9 replies to this topic

[neglectedtorana]

Hi Racers,

 

I am hoping to take my car to the track for a 1/4 mile evening soon and wondering what those with a manual recommend for the start?

LX sedan, stock tuned LS1, T56 and 3.7 LSD with 225-50-16 Yokohamas

 

Since having the car on the road I haven't had any loss of traction but have been fairly gentle. I think it would be good to drop rear tyre pressure to approx 25-28psi and start with a small burnout, should I try the burn out in second to increase wheel speed or be changing gears during burn out? Is burn out/burnout one word or two?

 

Do I need 3 feet?

Should I get into the staging lights and then lightly put the park brake on to free up the brake pedal and then release brake- drop clutch mash accelerator all in one go on green?

Or once in the staging lights try the heel toe?

I am expecting my skills to be the limiting factor for a good time.

 

Any ideas/help appreciated.

 

Cheers, Tom

[76lxhatch]

You might be able to drop the tyre pressure a touch lower than that but definitely keep it above 20psi, the street tyres are definitely going to be the limiting factor and those are fairly narrow. Spin the tyres until you get some smoke then let off, a little heat is good but no point in turning them to mush.

 

I find that its fine to bring the revs up after staging and just use clutch control to get it off the line, no need for brakes or a third foot. In fact I find it pretty easy to cut a good light (leave on orange, not green) with the manual and have pretty consistent and low reaction times.

 

You'll need to ride the clutch a bit to launch it quick but be careful with that if you don't have a really good clutch or you'll just fry it. It'll probably want to spin the tyres hard off the line and into second and possibly third too so you're really only out for fun unless you're really good at pedalling it.

 

It makes a big difference to your time how quick you are with the changes, but either way banging through the gears is great fun.

[Toranamat69]

You need to transfer the weight to the rear before you can really open it up in first or you will fry the tires and not launch quickly.
Roll off the clutch at traction point till the nose lifts then go for it. Don't dump the clutch.

Street tires don't need to be warmed much at all as mentioned above

[unclefestal34s]

 For your first couple of runs just go back to basics,..as if you were racing off traffic lights get a feel of the car and stuck into it all way through the speed traps,..depending how torquey the engine is do your burnout in second or either third gear you'll know what your car likes and how feels,..all trial and error first time out just don't over think it,.once you find your feet and get some cordination being a manual car i tend to short shift first gear and pretty much red line throught the gears...depending again on your street tyres and how good they are i would least have 25 to 30 psi,..remember its your first time out and so much different than on the street...good luck with it,.if your good enough you be able run easily high 12s second passes..

[neglectedtorana]

Thanks gents, will take it all in and try to remember it all at the lights and will have to take it easy first outing, sure the car is more capable than me. Was thinking street tyres probably needed to be treated tenderly and not too much burnout, I have the heavy duty Exedy clutch which I think is nothing special but definitely adequate for my street driving, it  does have a very short travel which could be difficult to slip but will get it after a few runs.

 

Results to follow

[76lxhatch]

Be nice to the clutch, easy to kill them (have done a couple myself, have an expensive twin plate now)

[Lima31]

Assuming you have a hydraulic clutch, you could fit a fluid control valve (google tilton 90-5000) into the clutch line, makes the clutch release smoother and more consistent

[neglectedtorana]

Thanks for the advice gents,

I went and had 3 runs then it rained

 

13.1 @ 108mph 60ft 2.09

15.3 @ 104mph 60ft 2.79 with lots of wheel spin

13.1 @ 108mph 60ft 2.16

 

Will go back when I have time and work on the start and hopefully get the ET down, will update in my build thread as I continue

 

Cheers and have fun

[gtrboyy]

Mid 12's with those mph if you can get it to launch cleanly...either way lots of room for improvement.

 

Annoying when you just want timeslip with 12.99 at end of the night lol

[myss427]

Yes, mid 12's with that mph, very lazy 60 foot time, 1.6 is what you want, drag radials would help.