude. It still makes for a good goal to shoot for though...

Reaction time has nothing to do with your final 1/4 mile time.

Really... how so?

Reaction time is the time between when the light goes green and the time the car rolls out of the staging lights. (I.E. starting the timer counting)

.500 tree is used in most cases. (therefore a .500 light/reaction time would be perfect)