<< needs a lot of help in 1/4 mile
 

Ok fellas, so here it is, I already tossed it out there I am new to the Z and new to the whole tracking a rwd vehicle. That being said...

I went to the track tonight.. ran mostly 13.8's and one 13.703... I cannot for the life of me figure out how to launch this thing lol.. It seems like I either have to do a very low rpm launch, so I don't spin.. because if I don't launch really low I spin out and get some nasty wheel hop then by the time it grabs it pegs the limiter and my times are all jacked up.

Any tips on how to launch? or increase my 1/4 mile? If there is anything else I should disclose let me know and I will tell you.. need all the help I can get.

13.8 isnt too bad...

Whats your reaction time?

What RPM are you shifting at?

I know it sounds stupid but did you have your windows rolled down or the radio on, heat etc?

Did you take out some of the simple things like spare tire, mats etc?

Car is bone stock, took out the tire and jack.

My reaction time sucks to be honest 0.9-1.2 typically.

Shifting right at about 7.5-7.7k

Windows up, radio and heat off, let out some air out of the tires... not a lot.. running at about 35 psi on the tires.

Yea im not a track genious and I am sure a few more people in here will give you some pointers. The RT thing will get better and your launches will get smoother over time. I wouldnt really try to rev the RPMs much and try to dump the clutch unless youre trying to do a burn out like you stated.

http://www.the370z.com/brakes-suspen...on-thread.html

That might help a little bit and give you some other ideas. Few people said the windshield washer fluid alone is about 8 pounds. HaHa... But practice makes perfect. I know a few people on here said they were running 13.3s which isnt too far off from where you are. A little tweaking and I am sure you will be right around 13.5 before you start modding your Z.

Manual tranmission I assume. What was the temp and humidity? I can't help with the launch, as my automatic wont rev past 1500 while holding the brake down, but at the same time I was still able to pull of a 2.057 60, and a 13.369 quarter, temp was mid to high 40's though, I have a thread you can read all the details:

http://www.the370z.com/track-autocro...ts-inside.html.

But 13.8 does seem high. How many miles on the car?

Here is another useful link that will eventually be filled up.

Fast Nissan 370Zs 1/4 Mile 0-60 Drag Racing - DragTimes.com

Umm It was about 70 outside.. and the humidity was at about 85%... I have just over 700 miles on the car... And I do have a 6mt

ur driving skills will come along with practice but it is kinda premature that u should be on the track already with only 700 miles. Let the car fully break-in and im sure u will be in the 13.5 range

learn your clutch. always had a hard time in my 350z until i started to feather the clutch. i've launched my 370 about 3 times now with the 1st one just dropping the clutch....the car went all over the place hopping lol. the 2nd time i took it to 2,300 and feathered the clutch and played with the throttle until i felt the car actually hook then smashed it. by feathering i mean as in when you accelerate don't just let the whole clutch out....ease it out while accelerating but also dont just punch it all the way, your RPMs should hold at around a certain number rather than bouncing around, until you feel the car on the ground then you punch it. hard to explain but that is the main picture.

This is the best answer posted. With a high powered RWD car it's all about feathering the clutch. It won't be easy to learn and will take several launches to perfect but once you do you'll be off the line quick as hell everytime.

As for weight reduction forget it for right now. Whats the point in making the car lighter before you dial in a true stock time? I never understood people who did that. Dial in your times first with the car 100% stock, then start messing with mods and weight reduction to see what you can do to make it better. Besides contrary to popular ricer belief removing the spare tire and jack doesn't really help much (60lbs if that). The more powerful and faster the car is stock the less effect mods and weight reduction have. What this means is you have to do more to get better times. You can take a 16 sec car and remove 100lbs and get great results. Take a 12 sec car and remove 100lbs and you may not even notice a difference. Regardless you should practice feathering the clutch and dial in your stock times before you start messing with the car.

Listen to Batman :D Its all about hook and go. What did our parents always tell us??? Practice makes perfect. Seat-time is your best practice. You will get it.

Chris

I really appreciate all the help guys. Thanks for being informative instead of @$$holes about it lol. When I get back from my trip I should have about 1500 maybe 2000 miles on it and I guess it would officially broke in by then and I will head back out to the track. One more question... Any thoughts on the waterbox and spinning out before I get up to the line?

oh man, dont do it. i made that mistake my 1st time out. drove thru the water box and didnt do a burnout. dude, your on street tires and they dont need to be warmed up. drive around the water box. if anything do a little burnout after the water box just to empty the tires of any debris. if you go thru the water box and dont burnout you will spin all of 1st and some of 2nd. if you have slick then its neccessary to burn in the box.

+1, i never understand the guys with street tires going through it like if they have slicks and doing burnouts. i mean slicks are sticky hence they need the added help (water) to break loose and warm up....street tires don't

So I should never fully release the clutch when launching/shifting into first? But for all the other shifts I should fully release the clutch?
I put a hurtin' on the Guinness at the pub last night so my reading comprehension isn't 100% right now...