1st Time at the track with notchback

JRowlette · 04-29-2001, 04:27 PM

I just took my first mustang to the track last night for the first time. It's a 1990 black notchback, 5-spd. It already has 3.73 gears, E303, 2-chamber Flowmasters, and a K&N.It also has Draglites with 225/60's on the rear and skinnies on the front. Here are the results:
60' - 2.347
330' - 6.583
1/8 - 9.925 / 75.50mph
1000' - 12.764
1/4 - 15.175
MPH - 93.95

I only got two runs in because there were so many cars out there. I was pretty happy considering it was my first time racing and hadn't even had the car for 24 hours yet!! Any comments welcome.

Dark_5.0 · 04-29-2001, 08:33 PM

Hey, congrats those times sem a little bit soft for a notch back with those mods but from reading your post I am guessing that you had to baby it off of the line cause of the skinny tires in the rear. Welcome to the board.

------------------
88 mustang gt convertible BBk equal length headers mac cold air intake cowl hood nitto drag radials ford racing clutch flow masters h-pipe 180 degree thermostat 16 degrees of timing

JRowlette · 04-29-2001, 10:01 PM

I was just trying to get some basic numbers. After all, that was my first time racing. I have no doubt it's a low 14-second car, I just have to get to used to launching it and driving it. I have probably driven it as much to and at the track as much as I have around town !!! A friend of mine has a '90 hatch with 3.73's, subs, and cold air intake and his best was a 14.6. I'm sure next weekend will yield much better numbers.

Killercanary · 05-03-2001, 10:02 AM

Those aren't bad for the first time out. The thing with the drag strip- its like a science. To get good times you have to do everything perfect, from launch to shifts. It all comes in time with practice. When you get that 60' down to 2.1- you'll run a 14.6 or better. It is gonna be a little difficult to launch that thing with its light weight and gears, but keep going and trying different launches and you'll get it. I ran my dad's 91GT that was 100% bone stock except for 14* timing and a removed air silencer, I managed a best of 14.60 at 94+mph, I think my 60' was a 2.1X on his 225-55-16 street tires. The best advice I can give you when first starting out at the strip is to leave at idle or just above, slip the clutch slightly to negate wheelspin, and bang away at the gears. What did you shift at? Don't over or under shift it. I personally found that shifting around 5100-5200 yielded my best ET's in my 95 and my dad's 91. Anymore and the car slows down, same with anything under 5 grand. Drop the rear tire pressure to around 24lbs or so to, this will help cushion the launch a little. BTW- do you know the tracks elevation- this plays a HUGE part in ET and MPH. Good luck and keep us posted.

------------------
95 GT convt' 5 speed, 3.73's,FMS HD clutch, Pro 5.0 shifter, ASP alum. underdrive pulleys, Bassani offroad X pipe, 2 chmbr flowmasters, K&N w/o silencer, edelbrock performer intake, FRPP 65mm T-body, FRPP shorty headers, FRPP aluminum driveshaft.Hooker 4pt chrome car bar, Xenon/Wings West ground effects, custom interior
Best ET: 13.83
Best MPH: 98.55mph with Best 60': 1.91 on Nitto DR's
Homepage: <A HREF="http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/killercanary" TARGET=_blank>http://www.angelfire

90dpscoupe · 05-08-2001, 01:20 AM

I have a 90notch too, (an ex THP car) 5spd, my first time out was a mid 15 and i pretty much embarresed myself, but it took more than one trip to the track to get where i am now, and a few light mods with 14* timing. I will say this, my friend in a stock lx went from 14.6 to 15.2 when he put 3.73's in, i dont understand either but it happened, but since you have a cam you should be alright.

and like killercanary says, drop pressure, i had 20lbs in my 225/60's when i ran my best, also if you like dragracing which you obviously do....pull the front swaybar, you will be surprised on how the front end will come up and distribute weight, especially in a coupe

Keep posted

oh, and with the same size rear tires i have cut a 1.9 60 with a little vht on the track, but this would never of happened with the sway bar on.

------------------
90 lx coupe: Mac cold air fenderwell, accel supercoil,advncd ignition,3-core radiatr, FMS alum D/S, Black magic fan, 3.27grs, 3chbr flows.
Best time: 13.9116(on 225/60/15 firehawks)
Best mph: 98.17
Best 60': 1.9607

next mods: subframes, mac h-pipe

JRowlette · 05-10-2001, 05:04 PM

Thanks for the tips. When I ran the 15.1 I had only had the car for less than 24 hours. Since then I have already put a new clutch in it. I am finally getting used to driving it now. Also, while changing the thermostat, I discovered that my distributor was loose as hell!! The timing was only at about 7 deg. Of course I bumped it up to about 14deg and it runs a hell of a lot better. The car also does not have a front or rear swaybar or quad shocks. It wheel hops like crazy, but the front end does jump pretty good. I'm gonna run Saturday, hopefully producing much better numbers.

90dpscoupe · 05-10-2001, 11:30 PM

Dude you need a rear sway, and quads wont hurt either, i could be wrong but the wheel hop is caused bye the no rear sway, and i would have to say thats dangerous, but im not to sure. no rear seems to me, i would think would be very unstable. good luck be careful..

Tom91LX · 05-11-2001, 12:23 PM

You definetly need the rear sway bar. In fact, I stil have my quad shocks on, but I just got a bigger drag radial that won't allow it. I have found that suspension is important on fox bodies. I would also consider a drag radial if I were you. Then watch that 60 foot drop into the 1.7-1.8 range.

Good luck!

JRowlette · 05-14-2001, 09:50 PM

Well, the second trip to the strip fared better. My best was a 14.8 @ 96mph. My 60ft was only a 2.28. I managed to get a 2.17 on another pass, but I somehow messed up shifting into 4th (stupid aint it!!), therefore ruining the run. I was very pissed!! My 1/8 time was 2.5 tenths faster than the 14.8 pass!!! I wanted to give myself a swift kick in the rear for that one!!
I found that I hooked up best with 18 pounds in the rear tires and taking off around 1700 rpm. The car would spin for about 5 feet and then take off. I am getting better and am shooting for 14.5's next time!!!!
I also have a pair Steeda subs w/cross braces sitting in my apartment just waiting to be welded on . That damn car is a paycheck magnet!!! By the way thanks for the advice everybody..

90dpscoupe · 05-17-2001, 12:02 AM

Great

thats all it takes, is practice on the takeoff, dont let it bother you too bad about not shifting 4th right, i missed 3rd on the run i cut a 1.9 60' on, it killed me thinking how my e.t. could have improved, i probaly would have ran a tenth better, but oh well, next friday im shootin for 13.7

04-29-2001, 04:27 PM	#1
JRowlette Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Bowling Green, KY Posts: 95	1st Time at the track with notchback I just took my first mustang to the track last night for the first time. It's a 1990 black notchback, 5-spd. It already has 3.73 gears, E303, 2-chamber Flowmasters, and a K&N.It also has Draglites with 225/60's on the rear and skinnies on the front. Here are the results: 60' - 2.347 330' - 6.583 1/8 - 9.925 / 75.50mph 1000' - 12.764 1/4 - 15.175 MPH - 93.95 I only got two runs in because there were so many cars out there. I was pretty happy considering it was my first time racing and hadn't even had the car for 24 hours yet!! Any comments welcome.

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04-29-2001, 08:33 PM	#2
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	Hey, congrats those times sem a little bit soft for a notch back with those mods but from reading your post I am guessing that you had to baby it off of the line cause of the skinny tires in the rear. Welcome to the board. ------------------ 88 mustang gt convertible BBk equal length headers mac cold air intake cowl hood nitto drag radials ford racing clutch flow masters h-pipe 180 degree thermostat 16 degrees of timing

04-29-2001, 10:01 PM	#3
JRowlette Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Bowling Green, KY Posts: 95	I was just trying to get some basic numbers. After all, that was my first time racing. I have no doubt it's a low 14-second car, I just have to get to used to launching it and driving it. I have probably driven it as much to and at the track as much as I have around town !!! A friend of mine has a '90 hatch with 3.73's, subs, and cold air intake and his best was a 14.6. I'm sure next weekend will yield much better numbers.

05-03-2001, 10:02 AM	#4
Killercanary Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Altoona, PA Posts: 336	Those aren't bad for the first time out. The thing with the drag strip- its like a science. To get good times you have to do everything perfect, from launch to shifts. It all comes in time with practice. When you get that 60' down to 2.1- you'll run a 14.6 or better. It is gonna be a little difficult to launch that thing with its light weight and gears, but keep going and trying different launches and you'll get it. I ran my dad's 91GT that was 100% bone stock except for 14* timing and a removed air silencer, I managed a best of 14.60 at 94+mph, I think my 60' was a 2.1X on his 225-55-16 street tires. The best advice I can give you when first starting out at the strip is to leave at idle or just above, slip the clutch slightly to negate wheelspin, and bang away at the gears. What did you shift at? Don't over or under shift it. I personally found that shifting around 5100-5200 yielded my best ET's in my 95 and my dad's 91. Anymore and the car slows down, same with anything under 5 grand. Drop the rear tire pressure to around 24lbs or so to, this will help cushion the launch a little. BTW- do you know the tracks elevation- this plays a HUGE part in ET and MPH. Good luck and keep us posted. ------------------ 95 GT convt' 5 speed, 3.73's,FMS HD clutch, Pro 5.0 shifter, ASP alum. underdrive pulleys, Bassani offroad X pipe, 2 chmbr flowmasters, K&N w/o silencer, edelbrock performer intake, FRPP 65mm T-body, FRPP shorty headers, FRPP aluminum driveshaft.Hooker 4pt chrome car bar, Xenon/Wings West ground effects, custom interior Best ET: 13.83 Best MPH: 98.55mph with Best 60': 1.91 on Nitto DR's Homepage: <A HREF="http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/killercanary" TARGET=_blank>http://www.angelfire

05-08-2001, 01:20 AM	#5
90dpscoupe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: sanantonio, Tx, usa Posts: 1,407	I have a 90notch too, (an ex THP car) 5spd, my first time out was a mid 15 and i pretty much embarresed myself, but it took more than one trip to the track to get where i am now, and a few light mods with 14* timing. I will say this, my friend in a stock lx went from 14.6 to 15.2 when he put 3.73's in, i dont understand either but it happened, but since you have a cam you should be alright. and like killercanary says, drop pressure, i had 20lbs in my 225/60's when i ran my best, also if you like dragracing which you obviously do....pull the front swaybar, you will be surprised on how the front end will come up and distribute weight, especially in a coupe Keep posted oh, and with the same size rear tires i have cut a 1.9 60 with a little vht on the track, but this would never of happened with the sway bar on. ------------------ 90 lx coupe: Mac cold air fenderwell, accel supercoil,advncd ignition,3-core radiatr, FMS alum D/S, Black magic fan, 3.27grs, 3chbr flows. Best time: 13.9116(on 225/60/15 firehawks) Best mph: 98.17 Best 60': 1.9607 next mods: subframes, mac h-pipe

05-10-2001, 05:04 PM	#6
JRowlette Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Bowling Green, KY Posts: 95	Thanks for the tips. When I ran the 15.1 I had only had the car for less than 24 hours. Since then I have already put a new clutch in it. I am finally getting used to driving it now. Also, while changing the thermostat, I discovered that my distributor was loose as hell!! The timing was only at about 7 deg. Of course I bumped it up to about 14deg and it runs a hell of a lot better. The car also does not have a front or rear swaybar or quad shocks. It wheel hops like crazy, but the front end does jump pretty good. I'm gonna run Saturday, hopefully producing much better numbers.

05-10-2001, 11:30 PM	#7
90dpscoupe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: sanantonio, Tx, usa Posts: 1,407	Dude you need a rear sway, and quads wont hurt either, i could be wrong but the wheel hop is caused bye the no rear sway, and i would have to say thats dangerous, but im not to sure. no rear seems to me, i would think would be very unstable. good luck be careful..

05-11-2001, 12:23 PM	#8
Tom91LX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Charlotte Hall, MD USA Posts: 6	You definetly need the rear sway bar. In fact, I stil have my quad shocks on, but I just got a bigger drag radial that won't allow it. I have found that suspension is important on fox bodies. I would also consider a drag radial if I were you. Then watch that 60 foot drop into the 1.7-1.8 range. Good luck!

05-14-2001, 09:50 PM	#9
JRowlette Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Bowling Green, KY Posts: 95	Well, the second trip to the strip fared better. My best was a 14.8 @ 96mph. My 60ft was only a 2.28. I managed to get a 2.17 on another pass, but I somehow messed up shifting into 4th (stupid aint it!!), therefore ruining the run. I was very pissed!! My 1/8 time was 2.5 tenths faster than the 14.8 pass!!! I wanted to give myself a swift kick in the rear for that one!! I found that I hooked up best with 18 pounds in the rear tires and taking off around 1700 rpm. The car would spin for about 5 feet and then take off. I am getting better and am shooting for 14.5's next time!!!! I also have a pair Steeda subs w/cross braces sitting in my apartment just waiting to be welded on . That damn car is a paycheck magnet!!! By the way thanks for the advice everybody..

05-17-2001, 12:02 AM	#10
90dpscoupe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: sanantonio, Tx, usa Posts: 1,407	Great thats all it takes, is practice on the takeoff, dont let it bother you too bad about not shifting 4th right, i missed 3rd on the run i cut a 1.9 60' on, it killed me thinking how my e.t. could have improved, i probaly would have ran a tenth better, but oh well, next friday im shootin for 13.7