How to achieve best 1/4 time?

[370ZGhost]

Hello, sorry if this is a stupid question...but i really havent owned a REAL sports car before. I'm going to the track sometime soon with my friends at work and I really want to do the best I can and beat all of them! lol. I am going to a drag strip track, not a track track with turns and cool loops and ? boxes you hit to get banannas and lightning bolts ...which is what i prefer to do. So I was wondering what I should do to get the best time, i have a 2010 touring 370z with automatic transmission, and I'm going up against a Pontiac GTO 6.0 (M/T, with exhaust, headers), Infiniti G37XS Sedan (Auto, exhaust), and Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 03-04 I believe (M/T, factory supercharger and many mods ).... Should I,...
1> Launch in Reg. DRIVE with VDC on
2> Launch in Reg. DRIVE with VDC OFF
3> Launch in MANUAL MODE using the PADDLES or GEAR LEVER with VDC on
4> Launch in MANUAL MODE using the PADDLES or GEAR LEVER with VDC OFF
5> OR something completely different that I am not listing
6> OR I am a 'absolute' moron asking a dumba$$ question

Thank you for your time and help.

-Jordan

[steveg78]

Unless you are bracket racing I would say the only chance you got is against the G37XS. The GTO and the Cobra have more HP/Tq and I believe the GTO is a 13.0sec car stock, Cobra (whatever HP it is) you mention SC and many mods... Pray that these guys miss a shift or blow something up before you trap faster than them. Sorry to be so neg but it's the reality.

[Red370]

I've seen GTO's run 14's, they're fatass pigs. Cobra on the other hand is a different story. As far as the G37, have you seen how much the XS weighs? Doesnt stand a chance.

[brakedrift12]

in my opinion, z's made to run side-ways not forward BTW, Cobraz are gangsters in straight. I would not mass up with them

[370ZGhost]

The G37xs has never ran yet...but he has huge @ss custome 20's...that weigh him down...i can beat him im sure...the gto will be close, ive seen him run 13.7 to high 14's....plus they are heavy cars...and i know the 370z should be a 13.3-13.7 car as far as ive read...the cobra...i think i stand no chance...he has alot of bolt on's on his cobra...running alot of hp. i was just wondering how i should run to get my best chances.

[steveg78]

I don't know how the AT w/ VDC on behaves when loading/launching and if it will bog you down like it does in the MT if you start to spin the tires. With the MT there is a sweet spot in launching with VDC on where you can get a good launch and maybe some slip but not bog down... Perhaps an experienced person with the AT can chime in. From my own reading, I've seen that most guys with the AT have no problems getting into low 13's so it can't be that hard. If you're comfortable and experienced with your car and RWD I would say just go for it with VDC OFF but we all know how many VDC OFF threads there are here

[kenchan]

nono, rev to 7K RPM in neutral then shift into drive suddenly.

watch rear glass fall off car along with transmission.

[NewlyIMPORTed]

i like a launch at around 2500 its a smooth take off and i dont see bog with it

[Mize]

Originally Posted by kenchan

nono, rev to 7K RPM in neutral then shift into drive suddenly.

watch rear glass fall off car along with transmission.

Reminds me of a '72 Chevy Nova that left its u-joint in the intersection of Wilshire and Euclid when I was about 15...lol

[370ZGhost]

Originally Posted by NewlyIMPORTed

i like a launch at around 2500 its a smooth take off and i dont see bog with it

but isnt bad to rev it up at all in neutral or park and slam it in drive? or are you saying have it in drive but have the brakes on while revving than release?

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by 370ZGhost

but isnt bad to rev it up at all in neutral or park and slam it in drive? or are you saying have it in drive but have the brakes on while revving than release?

nono, just floor it in neutral and then slam it into gear to get the most damage out of your planetary gears.

[370ZGhost]

Originally Posted by kenchan

nono, just floor it in neutral and then slam it into gear to get the most damage out of your planetary gears.

lol ok

[NewlyIMPORTed]

no dont put the brakes on and rev to 2500!! haha im just saying thats what i do with a MT and yeah its bad to rev to 5 grand and dump the clutch but 2500 with a smooth launch isnt bad

[370ZGhost]

grrr...i still dont know what i should do? should i atleast use manual mode, or reg drive? or is there any definent answer whether to leave vdc on or off....or do i have the best advantage launch in reverse with vdc off?

[Red370]

Originally Posted by 370ZGhost

grrr...i still dont know what i should do? should i atleast use manual mode, or reg drive? or is there any definent answer whether to leave vdc on or off....or do i have the best advantage launch in reverse in manual mode with vdc off?

VDC will bog your engine once you lose traction. Leave it off. Dont attempt to launch your car by revving with your foot on the brake. Last yellow hits, hit the throttle about 30%, once you grip, mash and bang through the gears, in your case, click through the gears.