ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

So I'm pretty excited to run the bird (94 Formula) tonight for the first time ever on the 1/4 mile....any tips on launching this thing with a 6spd, ram HD clutch and 315 sumitomo street tires? It's got all the bolt ons an a small lunati voodoo cam and full rear suspension minus the torque arm. I'm gussing 2400 rpm clutch drop and see how she sticks? Suggestions? I'm hoping to run a 12.5 or better.

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeah, forgot to mention 4.10 gears and eaton posi are on the car too.

Big Al

iTrader: (1)

If this is your first time the starting line at most strips is a lot different than the street. Stay out of the water, just spin the tires enough to get the dirt off and see how it goes. You didn't mention what gears you have. My 2002 6 speed with 3.42's launches at about 1,500 with street tires. Any more than that and it goes up in smoke. You can get better launches if you slip the clutch a bit off the line. The sudden shock of popping the clutch only breaks the tires loose.

Al 95 Z28, 2002 Z28, 73 Z28

95zsean

iTrader: (1)

Have FUN!!!!!! The first time up to the lights is intimidating, just watch the lights and you'll have a blast.. Good Luck and let us know how you make out.

stevo9389

i read the title thinking you were going to use that zmax additive.

djjab57

iTrader: (17)

When the last yellow comes on Let er go and have fun learning the tricks of the trade. Unless your a super fast learner dont expect to have great #'s your 1st time out. It takes a little tweaking

Badazz 97 TA

iTrader: (18)

Floor it on green and shift gears, hope for the best! lol

GREGG 97Z

iTrader: (4)

Don't shoot so high (or low) with street tires and 4:10s, they're not a great combo at the track. I see a set of dr's as your next mod

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

first runs at the track are always great to watch. I just wish it was mandated to have a video tape on every driver after their first run and they see the time slip. I bet there is no greater expression of pure, raw depression at its fullest. It could almost be commical. Especially when the ricer who was running his mouth about his 12 second car goes to the strip and runs a 15 cuz he short shifted 1st while spinning because he ran out of revs befor gear. That always cracks me up "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-WUUUUUUUUUUUU", its even better when they downshift back to first when they dont understand what just happened

Anyways back on subject. Youll get the hang of it, its not a thing you can talk about, you just have to do it. Id say you should be happy if you hit 12's, anything near a 12.5 and your doing very very very good for a first timer.

IronOutlaw

iTrader: (4)

I would shoot for 13.5s if its your first trip. The first night I ran I ended up spinning to the 1/8 mark. Only got one run in because people kept breaking. I think it was like a 17.00 at 98. I was pretty sad to say the least.

happysem

iTrader: (5)

My car doesn't hook for **** with less power and the same times lol.

I wouldn't expect them to hold much, I think I was doing like 2500rpm slips and that was pretty much the breaking point.

What were your times?

93M6Formula

The track is always intimidating for me. It always takes me a few passes to get back in the groove again. My best runs are usually the last few that I do.

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

Terrible news everyone....the trip to the strip didn't go so smoothly; basically got in 3 runs and blew the ******* motor I was just getting a feel for the track, first run of the night was 14.1 @ 98 MPH with a 2.6 60 ft ....oops. Then I on the next few runs I started to experiment with my shift points moving up from 6200, 6400, then last run of the night before the "incident"....I was racing a new Camaro SS and he was beating me by 1-2 car lengths, I held 3rd gear to 6500 possibly 6600 and BOOM right before I was about to upshift ******* smoke, oil, coolant, chucks of what I assume was the engine block flying out the back my car all over the track. I'm not sure what let go but I'm thinking probably a connecting rod.Took the track crew 30 minutes to clean all that **** up. Had to get my car towed home. **** make me sick to my stomach to think about. Luckily I have my trusty LS1 firehawk for a DD because it's going to be months before I can save up enough to build it up right this time....I'm thinking forged 355 with AI ported heads, 11.5 CR with a new goal of 400RWHP and SAFELY spinning it to 6600 RPM...maybe next year.

96TransAmboosted

iTrader: (8)

That sucks..... sounds like you were pushing it a little to hard. You can always take the LS out and beat on it.

GREGG 97Z

iTrader: (4)

Wow, checking in to see your times, didn't think they'd be too good with those gears and street tires, wasn't expecting this. That sucks man. Just a note for the next time out, get a shift light and don't hold it past your preset point. I have a cheap $50 Harlan shift light in the little vent on the a pillar. It's a very simple part and works awesome. You really can't trust the factory tach, it can be off as much as 200 rpm. I don't even look at the tach when racing, or the shift light for that matter. You can just focus on your shifting and driving with the light, it makes things much cleaner and safer when banging gears. Again, sorry to hear about your motor dude...

Big Al

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to hear this. You're in for some work now.

Al 95 Z28, also apart

mysticbowtie

Sorry to hear. Tracks are unforgiving!!

pro94lt

sucks man

transbird95

iTrader: (4)

Sorry that happened on your fist time out. I blew my first engine up on the way TOO the track a few years ago. And when we were towing it home the car rolled forward on the dolly!!!! Crushed the ground effects and scratched the doors. One of the worst days of my life lol. Just don't give up next time will be better.

jasonisdn

iTrader: (1)

if it helps i have a factory block and i am 2.5 hours up I85 from ya.