What should I do next?

[Motorhead350]

As some of you know I ran a 12.8 and could probably do better with a higher launch. I would really like to run a 12.5 or lower before I decide I am done with the car. My question is what can I do to get there? Will a complete exhaust system to the trick? Should I install a tranny brake now that my tranny is built? I really don't know much about tranny brakes other than I only see them on race cars and have a fear of breaking something with it. I do not want to use nitrous either.... just some type of bolt on.

Any suggestions?

[Pops]

Take your time and learn how to drive it better. You have more laying on the table that you have not used yet Grasshopper! Beware of guys with silver and red GMs!

[Motorhead350]

Take your time and learn how to drive it better. You have more laying on the table that you have not used yet Grasshopper! Beware of guys with silver and red GMs!

I'm ready for one right now. :D

[sailsmen]

Help us to help you, POST YOUR MODS!

[Motorhead350]

4:10 gears, Aftermarket Posi, BF Goodrich Drag Radials, Procharger complete kit, 3500 stall torque converter, Zack and Zack Control arms, built tranny (with shift kit, clutches...wasn't told full details) and thats about it as far as performance goes.

[sailsmen]

Thanks, do you know the temp/humidity of when you ran and the track altitude.

Most tracks post their altitude on their website.

[Paul T. Casey]

As some of you know I ran a 12.8 and could probably do better with a higher launch.May end up worse, depending on tires, traction, etc. I would really like to run a 12.5 or lower before I decide I am done with the car.Big mistake on your part if you ever think you're done with the car My question is what can I do to get there?Heard it before, but practice. Lots more to a good run besides "mash it." Will a complete exhaust system to the trick?Wouldn't hurt, mine was worth about .5 n/a. Should I install a tranny brake now that my tranny is built?So much for done with the car. May not help as much as you think. How about a higher stall torque converter first. I really don't know much about tranny brakes other than I only see them on race cars and have a fear of breaking something with it.Fear of breaking something? Stop racing, you WILL break something. I do not want to use nitrous either.... just some type of bolt on.Nitrous is proven, most bolt ons aren't.

Any suggestions?

Hope that helped a little. Without knowing about your mods and experience can't offer much more. Your 12.8 may be all its got, and maybe it's really a 12.0 car.

[KillJoy]

LEARN TO DRIVE!!!

Quit spending money to get somewhere if YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!

:rolleyes:

KillJoy

PS - I don't know why I even bothered.... it will be ignored. He already KNOWS how to drive!

[Motorhead350]

LEARN TO DRIVE!!!

Quit spending money to get somewhere if YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!

:rolleyes:

KillJoy

PS - I don't know why I even bothered.... it will be ignored. He already KNOWS how to drive!

Your darn right I know ask John. :P

[Paul T. Casey]

You must have posted your mods while I was typing. Quick look and yeah, it's a practice thing to get your 12.5. Few tips, on launch just a slight bark, make sure you are straight (alignment with end of track). Ever time you move the steering wheel you loose time. Run front tires at 40 to 42 psi, makes them roll easier. How's your shifts? If the 1-2 or 2-3 are banging too hard it may make the wheels spin, again costing time. Where do you stage? I'm not telling but the difference between deep and shallow can be close to a tenth. (Hint, if you're not racing, figure out which gives you a quicker ET).

[Paul T. Casey]

Your darn right I know ask John. :P

Where's GA Mike? I think I felt a nibble?

[sailsmen]

Temp and humidity can +/- .75.

Altitude also affects. NHRA allows corrections starting w/ 1,000'.

[Raudermaster]

Do you have exhaust Dom? If not, get some l/t's. Those should help to get you to a 12.5 or lower.

[RR|Suki]

Another question would be what was your MPH on the 12.8 run

[sailsmen]

Please repost all the info from your runs.

I have an excel file w/ 180 runs in it.

[Paul T. Casey]

Please repost all the info from your runs.

I have an excel file w/ 180 runs in it.

Cool, I never thought of logging them that way, instead I have about 100 separate word docs.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Zack and Zack Control arms,

I like how you've made Zack, a part of your mods. :lol:

[Pops]

Dom you may be ready now but it will have to wait till spring. I will be ready for you then. Who do you think will be quicker?

[Paul T. Casey]

My money is on the old guy.

[vkirkend]

Ditto for John, But I may just be biased toward the older guys.:banana2:

[Pops]

Thanks for the votes guys. I will try to keep the old guys club well and alive!

[Aren Jay]

You could make your car lighter.

[Motorhead350]

My times are in another form...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39669

And John I know your going to beat me when your built, I'm crazy not stupid. :rolleyes:

[sailsmen]

Thanks, what I need to answer your question is all the info thats on the time slips, track name and the temp/humidity.

Our cars are almost the same. I will then be able to use my data base to tell you what you should be running.

[Motorhead350]

Well it was about 45 outside and probably around 50% humid, and it was in Union Grove, WI. That's about all the info I have.

[sailsmen]

In those weather conditions at sealevel your car in it's current configuration can run 12.3's all day.

Please post all the info on your time slips and we can then analize where the problem is.

[Motorhead350]

I can get to my slips later tonight, might be a day before I can post again though.

[KillJoy]

Like Post #8 (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showpost.php?p=551987&postcount=8) says....

LEARN TO DRIVE!!!!

:D

KillJoy

[Motorhead350]

Like Post #8 (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showpost.php?p=551987&postcount=8) says....

LEARN TO DRIVE!!!!

:D

KillJoy


You know what why don't you drive my car the way you do and I'll drive yours. We'll see who's time is better than the owners, worse or exactly the same.

[KillJoy]

You know what why don't you drive my car the way you do and I'll drive yours. We'll see who's time is better than the owners, worse or exactly the same.


Bring it on down this weekend.

I GAURANTEE my times in MY car are faster than YOUR times in MY car.

:up:

KillJoy

PS - I never said "I" could drive. I have had my car to the Track EXACTLY once.

PSS - My car is on jackstands w/ no Transmission in it :D

[Pops]

Dom. can I get in on this challange?

[Motorhead350]

Sure you can drive my car again, but you gotta let me drive yours. Steve I'm saying you drive my car and if you run better than 12.8 you were right I suck at driving, but you gotta let me go at it again because the weather will be different over there so things will very. This isn't about whos car is faster, it's about wither or not I actually know how to drive!

[Pops]

I will be ready to go as soon as the first track opens in the spring. I am sure that will be in the Chicago area Dominic. It will take me awhile to sort out the new engine and figure out how to drive it. This will be a new game for me as iy should be faster than anything I have driven.

[Motorhead350]

Sounds great to me. Maybe Union Grove on opening day. :)

[Motorhead350]

OK here is the full info on my best run:

60ft = 1.920
330 = 5.386
1/8 = 8.249
mph = 85.83
1000= 10.750
1/4 = 12.863
mph = 107.06

Any suggestions or see a problem anyone?

[KillJoy]

or see a problem?

Driver


:up:

KillJoy

[RR|Suki]

OK here is the full info on my best run:

60ft = 1.920
330 = 5.386
1/8 = 8.249
mph = 85.83
1000= 10.750
1/4 = 12.863
mph = 107.06

Any suggestions or see a problem anyone?

your 60' times are bad, you were using DRs? maybe put some more heat into them or something, I pull a 1.8 60' in my car on normal street tires. Cut that 60' and your times will get alot better

[Motorhead350]

RR what did you run? Yes I am using DRs. I guess I need to launch higher. I am launching around 2,500 rpm. What do you launch at?

[RR|Suki]

RR what did you run? Yes I am using DRs. I guess I need to launch higher. I am launching around 2,500 rpm. What do you launch at?

I launch from idle becasue I can't get any traction with street tires otherwise. I lift the brake on the 3rd amber and push into the gas as smooth as I can.

1.8 - 60'
12.8 - 1/4
110 - MPH

I don't have DRs so I dunno what you should do different, if you are getting any tire spin of the line I would re-think launching that high or something.

half the problem for me was my shifts were off so that hurt me a bit, and my tune is way too rich. Car will be much faster once I get the LT headers on and take the time to tune it :o

[sailsmen]

Your 60' s/b - 1.716-1.792
Your 330' s/b - 5.019-5.11
1/8 s/ b - 7.79-7.883
MPH s/b - 87.13-88.15
1,000' s/b - 10.237-10.329
1/4 s/b 12.3-12.399
MPH s/ b - 108.6-109.4

You can see for your self you are loosing up to .204 on the launch. Just preload the susp and nail it. Some Darg Radials such as Nitto will give traction trouble below 55*.

I am willing to bet your car is not shfting at redline but before +/- 5,600rpm on the 1-2. You have lost .336 by the 330'.

By the 1/8 .459 has been lost.

Your trap speed is ok.

Ask Zack to drive your car on a test and tune. He can adjust the shift points with your Diablo Predator. If you change tire diameter you need to change shift points.

In the weather you described you should run 12.3 all day with your car. Mine has and they are similar. I run with all the stuff in it that I drove it home from the dealer and a 1/2 tank of gas. I run a street tune on race gas for safety.

I could easily get more out of her but the reliability goes way down to gain 2 10's. I drive her 20+K per year.

The track is 775' elevation.

FYI I ran several 1.96 60' while N/A.

Buying anymore things for your car is not the solution, get what you have to work right is.

Either we speak a different language or you are a candidate to work for the CIA. I keep having to ask you questions to get information to help you.:lol:

[Motorhead350]

I'm glad Steve is alone in thinking that I am the problem.:shot: