• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Going to the track for the first time tonight

  • Thread starter Thread starter RacinChris
  • Start date Start date Apr 21, 2004
R

RacinChris

Founding Member
Nov 6, 2000
274
0
16
Gainesville, FL
Apr 21, 2004
#1
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #1
Racing my car for the first time tonight. Been checking out other threads for suggestions/tips. My car is pretty much as stock as it gets. I'm not expecting to run very good times. I'm just gonna go, have fun, get some experience, and enjoy myself. I'll post timeslips when I get back, I just hope I don't run in the 16s
 

NotQuik

Founding Member
Oct 21, 2000
5,158
29
88
Central Florida
Apr 21, 2004
#2
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #2
Where at in Florida are you?
 
R

RacinChris

Founding Member
Nov 6, 2000
274
0
16
Gainesville, FL
Apr 21, 2004
#3
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #3
1Bad89Coupe said:
Where at in Florida are you?
Click to expand...

Gainesville. Hehe, I guess I could include that detail in my little profile.
 

N8Miller

I need NOS....make it 2 of the big ones
Founding Member
Jul 26, 2000
2,661
0
0
Kingston, PA, USA
Apr 21, 2004
#4
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #4
try to shft from about 5200-5500 at most. the stock components are set to make most of their power at like 5200-5300ish.

enjoy yourself. also, if you can swing the extra $15, get a short belt to bypass the smog pump. its part # 5060760. it mgiht be only worth an extra .1 or so, but it might be the difference between a 14 and 15.

oh yeah, those speed density cars can be quik.... so dont underestimate yourself.
 

25thmustang

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
Montgomery, NY
Apr 21, 2004
#5
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #5
You can probably come out of the hole pretty hard with a stock gear and not blow the tires away. Also shift as hard as you can, at anywhere from 5000-5500 depending where your car likes it! You should go high 14s!
 
R

RacinChris

Founding Member
Nov 6, 2000
274
0
16
Gainesville, FL
Apr 21, 2004
#6
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #6
Cool, thanks for the tips guys. I'll definitely try launching a few different ways if I'm able to get a few runs in. As for shifting around 5000-5500, I get a little scared revving my engine that high! But I'll definitely try. If I break into the 14s, I'll buy everybody a beer
 

25thmustang

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
Montgomery, NY
Apr 21, 2004
#7
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #7
RacinChris said:
Cool, thanks for the tips guys. I'll definitely try launching a few different ways if I'm able to get a few runs in. As for shifting around 5000-5500, I get a little scared revving my engine that high! But I'll definitely try. If I break into the 14s, I'll buy everybody a beer
Click to expand...
Hahaha, dont worry, I launched mine up to 6000 and shift at 5500 (powershift) the whole time the lifters and rings were bad!

Also Im too young to drink, for a few years still! LOL
 

Musclecarfan88

Member
Dec 30, 2002
184
0
16
Indianapolis, Indiana
Apr 21, 2004
#8
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #8
Dont lift your right foot when you shift, unless you dont have experience powershifting. but you can always practice this at lower rpms and as your experiece increases you can raise your rpms that you shift at.
 
R

RacinChris

Founding Member
Nov 6, 2000
274
0
16
Gainesville, FL
Apr 21, 2004
#9
  • Apr 21, 2004
  • #9
Back from the track. Well, I was consistent... but consistently bad

Best timeslip:

R/T: .187
60': 2.647
330: 7.058
1/8: 10.629 @ 69.43 MPH
1000: 13.735
1/4: 16.337 @ 86.83 MPH

Had a fun time once I got going. Somebody blew their engine early on and they spent about an hour and a half cleaning it up, but then by the end of the night, I was one of the few cars left and I ended up getting a total of 10 runs in. I was trying to work on my 60' time, and managed to get a best of 2.511

I probably need to do a tune-up, and still gotta get a feel for launching. I tried a few different ways, and it was all pretty much the same result. I'm going to let a friend drive it next time and see what he says and what kind of time he can run.
 

25thmustang

Mustang Master
Sep 5, 2003
2,021
85
99
Montgomery, NY
Apr 22, 2004
#10
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #10
Hmmm, is the car a stick or auto, if its an auto there isnt much you can do, if its a stick its just a learning process. There is definately a bit left in there, maybe a tune up and some practice and you should go WELL into the 15s!
 
R

RacinChris

Founding Member
Nov 6, 2000
274
0
16
Gainesville, FL
Apr 22, 2004
#11
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #11
25thmustang said:
Hmmm, is the car a stick or auto, if its an auto there isnt much you can do, if its a stick its just a learning process. There is definately a bit left in there, maybe a tune up and some practice and you should go WELL into the 15s!
Click to expand...

It's a stick. If I can get the 60 foot time closer to 2 seconds, I think I'd be well into the 15s, for sure. I really think I need to get the launch down... that's the key!
 
R

RacinChris

Founding Member
Nov 6, 2000
274
0
16
Gainesville, FL
Apr 22, 2004
#12
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #12
Question... do you guys think part of the problem could be that I'm running 93 octane without having the advanced timing to make efficient use of it? I was going to advance the timing last week, but didn't get a chance to. What do you guys think?
 

MAC'n89Blckstng

Active Member
Jun 11, 2003
1,012
4
36
NJ
Apr 22, 2004
#13
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #13
When you launch, this is what I do. Launch at 2000-2500, when the light goes green push the gas to about half throttle drop the clutch and keep your foot there, when you stop spinning, mash it to the floor. I managed to squeeze out a 14.4 with my car, I only have a Cat Back, Off Road x-pipe, and a hotter coil. And on top of that my car has 195000 miles. My 60 foot times were consistent at 2.1-2.2's. I plan on going back to the track when i have my new springs in and my new control arms in. I'll try to keep you posted.
Later,
Jesse
 

T_5.0_N'works

New Member
Sep 30, 2003
260
0
0
Texas
Apr 22, 2004
#14
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #14
That is the worst 60' I've ever seen on a Mustang. Just practice and get better tires. You will def be in the mid to low 15's with a nice nice launch.
 
R

RacinChris

Founding Member
Nov 6, 2000
274
0
16
Gainesville, FL
Apr 22, 2004
#15
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #15
Ah, that's something I can try. I think I get too anxious and floor it right away, even when I'm trying to get out of the hole without spinning the tires

At one point I decided to start off like I would while driving around normally, except a little faster... but even then, I floored it too soon and spun the tires. I definitely need to settle down a bit while launching!
 
R

RacinChris

Founding Member
Nov 6, 2000
274
0
16
Gainesville, FL
Apr 22, 2004
#16
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #16
T_5.0_N'works said:
That is the worst 60' I've ever seen on a Mustang. Just practice and get better tires. You will def be in the mid to low 15's with a nice nice launch.
Click to expand...

Thanks. No wait, actually the worst time you've ever seen on a Mustang is the 3.074 I pulled when I dropped the clutch at 2500 RPMs and sat there spinning, then crawling in 1st gear, until I shifted into 2nd Then, to make matters worse, I missed 3rd gear That was definitely not one of my best runs.
 

rd

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2000
3,316
63
109
Ocean Springs MS
Apr 22, 2004
#17
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #17
Try a couple more times. It definitely takes practice, especially with a stick.

It took me 3 trips to the track with my new spray to get a decent time. Just the added task of shifting the C4 while holding the switch screwed me up for several runs. I have made a runs without the bottle heater on, ran once when I forgot to arm the system, and once when my switch fell off the shift handle. Last nite, the coil wire fell off on the first run, and we had to push it back to the line. (Guess I knocked it loose checking the oil)

Finally last nite, I hit the 7's in the 1/8 at Savannah Dragway. And the first 90 mph slip also. Now I gotta go back to practice getting lights again.

 

Musclecarfan88

Member
Dec 30, 2002
184
0
16
Indianapolis, Indiana
Apr 22, 2004
#18
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #18
MAC'n89Blckstng said:
When you launch, this is what I do. Launch at 2000-2500, when the light goes green push the gas to about half throttle drop the clutch and keep your foot there, when you stop spinning, mash it to the floor. I managed to squeeze out a 14.4 with my car, I only have a Cat Back, Off Road x-pipe, and a hotter coil. And on top of that my car has 195000 miles. My 60 foot times were consistent at 2.1-2.2's. I plan on going back to the track when i have my new springs in and my new control arms in. I'll try to keep you posted.
Later,
Jesse
Click to expand...

He can try that, but it may not work for him. all cars are different. hes just got to find that sweet spot in his car. You might try slipping the clutch so your not spinning the tires like crazy. take it easy on the launch but dont take it soo easy that your not launching the car to its full potential. Good luck next time you go!
 

NKau

Founding Member
Dec 15, 2001
1,346
0
37
Jefferson, WI
Apr 22, 2004
#19
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #19
You can definitely cut that 60' time down with practice. For every tenth you shave off your 60' time, you gain about .15 seconds on the top end. If you can get down to a reasonable 2.0-2.1 (which you will with practice) then you will knock off at least .6 off your time right there.
 
R

RacinChris

Founding Member
Nov 6, 2000
274
0
16
Gainesville, FL
Apr 22, 2004
#20
  • Apr 22, 2004
  • #20
Yeah, I'm going to try to go somewhere where I can just practice launching as fast as possible without really spinning the tires. Or is a little spin okay? Speaking of the tires, they're pretty new. They came on the car when I got it two months ago. They're Goodyear Eagle RH's. May not be the best for traction, but I still think the 60' time can be 2.0-2.1, right?. Maybe I should've lowered the tire pressure before racing?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Drivetrain car still rolling while in gear and off
  • dqureshi06
  • Jan 24, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
222
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 24, 2026
General karthief
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
236
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
864
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
Engine Obstinate Pilot Bearing removal
  • FastDriver
  • Feb 12, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
40
Views
995
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 22, 2026
manicmechanic007
Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
797
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?