Heading to the drag strip tomorrow - thoughts on my setup and prep for breaking 12's?

[Alstann]

Hey guys,

After a long absence from seat time at the drag strip, I'll be heading to Palm Beach International Raceway in FL tomorrow night for a Test&Tune session, and this time, I plan on breaking into the 12 seconds mark. My previous best was a 13.3ish~ @ 106 mph. This was also done on almost bald tires, slipping stock clutch, and a wheel-hop-inducing stock diff mount. Also, tomorrow night, the weather will be a 65 degree F night, and clear skies. It should be a great night for passes at the drag strip.

My car's current setup is:

Powertrain:
-HKS Cat-back
-Berk HFC
-Southbend Stage 3 Drag 6-puck clutch, 19lb steel flywheel
-NST Pulley set
-Z1 2-pc F. Rotor set

Chassis:
-KW Variant 3 coils
-SPC camber arms F/R (-1.3 in rear, not too bad)
-Whiteline Diff. bushings
-Full weight + spare tire + 90 lb of audio equipment (will remove at track if necessary)
-Gas tank at 1/2 full

Wheel/Tire:
-Rays Engineering Volk RE30 19x10 F / 19x11 R
-Potenza RE-11 245/40/19 F / 305/30/19 R

Of course, there are a million things anyone can do to their car, driver-wise and parts-wise to get down the quarter mile faster, but I thought this would be a fun way to critique my setup and give me some insights on what I can improve to make the 12 second mark a reality.

Speaking personally, I feel that last time I went to the drag strip, the car could not cut a good 60'. I had terrible wheel hop issues, or the car would bog after pedaling the car a good amount and I lost way too much time down low. Fastest 60' I have done was on stock tires, and it was a 2.0 flat.

I'm planning on doing my first pass straight from the street, so I can get an idea of how my car behaves when it's fully loaded in a real world scenario. I'll probably ditch the subwoofer and spare tire after a couple passes, and lower tire pressure a good deal, probably to the 25-28 range. I think power-wise, I'm quicker than I was before, since I added the clutch/flywheel, pullies, lighter wheels and brake rotors, and a sticker, wider compound. Hopefully, I'll get enough seat time tomorrow night so that I can really hook up a good pass.

I've got two variables that I have not really played with at the track - RPM and suspension. I'm gonna have to feel out the surface when I go, and since the 6-puck clutch doesn't slip at all, I'm gonna have to pedal the car quickly and smoothly. Suspension-wise, I might experiment with the compression adjustment on the rear struts, and see if I can get them to help eliminate wheel hop and let the car squat harder.

I'm curious to see if my trap MPH will change from last time - I personally don't think my car got faster than a 106, but I've lightened plenty of components and fixed a slipping clutch, so that might help. On the downside, my 1-2 shift has been getting hairy - I fear that the synchro isn't enjoying a 1-2 powershift often. I'll have to play it safe and go slow.

If anyone has any critique, insight, or tips, send them my way!

[Verda7junior]

For me on the stock street tires they seemed to get greasy with the more runs I make, so I try and have everything set to go fast from the first run. Remove the heavy audio equipment and the spare tire and jack and tools. And it's best to go with 1/4 tank. If your wheels are bouncing like an overinflated basketball then you will need lower pressures to reduce the bounce. I usually get my best time within my first 3 runs, it seems like only the guys with slicks can keep getting traction all day at my track.

[Z&I]

Why waste your first run ???

Before race day :
Try a few practice launches at 2000 rpm and up it 500 rpm till you find the right balance between minimal spin, zero bog, and acceleration.

Race day :

Lighten the car ... spare tire, tools, wear thin socks (that's a joke son) etc. ... 1/4 tank (or less) ... leave your girlfriend home.

Street tires really s*** ... try starting at 22lbs ~ 18lbs ~ stop when you start to wobble at the top.
Burn outs with street tires are useless ... avoid the water

When leaving the lights : Feather smoothly and quickly without pedaling ...

Power shifting 2nd only hurts the car and your ET - better to quick shift.

Don't let off till you are past the traps for sure.

Good Luck :-0

Let us know how you did

ps : NICE Ride .. I see that you have already lightened your apparel !

[Alstann]

First run was mainly to gauge myself and see how my car could perform "full weight" on the street. More for trap speed really.

Unfortunately, the one day I wanted to go, it was POURING at the track. Not good. I plan on going next week wednesday. I suppose it's not all bad - it'll give me time to install my computer-based datalogging software. Should help me compare results and analyze what happens as I go down the quarter mile.

[Z&I]

Originally Posted by Alstann

First run was mainly to gauge myself and see how my car could perform "full weight" on the street. More for trap speed really.

it was POURING at the track.

Pouring Rain ??? No Prob .... all you need to do is duct tape some kitchen sponges to the bottom of your tires ... !!!

Did you manage to make it to the track on Wednesday ???

Interested to know how you did !

Bob