Going to the track for the first time tonight

[RacinChris]

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]

Where at in Florida are you?

 

[RacinChris]

Where at in Florida are you?

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

 

[N8Miller]

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]

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!

 

[RacinChris]

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]

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

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]

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.

 

[RacinChris]

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]

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!

 

[RacinChris]

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!

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!

 

[RacinChris]

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]

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]

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.

 

[RacinChris]

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!

 

[RacinChris]

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.

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]

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]

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

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]

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.

 

[RacinChris]

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?