First dragstrip times - any suggestions?

[JB/SRT]

This was my first weekend at the drag strip, in this case, Houston Raceway Park in Baytown. Must admit, my adrenalin was overloading my senses at first - I was in a "zone"!! Here are my numbers with Paxton and runflats.

60 ft 1/8 1/4 MPH
1.988 8.3 12.4 125.9
2.261 8.3 12.2 131.9
1.967 7.8 11.9 124.1
2.038 7.8 11.8 128.6
2.023 7.7 11.7 125.7
2.031 7.6 11.5 128.5

I was disappointed with the times, considering I have a blower, but it's apparent the driver is a novice and the tires can't handle the power without a smooth throttle roll. On my best runs, I could feel the tires hook up continuously. On the worst runs, the tires didn't feel hooked until 3rd.

You guys think that with drag radials or slicks (and more practice) I could get into 10s?

 

[ulllose]

Well i don't have mine time slips in front of me but i went to the local track about 2 months ago with mine bone stock 03 srt and ran 12.01 @ 120 //12.02@ 118 with 2.0X 60' times. So if your at 667RWHP and i'm probably at 460-470ish and you have 3.55's you should be doing better. IMO
You 128 trap speed seems alittle low for 650+ i would think you would be around 135

 

[VIPER D]

ditch the 355 and see the ets drop


or


get some 18 inch dragradials


your choice


vd..

 

[Viper IV]

I just switched to the 18" BFG Drag Radials like "D" said and no more spin after 5 minute warm up. No more 70 mph spin / side slide surprise when you step on it.

 

[Mastiff]

Launch it in 2nd gear, see what happens.

 

[JB/SRT]

Thanks for your responses.

ulllose 135 is about what I'm thinking, with 10 something. You have good times for stock.

ViperD I like the 3.55s driving around town, but they basically do not get HP to the ground with runflats. Guess I'll take the drag radial route. In cooler weather, the runflats even break loose in 3rd at 70mph on some streets.

Viper04 The "no more spin" with those BFGs is what I'm after. What are your 60ft times now?

Mastiff I thought about launching 2nd, but scared of frying the clutch. Have you done this before?

 

[Snakester]

I'm guessing that it's a traction issue. I've got 547RWHP and 607RWTQ with 3.55 gears, and I also have serious traction issues with the stock Pilots.

I was short-shifting in 1st and 2nd at 4500RPM to minimize spinning and managed fairly consistant 11.8s@127MPH runs.

But like you I suspect that low 11s/high 10s are possible with sticky tires.

The only trick is that without the tires being the power fuse by spinning, I worry about the car's halfshafts and clutch. Plus for me, I have no rollbar, so I'll get kicked off for running under 11.5.

The only problem that I suspect that you might have running 18" drag radials is that with the 3.55s and your power you will hit the rev limiter before the 1/4 mile traps (or have to shift).

I also really like the feel of my 3.55s around town, and I don't really drag race enough to warrant getting the rollbar and drag radials. But if you want to hit 10s I suspect that you will need to go back to 3.07 gears AND drag radials.

 

[Viper IV]

JB/SRT
I have not taken my car to the drags yet. Last thing I have to do (so I say) is to do Motons or Penski's to cure any low end wheel hop. Car deffinatly throws you back in the seat as is. I can't believe the factory has not addressed this issue yet. When it hops I let off and feather the throttle but usually I just start off with a feathered throttle knowing the hop may destroy something.

Rob

 

[Gerald]

YOu need to get some 18's for the rear and throw Kumho's on there (when you're at the drag strip) and you will not break loose. You can also drive them on the street.

On my GenII, I've easily got over 800RWHP/TQ and my 17" Khumos hook like a ****.. My best is either 10.4 or 10.6 at 139.. I forgot.. LOL!! That's with a 1.9 60'.

Just keep practicing.

G

 

[Viper X]

Hey Gerald,

Which Kumho's do you like, the Ecsta V-700s?

Dan

 

[DB/Paxton SRT-10]

Mastiff I thought about launching 2nd, but scared of frying the clutch. Have you done this before?

Second gear with a 3.55 rear-end would be like first gear with a 2.40 ratio.
It would require more clutch slippage, but would be interesting to test against a first gear start.

 

[Viperfreak2]

Couple weeks ago week I got a 1.871 60ft time. On Bridgestones. Scrap the run-flats. The BEST I could get on them was 2.0 and then they would always light-up in 2nd gear. This was on a sub 50 degree night!