Went to the track for the 1st time.... I need help

89 Cobra LX · 10-08-2001, 01:35 PM

Well I went to the track for the first time and it was a lot of fun. My driving skills need some help. Actually, it's just my launch technique that seems to suck....

I have 245/50 BFGoodrich Comp TAs on the rear. I was launching at 2,000 RPMs and spinning all the way through first gear. I was posting consistent 2.6 second 60" foot times. I know my set-up isn't really for the drag-strip, but I know it can be better.

My best run of the night was a 14.2 @ 101.5 MPH. I was over 101 MPH all night, but my times sucked. I know it's all in the launch, so what are some tips to better my 60 foot times? With an little traction I think I can get to the low 13s.

Are the BFGoodrich drag radials worth a crap?

Thanks

------------------
Eric - 89 Mustang LX coupe
302 - Cobra Intake - GT40p heads - TFS stage 1 cam - FRPP 1.6 roller rockers - Naturally Aspirated
3:73 gears - KYB shocks and struts - Eibach springs - HPM Mega-bite Jr lower control arms - HPM upper control arms

10-08-2001, 02:10 PM

You launching at 2000 is definately not the problem, I'd take a wild guess that you were dumping your clutch (your Stang's a 5-speed right?). You need to feather the clutch some. I've got BFG Comp TA ZR1's 245/50Z16.....and I've been to the track twice w/ them and launched at 2-2.5k and ripped off 2.0-2.2 consistantly. You're not TOO far off, and I wouldn't blame the 2.6 on the tires, unless they're bald

Did you heat them up any (quick burn out or two?) I don't own slicks, I have BFG D/R's for the track, and I like them - got my 1.78 60' w/ them.

------------------
'90 LX 5.0;12K original miles;FMS 3.55 gears; March pulleys;Edelbrock Performer Heads;BBK 1 5/8" equal length shorties;MSD 6AL ignition w/ blaster 2 coil;FMS E303 cam;Pro-M 75mm MAF;BBK 70mm TB; Eibach drag-launch spring kit;Southside weld-on subs;9" K&N cone filter charger;Hurst shifter;Cervini 3" turbo hood;A/C delete;gutted cats;2 chamber Flomasters;Corbeau racing seats;FMS 30# injectors;JMS custom chip;Holley 190lb fp;TFS track heat intake (12.299 @ 113mph w/ a 1.78 60')
....soon to be b

89 Cobra LX · 10-08-2001, 02:41 PM

The Comp T/A ZR1s are what I'm running too. Yeah, I guess I was dumping the clutch. I was doing a short burn-out before each pass.

When you say feather the clutch some, do you mean letting it out slower?

------------------
Eric - 89 Mustang LX coupe
302 - Cobra Intake - GT40p heads - TFS stage 1 cam - FRPP 1.6 roller rockers - Naturally Aspirated
3:73 gears - KYB shocks and struts - Eibach springs - HPM Mega-bite Jr lower control arms - HPM upper control arms

90dpscoupe · 10-08-2001, 04:06 PM

I always drive around the water box,and get better traction, i still dry burn the tires a bit, but thats just my opinion.

Try staging shallow, so you can let the car start rolling as you kinda ride the clutch out, till you get to that point where the motor kinda boggs, then step on it, but be easy with the clutch so you dont "shock" the rear tires.....good luck,

i got better traction by pulling the front swaybar, but im sure your into carving corners pretty good.

------------------
90 lx coupe: 5spd, energy susp trans mounts, fms hd clutch, Mac coldair fenderwell, Mac h-pipe, supercoil, ADS chip, 160 stat, aluminum D/S, Black magic fan, 3.27grs.
Best time: 13.9116(on 225/60/15 firehawks)
Best mph: 98.17
Best 60': 1.9607

someday mods:4.10's, slicks.

jz_mustang50 · 10-10-2001, 05:02 PM

If you want to be consistantly GOOD, you should get a AOD if your serious. Sticks are just so up and down when it comes to taking off. Get a Lentech built AOD. They can be built to be faster and strong then your T5. Yeah, I'd suggest to drive around the water, and then do your burn out... not for too long, only for like 5 seconds, then pull up, don't do any dry pre-jumps when your pulling up to the line... Just drive up slowly. I run a 2.068 with my 225/55/16 BFG HR4 tires. I run about 30lbs of pressure. I run a 2.030 on my drag tires. Not too bad.

------------------
Joe Zemaitis, Grand Rapids Michigan

1991 Mustang GT. Mods to date: 4.10 rear end, new POSI, aluminum driveshaft, AOD w/ shift kit, 2 1/2 off road h-pipe, 2 1/2 flowmasters and 2 1/2 tail pipes. Electric fan, Removed air pump and egr tube. Hotchkins upper and lower control arms. New energy suspension rear busings. Hoosier Quick Time Pro 27x10.5x15 and bolt on subframes soon to be welded. Everything else is STOCK. Totally stock ENGINE. 14.29@96 with 130k miles.

90dpscoupe · 10-11-2001, 05:31 AM

Why do you say not to do any "pre jumps" before stage? i like to, so i can hear the wheels scream

but i think thats how i busted my last cluster shaft in the t-5

------------------
90 lx coupe: 5spd, energy susp trans mounts, fms hd clutch, Mac coldair fenderwell, Mac h-pipe, supercoil, ADS chip, 160 stat, aluminum D/S, Black magic fan, 3.27grs.
Best time: 13.9116(on 225/60/15 firehawks)
Best mph: 98.17
Best 60': 1.9607

someday mods:4.10's, slicks.

fastboy7 · 10-12-2001, 12:57 AM

With street tires try to stay out of the water box. This only makes things worse,and it makes it worse on the guy running slicks behind you because you pull water on the track. Try a small burnout, just enough to clean the tires off.And if all else fails buy some MickeyThompsons or Hoosier drag slicks.

'92 coupe-306 nos-powered
11.01 on ET Streets

89 Cobra LX · 10-12-2001, 09:53 AM

Well, I'm going to end up getting some big/little wheels and some Mickey Thompsons. I just don't think I'm going to have much success trying to launch this combo from a stand. Unfortunately, it's that time of year when I'm going to have to cover the car for a few months. Back to the track next spring!

------------------
Eric - 89 Mustang LX coupe
302 - Cobra Intake - GT40p heads - TFS stage 1 cam - FRPP 1.6 roller rockers - Naturally Aspirated
3:73 gears - KYB shocks and struts - Eibach springs - HPM Mega-bite Jr lower control arms - HPM upper control arms

10-08-2001, 01:35 PM	#1
89 Cobra LX Don Corlione Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Omaha NE USA Posts: 491	Went to the track for the 1st time.... I need help Well I went to the track for the first time and it was a lot of fun. My driving skills need some help. Actually, it's just my launch technique that seems to suck.... I have 245/50 BFGoodrich Comp TAs on the rear. I was launching at 2,000 RPMs and spinning all the way through first gear. I was posting consistent 2.6 second 60" foot times. I know my set-up isn't really for the drag-strip, but I know it can be better. My best run of the night was a 14.2 @ 101.5 MPH. I was over 101 MPH all night, but my times sucked. I know it's all in the launch, so what are some tips to better my 60 foot times? With an little traction I think I can get to the low 13s. Are the BFGoodrich drag radials worth a crap? Thanks ------------------ Eric - 89 Mustang LX coupe 302 - Cobra Intake - GT40p heads - TFS stage 1 cam - FRPP 1.6 roller rockers - Naturally Aspirated 3:73 gears - KYB shocks and struts - Eibach springs - HPM Mega-bite Jr lower control arms - HPM upper control arms

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Ran at track 1st time! Timeslips! 13 in 1/4!	84LX89GT	Blue Oval Lounge	0	07-13-2002 01:18 AM
First time at the track?	OUTPLAYN	Windsor Power	9	05-01-2002 01:16 PM
going to the track for first time	HiFlow5 0	Racer's Club House	3	09-17-2001 11:24 AM
1st Time at the track with notchback	JRowlette	Racer's Club House	9	05-17-2001 12:02 AM
1st time at the track	stanger8172	Racer's Club House	1	04-25-2001 06:22 AM

10-08-2001, 02:10 PM	#2
bada$$lx Guest Posts: n/a	You launching at 2000 is definately not the problem, I'd take a wild guess that you were dumping your clutch (your Stang's a 5-speed right?). You need to feather the clutch some. I've got BFG Comp TA ZR1's 245/50Z16.....and I've been to the track twice w/ them and launched at 2-2.5k and ripped off 2.0-2.2 consistantly. You're not TOO far off, and I wouldn't blame the 2.6 on the tires, unless they're bald Did you heat them up any (quick burn out or two?) I don't own slicks, I have BFG D/R's for the track, and I like them - got my 1.78 60' w/ them. ------------------ '90 LX 5.0;12K original miles;FMS 3.55 gears; March pulleys;Edelbrock Performer Heads;BBK 1 5/8" equal length shorties;MSD 6AL ignition w/ blaster 2 coil;FMS E303 cam;Pro-M 75mm MAF;BBK 70mm TB; Eibach drag-launch spring kit;Southside weld-on subs;9" K&N cone filter charger;Hurst shifter;Cervini 3" turbo hood;A/C delete;gutted cats;2 chamber Flomasters;Corbeau racing seats;FMS 30# injectors;JMS custom chip;Holley 190lb fp;TFS track heat intake (12.299 @ 113mph w/ a 1.78 60') ....soon to be b

10-08-2001, 02:41 PM	#3
89 Cobra LX Don Corlione Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Omaha NE USA Posts: 491	The Comp T/A ZR1s are what I'm running too. Yeah, I guess I was dumping the clutch. I was doing a short burn-out before each pass. When you say feather the clutch some, do you mean letting it out slower? ------------------ Eric - 89 Mustang LX coupe 302 - Cobra Intake - GT40p heads - TFS stage 1 cam - FRPP 1.6 roller rockers - Naturally Aspirated 3:73 gears - KYB shocks and struts - Eibach springs - HPM Mega-bite Jr lower control arms - HPM upper control arms

10-08-2001, 04:06 PM	#4
90dpscoupe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: sanantonio, Tx, usa Posts: 1,407	I always drive around the water box,and get better traction, i still dry burn the tires a bit, but thats just my opinion. Try staging shallow, so you can let the car start rolling as you kinda ride the clutch out, till you get to that point where the motor kinda boggs, then step on it, but be easy with the clutch so you dont "shock" the rear tires.....good luck, i got better traction by pulling the front swaybar, but im sure your into carving corners pretty good. ------------------ 90 lx coupe: 5spd, energy susp trans mounts, fms hd clutch, Mac coldair fenderwell, Mac h-pipe, supercoil, ADS chip, 160 stat, aluminum D/S, Black magic fan, 3.27grs. Best time: 13.9116(on 225/60/15 firehawks) Best mph: 98.17 Best 60': 1.9607 someday mods:4.10's, slicks.

10-10-2001, 05:02 PM	#5
jz_mustang50 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 50	If you want to be consistantly GOOD, you should get a AOD if your serious. Sticks are just so up and down when it comes to taking off. Get a Lentech built AOD. They can be built to be faster and strong then your T5. Yeah, I'd suggest to drive around the water, and then do your burn out... not for too long, only for like 5 seconds, then pull up, don't do any dry pre-jumps when your pulling up to the line... Just drive up slowly. I run a 2.068 with my 225/55/16 BFG HR4 tires. I run about 30lbs of pressure. I run a 2.030 on my drag tires. Not too bad. ------------------ Joe Zemaitis, Grand Rapids Michigan 1991 Mustang GT. Mods to date: 4.10 rear end, new POSI, aluminum driveshaft, AOD w/ shift kit, 2 1/2 off road h-pipe, 2 1/2 flowmasters and 2 1/2 tail pipes. Electric fan, Removed air pump and egr tube. Hotchkins upper and lower control arms. New energy suspension rear busings. Hoosier Quick Time Pro 27x10.5x15 and bolt on subframes soon to be welded. Everything else is STOCK. Totally stock ENGINE. 14.29@96 with 130k miles.

10-11-2001, 05:31 AM	#6
90dpscoupe Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: sanantonio, Tx, usa Posts: 1,407	Why do you say not to do any "pre jumps" before stage? i like to, so i can hear the wheels scream but i think thats how i busted my last cluster shaft in the t-5 ------------------ 90 lx coupe: 5spd, energy susp trans mounts, fms hd clutch, Mac coldair fenderwell, Mac h-pipe, supercoil, ADS chip, 160 stat, aluminum D/S, Black magic fan, 3.27grs. Best time: 13.9116(on 225/60/15 firehawks) Best mph: 98.17 Best 60': 1.9607 someday mods:4.10's, slicks.

10-12-2001, 12:57 AM	#7
fastboy7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Seymour,IN. USA Posts: 5	With street tires try to stay out of the water box. This only makes things worse,and it makes it worse on the guy running slicks behind you because you pull water on the track. Try a small burnout, just enough to clean the tires off.And if all else fails buy some MickeyThompsons or Hoosier drag slicks. '92 coupe-306 nos-powered 11.01 on ET Streets

10-12-2001, 09:53 AM	#8
89 Cobra LX Don Corlione Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Omaha NE USA Posts: 491	Well, I'm going to end up getting some big/little wheels and some Mickey Thompsons. I just don't think I'm going to have much success trying to launch this combo from a stand. Unfortunately, it's that time of year when I'm going to have to cover the car for a few months. Back to the track next spring! ------------------ Eric - 89 Mustang LX coupe 302 - Cobra Intake - GT40p heads - TFS stage 1 cam - FRPP 1.6 roller rockers - Naturally Aspirated 3:73 gears - KYB shocks and struts - Eibach springs - HPM Mega-bite Jr lower control arms - HPM upper control arms