Carmen99Bird

Ok. This sucks. I'm about ready to shoot my car. <img border="0" alt="[guns]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_guns.gif" /> I'm pretty much stock, I know <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> , but this is the worst I've ever done. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
So, last night I went to the track. It's hot here and was really sticky last night, but I still think my times are a little off. My R/T was ok, but my average 60' was about 2.4!!!! My E/T average was 9.2 at 79mph!!!! What is going on? I know it's not THAT bad, but it is. My best in April, when I only had exhaust, was R/T .507, 60' 2.1, E/T 8.92 @ 82mph.
So, here are a few questions for y'all. In an A4, is it better to start in D or 2nd? I've been told that 2nd is the best b/c the car switches from 1 to 2 so fast that you might as well not even worry about it and start in 2. But I've also been told that you're going to get the best E/T in D. SO WHICH ONE IS IT?? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
I've always done a "two-step" start. Left foot on brake while right is completly off gas, then I let off the brake and punch the gas. Once again, it this the better way? Or should I get my RPMs up a little bit before I punch the gas down all the way?
Last night, when I raced in D, I noticed that the car seemed to almost slow down, or I guess "level out" when it hit 2nd. <img border="0" alt="[Banging Head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" /> 1st is great; gets off the line good and gets me down there. My 60' really isn't all that bad for a pretty much stock car, kinda high for an A4 though. But it's like when she hits 2nd, there's nothing there. I don't know how to explain it. I have 2.73 rear gears, which sucks. But . . . any ideas. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
My next purchase is with out a doubt going to be a converter. No questions about it. I'm also going to be getting the hook up on some slicks here soon, so that'll help too. But any thoughts on how she's running now? Does this sound normal at all? I know a lot of y'all are M6, but any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Carmen99Bird

Oh, forgot to tell y'all, right now I have Kumho High performance radials. 245/55/16
a.k.a. a **** load of tred!!

McRat

A 2.4 60' in an A4 car is... well... err... a little sucky. Sorry. But that is the #1 reason you're not getting great slips. But at least you're out there. You're faster than everyone who didn't show up, dead minimum.

Were you spinning?

Keep in mind in the summer these cars run slower. Keep your hood open between passes.

DetroitZ

get those 60s down to 2.0-2.1 then you should be alright

Carmen99Bird

Yes, I was spinning. Hardly anyone was getting traction that night. And I know these cars are slow in the summer, Thurs night it was real sticky out too. And I do keep my hood up in between runs. I even keep it up if I'm in the stagging lane for a long time. I don't know. I do know that I need to get my 60's down.
So, what should I do? That's why I asked the questions that I did. To see if my technique is off or if there's anything I can work on technique wise to improve my times. I do appreciate the input, but I really need advice on the technique questions I asked.
Any thoughts McRat? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

Carmen99Bird

ttt

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

I'd be looking for a 1.9 60 ft with the stock converter Carmen.

I'd put the tires at 22psi, and then do a short burnout...

I'd put the car in D, and at the line I would footbrake to 1200 and then get into the gas but don't jump on it roll into it fast. Repeat this technique but get into the gas faster until you start spinning.

psychocabbage

hmmm, I jsut got my M6 LS1.. but I did have an LT1 A4.
For my LT1, I would two step it.. But I never messed with D or below. OD. Why? Cause on a 4L60E tranny, you are not going to change anything.
Shifting it manually on a computer controlled transmission is not benefiting you.
If you stall up, odds are you will hurt your launch on a stock stall.. What worked for me was to flash. Thats the two step method, but I know for a fact, that those tires you are running suxed. I couldnt get any traction with them on my car. I used Yokohama tires. For street tires, no burn out. Just went around water, straighten car up.. mash the gas to see if I spin or not.. If so, i would break stand for about a whoel 2 sec.. 3 tops.. no smoke.. jsut clean off tires.. then i would dry hop. stage.. i foot on brake.. other hovers over gas.. on last yellow, mash gas and fully let off brake.. 1.9's. street tires.. 28psi.
2nd would come and go, sometimes breaking a little loose but I would stay in it..
13.4's at 105.
not too bad for just a few boltons onan LT1.
I went through 6 trannys. In 3 years! Last one was done by AAMCO, and it was the only one that felt right. Stock converter did well, but I would put a 2800-3000 PI converter if I could.

I now have a 2002 M6. I hope to match my old cars time with this one fully stock. Most say its possible..

I think your 60' times are whats really hurting you.. plus the heat..

Do any of you ice intakes on LS1s? My LT1 would pick up 3 tenths iced...
no kidding.. went from 13.9 to a 13.6 iced..

my last suggestive bit would be air bag.. get one.. install it in your right rear shock. I set mine at 21psi.. my fried would put his 3rd gen at 15psi. Traction is greatly helped.

Carmen99Bird

Thanks John and Psycho. I really appreciate the tips. I think I'll stay in D from now on. And since you both suggested different starting techniques, I'll just try both. This past Thurs, I was driving around the wet box, but I was spinning until I smoked. I'll try just a little clean off the next time psycho. No, I've never used ice, but there are people out there doing that. Maybe I'll try that next time too. Thurs I was at 27 psi, so I'll let out that extra 5. Hopefully my times will improve. I don't know if I'm going to make it out to the tracks this Thurs, but as soon as I do, I'll let y'all know the new times. Once again, thanks a bunch. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Dean's List

My 60' was off by 2 tenths that night in my truck. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> My worn-out differential (essentially an open diff) 94 iMP3ala SS (4L60E auto tranny)would get 2.4 60's on Kumho Ecsta tires. 2.2 with a "new" working limited slip differential, 2.0 to 2.1 60's with Nitto drag radials (275/40/17) Not too bad for a 4,400lb car...

I like what the person above wrote about flashing the converter...the "two-footer" thing, brake then squeeze on gas, no brake standing. www.impalassforums.com people say the 4L60E's like launching from idle, versus a brake stand. I launched the iMP3ala SS about 200 times down Kennedale over the last 3 years and I really do think the 4L60E (with stock converter) likes to be launched from idle...

2.4's are still high though...hope you're still spinning BOTH rear wheels, right? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

I'll be out there again Thursday since I have to meet up with a friend to haul something to Burleson of all places and I'll be "in the area" ! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" />

- Dean! Join the Dean's List ! PM for more info!
02 Ford Truck, bone stock and slow, daily driver
98 Formula, 6spd, weekend racer
94 iMP3ala SS, 'da cruiser

psychocabbage

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Carmen99Bird:
<strong>Thanks John and Psycho. I really appreciate the tips. I think I'll stay in D from now on. And since you both suggested different starting techniques, I'll just try both. This past Thurs, I was driving around the wet box, but I was spinning until I smoked. I'll try just a little clean off the next time psycho. No, I've never used ice, but there are people out there doing that. Maybe I'll try that next time too. Thurs I was at 27 psi, so I'll let out that extra 5. Hopefully my times will improve. I don't know if I'm going to make it out to the tracks this Thurs, but as soon as I do, I'll let y'all know the new times. Once again, thanks a bunch. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Be careful with letting out too much air.. I say keep your 27 for the first time then let it out 2 psi at a time if you feel you need to.. you dont want tireslap..
as for the flashing vs. light stalling, I have tried both on the 4L60E with stock converter and flashing always worked better for the 60' times for me. Your results may vary. <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" />

Try your first run in OD tho.. Like the owners manual and the tranny shops I talked to, It makes no real difference but its better on your car to be in OD when you are driving..

Its computer/electronically controlled so it doesnt make much difference for it to be in anything less than OD. It will launch in 1, goto 2 then finish in 3.
OD only comes into play when you are on the freeway.. on my car, OD at WOT only showed itself at 110-120mph.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

I'd run those 16's at 22psi cold, they will grow 2 psi in the burnout.

As you try to find the best way to launch the car, only change one aspect of the launch at a time.

I'm sure you can go 2.0 or 1.9 on those Kumho's.

Carmen99Bird

Thanks guys. I'm lovin the info.

Hey Dean, what's up!! I still don't know if I'm gonna make it out there Thurs. I'm going out of town this weekend and want to be packed by Fri a.m. so I can jet straight out from work Fri p.m. We'll see. My friend (yellow tib w/ blue decals that has every single mod known to man - and is still slower than an old man trying to put his teeth in) just bought an 84 Mustang <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> So, if anything I'll be going out there to prove to him that he's STILL slower than me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> Check the board tom and I'll let you know for sure. I'll call Josh and see if he wants to go too. Usual spot, of course

Psycho and John, if I go out there tom, watch the board Fri and I'll post the results with trying all the new suggestions. We'll see how it goes. Psycho: I'm not sure how to put the car in OD. I have no button or anything. Call me a stupid chic, that's fine, but I still don't know <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" />
Any last thoughts guys? Let me know. I will more than likely be going out there tom, I can't stay away.