I know this may come off as somewhat of a dumb question but, I was getting into a heated disagreement with a youngster about this so I figured I would ask some of ya'll to see if I can get a straight answer.

Anyways...Do ya'll pay more attention to your trap speeds in the quarter or do you pay more attention to what your times are? From what I have been taught and read, you want to pay attention to your trap speeds. Such as, if a car were to hit a 13.5 at 107-108mph, then that car is well capable of a high 12 second run with a better launch. Am I correct in this thinking?

Thanks guys/gals...

 

http://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showt...t=27410&page=5

This is why I ask this question. I am dealing with a guy on a Cobalt website that drives a damn subaru, whos sole intention is to **** me off. lol

 

Is there anyone on tonight that can help me with this??

 

No one?? If I am incorrect in my thinking, then please correct me, I can take constructive criticism. lol

 

Et's win races. I've seen imports run 11's at 148mph, with me on the same track running 9.1 at 148. Who wins? ME ME!!! I've seen 1 import run numerous 11.1-11.3 runs at 133-135. MPH should be good for 9's. BUT he doesn't come close. Turbo are also different animal all together. Sooooo, mph doesn't mean everything.

MPH does indicate power, but at the track, give me a lower ET any time. Your example of 13.5 at 107 could have meant he spun. Where as a 12.9 at 107, could mean that they hooked.

David

 

ET indicates how well a car is setup, and MPH indicates power. I'm all about the ET. What good is all that power if you can't get it to the ground?

 

+1. Werd. Its who got their first not who makes more power. -Mark

 

I've been drag racing for over forty years and it has always been my intention to win races, not post numbers. Having said that, recognize the fact that most people tend to emphasize the things that give them the greatest advantage in any conversation. If he has a lot of power, no chassis, and limited driving skills, he will want to talk about speed and little else. If he has power, chassis, and limited driving skills he will want to talk about ET. If he has all three he'll talk about kicking your butt. A drag race (as contrasted against an exhibition run) is defined by the win light coming on in your lane. ET, 60', and Reaction Time are the three things that contribute to the win light. If you concentrate on those three, you'll have a better chance of smiling on the way home. I view everything else on the slip to be there merely help you tune the car.

 

David i have to say ir SS is one of the nastiest setups i've ever seen.... build me one? lol

 

He who crosses the line first wins

 

I use my mph to tell me where my ETs need to be.

 

I typically roll race and so to me trap is more important. It tells more about how much power the car has. I run my car on street tires so finding out what it will ET at a sticky track with VHT and DR's won't tell me anything about how it will perform for the way I drive.

 

This is the "DRAG RACING TECH" section. He who gets there first without redlighting wins!!!!!! ET and MPH mean nothing without the win light

 

There are two ends to the dragstrip, and if you race for the win light, not just the timeslip, reaction times are DEFINATELY important. I have been bracket racing for 16 years and I think reaction time is just as important as your e.t., but I think your question could be over-analyzed going this route so I'll make my answer a little more simple.

Truth is, e.t. wins a drag race. Your dyno figures and high trap speed doesn't mean anything if you can't hook it up. Hey, it's great if your car makes more power than mine, but if my car goes 11.50s and yours runs 12.0 but at 10 miles an hour faster than mine, does the win light think about your trap speed before glowing in my lane since I cross first? Nope.

Roll racing is not drag racing. Drag Racing is from a standing start.

MPH can show what your possible e.t. might be but don't assume it to be that until you have a timeslip in hand to back it up.

The same goes for weather calculations. It's great to see what your car
might run in perfect air, but we don't live in a perfect world, right?

Derek

 

Your right whoever wins is what important there is no doubt about that. But I also agree that trap speeds show the potential and the power is there and that the chassis and/or driver or tires need work. In my case if I ever do drag race my car I believe in running it in full street trim because thats the way I normally run my car. Some people runs DR's and skinny's all the time and thats fine because what they run at the track is what the car will run period. Not some once in the lifetime # that you ice the intake/spray VHT/ the worlds best air/ and slicks or DR's.

 

The truth is you guys with F-body's are much better equipped off the line than I am.

 

.

As a tuning aid or to catch an issue about to happen you would watch your mph. Trans or converter going will change MPH. Chassis acting up would change ET more than MPH. As said above, mph will give you the potential for ET. I personally use all the tools I can when racing or setting a car up.

.