The basic, 215hp Crossfire Coupe comes with 255-width rear tires. With such a fat tire for such a little amount of horsepower, wouldn't this combination allow you to drop the clutch at redline for the fastest acceleration times?? If not, what is the optimal rpm level to allow the 6-speed to accelerate the fastest? It just seems cool to me to see that the car has such wide tires for it's power. With so much rubber, it seems to me that you can put all of the engine's 215 horsepower down to the ground without much wheelspin. In fact, this car has 10mm wider tires than the 340hp M45 who shares the garage with the Crossfire! Even the S2000, and both the Evo and the STI have narrower tires!!

 

The racing guys could speak to this more, but I believe that the fat tires/lower power to weight ratio help keep the car from power sliding, which means you can come out of corners faster. You'll probably have to experiment to find the optimal rpm level for off the line acceleration.

 

Firstly, the car will not let you dump the clutch at redline. The highest it will let you freely rev the engine is 4000rpms. Still, I wouldn't dump the clutch at 4000 either because it WILL break the tires loose, but suddenly the tires will gain traction, and bog the engine out. Instead, rev it up to about 3000 or so, and quickly let out the clutch, riding it for about 1 second, do not dump it, you don't want to break the tires loose.

 

Better yet, get yourself an old Camaro or Mustang or money permitting, a Viper. The crossfire is a Touring Car. It was never intended for the use you describe.

 

It does have fairly good grip. But you can slide the car. You can also "throttle steer" which is one of the things that makes this car good for autocrossing. The balance of weight, power and traction more than make up for the lack of rack and pinion steering. It can use a little better traction though. An "R" compound tire should take care of that.

 

You're right, the crossfire may not be intended for drag racing, but from what I hear it does pretty darn good in autocrossing. And even in autocrossing type events, it never hurts to get a good launch.

 

You're right too Heb80. I'm just getting older and I hope wiser. I 'm starting to get to the point where I think things have to be purpose built. That and I no longer enjoy puting in clutches, syncros, and rears.

 

Agreed... Dumping the clutch on this thing gives me a pucker... Don't know why as I race it on road courses here in CA... But 1/4 mile times don't interest me...

Wes is very correct, because of the wide stance of the rear end, it can be throttle steered very well in corners... Make sure you turn the darn traction control off first because it will mess-up your game... I think the car would be VERY squirly with narrower tires in the rear since the power to weight ratio is very high on the *** end...

I've never dropped the clutch off the line but have made it CHIRP into second...

 

That's what he 7/70 warranty is for. :lol:

 

Get the new Pontiac GTO. I drove one and am very tempted.

 

Me too, I just can't get over the styling and the gas mileage.