Tony Mamo @ AFR

iTrader: (13)

I should have titled this thread “close but no cigar”….LOL

(Decided to title the video that!)

Finally had the opportunity to get to Bakersfield with the 383 in my C5 project car.

While I have known for some time now the car obviously has 10 second power (the engine and chassis dyno numbers both confirm that), getting that 10 second time slip in a manual trans vehicle can be more elusive than most realize. An auto with a converter is a far more effective tool if your ultimate quest is a low ET, but IMO there is nothing like rowing the gears in a high HP vehicle, and from a roll on the street, a good driver with a stick isn’t nearly at as much of a disadvantage. In fact, may even be better off as there will usually be more power available at the rear wheels thru the more efficient manual driveline.

Rewind to last Friday night….While purposely leaving late to catch some of the cooler desert air, I rolled into Bakersfield with my temp gauge still showing in the mid 80’s. So much for that killer D/A I was hoping for, but honestly my fault for not getting out a month or two sooner. By the time I did get to race the Density Altitude was hovering around 1800…..not horrible, but not great for a track some 650 feet above sea level.

Also, the pressure was on knowing more than likely I was only going to get one run….assuming a high ten or low eleven second pass I was sure to be escorted off the track for running quicker than 11.50’s without a rollbar (soon to be installed). Much to my dismay, when I finally got into the burnout box the switch on my linelock solenoid acted up. As soon as my rear tires flared up the car lurched forward immediately catching me off guard and stopping just past the starting beams. I backed up obviously and had to immediately switch gears on my launch strategy knowing that leaving close to 6000 RPM would blow away the cold tires. I ended up leaving closer to 4000 which actually worked well (considering the situation) slowly feeding clutch and throttle. Feeling the car hooking and under way I went WOT (briefly) till I felt the tires spinning, backing quickly off the throttle and back on grabbing second shortly thereafter. More tire spin in second but the car was at least spinning and accelerating at the same time. The ride down the rest of the track was also somewhat eventful (very “floaty”) because I was missing the extra 1.5 - 2 lbs of tire pressure the heat from the burnout box was suppose to add, ultimately leaving me with less pressure in the rear tires than I had planned for. You can really see the car moving around in the video at the big end.

End results….the 10 second slip eluded me by four hundredths of a second (removing one of my stereo amps would have been all it took!) but I was pleased with the trap speed (128.6) knowing less tire spin, more tire pressure, and being able to stay WOT with a more aggressive launch would have netted me probably another MPH or so edging me very close to a 130 trap speed in so-so air.

At the request of a good friend, the short video includes a very candid groan (completely forgetting I was still taping) when I looked at my timeslip on the return road….it might be better than the actual run….LOL Certainly a lot funnier!

I’m going tens next time for sure, as my line lock situation will be handled and I will actually be legal with a roll cage so I can try a few different launch techniques and get a lot more aggressive with that as well I might add. BTW, the car ended up sixty footing a 1.72 but I was still spinning past the 60 foot mark indicative by the so-so eigth mile time and MPH compared to the back half quarter mile figures. Most of the better ET’s from 6 speed cars are accomplished leaving close to the rev limiter with proper heat in the tires and a well prepped track. Getting a low ET is ALL about the first 100 feet or so….a high trap speed shows your making big power, but a low ET is actually much more difficult to achieve because it takes into account so many other variables mainly related to chassis set-up, launch technique, and available traction.

Here's a link to the vid clip....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YLPEhoDvgiU

I know all of you have stories like this….just thought I would share one of my own. Gotta love racing….it’s always something.

Till next time,

Tony M.

PS….Check the rearview mirror for a refection of the glow in the shift light set to come on at 7200

allngn_c5

iTrader: (3)

Glad to see you out having some fun.

eb02z06

iTrader: (18)

Put a blower on it-then you don't have to worry about launching!!!! It's tough man-on one hand you want to launch, then with the other hand your wondering if your going to use it to pick up the diff?

ozws6

iTrader: (25)

Nice run. With that trap, 10s are just around the corner!

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

11 DOH!! Nice gear rowing Tony. Did you have your cutouts open? Sounded like you were running a closed exhaust, LOL. Maybe it's just the cats.

Tony Mamo @ AFR

iTrader: (13)

11 Doh NO!!

11 Doh....pretty funny G-man. I dont know how but Ive never seen that one before. Good one....

Yes...cut-outs open....but with windows up and all the extra soundproofing in the car its actually not that loud from the drivers seat. Trust me outside the car at WOT its a unique shreik and a pitch that carries a long way. Also, its not a typical dump cutout...as you know it still passes thru the cats and exits the rear tips moving thru the full length of the exhaust. The cut-outs simply allow the exhaust gas to bypass the mufflers.

No "doh's" next time....LOL Tens or bust!

Later,
Tony

Demonicbird00

iTrader: (17)

nice run. what tires were/are you on? by the video it almost seems like bias plys.

youll def hit a 10 next time out

-brandon

98TADRIVER

iTrader: (36)

Hey, wasnt your car on streetfire with the harrison ford sound-alike saying, "High 13s i think" lol I love how that car sounds. i wish i could make my T/A sound like that one day..

That car is freakin awesome. sick shifting too! im sure youll be in the 10s by the time people read this post.

bad95killer

I'm glad to see ya on field having fun Tony & honestly your threads are top notches

I would like to see time slips though...yeah yeah on drag racing results section

peace

Tony Mamo @ AFR

iTrader: (13)

I'll post a pic of the time slip tomorrow perhaps.

Till I do the half track numbers were like 7.20's and 101 ish MPH.

Yes....that was my car on street fire with the Harrison Ford dry humor stand in....LOL Shhhhhh....dont tell anyone....he's a member on this board as well (in between his acting gigs!).

Later,
Tony

pdd

iTrader: (3)

wow-so close-good luck next time out tony

speedracer5532

iTrader: (8)

LOL....I have told Tony that alot of times....he is definitely jealous....LOL.

Good run Tony, get the cage in it and let it rip. You definitely easily have a 10 second car.

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

Here's an outside the car view of Tony's car in action (on the street). Notice the lack of traction, the super fast gear rowing and the dry commentary by Harrison Ford at the end, LOL.
http://www.guerragroup.com/TV_creati..._traction.mpeg

FDLS1

iTrader: (2)

Your car sounds bad ***.....what kind of tires are you running?? My 93 Rx-7 sucks at the track on street tires but put an ET street and she cuts a 1.5 60ft.

WS6FirebirdTA00

iTrader: (33)

man, your car is slow haha

I like the video, thats sweet

12secSS

iTrader: (30)

Whoa, that boat ride vid almost got me sick. Looks like you had your hand full Tony, I wish I could have gone. So is this why you haven't called? We will get you deep in the 10s Tony.

Black X

iTrader: (9)

Congrats Tony. Car sounds so awesome!

JNorris

iTrader: (4)

Good pass with some good shifting! 10s are in the bag with a slightly quicker 60'

John

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

Great track results.

Now if more people would post up corresponding track times with their dyno numbers...

Tony Mamo @ AFR

iTrader: (13)

A few guys mentioned the time slip....

Here is a copy of it....the other car was coincidentally a C5 as well....obviously with very few mods.