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Tips for a first timer?

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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 12:41 AM
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Default Tips for a first timer?

I'll be going to a Test n Tune tomorrow (technically later today) and I've never been to the drag strip before so I'm just asking for any pointers you guys might offer.

I've launched the car a few times on back roads and things like that so I know not to just hammer the throttle from idle. I launched at ~2k RPM and seemed to hook up well enough. Obviously the strip is far stickier so I should be able to launch higher than that. What RPM have you guys launched at for the most success?

Also I know that since I'm running regular street tires, theres no need for a huge burnout. I've heard that street tires only need a very tiny burnout to grip properly as opposed to DRs or Slicks.

The car is an automatic with 3.23 gears.
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 01:26 AM
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make sure the car is in a forward gear after you pass the beams and the starter makes you back up.

Classic first timer **** up..........and no one will ever let you live it down.
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 06:15 AM
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So how did you do and hope everything went well.
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 07:30 AM
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I believe it's best to punch a stock stall from idle. So I've read
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by madmike9396
I believe it's best to punch a stock stall from idle. So I've read

I agree , transfers the weight to the rear quickest vs preloading suspension.

Don't know if your online in the staging lanes or not but any extra weight get it out of the car or into the rear tire well/trunk you can even add weight/ballast back there if your having trouble with traction , I have added my hydraulic jack and toolbox to the rear to help hook a car and also pull the front swaybar that will greatly help with weight transfer.

Keep the car cool , shut off and hood up when ever possible just make sure its closed and latched before entering the burnout area and never move the car with hood up that will get you crap every time.

Shallow stage gets best et's - just creep up till 1st pre stage light comes on then real slow till 2nd prestage barely stays lit , gives you a little head start on the timing system.

avoid the water on street tires at all costs , go around it then back up shy of it to heat your tires , regular street tires usually like 25-28 ish pump the fronts up as high as you are comfortable - I go 60 should be an air station at the track somewhere. After heating tires look to end of track in your lane as you stage to ensure car is pointed to the end of your lane-this is the shortest route down the track !

Don't wait till green light to go , shallow staged go on 3rd yellow and you may even be able to go when 2nd yellow shuts off - doesn't make it quicker but gets you out ahead of the driver in the other lane..

Catback , free mods ,323's my guess is 13.1 @105

Good luck and have fun ! and keep us posted.
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 02:55 PM
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Well I'm back. My first run was my best which I'll upload the slip for. The car basically dead hooked with me launching at ~1500rpm. I didn't try any runs from idle but I definitely will during my next time out.

Afterward, I jacked up the launch a couple of times and ran a 13.9 and a 13.6. My 2nd race was against a Cammed 2v on slicks and skinnies which ran a 13.6...lmfao? I figured he would have done better than that.

I let the car cool down for a while after that and had my cousin hop in for the final run. The tires cooled down a little more than I had assumed and I spun coming off the line. Ran a 13.9 @ 102 for that one.




Sorry for the crappy quality. I'll type it out incase its hard to read.

R/T ... .889
60 ... 2.077
330 ... 5.779
1/8 ... 8.778
MPH ... 82.55

1/4 ... 13.545
MPH ... 104.55



Overall, I'm satisfied. Definite room for improvement, but I didn't totally suck.

Last edited by Kevin Lee 487; Jan 24, 2016 at 03:02 PM.
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 03:19 PM
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Definitely a nice start. Any plans for a tire and converter?
I'm actually a bit surprised that 2v did that well lol
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 03:25 PM
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A converter? No. If the trans ever comes out its going to be so I can make room for a T-56. I might do a tire later on. Right now my plan is to get an LS6 intake for it and an SLP lid.
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 03:40 PM
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I think tires and a converter would do a lot more for you than the intake and lid.
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Vicious95Z28
I think tires and a converter would do a lot more for you than the intake and lid.
I agree. A decent converter and better tire should get him into the 12s.
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 04:01 PM
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Oh I know how much more a converter would do over a lid, but this is my DD. I like the way it drives haha. I doubt it will ever see anything more than bolt ons.

I'm not after super fast times or anything. I just wanted to see how myself and the car would do at the strip instead of guessing.
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Old Jan 24, 2016 | 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevin Lee 487
A converter? No. If the trans ever comes out its going to be so I can make room for a T-56. I might do a tire later on. Right now my plan is to get an LS6 intake for it and an SLP lid.
Why slow it down with a T56 ?
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Old Feb 1, 2016 | 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevin Lee 487
Oh I know how much more a converter would do over a lid, but this is my DD. I like the way it drives haha. I doubt it will ever see anything more than bolt ons.

I'm not after super fast times or anything. I just wanted to see how myself and the car would do at the strip instead of guessing.
I would run this converter in a DD all damned day. I had it in my 99 swap car, and it drove completely stock, but still went very low 1.70 60's.

YANK STEALTH THRUSTER 2800
Our Price: $475.00
Yanks Stealth Thruster series is a 278mm non billet converter.

One piece roller burnished hub
new torrington bearings
fully furnace brazed pump
hardened splines
2 yr. warranty
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Old Feb 1, 2016 | 05:11 PM
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Notice how murphinator's "leave on yellow" advice works on your slow reaction time?
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