LT1-LT4 Modifications - Never raced on a track before, what should I expect.

1997 Z28 Camaro. 6 Speed Manuel. 65k miles.

Modds include:

Heads : (Flowed 249 intake/162 exhaust, 11:1 compression) Heads milled .010, .026" gaskets


- Manley 2.0 intake/1.60 exhaust valves, Crane 10308-1 spring kit,
- GMPP Hotcam
- GMPP 1.6 ratio aluminum roller rockers
- Comp Cams hardened pushrods
- Cloyes double roller timing chain
- Hypertech 160 deg t-stat
- CSI electric water pump
- March 25% underdrive pulley
- 1LE a/c delete pulley
- Lucas/Delphi 42 lbs / hr injectors
- Walbro 255 lph fuel pump
- MSD Blaster Coil, new MSD opti cap/rotor
- Taylor Spiro Pro 8mm wires, NGK TR55 plugs



- SLP LS1 lid conversion with ls1 upper radiator shroud
- Stock TB, Hypertech airfoil, TB coolant bypass
- PCMforless hotcam programming, 180 deg fan setting, 6500rpm rev limiter. Deleted: EGR/AIR/CAGS/CPS/rear O2's
- SLP 1-3/4" midlength headers/ypipe. Stainless steel, had them Jet Hot coated 3 years ago, look brand new
- Borla exhaust with DMH remote electric cutout
- Cat removed


- Stock T56, B&M Ripper Shifter.
- Lingenfelter 3.5" aluminum driveshaft, spicer yoke & 1350 rear joint
- Moser 12 bolt, 4:10 gears, 1350 pinion yoke, Eaton posi, 33 spline axles, aluminum support cover & preload studs.




Energy Suspension Poly: front & rear sway bar bushings & end links, trans & engine mounts
- BMR strut tower brace
- Spohn body mounted TA & DS loop, BMR adjustable panhard bar, UMI adj LCA's, Comp Eng. welded SFC's
- LS1 brakes/slotted & cross drilled rotors, line lock. Rear: stock/Hawk HPS pads
- C5 Vette silver Y2K thinspokes 17x8.5 / 18x9.5
- Kuhmo Exsta MX 245/45/17 , Nitto Drag Radials 305/40/18
- Original springs, new rear shocks just installed


I've done some street racing, practiced some launches, but never raced at a track before. I know I'm not gonna be able to get my car to run close to what it actually can run, but I'm just wondering what kinda time range I should expect being a first timer at the track.

Guy I bought it from got a 12.01 from it at 116 mph. With Aluminum drag wheels. Did the head work, took it back to the track without the aluminum drag wheels and got around the same time, but with a 117+ trap speed.

So I'm guessing this car is easily capable of 11's with Aluminum drag wheels and good driving.

You mentioned the PCM4less tune for a hotcam, most people who do the hotcam dont put in 42lb injectors, those things are huge for your application and the fact you also have heads is making that tune not ideal, but it helps. Your 18s with Nittos are not going to do crap on the track, dont expect any better than a 1.9 60', and you will be lucky to get that. Your rear end and suspension setup is BEGGING you for a set of stock 16" rims with ET streets on them, with that you could cut probably a 1.6 or better 60 with some practice. I wouldnt spin that motor past 6100ish with those SA rockers though. Everything else about your valvetrain looks great, but you should consider picking up some NSA rockers. You are also leaving a little on the table with the midlength headers; since you already dont have a cat and are not lowered, why not get some LTs?

For your first time at the track, I wouldnt expect more than high 12s at around 112, but Ill bet your first run will be mid 13s as you shake the first time jitters and get used to those 18s and nittos spinning. With good driving, a real set of drag tires and some LTs and a dyno tune, I would guess 11.6 at 117.

Expect the bubble guts. Oh and a shitty reaction time! Lol

Yellow, yellow, yell(hit the gas)ow, green on a .500 sportsman tree. Pro tree is super fast. Basically, see yellow and hit the gas.

I agree with all said above. First or millionth time, you get nervous. So expect it.

The rest is on you. Depending on how well you can bang gears. Not too many ppl out there can really rip throught the gears. Some claim they can but I've seen old people walk faster than some of those who claim to "Bang gears".

Take your time rolling into the lights. Watch others before you go out there. And for God's sake, don't pull a Ricer move and stage with your rear wheels.

Basic rules are to Pre-stage, wait till the next guy does or if he already is, you pre-stage. Then you both stage to light both lights...and get ready. A line lock in a M6 helps alot.

Expect 14s

Ya you might have some shitty runs at first. Ive spun my sa rockers to 7k hundreds of times and never had a issue but it isnt smart i guess.

Expect a fun fun time. You will be hooked!!

If you mess up, they have a guy that comes out and hits you with a cane poll.

You mentioned the PCM4less tune for a hotcam, most people who do the hotcam dont put in 42lb injectors, those things are huge for your application and the fact you also have heads is making that tune not ideal, but it helps. Your 18s with Nittos are not going to do crap on the track, dont expect any better than a 1.9 60', and you will be lucky to get that. Your rear end and suspension setup is BEGGING you for a set of stock 16" rims with ET streets on them, with that you could cut probably a 1.6 or better 60 with some practice. I wouldnt spin that motor past 6100ish with those SA rockers though. Everything else about your valvetrain looks great, but you should consider picking up some NSA rockers. You are also leaving a little on the table with the midlength headers; since you already dont have a cat and are not lowered, why not get some LTs?

.

This used to be my car. Just had to mention that I added the 42 lb injectors because I was pretty sure the stock injectors were maxed out, the car was in the 370 whp range. Plus I got a good deal on them at the time and figured better to go a little bigger so I didnt have to change them again if I went with a bigger cam down the road. Tuner said they were not a problem and tuned it accordingly after I added them. Car runs excellent with them, I dont think they are an issue for the OP. The car made power up to 6300, that is where I shifted it for the best times, I wouldnt be too concerned about the SA rockers at that point. If the OP ever goes with a bigger cam and wants to spin it higher then I would go with NSA's. The SLP mids on the car are a really good design, much better than just about any shorty/mid style header out there. I figured going to LT's would probably be worth maybe 7-10 whp over them, I really liked the fit, finish and clearance with them so I stuck with them. You're right about track wheels & tires, I always ran it at the track on a set of stock 16's and 255/50/16 MT DR's, I was able to pull 1.7x 60's with them. I tried running it on the 18" nittos and it wasnt easy to launch at all.

Harley, shoot me a pm if you have any other questions before you run it

Good luck! :burn:

So you're spinning a SA top end to 6300rpm and a stock bottom end?

So you're spinning a SA top end to 6300rpm and a stock bottom end?

Yes, that's what I used to with the car, what's your point? 6300 isn't a big deal on a stock bottom end LT1 with SA roller rockers. Hell some guys run f'n 847 cams revving in the 6500-7k range. Now THAT is a bit much for a stock bottom end, but guys have done it. 6300 isn't a problem.

So you're spinning a SA top end to 6300rpm and a stock bottom end?

thats only 300 rpm more than my car goes and I have no internal mods, hes got cam and head too.

Your engine do what you want with it. Oh wait, his engine now.

Heads and cam do not have anything to do with the safety of spinning an engine.

Self Aligning Rockers are not to float around in higher RPM. Which just means you were to lays to put in NSA and guideplates. Guideplates are like 30 bucks. Why build a top end then risk ruining because you didn't want to spend 30 bucks.

Apparently the consensus is 6200-6300rpm on a stock bottom end that was well maintained.

Whatever make you happy with your car. The GMPP SA rollers are fine for a hotcam car running to 6300, that's not that high IMO.

People have revved them to 7000. I just wouldn't do it. I would just go NSA since they cost the same. To each their own.

With the appropriate valve springs 6300 on SA rockers is fine, the LT4 redline was 6300 with SA rockers stock. Heavy valves/light valves it doesn't make a difference with the right valve spring.

Good to see you back in the LT1 section Gregg.

Thanks gregg, I will probably send you a pm before I make it to the track for some last minute pointers.

This car runs amazing with the current set up. Gregg knew what he was doing when he built it. I have ran this car hard several times and no problems what so ever, runs great.

I was thinking about getting some heads from loyd elliot or advanced induction and a bigger cam, but as good as the cars runs already I figured maybe Ill just add some spray and I'm sure I will be more than satisfied.

Id expect 13.3's, anything quicker and youll be a happy person. First times out are often not good, lots of tire spinning, lots of wasted shifts. Most people with a manual will short shift 1st like its their job if they are spinning. "WAAAAAAAAAAAA-WUUHHHHHH".

best thing to do on a first run is to let it go easy. Just run 1st gear like you normally do from a light, maybe a tad more aggressive. Lay into it in 2nd, go from there.

Those nittos youll find are freaking annoying.

The only thing you should worry about is having fun. If you arnt having fun, your doing it wrong. The only thing Ive learned is that unless your at sea level with a track preppped that will take a shoe off your foot, your car will never run what it should.

Good luck to you, and have fun if the bug bites you.

Hey Harley, sorry to hijack your thread, lol. I set up the car so it was nearly unbreakable for the track, I wouldn't worry about hurting anything with it. I would highly recommend picking up a set of 16 dr's though. The car really didn't like the 18's at the track, they're a great street tire though. Lots of guys sell stock 16" wheels and dr's mounted cheap. You can usually find some with good life left in them for $2-300. The 18's are not easy to launch, especially for your first time. I miss running it at the track, wish I could have kept it as my track day car, maybe I'll build another one someday. :)

Stay calm and remember that it is all about you. You want to make sure you have a good feel for your car, if something doesn’t feel right shut it down and get back in line. It is better to take a slow 30 sec ¼ mile time then would be to take 30 minutes to clean your car off the track. A really good mind set to have is that you’re not trying to beat the car next to you but the clock instead. I’ve seen to many people freak out because the car next to them are beating them and try to rap out there engine to get in front or get too cocky because they are beating the car next to them and miss a gear. I used to imagine that I was the only one there and no one else was around. Just my car, the tree and me, cause you know you always run better when no one is looking.

Just remember.......................................... ......




You live your life a quarter mile at a time!



LOl
Winning is winning
have fun

before you run go walk the shut down and get a good look at the turn outs were they are located. also when you make the turn do not cross the other lane unless the other car is in front of you. remember just because you stoped fine does not mean the other guy is not having problems. i have seen some nice cars wadded up because they tried to stop for the first turn out instead of going to the end.

^^X2 very important for safety and if there is a track marshal down there they'll remind you to wait for the slower car on inside lane to leave the track first.

If you don't have a shift light, you might consider one. It was one of the best things I bought for drag racing, no more trying to drive and watch the tach needle for the right rpm. I just wait for the light and pull the next gear, works great and allows more concentration for other things.

^^^ Great point on the shift light, they are a must have for an m6 at the track.

And the car has a Harlan shift light :).

Remember if you gernade parts the crowd will love it.:jest:

Remember if you gernade parts the crowd will love it.:jest:


It's all about the fans. You make a good run and "OOOOO"
Screw up bad like a ricer rear wheel stage and you get laughed off the track"
Blow something up and you become a Legend.

But don't become a legend your first time out.

On a serious note. Follow all the advice above, especially,

before you run go walk the shut down and get a good look at the turn outs were they are located. also when you make the turn do not cross the other lane unless the other car is in front of you. remember just because you stoped fine does not mean the other guy is not having problems. i have seen some nice cars wadded up because they tried to stop for the first turn out instead of going to the end.

&

Stay calm and remember that it is all about you. You want to make sure you have a good feel for your car, if something doesn’t feel right shut it down and get back in line. It is better to take a slow 30 sec ¼ mile time then would be to take 30 minutes to clean your car off the track. A really good mind set to have is that you’re not trying to beat the car next to you but the clock instead. I’ve seen to many people freak out because the car next to them are beating them and try to rap out there engine to get in front or get too cocky because they are beating the car next to them and miss a gear. I used to imagine that I was the only one there and no one else was around. Just my car, the tree and me, cause you know you always run better when no one is looking.

Thanks for the great advice everyone, and Gregg thanks for stopping in, you know the car better than anyone so anything I can learn from you I'll take it to heart.

I really excited to go to the track for my first time, I'll go as soon as gates open that way I can make a few runs before the crowd gets there.

Thanks for the great advice everyone, and Gregg thanks for stopping in, you know the car better than anyone so anything I can learn from you I'll take it to heart.

I really excited to go to the track for my first time, I'll go as soon as gates open that way I can make a few runs before the crowd gets there.

Yeah, I had been running at the organized street races for months every weekend, making multiple passes, practicing launches, etc etc and I still had troubles my first time at the track. At the street races, we dont have a light (obviously) we just drop arms. The first time you pull up to the lights, you will freak out and either jump the light (what I did my first time), have a slow ass reaction time, or launch entirely too hard and blow the tires off (also did that). Just be prepared to mess up. Its not hard, but it makes you nervous when 100 strangers are staring at you, hoping you fuck up. Best of luck and have a great time man.

My first time I was running my 79 T/A. I did a dry burnout and backed up. I only backed my rear tires over the startin line so I was sticking out. It was hard to see and was at night.

Anyway the track guy came up laughing told me I couldn't have a head start on the 68 GTO I was lined up against. Yes the announcer even had some fun at my expense. This was at Texas Motorplex.

I ran a 14.3 @ 99MPH and beat the GTO in the left lane. Not bad for a 403 olds on a 100 degree July night in Texas