Horrible times - opinions?

[cad614]

I'm pretty darn annoyed right now. When I first got my car (95 GT vert w/ AODE) I managed to run a 15.6 @ 90 mph, pretty darn slow.

Since then I've installed; full length subframe connectors, tokico shocks/struts, ford "c" springs, and 4.10 gears. Went to the track last night and ran a 15.7 @ 88 mph!

That time was on my first run of the night. I heard it pinging and let off a little, but kept on it enough to beat my friend in the other lane. Second time up, I had dropped the timing a bit but I was still pinging so I coasted to a 17.x @ 70 mph. Third run, dropped the timing WAY down and ran a 21.7 @ 60 mph (and still beat the neon that ran me ) but it didn't ping! Final run of the night, I had got the timing up a little more without any detonation but I still only ran a 15.9 @ 89 mph.
Unfortunately I didn't have a timing light so I can't tell you what anything was set at, but the times speak for themselves.

My 60' times were consistant 2.4 seconds, but I didn't feel like I was spinning. I think I should be able to launch a little harder, but I wasn't extremely worried about the launch last night as I was having more problems getting the timing set.

Any comments or suggestions?

[302 LX Eric]

In your near stock 'vert, the only mod that is seriously helping you is the 4.10 gear.

Obviously, your 60' times need improvement. You should be able to pull at least 2.2's on street meats.

GET A TIMING LIGHT. How the hell do you know where it's set without it? The pinging is bad bad bad. Your car should not be pinging at all. So, GET A TIMING LIGHT. Don't forget to disconnect the SPOUT connector before you adjust timing. Then reconnenct it once your set.

The car should go at least 94 mph with the 4.10s.

What were the conditions at the track? Elevation, temp, humidity. This may explain a little, but overall I think you need to get rid of the pinging by getting your timing straightened out. BTW - make sure you get a timing light - did I mention that already?

E

[Dark_5.0]

Hey whats up ai have been to the San angelo track before and been to san angelo many times.

I have always wanted to run my car in San Angelo cause the air is better over there than it is in Penwell where I run.

That 60ft is killing you. 2.2 60ft would net you a 15.4 or so.

I believe you are at 2000 ft alttitude. Are you leaving the car in drive or shifting it manualy. You may have to learn the AOD shuffle.

[302 LX Eric]

Anyone have the altitude correction formula for cad614? 2000 ft. above sea level will put a little damper on your ET. So, with a better 60' time and on a "corrected" scale, you might not be that far off from where you should be.

FWIW, my local track is around 900 ft. above sea level.

E

[chris91LX]

I agree with Eric. With the exception of the 4.10 gear you really didn't add anything to your car that would do too much for your 1/4. You might want to consider getting a timing light. I shudder to think how you were adjusting your timing without one. You ought to be able to get a much better 60' especially with the AODE (no worries bout sidestepping the clutch while watching your rpm's and the tree), launch as hard as you can without spinning the tires and keep you foot mashed on the go pedal. Oh and you might want to get a timing light.

[1BAD89]

consistant 2.4 seconds

[cad614]

Sorry about the timing light ... I have one, it just wasn't with me at the track. I only adjusted it by guessing because it was pinging, would I have been better off to leave the timing where it was? I turned it back slightly the first time, and then a little bit too much the second time, I thought I had found a decent spot the third time... but at least it's not pinging.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to check where it ended up being set today, but as soon as I find out tomorrow I'll be sure to let you all know. Also thanks for the info about the syspension, I thought that dumping all my old worn out stock junk would have helped my times a bit (at least the 60').

Oh, did I mention I have a timing light.
Thanks

[silver_pilate]

Eric,

Altitude correction factors can be found on my website. Click the link in my sig.

Dark_5.0,

He shouldn't have to mess with the AOD shuffle with the AODE...just make sure you turn off the OD switch.

cad614,

It gonna be hard to get decent launches with the AODE even with the 4.10's. You should consider investing in a higher stalling torque converter...like around 2800. I believe the stock unit stalls closer to 1500, and that is nowhere near your powerband.

--nathan

[cad614]

Track elevation - 1,899 feet according to the chart that's .9783 on my ET and 1.0227 mph.

Thanks for the info, still haven't had a chance to do anything else with the car this weekend.

[chris91LX]

Nobodys trying to say the suspension was a bad investment, just that you can't expect to pick up a ton of et by throwing on a set of springs and shocks. You need to work on your 60' times more than anything and as silver pilate says a stall converter would be a big help.

[302 LX Eric]

Nathan brings up a good point about the stall converter. Although I know next to nothing about automatics, I have read and heard several times that increasing the stall will help at the track.

Let us know where your timing is and hopefully we can get everything worked out for you.

Take care,
E

[AJSTANG]

It takes a lot to get these heavy cars down the track. Try a few of the mods in my sig. Run drag radials or slicks and watch the ET drop.

[gtsr515]

Well, i don't feel anything is afoot.

You have added subframes, well, that added weight too don't forget.

The Tokico set-up, is this drag related, or a street/road race setup?, this has surely lowered the car, which screws your weight transfer to the rear, which is the goal in drag racing.

What and did you compare 60ft. times with the 4.10?, 60 foot is the key my man!

I dont want to slam you bud, but when I read your post I felt that all of your "improvements" were actually "hinderances", but then I need a detailed description of yer package1

GOOD LUCK!

[Killercanary]

What did you do in terms of a chip when you put the 4.10's in there with the AODE? If you didn't do any compensating to the computer... this may be your problem. Anything above 3.55's needs a chip for the computer with the AODE, if you didn't all kinds of bad things can happen.

[gtsr515]

The gear ratio has nothing to do with a chip, or trans, or vise-versa. Period.

[Killercanary]

Originally posted by gtsr515
The gear ratio has nothing to do with a chip, or trans, or vise-versa. Period.

With the AODE it does.

[BowTie Eater 5 Liter]

Actually, you should be running 15.35@89.1 on the 15.7@88 run if you were at sea level, like I am (actually 24feet above), you misread the information on the altitude page, you were supposed to times your numbers.