First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (Full Version)

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First time taking the stang to the track any pointers?

  

07redMustang -> First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 11:20:09 AM)

Okay like the title says I'm going to a ¼ mile track tonight and I was wondering if you guys have any pointers. I've been to the track before with other cars but never a rwd car. I should avoid the water correct? How should I launch (auto tranny)? I used to hold the gas and the brake and wait for the light wont I do a burnout though if I try doing that? Also I have a tuner that is set for a cai but my cai hasn't arrived yet. Would my car be running really rich if I used the tune without the cai? Should I remove the spare tire? I think the added weight on the backend might be a good thing though to help keep traction correct? Also my friends boss is coming up with his 1990 mustang gt. It's all stock and has 133k miles on the car. How close of a race do you think it will be?

Thanks

  
kngdaka -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 11:24:40 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: 07redMustang

Okay like the title says I'm going to a ¼ mile track tonight and I was wondering if you guys have any pointers. I've been to the track before with other cars but never a rwd car. I should avoid the water correct? How should I launch (auto tranny)? I used to hold the gas and the brake and wait for the light wont I do a burnout though if I try doing that? Also I have a tuner that is set for a cai but my cai hasn't arrived yet. Would my car be running really rich if I used the tune without the cai? Should I remove the spare tire? I think the added weight on the backend might be a good thing though to help keep traction correct? Also my friends boss is coming up with his 1990 mustang gt. It's all stock and has 133k miles on the car. How close of a race do you think it will be?

Thanks


I'm actually making my first runs at the track this Weds as well. I've been practicing on back roads, and launching at 2500 rpm feels about right to me. Hold the brake down and rev it up then let go on green. More RPMS might be better or worse, haven't really tried yet. Mine is stock (no tune or CAI) and I don't spin the tires at that point. I'll be taking my spare tire out myself, it might help a little with traction but I think losing the jack, spare, and jumper cables I have back there is going to be more advantageous to me than leaving them. Stock fox GT will be a good race.

And I was searching last night, and some people say leave overdrive off, others say leave it on. Maybe someone can comment on that.

Maverickaf17 -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 11:28:57 AM)

I say manually shift it. Take out the spare, etc in the back. Remember to leave the AC off. Start at 1500 RPMs from first gear.

Don't use the tuner if its set with a CAI.

07redMustang -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 11:30:45 AM)

Ohh yeah I forgot to mention overdrive and traction control. Should o/d be turned off? Also I know turn of traction control for my burnout but then do I want to turn it back on for the launch or would it just screw me up more? Also should I use the 1,2 & 3 or am I better off leaving it in drive?

kngdaka -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 11:32:27 AM)

You're going to fare much better just letting the auto do the work. There is no way you can manually shift the auto better than having the computer do it for you.

07redMustang -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 11:37:55 AM)

Okay only reason I asked that was my last car I took to the track I left it in drive and spun the tires thus causing the computer to think I was in likt 4th gear and then when the tires gripped it had to downshift and it really cut off my times pretty bad.

07redMustang -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 11:45:49 AM)

Also how much should I lower the psi in my tires?

viperrmk -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 12:00:11 PM)

What tires are you on....the stock one....if so start at 35psi and work your way down from there. Now as for the track, I would avoid the water box go around it and just spin your tires alittle to clean them off. Then line up at the light power brake (hold the brake down) and rev to about 1400 RPM's then leave on the second to last yellow light. If you feel like your car is sticking then you can up the launch RPM's every time. Just try and Find a good launch point. Have fun and let us know how it went. [:)]

PonyUp -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 12:19:49 PM)

Don't Crash.

AmericanSpeed -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 12:48:27 PM)

TCS off.  Keep it in Drive, don't manually shift it, no overdrive.  Skip the waterbox, but spin the tires a little bit to clean them (a couple of rotations).  Power brake at the line.  When you launch, don't just slam the peddle to the ground when the light turns, squeeze the throttle down so that you don't light the tires up.  This takes some trial and error to see how quickly you can get on the throttle without spinning.  What size tires are you running? what kind?  Low profile tires dont get much advantage with dropping tire pressure.  On my 235/55-17s stock tires, I drop to about 27 psi.  Street tires wont benefit too much from a very low tire pressure (they will cup in the middle when too low).  Dont use the tune if you don't have the CAI.

Don't wait for the green, leave on the last yellow for a better reaction time.

Lastly, have fun!

brad281 -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 1:17:16 PM)

A stock 90 gt? Take it easy on the boss. I wouldn't use the tune. Launch would be the biggest problem. Don't worry about all the small stuff for a first time race.

4.0 Stang -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 5:24:18 PM)

I dont think it will make a difference if you have OD on or off.

ripped camel -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/9/2008 11:07:31 PM)

Taking out the spare doesn't make much of a difference on RWD cars.  I had a full size spare in my 04 Silverado and when I removed the spare tire I consistentely lost .2-.3 in the 1/4.  When I put the spare back in, I gained the time back.  I think it helps with traction (which is why most drag cars move the battery to the trunk, for better weight distribution.) 

67mustang302 -> RE: First time taking the stang to the track any pointers? (5/10/2008 1:32:12 AM)

I've seen guys attach steel weights near the rear bumper on cars, add an extra 100lbs and get a faster ET cuz it helped with the 60's. It's going to depend on how the car is set up though.

  

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