Drag Racing Questions

[ArkansasMystic]

For the past two weekends I have hit the local track (1000 ft), and it was my first time on a track. First night I ran twice, 12.0 and 11.9. Second night was horrible. It rained the night before and hardly anyone could hook up. I ran 11.9, 12.3, 12.6, then 12.3. I was playing with launches and shifting points trying to improve, that is why my times vary so much. Anyhow, I have a few questions. I am running nitto 555 street tires. My brother (previous owner, I got the car about 2 months ago) hit 11.4 at the same track, same setup, so I know the car as is would be capable of low 11's. How much would adding 255/55/16 BFG G-force DR's on stock 16 inch mustang wheels help my ET? My 60ft isnt that impressive, about 2.2. However, my brothers was only 2.1 when he hit 11.4, so I know I am not shifting right. If I was shifting right, I would be around 11.5, then launching better I would hit 11.2 hopefully (after tons of practice). Also, what is the best amount of gas? I usually keep as little as possible (about 1/4 tank) when racing. However, since I am having traction problems, I thought maybe using a full tank to add weight to the rear might help me hook up better?? I am new to mustangs and racing as well, so that may be crazy, but just an idea. What do you all think? Thanks.

 

[SaleenGT2001]

LCA's and DR's will help you out.

 

[myponyrocks]

I have the same tires. What pressure are you running them at?

I didn't ever get to run mine at normal pressure, but I noticed I couldn't get traction with the things between 20 and 25 psi.

I've heard the Nitto 555's (street, non-R) run best at 30 psi and a slipped launch. As I said though I didn't get to test it.

 

[ArkansasMystic]

Rears have 27 psi, not sure about the fronts. I know I am gonna check the fronts and put them at 32. I know drag radials will help, just trying to figure out how much. I am not big into racing. The cobra is my daily driver so can't afford to mess it up. However, I would like to make a few passes so I will have times for it. I will probably run a time or two more then slow to maybe once a month. One or two tenths isnt worth spending hundreds to me. If the DR's are gonna make a huge difference, then it may be worth it. If not, I will wait till my rear nittos wear out and replace them with a DR. There is no mod that will fix driver error, so I know that I will have to learn the car first. I am .5 second slower than I should be, probably more. I am most concerned about lowering that, which is the reason for asking about gas level. I can get the BFG's and rims for about $200, so not a bad deal. If it wasn't cheap, I wouldn't even be considering it. Any input is greatly appreciated, you guys are great!

 

[Stan Weiss]

I am going to look at this differently.
Your brother ran 2.1 60 foot and 11.4
You ran 2.2 60 foot and 11.9
What were each of your mph's?

 

[ArkansasMystic]

I guess I am slower at shifting. I checked my clutch fluid, it was a little low (still above min, but not max). I filled it up, seems to shift smoother now. I am thinking that might have slowed me down a little. I kept thinking my problem was my launch, but not according to my times vs. his times. I am not sure his mph, low 90's though (92-93ish), and my best so far has 90mph. Here are the full times, as you can see 60ft is close, 330ft is a good bit different. He has ran 11.4 at the same track, but couldnt find the slip, so these times come from a 1/4 mile track.
Mine (had another run where I hit 11.94 but dont have the slip with me):
Reaction: .2976
60 ft: 2.26
330 ft: 6.1761
1/8 ET: 9.4081
1/8 MPH: 77.00
1000 ET: 11.9537
1000 MPH: 89.45

His:
R/T .156
60' 2.161
330 5.854
1/8 8.868
MPH 82.04
1000' 11.427
1/4 13.579
MPH 104.09

Thanks!

 

[SonicStangGT]

I had 275 nitto dr and I could never get them to hook, so I went and bought a set of 315 BFG dr and a set of 17x10.5 and went from running a 8.5 in the 1/8 to a 7.9 with everything else the same but tires. I run about 13-15 psi at the track in the BFG's, and I have MT 315 know, but think the BFG's are better. Get rid of the Nittos because I have heard that they are good for street, but not as good at the track. Hope you get figured out.

 

[ArkansasMystic]

The car is my only one and daily driver, so street performance in the priority, and the Nittos do great. I would like a set of BFG DR's, but just can't justify it. I may set up to Nitto DR's when the time comes, but I am just gonna focus on learning the car for now. My brother had nearly the same 60ft time but ran .5 second faster. I am slow at shifting and/or not shifting at the right rpm, so once that is corrected low 11's shouldn't be a problem, and i am fine with those numbers. I think the only mods I might be interested in is lower control arms and/or subframe connectors. Thanks everyone.

 

[Stan Weiss]

your brother ran 0.099 fast in the first 60 feet
at 330 feet he was 0.3221 faster
at 660 feet (1/8) he was 0.5401 faster and 5.04 MPH faster.
at 1000 feet he was 0.5267 faster that means you ran 0.0134 faster from 330 feet to 1000 feet.
Are you shifting at the same RPM as he was?

 

[Winters98GT]

there is def. something wrong here.....

Your brother trapped 5mph more than you. What were the weather conditions or each run?

As Stan asked, where are you shifting the car? Either you are shifting incorrectly or your car is wounded. 5mph is about 50hp or so in the 1/8

 

[ArkansasMystic]

As I have said, this was my first trip to the track, so it is probably all inexperience. I was shifting around 6500 rpm, which is what he told me he shifted at. I was shifting incorrectly, just almost like when regular driving. I have read up on speed shifting (holding pressure in the direction of your next gear before you need to shift) and think that I just spent way too much time with the clutch in. It has been a few years since my brother ran at the same track, but conditions were probably about the same. I think it is all driver error. I was slower starting, then lost some time at each gear.

 

[Stan Weiss]

If this is the results of slow shifting. I would not take the car back to the track until you have improved your shifting. You should be able to do this in normal driving and at low RPM. I am not talking about power (gas pedal on the floor) shifting.

 

[ArkansasMystic]

IDK, that is what I think, just a little bit slower at takeoff and at shifting adds up to a few mph and .5 second difference. I know I do not get good traction, usually spin first and chirp second, but again my brothers 60ft times were not great. I am gonna hope for a good day with a well prepped track (could have a lot to do with it) and make a few passes. I never expected to be running mid/low 11's. I have been in trucks and suv's my whole life, never in anything fast. I have never been on a track, so for the first time, I still think i came out ok with the times. Practice is key, I am just trying to determine where some of my errors were.

 

[Jacob_Royer]

Somthing isnt right there. my 4200lb 3.8 supercharged t-bird bone stock ran 9.3's in the 1/8th... ALOT less horsepower and alot more weight

 

[Stan Weiss]

So as not to get into a long discussion, I will oversimplify this by saying et is more about traction and MPH is more about HP.