Well, I went with a bunch of members from my local club to ATCO yesterday for the day and had a good time. For those who aren't local or haven't heard of it, http://www.atcorace.com, it's the drag strip in central NJ.



Anyway, on to the runs (this was also my first time ever running). The track was in pretty bad shape, as a lot of people were spinning pretty bad off the line. Oddly enough, my first of five runs was the best.

2004 Autostick, Upsolute chip, K&N's, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires.
First run:
R/T - .888
60' - 2.318
330 - 6.364
1/8 - 9.685
MPH - 73.60
1000 - 12.551
1/4 - 14.965
MPH - 93.63

The car is clearly capable of a 14.6x or better if I can get off the line. For the first run, I simply sat on the brake and hit the throttle when I came off it. I spun the rears as I went forward, but it was the best 60' I had.

For the other runs (minus the 2nd where I spun all the way through 1st gear going sideways), I tried to feather the gas slightly from the line and power brake it twice, though not nearly aggressive enough. Subsequent times were:
15.000 @ 93.76 mph, 2.383 60'
15.098 @ 93.10 mph, 2.387 60'
15.098 @ 93.58 mph, 2.443 60'

I'm hoping to go again soon (like next weekend).

 

Slips, last run to first from left to right. I am car #210, left lane for each slip.
Oh, and the 1/8 mile MPH on the left-most slip is wrong...

 

On the Wings, thanks for the post. At least you broke into the 14's with an automatic. You wouldn't believe how many so called "Muscle cars" from the 60's and 70's had a hard time doing that.
I can't believe you're drag racing in the first week of March, in NJ no less. Strips around here wouldn't even think of opening up that soon no matter how nice the weather was.
Be sure to let us know what happens the next time you go.

 

yeah... WINGS... thanks for the post and link...

will you take it to Englishtown?!?!?

Also so what i gather.. you are losing time from the launch... i.e. tire spin.

without the tire spin do you think this will bring uou down to 14.6?

me, i would drop some weight in the rear... up by each wheel along the bullhead on split.

right now because of recent snow i have (2) 50 lb bags in my XF. although i really do not need it now, i know i am getting an extra bite from the line.

if weight is a concern to you on the track... run with a 1/4 tank of fuel... take out pass seat... so many little tricks... which i am sure you know.

what kind of fuel did you run?

j.

 

Maybe Wayne1992 or MI Roadster will give ya some pointers on how to cut a better light, and lower your times. But being your first time down the track, you didn't do bad.

 

if you can cut a 2.0 60' you could probably run even a little quicker than a 14.6

 

That's exactly the point...I don't think it's impossible with the right technique in an auto to run an even 2.0 60'. Since it's not a manual, I can't see running much lower than that because I can't launch outright. But, with that 60' I would definitely hit 14.6X and possibly pick up 1-2 mph in trap speed.

Oh, and so everyone knows, the races are not run heads up, so each lane has an independent time. Since the R/T doesn't matter, I purposely sat at the line slightly longer than I would in a real race to focus on how I was launching the car.

It was a combination of tire spin and the fact that I can't tach it up to 5K rpm's and drop the clutch like a manual can...simply going from 0-3000 rpm's will lose you a few tenth's. Given better conditions and a real attempt at power braking, I know I can hit a much better 60' time, which is more a function of the driver and not necessarily the speed of the car.

As for fuel and weight, my car was full weight and I filled up with Sunoco 94 Ultra like I always do, and had a full tank minus ~55 miles when I got there. My only real goal going for the first time was to see what I was working with and hit a 14, which I did on the first run. I'll try to improve on it now, it's just a shame that I never ran before the chip (was put in last June, and based on times I'm wondering if it's better or worse, haha).

Oh, and if anyone's interested, here are some of the other times from the people I went down with:
2001 Lexus IS300, 5 speed, lowered/kitted, intake/exhaust/short shifter
Best time was 15.036 @ 90.87 mph, 2.1X 60'

1998 VW Jetta GT, 5 speed
Best time was 16.549 @ 81.75 mph, 2.394 60'

2005 Subaru WRX, 5 speed, catless exhaust, modified boost controller
Best time was 13.25 @ 101.35 mph, 1.84 60'

2005 Subaru WRX STi, 6 speed
Best time was 12.968 @ 102.14 mph, 1.782 60'
^^^mods^^^
"Hydra Standalone EMS, Hydra Wideband, APS Shortie Intake, GReddy RS BOV, Perrin Manual Boost Controller, Ported Wastegate, Perrin Downpipe, Invidia Exhuast, Tien Flex Coilovers, DEI CO2 Intercooler Spray"

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, 5 speed
Best time was 12.987 @ 106.77 mph, high 60' (like 1.9 maybe, he also blew his clutch at the end).
^^^mods^^^
HKS SUCTION INTAKE, TURBO XS BLOWOFF VALVE, HALLMAN BOOST CONTROLLER(22PSI), 3 INCH DOWNPIPE, 3 INCH HELIX CAT-DELETE TESTPIPE, 3 INCH BORLA CATBACK, B+M SHORT SHIFTER, APEXI S-AFC II

1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX, 5 speed
Best time was 11.873 @ 126.59 mph, best trap was 127.16 mph, best 60' was 1.864 (he was not launching hard at all). When the track is in better shape, he'll run for real and hit very low 11's I'm sure.
^^^mods^^^
(he was running at 29 PSI, and regular gas mixed with C16)
"FP3575 (for those who don't know, it's a T67), 2.3L, ported head, magnus intake, HKS 272s, DSMLink and 1600cc injectors. I'm still on the stock trans, street tires, heavy 17" wheels and a race weight thats right around 3,400 lbs. Kumho 711's don't like the power I have now."

 

this is one of my favorite threads... CROSSwings sounds like you really are a natural at this since this was you first run... and as others stated... you broke into 15 and that's an achievement. in re: to the other times... nice! now i can see what these cars are capable of when i see them on the road...

WERE YOUR WINDOWS UP OR DOWN??? more drag when windows or 1 window is open... translates into a few tenths lost.

thanks for the lowdown.

j.

 

sorry correction you broke into 14...

j.

 

Well if nothing else, at least you had the "best looking" car out of the other 6 you went with.
I don't know how serious you are about knocking your times down, but here is one suggestion. Go to your local salvage yard, and see if you can pick up a couple "skinny" wheels and tires off of a SLK and mount them on the front. Then take your stock front tires and mount them on the back. By doing this, it will essentially lower your gear ratio from 3:27, to more like a 3:50. (and it's whole lot cheaper than changing a ring and pinion).
Next, pump up all your tires to maybe around 50 psi (at your own risk). First to lower rolling resistance on the front, and experiment with the rears by gradually letting air out until you find just the right pressure they hook up best.
Going from a 3:15 ring and pinion to a 3:54 knocked 3 to 4/10s off my AMX. For the money, it was the best performance mod I ever made (34 years ago).

 

hey +fireamx

(I saw an 1975 nascar race on tv last night... i saw bobby allison racing his MATADOR!!!)

now you talking my language... remember the 3 1/2 inch front wheels the raised rear end... ala ladder bars...and those leaf spring brackets to lift the rear as well... oh and the wheelie bars added a nice touch too. traction bars too. moroso!!! centerline cragers... i better stop before i get off topic too much.

And if you needed more weight loss... we popped off the hood and just run with a screen over the engine compartment. alot of backyard tricks... memories.

j.

 

Time to add some of my info.
I went to atco last night and ran 5 times.
All the runs were 15.1xx
2004 autostick.
My 60 ft times sucked!!!
I really need some gears, who need to go 150 mph anyway?
I will try to scan my slips later and post them.
My car is stock except for a intake I made with a k&n, and a magnaflow muffler.

 

Congrats on actually running at the track and hitting a 14.

I am taking my 6-speed to the track if I can't get my SRT-4 going right by then. Only hitting 16 lbs, I have a boost leak somewhere and got to find it, not to mention the parts I have been waiting for.

I am hoping for a 14.9. I don't drive it much anymore, and the clutch and stick feel are crap compared to SRT. It will definitely take some getting use to.

If you were still breaking them loose, just get some DR's. I am sure that will help.

 

hey crosswings how many other crossfire owners do you know in jersey? i have to hit up atco this season. we can meet up.

 

I'm in Joisey! Actually Southern Jersey...When I get my SRT-6 I'll let you guys know! Still doing some searching for the right price. lol, but you can find me almost every Saturday at Atco running points and big $$$ races with my race cars.