First time down the track with my recently pruchased '97 Cobra

97cobracpe · 10-29-2001, 01:37 PM

Is my best time below where I shoud be with a stock '97 Cobra. How much faster would I go with a set of drag radials and 4.10 gears.

60' - 2.169
330' - 5.907
1/8 - 8.979
mph - 80.03
1000' - 11.649
1/4 - 13.884
mph - 101.03

CobraConv99 · 10-29-2001, 02:10 PM

I would say anywhere from 2 to 3 tenths. Depends on how you drive it. I put 4:10's in mine went from high 8.80's to 8.60's. I would probably go ahead with 4:30's. My friends tried to get me to, and now I wished I would have. Your car still has some more left in it the way it is I would quess. Your 60ft could probably use a little work. I'm still working on mine. (best 1.87). Anyways Good Luck!! Listen to some these other guys though there's a bunch here that know what they are talking about. I just speak from experience.

------------------
Mods: 4.10 gears, nitto drag radials, o/r h-pipe

SD Wheeler · 10-29-2001, 05:01 PM

Yup...you need to work on launching the car more aggressively. My '98 GT is bone stock except for 3.73 gears and a Performance Automatic transbrake valve body. I can usually 60' around 2.04-2.07 seconds. You didn't mention what DR's you are using. I use Nitto's and lower the pressure to 17psi. Heat them for around 7-10 seconds at 5000 rpm. Work on your launch rpm and "walking" the car out of the hole. Buzz that four valve engine up in the rpm range too. They like to rev and the ET will show it. Good Luck!

------------------
SD Wheeler

M/M #30 '98 GT
Strictly Performance
MV Performance

"The Game"

97cobracpe · 10-30-2001, 01:10 AM

I'm running the stock BFG Comp T/A tires (32psi - no burn out). I've only made 3 passes with the car. So I'm still working out my launching technique. It's a lot harder than my old car ('93GT w/ 3.73 gears).
Would 13.70s be possible if I could manage 1.99 to 2.05 60' times?

CobraConv99 · 10-30-2001, 09:07 AM

Lower the pressure to about 25psi. Dust the tires off pretty good. (burnout doesn't do that well on street tires) If you lower the tire pressure too much the whole surface of the tire will not touch making it even harder to get traction. (radials are not like slicks they don't have real tall side walls that give) I usually try to launch some where around 4000, but I'm about to go to 5000. I would say you could get into some 13.70's with better 60ft's. Let us know how it goes. Good Luck!
P.S. What was your 60ft times in the 93gt.

------------------
Mods: 4.10 gears, nitto drag radials, o/r h-pipe

97cobracpe · 10-30-2001, 08:18 PM

In the '93GT, my best 60' was 2.068 on street tires. That got me a 14.38 @ 94.7mph. I was also my best run ever with that car.

CobraConv99 · 10-31-2001, 10:24 AM

That's not a bad 60ft, but I know the Cobra will do alot better. When you launch get your rpms high and slip the clutch don't dump it. Get the car to launch has hard as you can with out spinning. The cobra will go 1.90's to low 2.00's 60ft they way it is. All it will take is some practice.

------------------
Mods: 4.10 gears, nitto drag radials, o/r h-pipe

97cobracpe · 10-31-2001, 07:18 PM

I'm going to the track this weekend. What RPM do you think I should try launching at?

CobraConv99 · 11-01-2001, 10:37 AM

I just have to work @ it. You need to try around 2500 to 3000 at first. You really need to get 4000 or higher once you get a little use to it. It will take some time but we will be there before you know it.
What track do you go to, and where is it at.

------------------
Mods: 4.10 gears, nitto drag radials, o/r h-pipe

97cobracpe · 11-01-2001, 07:22 PM

I'm going to Great Lakes Dragaway. It's on the southeast section of wisconsin. Between Chicago and Milwaukee. I think I'm going on Sunday Nov. 4

stang1996gt · 11-03-2001, 12:56 PM

hahaha reading this makes me feel realll bad! I bought a 97 Cobra in august and have been to byron dragway bout a month ago. Granted this is my first manual trans car, I am upset with my time. I just need to practice alot more.

60' 2.31
1/8 9.31
1/4 14.395
MPH 98.35

I need some tips on the launch, that run i even bounced off of second so i know i can do alot better than a 14.3
Any tips would be greatly appreciated and note that i am only 17 and this is my first manual!
Thanks!

------------------
1996 GT full exhaust and underdrive pullys: 14.6 @93 MPH

stang1996gt · 11-03-2001, 01:00 PM

ohh yeah, since that run i installed me a steeda tri-ax shifter, changed fuel filter, a K&N filtercharger, and plugs and motorsport 9mm plugwires.

97cobracpe · 11-03-2001, 07:03 PM

Don't sweat it. My first pass down the track with this car netted me a 2.4 60', and a 14.4 1/4. My best pass (above) was my second try. As for tips, I found it is easier to launch slipping the clutch. By this I mean rev to 2000rpm to start, and slowly slip the clutch. Now depress the gas pedal slowly until you build enough speed so when you slam the gas you won't peel out. After evey successful run, raise you're starting rpm.
This is what I do. It works really well (for street tire cars). Using this technique, you should be able to launch at any rpm and not spon the tires. The key is to apply enough power to the ground without spinning your tires.
PS - don't bounce of the rev limiter. Shift around 6400-6600 rpm.

10-29-2001, 01:37 PM	#1
97cobracpe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester, IL Posts: 37	First time down the track with my recently pruchased '97 Cobra Is my best time below where I shoud be with a stock '97 Cobra. How much faster would I go with a set of drag radials and 4.10 gears. 60' - 2.169 330' - 5.907 1/8 - 8.979 mph - 80.03 1000' - 11.649 1/4 - 13.884 mph - 101.03

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10-29-2001, 02:10 PM	#2
CobraConv99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Birmingham, AL, Posts: 31	I would say anywhere from 2 to 3 tenths. Depends on how you drive it. I put 4:10's in mine went from high 8.80's to 8.60's. I would probably go ahead with 4:30's. My friends tried to get me to, and now I wished I would have. Your car still has some more left in it the way it is I would quess. Your 60ft could probably use a little work. I'm still working on mine. (best 1.87). Anyways Good Luck!! Listen to some these other guys though there's a bunch here that know what they are talking about. I just speak from experience. ------------------ Mods: 4.10 gears, nitto drag radials, o/r h-pipe

10-29-2001, 05:01 PM	#3
SD Wheeler "The Game" Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Baytown, Texas USA Posts: 955	Yup...you need to work on launching the car more aggressively. My '98 GT is bone stock except for 3.73 gears and a Performance Automatic transbrake valve body. I can usually 60' around 2.04-2.07 seconds. You didn't mention what DR's you are using. I use Nitto's and lower the pressure to 17psi. Heat them for around 7-10 seconds at 5000 rpm. Work on your launch rpm and "walking" the car out of the hole. Buzz that four valve engine up in the rpm range too. They like to rev and the ET will show it. Good Luck! ------------------ SD Wheeler M/M #30 '98 GT Strictly Performance MV Performance "The Game"

10-30-2001, 01:10 AM	#4
97cobracpe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester, IL Posts: 37	I'm running the stock BFG Comp T/A tires (32psi - no burn out). I've only made 3 passes with the car. So I'm still working out my launching technique. It's a lot harder than my old car ('93GT w/ 3.73 gears). Would 13.70s be possible if I could manage 1.99 to 2.05 60' times?

10-30-2001, 09:07 AM	#5
CobraConv99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Birmingham, AL, Posts: 31	Lower the pressure to about 25psi. Dust the tires off pretty good. (burnout doesn't do that well on street tires) If you lower the tire pressure too much the whole surface of the tire will not touch making it even harder to get traction. (radials are not like slicks they don't have real tall side walls that give) I usually try to launch some where around 4000, but I'm about to go to 5000. I would say you could get into some 13.70's with better 60ft's. Let us know how it goes. Good Luck! P.S. What was your 60ft times in the 93gt. ------------------ Mods: 4.10 gears, nitto drag radials, o/r h-pipe

10-30-2001, 08:18 PM	#6
97cobracpe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester, IL Posts: 37	In the '93GT, my best 60' was 2.068 on street tires. That got me a 14.38 @ 94.7mph. I was also my best run ever with that car.

10-31-2001, 10:24 AM	#7
CobraConv99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Birmingham, AL, Posts: 31	That's not a bad 60ft, but I know the Cobra will do alot better. When you launch get your rpms high and slip the clutch don't dump it. Get the car to launch has hard as you can with out spinning. The cobra will go 1.90's to low 2.00's 60ft they way it is. All it will take is some practice. ------------------ Mods: 4.10 gears, nitto drag radials, o/r h-pipe

10-31-2001, 07:18 PM	#8
97cobracpe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester, IL Posts: 37	I'm going to the track this weekend. What RPM do you think I should try launching at?

11-01-2001, 10:37 AM	#9
CobraConv99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Birmingham, AL, Posts: 31	I just have to work @ it. You need to try around 2500 to 3000 at first. You really need to get 4000 or higher once you get a little use to it. It will take some time but we will be there before you know it. What track do you go to, and where is it at. ------------------ Mods: 4.10 gears, nitto drag radials, o/r h-pipe

11-01-2001, 07:22 PM	#10
97cobracpe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester, IL Posts: 37	I'm going to Great Lakes Dragaway. It's on the southeast section of wisconsin. Between Chicago and Milwaukee. I think I'm going on Sunday Nov. 4

11-03-2001, 12:56 PM	#11
stang1996gt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: LaFox, IL USA Posts: 23	hahaha reading this makes me feel realll bad! I bought a 97 Cobra in august and have been to byron dragway bout a month ago. Granted this is my first manual trans car, I am upset with my time. I just need to practice alot more. 60' 2.31 1/8 9.31 1/4 14.395 MPH 98.35 I need some tips on the launch, that run i even bounced off of second so i know i can do alot better than a 14.3 Any tips would be greatly appreciated and note that i am only 17 and this is my first manual! Thanks! ------------------ 1996 GT full exhaust and underdrive pullys: 14.6 @93 MPH

11-03-2001, 01:00 PM	#12
stang1996gt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: LaFox, IL USA Posts: 23	ohh yeah, since that run i installed me a steeda tri-ax shifter, changed fuel filter, a K&N filtercharger, and plugs and motorsport 9mm plugwires.

11-03-2001, 07:03 PM	#13
97cobracpe Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester, IL Posts: 37	Don't sweat it. My first pass down the track with this car netted me a 2.4 60', and a 14.4 1/4. My best pass (above) was my second try. As for tips, I found it is easier to launch slipping the clutch. By this I mean rev to 2000rpm to start, and slowly slip the clutch. Now depress the gas pedal slowly until you build enough speed so when you slam the gas you won't peel out. After evey successful run, raise you're starting rpm. This is what I do. It works really well (for street tire cars). Using this technique, you should be able to launch at any rpm and not spon the tires. The key is to apply enough power to the ground without spinning your tires. PS - don't bounce of the rev limiter. Shift around 6400-6600 rpm.