Launch Lesson Please & 60' Times

SleeperGT · 03-04-2003, 10:40 PM

Question about launch technique at the track and best expected 60' time for my cars setup (I've got a 5-spd). The best 60' time's I am able to manage with my current car's setup are 1.9's (best of 1.91). I race with BFG Drag radials (17x9 wheels with 275/40 tires). The only suspension mod I have are Steeda Lower Control arms. My launch technique is to launch at slightly above 2000 rpms, say about 2200 to 2300 rpm's, and I work the clutch and gas until the car hooks, once hooked I nail it.

I keep hearing about folks who really tach it up, and then it sounds like they basically just drop the clutch and hold on for dear life. It sounds like this technique works if you have slicks, which I don't, but does this work for drag radials? A lot of others it sounds like the whole work the clutch thing is the technique to use, at least with street tires.

The main questions for me is what are good 60' times for folks on drag radials and is the tach it up, dump the clutch and pray you hook the technique to use on drag radials?

My drag radials are about shot and I'm strongly considering getting slicks next time around. Any input on this is appreciated.
Thanks!

88workcar · 03-05-2003, 07:55 AM

For starters those 17s are killing you. With those rims the tire you have, has a short side wall. The taller side wall, the better the tire can "WORK". Also suspention, it is a trade off, Hook and Handle don't normally go together. So you have too choose. I often get asked what to do to 'HOOK" I give so pointers and I get negative reply, because the person want's to stay lowered, keep the 20s, do the turns at 90mph. It is a choice, or it takes a few dollars, quite a few.

A 1.5 60ft on Dragg radials is not uncommon. My self, I have been as good as 1.70 on my regular radials (Grand Spirit) What I do is hold 2500-3000rpms, ease out the clutch and don't give any more gas till the car catches up to the rpms then ease on it hard as I can with out breaking loose. It takes practice.

Get a fresh set of tires first, then try a few suspenion parts, struts, springs, skinnys up front, no front sway bar, remove so weight, ect... Keep us updated.

Dark_5.0 · 03-05-2003, 08:46 AM

Your car is making a grip of HP, that being said drag radials are not for you.

Get some slicks MT ET streets 26X8X15or16 and mount them on some extra rims.

Then dump the clutch @3-4 thousand RPM's and hold on for dear life.

Here is something to think about on my 88 vert I had nitto drag radials and my best 60ft was a 2.07.........I borrowed some slicks and dumped the clutch @ 4,000 RPM's and I pulled a 1.79 60ft and needless to say I destroyed my previous best ET going from a 14.4 to a 13.8.

Later,

SleeperGT · 03-05-2003, 09:25 PM

Dark_5.0 and 88workcar - Thanks for the excellent advice. I'll be hitting the track in a few weeks and will be further practicing the launch techniques suggested. I know the 17" wheels are not optimal, but I couldn't help picking them up as I got them for only $60 each as brand new take off's at the local tire shop. Sounds like the easiest route for me to improve my 60' times without doing more mods to my suspension are to go with the slicks. I'll keep you posted. Thanks!

gtsr515 · 03-06-2003, 12:32 AM

Ummmmmmmmmm.....1.70's with street tires and 1.50's with Drag radials...........while I wasn't there, THAT I would like to see, you must have one hell of a suspension.

Something Rick Anderson taught me at the track is as odd as it sounds, put 1 or 2 bags of concrete or sand, stage and youll be able to lauch harder, yes extra weight hurts, but winning the race is usually out of the hole.........it worked for me.

Have you removed your front sway bar, leave the back one one, it helps stabalize the lauch.

Jay

88workcar · 03-06-2003, 06:33 PM

gtsr515, yes my car has gone 1.70 on street tires. And just incase you mis under stood, I did not go 1.5s on dragg raidials. In the Stock classes where you have to run a raidial, a 1.5 is common, so are wheelies.

I pair of slicks is an easy way to a good 60ft, but suspension will improve that.

While a 1.70 on raidials is hard enough to believe,
I am installing a supercharger on a speed density Mustang without converting to mass air. I will run it this weekend weather permitting.

XLRVIII · 03-07-2003, 01:46 PM

2.06 on street tires in a 4000 LB Luxoyatch Lincoln Mark VIII.

Stock motor, stock trans, 210,000 miles, motor and trans have never been opened.

1000RPM launch, in DRIVE.

best pass 14.41 @ 96.

88workcar · 03-09-2003, 06:47 PM

I felt ten foot tall and bullet proof today. I went to the track, Ford, vs Chevy, vs Mopar was going on today. I guy with 10.30 mustang came to me and asked if I was the one with the green car. (I left it outside the gate, still tunning the charger) He asked how I got the tires to come so high in my car. I smiled and said your the one with the ten sec car. And he said yea but yours leaves meaner. I was so flattered.

EZRIDN · 03-11-2003, 03:51 PM

88workcar......I have been TOTALLy frustrated with my '86 GT (3.73s, x pipe, pullies, elec fan, drag suspension, Cobra intake/TB, and the stock 86 Long block). I installed 90/10s, 50/50s, eibach pro launch kit, removed the front sway bar, i have mac uppers/lowers and now the freakin car wheel hops on radials, and on the street with DRs. I have heard from my great friend, Sedanman that the Macs are to blame, but which ones, the uppers or lowers? he doesn't know since he switched both out. Any thoughts????

Anyways i took the car to the track witht he drag suspension and DR's and equalled my 60 with stock suspension and sway bar on street radials!!!! The car would not hook when i reved it up and dumped the clutch at all. Last run i slipped it out from 1500 and bogged and got a 2.1 60' and my best time of the night at 14.1 @ 97.88. Its pretty apparent that i cannot drop the clutch on the DRs b/c of the 60's (2.03-2.07 range

) Should i just slip it out at 2500-3000 like you say?????? i race alot and do nto want to beat the crap out of the car..so any suggestions???// The track i run at sucks for traction so that doesn;t help.

explicitone · 03-12-2003, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EZRIDN
88workcar......I have been TOTALLy frustrated with my '86 GT (3.73s, x pipe, pullies, elec fan, drag suspension, Cobra intake/TB, and the stock 86 Long block). I installed 90/10s, 50/50s, eibach pro launch kit, removed the front sway bar, i have mac uppers/lowers and now the freakin car wheel hops on radials, and on the street with DRs. I have heard from my great friend, Sedanman that the Macs are to blame, but which ones, the uppers or lowers? he doesn't know since he switched both out. Any thoughts????

Anyways i took the car to the track witht he drag suspension and DR's and equalled my 60 with stock suspension and sway bar on street radials!!!! The car would not hook when i reved it up and dumped the clutch at all. Last run i slipped it out from 1500 and bogged and got a 2.1 60' and my best time of the night at 14.1 @ 97.88. Its pretty apparent that i cannot drop the clutch on the DRs b/c of the 60's (2.03-2.07 range ) Should i just slip it out at 2500-3000 like you say?????? i race alot and do nto want to beat the crap out of the car..so any suggestions???// The track i run at sucks for traction so that doesn;t help.

what kind of tire pressure are you running
had I have heard nothing but bad things about the mac arms and causing wheel hop was one of them

03-14-2003, 01:37 PM

EZRIDN- Are you heating your drag radials up some before your launches? Are you using the burnout box or just doing a dry burnout. The drag radials need a little bit of heating to hook better. And as explicitone- mentioned...what is your tire pressure at? I believe drag radials work best at around 25psi. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

88workcar · 03-14-2003, 07:59 PM

I think the lowers are the problem. Put the stock ones back on and try it. I had SSM lift bars, they lasted 1 week. I gave them away.

BilLster · 03-16-2003, 03:16 PM

seriosly i could drop lots if i could leave harder without the spin between 1-2nd

this year will be clutch tunning and rear set up my car doesnt lift that much at all with slicks we figure clutch slip or improper transfer. we have dropped boost way down and cured wheel spin off the line and increased throughtout the runs but i cant yank em like my slower car can with basicly the same suspention .
but less motor.

my dad is even stumped the car leves flat like we have a wheelly bar set to low down. my dad thinks we are slipping the clutch and rear thats why we are installing the spool from the race car to get ride of that veriable (but wont be able to drive it on the street while were trying to fogure it out)

so 88 workcar im envious also right about now (looking at snow falling no racing anytime soon)

88workcar · 03-16-2003, 05:01 PM

Quote:

so 88 workcar im envious also right about now (looking at snow falling no racing anytime soon) [/B]

I got sun burn this week, I just went boat riding today, short sleaves caught rain and was not cold. Sorry

Now where you are envious of me, I am envious of you. The turbo, GOD someday, not even one that big.

I will try to make a pass wed night. I got off my butt and repaired the Yota yesterday, now if somthing happens to the "Grinch" it will not put me in a bind. I have a set of 28" slicks to try also. My next tire perchase will be a set of BFGs.

03-04-2003, 10:40 PM	#1
SleeperGT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Posts: 122	Launch Lesson Please & 60' Times Question about launch technique at the track and best expected 60' time for my cars setup (I've got a 5-spd). The best 60' time's I am able to manage with my current car's setup are 1.9's (best of 1.91). I race with BFG Drag radials (17x9 wheels with 275/40 tires). The only suspension mod I have are Steeda Lower Control arms. My launch technique is to launch at slightly above 2000 rpms, say about 2200 to 2300 rpm's, and I work the clutch and gas until the car hooks, once hooked I nail it. I keep hearing about folks who really tach it up, and then it sounds like they basically just drop the clutch and hold on for dear life. It sounds like this technique works if you have slicks, which I don't, but does this work for drag radials? A lot of others it sounds like the whole work the clutch thing is the technique to use, at least with street tires. The main questions for me is what are good 60' times for folks on drag radials and is the tach it up, dump the clutch and pray you hook the technique to use on drag radials? My drag radials are about shot and I'm strongly considering getting slicks next time around. Any input on this is appreciated. Thanks! __________________ '00 GT 5-spd Vortech S-Trim 3.1" Pulley Paxton Air-to-Air Aftercooler 90 mm MAS 42 lb injectors Cobra Fuel Pump 70 mm AccuFab Throttlebody C & L Intake Plenum 2 1/2" X-pipes Anderson PowerPipe MagnaFlow Mufflers Diablo Custom Chip 3.73's Steeda Lower Control Arms 358 rwhp (Mustang Dyno) New Track Times Coming Soon

03-05-2003, 07:55 AM	#2
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	For starters those 17s are killing you. With those rims the tire you have, has a short side wall. The taller side wall, the better the tire can "WORK". Also suspention, it is a trade off, Hook and Handle don't normally go together. So you have too choose. I often get asked what to do to 'HOOK" I give so pointers and I get negative reply, because the person want's to stay lowered, keep the 20s, do the turns at 90mph. It is a choice, or it takes a few dollars, quite a few. A 1.5 60ft on Dragg radials is not uncommon. My self, I have been as good as 1.70 on my regular radials (Grand Spirit) What I do is hold 2500-3000rpms, ease out the clutch and don't give any more gas till the car catches up to the rpms then ease on it hard as I can with out breaking loose. It takes practice. Get a fresh set of tires first, then try a few suspenion parts, struts, springs, skinnys up front, no front sway bar, remove so weight, ect... Keep us updated. __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

03-05-2003, 08:46 AM	#3
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	Your car is making a grip of HP, that being said drag radials are not for you. Get some slicks MT ET streets 26X8X15or16 and mount them on some extra rims. Then dump the clutch @3-4 thousand RPM's and hold on for dear life. Here is something to think about on my 88 vert I had nitto drag radials and my best 60ft was a 2.07.........I borrowed some slicks and dumped the clutch @ 4,000 RPM's and I pulled a 1.79 60ft and needless to say I destroyed my previous best ET going from a 14.4 to a 13.8. Later, __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

03-05-2003, 09:25 PM	#4
SleeperGT Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Posts: 122	Dark_5.0 and 88workcar - Thanks for the excellent advice. I'll be hitting the track in a few weeks and will be further practicing the launch techniques suggested. I know the 17" wheels are not optimal, but I couldn't help picking them up as I got them for only $60 each as brand new take off's at the local tire shop. Sounds like the easiest route for me to improve my 60' times without doing more mods to my suspension are to go with the slicks. I'll keep you posted. Thanks! __________________ '00 GT 5-spd Vortech S-Trim 3.1" Pulley Paxton Air-to-Air Aftercooler 90 mm MAS 42 lb injectors Cobra Fuel Pump 70 mm AccuFab Throttlebody C & L Intake Plenum 2 1/2" X-pipes Anderson PowerPipe MagnaFlow Mufflers Diablo Custom Chip 3.73's Steeda Lower Control Arms 358 rwhp (Mustang Dyno) New Track Times Coming Soon

03-06-2003, 12:32 AM	#5
gtsr515 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Sunny, Hot, Sebring, Florida Posts: 725	60 foot times Ummmmmmmmmm.....1.70's with street tires and 1.50's with Drag radials...........while I wasn't there, THAT I would like to see, you must have one hell of a suspension. Something Rick Anderson taught me at the track is as odd as it sounds, put 1 or 2 bags of concrete or sand, stage and youll be able to lauch harder, yes extra weight hurts, but winning the race is usually out of the hole.........it worked for me. Have you removed your front sway bar, leave the back one one, it helps stabalize the lauch. Jay __________________ Remember...2nd place is 1st place for losers!

03-06-2003, 06:33 PM	#6
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	gtsr515, yes my car has gone 1.70 on street tires. And just incase you mis under stood, I did not go 1.5s on dragg raidials. In the Stock classes where you have to run a raidial, a 1.5 is common, so are wheelies. I pair of slicks is an easy way to a good 60ft, but suspension will improve that. While a 1.70 on raidials is hard enough to believe, I am installing a supercharger on a speed density Mustang without converting to mass air. I will run it this weekend weather permitting. __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

03-07-2003, 01:46 PM	#7
XLRVIII Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Houston Texas USA Posts: 36	2.06 on street tires in a 4000 LB Luxoyatch Lincoln Mark VIII. Stock motor, stock trans, 210,000 miles, motor and trans have never been opened. 1000RPM launch, in DRIVE. best pass 14.41 @ 96. __________________ 95 Mark VIII Stock

03-09-2003, 06:47 PM	#8
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	I felt ten foot tall and bullet proof today. I went to the track, Ford, vs Chevy, vs Mopar was going on today. I guy with 10.30 mustang came to me and asked if I was the one with the green car. (I left it outside the gate, still tunning the charger) He asked how I got the tires to come so high in my car. I smiled and said your the one with the ten sec car. And he said yea but yours leaves meaner. I was so flattered. __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

03-11-2003, 03:51 PM	#9
EZRIDN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 504	88workcar......I have been TOTALLy frustrated with my '86 GT (3.73s, x pipe, pullies, elec fan, drag suspension, Cobra intake/TB, and the stock 86 Long block). I installed 90/10s, 50/50s, eibach pro launch kit, removed the front sway bar, i have mac uppers/lowers and now the freakin car wheel hops on radials, and on the street with DRs. I have heard from my great friend, Sedanman that the Macs are to blame, but which ones, the uppers or lowers? he doesn't know since he switched both out. Any thoughts???? Anyways i took the car to the track witht he drag suspension and DR's and equalled my 60 with stock suspension and sway bar on street radials!!!! The car would not hook when i reved it up and dumped the clutch at all. Last run i slipped it out from 1500 and bogged and got a 2.1 60' and my best time of the night at 14.1 @ 97.88. Its pretty apparent that i cannot drop the clutch on the DRs b/c of the 60's (2.03-2.07 range ) Should i just slip it out at 2500-3000 like you say?????? i race alot and do nto want to beat the crap out of the car..so any suggestions???// The track i run at sucks for traction so that doesn;t help. __________________ '86 GT..5 spd....14.0 @ 98 SOLD '87 GT..5 spd...Stock...14.4 @ 97 SOLD '90 GT Conv. A4 Cream Puff...14.6 @ 94 SOLD '99 Z28..A4..Stock stall, no tuning, all motor, full weight 11.92 @ 117.95 SOLD '03 Centennal Edition GT 5 spd. 1 of 620 5 spd coupes made. http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/timeline/99-04/03/100th.htm Stock..... 2.02 8.9 13.89 @ 99.03 http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/timeline/99-04/03/100th.htm

03-14-2003, 01:37 PM	#11
Simi Stang Guest Posts: n/a	burnout EZRIDN- Are you heating your drag radials up some before your launches? Are you using the burnout box or just doing a dry burnout. The drag radials need a little bit of heating to hook better. And as explicitone- mentioned...what is your tire pressure at? I believe drag radials work best at around 25psi. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

03-14-2003, 07:59 PM	#12
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	I think the lowers are the problem. Put the stock ones back on and try it. I had SSM lift bars, they lasted 1 week. I gave them away. __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

03-16-2003, 03:16 PM	#13
BilLster Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ontario canada Posts: 446	seriosly i could drop lots if i could leave harder without the spin between 1-2nd this year will be clutch tunning and rear set up my car doesnt lift that much at all with slicks we figure clutch slip or improper transfer. we have dropped boost way down and cured wheel spin off the line and increased throughtout the runs but i cant yank em like my slower car can with basicly the same suspention . but less motor. my dad is even stumped the car leves flat like we have a wheelly bar set to low down. my dad thinks we are slipping the clutch and rear thats why we are installing the spool from the race car to get ride of that veriable (but wont be able to drive it on the street while were trying to fogure it out) so 88 workcar im envious also right about now (looking at snow falling no racing anytime soon) __________________ 89 with 331 t3'/t4 hybrids. upr Suspention worked out finnaly . 9.89 144 mph .

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