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Drag Strip Questions

Old 04-11-2016, 06:49 PM
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Drag Strip Questions

Okay I have been going to the drag strip for awhile, but I am new to FWD at the track, I've had this car for about four years with the mods listed below, I went to the track Sunday, only issues I had were launching but I am on street tires, I trapped pretty high for what I was running, I know the first thing I need to get is drag radials, but if you guys know any other mods that would help at the track that would be great. I ran a 9.04 at 86 MPH. I was spinning through first and a good bit through 2nd. That was the best time I got out of the two runs I did. Launched a little lower RPM on that one and lowered tire pressure to 25 psi.
Old 04-12-2016, 06:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 20BLACKBIRD02
Okay I have been going to the drag strip for awhile, but I am new to FWD at the track, I've had this car for about four years with the mods listed below, I went to the track Sunday, only issues I had were launching but I am on street tires, I trapped pretty high for what I was running, I know the first thing I need to get is drag radials, but if you guys know any other mods that would help at the track that would be great. I ran a 9.04 at 86 MPH. I was spinning through first and a good bit through 2nd. That was the best time I got out of the two runs I did. Launched a little lower RPM on that one and lowered tire pressure to 25 psi.
If you don't want to go full slick and can change tires at the track, go with the Hoosier drag radials as I think they probably offer the best grip. I have nitto 555r's and they are better than street tires but not as good as the Hoosiers. I drive them back and forth and they have full tread. Launching the cars properly is the key to a low time, and it's not easy. They have plenty of power.
Old 04-12-2016, 01:42 PM
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Yeah it is a little rough getting up to launch, I was thinking some drag radials, and low tire pressure, and a low is clutch dump will do, I was getting better at launching and not spinning as much, didnt get to run anymore because they were grudge racing bikes -_-
Old 04-12-2016, 08:19 PM
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Grab some Powell rotated transmission mounts and a HPT tune from a reputable tuner
Old 04-12-2016, 08:58 PM
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What is your setup and mods now? I also agree with the Powell mounts and if you have the money his rear control arm bushings really tightens it up and plants the car better.
Old 04-13-2016, 03:39 PM
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As far as suspension its stock, I have torque solutions mounts somewhere, but they vibrated the **** out of my dash, I've heard powells aren't bad at doing that, but I'm sure they all do it a little.
Old 04-13-2016, 03:40 PM
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Actually I take that back the guy that had it before me put some type of springs on it, just have no clue what they are, I'll take a picture in a sec to see if you guys know what they are lol
Old 04-13-2016, 06:39 PM
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Front and back springs.
Attached Thumbnails image-762442753.jpg   image-1280447468.jpg  
Old 04-14-2016, 03:36 PM
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IDK what brand those are, but being fully compressed like that is not good for handling. I'm sure your car is low though.
Old 04-14-2016, 03:38 PM
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Well it was on the ground when I took em, it's not too low. Back looks almost stock front is pretty low
Old 04-14-2016, 10:06 PM
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What are your engine / transmission mods?
Old 04-15-2016, 03:24 AM
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Tranny and clutch are stock, but I have Hahn cold air intake, Injen charge piping, catless downpipe, mpx exhaust, forged bpv, mpx front mount, trifecta 23psi tune with boost cut in first gear, and ngk plugs, I know for sure I need a better clutch, and some drags radials, clutch has 50k on it never been changed, and after some "spirited driving" it will occasionally slip.
Old 04-15-2016, 06:02 AM
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Originally Posted by 20BLACKBIRD02
Tranny and clutch are stock, but I have Hahn cold air intake, Injen charge piping, catless downpipe, mpx exhaust, forged bpv, mpx front mount, trifecta 23psi tune with boost cut in first gear, and ngk plugs, I know for sure I need a better clutch, and some drags radials, clutch has 50k on it never been changed, and after some "spirited driving" it will occasionally slip.
Since you aren't getting as much out of that trifecta tune as an hp tune, and as long as you are fine with your power, you could instead get better "summer" tires and it should hook up that 300-310 whp that trifecta tune is giving you. Get some Powell rotated trans mounts, and I would recommend his rear control arm bushings, along with sticky summer tires and you should be good.
Old 04-15-2016, 01:10 PM
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I did hang with a cammed ls1 with 430 gears, I was kinda proud of it, he beat me by a fender, but it was from a roll, I do need a better tune for sure. I'll look into some summer tires, any recommendations?
Old 04-16-2016, 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 20BLACKBIRD02
I did hang with a cammed ls1 with 430 gears, I was kinda proud of it, he beat me by a fender, but it was from a roll, I do need a better tune for sure. I'll look into some summer tires, any recommendations?
Toyo 888's and re71 ( I believe) are the hot ticket for threaded tires. I have Yokohama advan neova ad08r's and they do pretty decent when warm. The really good tech tires are expensive. Federal makes a cheap tire also with a tread pattern like the toyo's but they won't last long from what I've heard ( like under 8,000 miles). A good hp tune with boost ramp really helps. And you also don't have to worry about knock like you do on a trifecta tune, as long as you have a good picky tuner. Knock will kill a non forged piston motor. I had trifecta, I know.
Old 04-16-2016, 10:22 PM
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look into drag bags and a set of R compounds or slicks if you want to drop some time off the 60 foot. sounds ghetto but some people have had good results with peewee footballs stuffed into the back springs
Old 04-17-2016, 07:01 AM
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Originally Posted by nathan112i
look into drag bags and a set of R compounds or slicks if you want to drop some time off the 60 foot. sounds ghetto but some people have had good results with peewee footballs stuffed into the back springs
I'm gonna try the footballs this year. Would love to do the slicks but at our track that means you run with the bracket cars and that's not much fun. Plus I work late and am not setup to swap tires at the track. If the footballs don't help with my dr's then I will be forced to go with slicks. Trying to stay "street legal" and get the job done.
Old 04-18-2016, 09:40 AM
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Id grab some Extreme performance summer tires, and the peewee footballs is an inexpensive solution. Just remember to either deflate them alittle bit or remove them when your done

Looking on Tirerack, I would try Dunlop Direzza ZII Starspecs or Bridgestone Potenza RE-11s/RE-71Rs. If the pricing scares you away there is always Kuhmos new Extreme performance tire. Id even consider trying them. Ecsta V720.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

Probably better than what ever tire your on now. Consider upping the tire width to 235 or 245 on a 40 series tire.


Here is the Extreme Performance summer tire test chart. Potenza on their list is #1.




Last edited by CudaJoe; 04-18-2016 at 09:56 AM.
Old 04-19-2016, 09:58 PM
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Looks like I have 2nd place tires. Still like them though. I did 235/40-18 on 8" wide rims. They run a little wider compared to my Bridgestone s04's.
Old 04-20-2016, 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by 63 Nova SS
Looks like I have 2nd place tires. Still like them though. I did 235/40-18 on 8" wide rims. They run a little wider compared to my Bridgestone s04's.
Nice, you like them? Have you tried any other tires on that chart as a comparison?

I think for anyone looking for a sticky tire strictly for racing, the only characteristic they should be looking at is dry traction. Personally, Id rather have an overall round about tire which is how this is rated. Im curious what Rank 3, 7, 9, and 10 are. Usually there are top 10 tires. I dont know why they are only showing these? Maybe its the tire size? Some tires not available in that tire size I guess. For traction it looks like
- Re71R
-Re11
-RS3
-the rest are tied which is why I might consider trying the cheaper Kuhmos next time.
Old 04-20-2016, 08:40 PM
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I have not tried anymore on that list. I have some Bridgestone pole position s04 and they don't hold a candle when it comes to dry traction. The advan neova's when warm hook almost as good as my nitto 555r's and surprisingly the tread is wearing very well. The drag radials when hot, do better, but they don't handle worth anything. I wish they would have thrown the proxes 888's in there but I think the comparison is only for what they sell. I've heard the Toyo 888's are the best at dry straight line traction, but they are noisy. Been real happy with my 2nd place tires so far.
Old 04-20-2016, 08:54 PM
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Will a 245/40/18 fit my 8" wheel with a 35mm offset?
Ssc drop springs.
Old 04-20-2016, 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by blueLNFftw
Will a 245/40/18 fit my 8" wheel with a 35mm offset? Ssc drop springs.
I am getting ready to swap my drag radials off of 7.5 rims and going to 8" because the tread cups on the narrower rims. They are 42 offset and I'm going to 40. I run 245/45/17 drag radials and don't rub so you should be ok with the shorter tire. I did rub 1 time on sport lines, but not on my v3 yyz's. Wish I could find cheap 9" rims as I have that much tread width but I'm not paying that much for rims I hardly use. My m52's with 235-40-18's are 40 offset and don't come close to rubbing. Do you have any 4-5mm spacers laying around just in case?
Old 04-21-2016, 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by blueLNFftw
Will a 245/40/18 fit my 8" wheel with a 35mm offset?
Ssc drop springs.
im using 235/40-18s on a 40mm offset. Id guess that your tire would be flush with the fender with 245/40/18 and 35mm offset.

Use a wheel tire calculator. stock tire wheel specs:

18"x8" wheel +40 offset

225/40-18 tire size.
Old 04-21-2016, 09:04 PM
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I'm using toyo extensa hp I think that's 235/40-18, they don't hook well, I tried 24 psi and they did a little better lol

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