First time at the track today

[Downshift]

So a couple friends and I went to the track. It was my first time driving my own car down the strip. Kinda long drive to get there but not to bad. Had a lot of fun I will be going back soon. Im not happy with my times at all haha. First run we had just got down there from a 20 mile drive with about a half hour of bumper to bumper traffic about 2 miles from the track. It was about 85 out I would say. Elevation cant be more then 4 or 5 hundred feet. First run was no launch at all, just like taking off from a stop sign at first. I did to burnouts everytime. I missed second gear on the first run. Temp gauge was pointing straight up and the entire way down to the track and during all my runs I had my CEL on for insuffient EGR opening. Felt a little sluggish. I was expecting low 14s. Let me know what you all think.


1 2 3 4 5

R/T .774 .866 .764 .436 .279
60ft 2.33 2.21 ? 2.23 2.30
1/8th 10.47 9.71 7.72 9.56 9.74
MPH 72.54 72.73 75.18 74.74 73.26
ET 15.77 14.95 14.92 14.72 14.95
MPH 92.36 94.31 95.01 95.32 94.09

 

[91paxmustang]

low 14's shouldnt be a problem, Mine with just 3.73's and exhaust went 14.75 @ 94.95mph, And that also around a 90 degree day. Im sure on a cooler night you could pick up a couple tenths, i know mine feels a lot stronger in the colder air.

 

[Downshift]

I know it capable of more. It wasnt that hot out and I was thinking low 14s for sure. Did have some video and after watching it I realized I could launch harder for sure. Im really not feeling my gears though haha. I am shifting way to early into second gear it feels like maybe even right at or before the 60ft. Im shifting at about 5800 though so there isnt much more room.

 

[White_5.0_GT]

ya i was very unhappy with my times too dude...i was expecting a lot better, but i know the driving could've been better on my part anyways...

 

[NotQuik]

you definately have a bit more left in it no doubt, but like they said weather makes a large impact on your mph and all....my car in the winter trapped 100 and in 80 degree weather only trapped 97...nothing to be discouraged about though.

 

[Downshift]

Ya I was just kinda pissed because I was expecting low 14s maybe if I was lucky a high 13. It wasnt really that hot out though 85 at the most. I know that I could launch harder and the temp gauge being rightin the middle with the egr not opening right. I guess I will have to go back and see how she does.


What do you guys think is capable with my set up? I have brand new Gforce Sport 275s in the back and they seemed to hook pretty decent with slipping the clutch out really fast at 3k.

 

[LI98GT]

5800rpm sounds like too high of a shift point to me. With my 4.6 and first time ever at the track, I had my best times shifting between 5krpm and 5.5krpm and taking off slightly under 2krpm. I would think that the 5.0s would have their shift points lower in the rpm range compared to the 4.6s. Maybe some 302 guys can chime in with some shift point advice?

 

[Downshift]

Ya I need to mess with shifting at different RPMs some. I know a lot of guys like 4.10s and stuff but I hate my 3.90s. Even shifting at 5800 and not spinning hardly any it feels like I am shifting out of 1st gear too soon. Maybe even before the 60ft. Need to get my 3.73s in.

 

[CanaryGT]

I have my shift light set at 5400 RPM's. Also, launching at 3k is a little crazy to me... Im sure your hooking up but i thought 1700 was about where you wanted to launch... maybe even less.... I run the 4.10's and hopefully ill see the benefit in the quarter. Also, what elevation were you at?? Oh and my other question is... How much power do you loose because of elevation?? Up where I live I ran a 14.9 but I also live 5500-5600 Ft. If I say dropped to 400 ft, what can I expect?

 

[Downshift]

Well I wasnt dropping the clutch or anything just slipping it out fast. Elevation couldnt be more then 500 feet. I would say you would notice a huge difference if you came down to anything less then 5000. I really need to go back to the track getting those times has been eating me up inside i cant stand it lol.

 

[CanaryGT]

Yeah dude, I think it was just bad luck. Maybe you car wasnt happy that night. I want to go down to Phoenix and run my car so I can see what my times will be at their elevation. Im hoping to be able to hit 14 flat. I think my car can do it..... but im gonna be a nervous wreck my first time down there... :noes:

 

[Downshift]

Yeah dude, I think it was just bad luck. Maybe you car wasnt happy that night. I want to go down to Phoenix and run my car so I can see what my times will be at their elevation. Im hoping to be able to hit 14 flat. I think my car can do it..... but im gonna be a nervous wreck my first time down there... :noes:

You will be fine. Going down there I was kinda feeling nervous but when I was up or right about to get lined up it all went away and I wasnt nervous at all.

 

[Lightning Struck]

Damn man that 3rd run was great :bunny3: :bunny3: :bunny3: you did a 7.72 in the eighth :boink: :boink:




















:hammer: :hammer: :hammer: just kidding, not bad times but room for improvement

 

[Downshift]

Haha oops that was a 9.
I found my other timeslip today.

2.1 60ft
9.5 1/8th
14.73
94.8


I was looking at them today and im not going to get much lower than a 2.1 60 on street tires. Maybe a 2.0 but that would still put me at 14.5 ish. I have seen and read quite a few people on here and other places that did 14.5s with 2.2 or 2.3 60ft on 5.0s that had exhaust only. Im guessing my shift points are needing some work? Give me some ideas on what it sounds like I need to work on for next time I go. Im open to suggestions except running drag radials right now.

 

[ripper]

You could bump your timimg a bit and run 93 octang. Move your shift light to 5800 and see if that makes a diff.

 

[LI98GT]

You could bump your timimg a bit and run 93 octang. Move your shift light to 5800 and see if that makes a diff.

The timing idea is a good one, if you haven't done that mod as of yet. I think it was CanaryGT that had his shift light set at 5400 rpm though and 5.0wned had shifted at 5800rpm already. I would definately play around with shift points lower in the rpm range - take notes as you go to see if it made a positive or neg difference. You could gain a few tenths just from working out the proper shift points.

 

[CanaryGT]

Yeah, I thought our cars didnt really produce power after 5400 ish RPM's.... Anyway, I should be going to the track soon and I will be posting my slips.... im so excited!