I finally got my car back Friday after getting a new clutch installed, upper 3rd link, line locks, and shifter linkage. It is now a whole new world. It's a huge difference from racing before. With the line locks, I heat the tires up well. Pull up to the lights, launch at 5000 rpm's and just rip out of the hole. It hooks great. It sounds like some of the video's floating around here. Now the issue comes. Due to my lack of experience, I granny shift. I must now work on power shifting. I started working on it, but realize it when it's time to get into third gear. It's just such a habit of letting off the gas to shift.
At launch, a buddy said it looked like the rear bumper almost hit the ground. The front suspension is fully loaded. When I granny shift, it throws the momentum forward, bringing the nose down and rear up. After I shift, it throws the front up and rear down. At this time, the clutch is hitting so hard that I'm breaking loose in every gear. This was the first time I was really nervous because I can feel it get squirrely. Another 05 did a complete 360 in the middle of the track, just missing the walls. That's all I could think about.
So, I'm putting all the power to the rear, now I just need to work on powershifting to keep the momentum moving in the same direction. I just wonder if the adjustment of the upper 3rd link could help control any of this. I know my shifting isn't going to cut it-a given. It makes me nervous powershifting. I need to up my rev limiter so I can powershift. I'll be getting my headers and exhaust this coming week, which is just going to make me refine my driving skills even more. My best 60' for the night was 1.9 and my best ET was 13.3. I was so aggravated because I knew the car could do it... I just needed to do better at driving! I feel like I've stepped up to a different level in a game or something. It's a little harder, you know what you need to do, you just don't quite have it down yet.
After all the work and mods, it just feels like I've transferred more of the power from the front to the rear tires. I've got one more night at the track and then I'll be taking her up to Georgia for the NMRA nationals.

By the way...I love these line locks. You want to talk about a burn out!!!
What's the best way to get melted rubber off the body? I'm pretty sure the isn't any coats of wax on that particular part of the body. I'm up to 5 coats on the car, but I believe the hot rubber melt or took to wax away. It's a real pain to remove with just a rag. Any solvents?

 

power shifting to 3rd is my big problem. My first run, before i knew how to launch or powershift or anything was 16.40 or something like that, 2nd was 16.18 just getting a better launch. Since then workin on powershifting (especially that 3rd gear) and launching has brought me toa 15.14 and im still stock.

 

David,
What Ram clutch did you put in your stang?
As for shifting the best advise is practice. What do you mean by the shifter linkage (a new shifter)?

 

you need to buy some geddex burnout guard, you just spray it on, works great

just rinse the rubber off with a pressure washer at the car wash

 

I have a RAM clutch prototype. There is 3 or 4 more in other ponies around the U.S. with them. I will get specifics on it. It really grabs hard and I can feel all the power totally at the rear wheels. I like it so far. It's just a matter of durability now. It might be a few months before they are on the market though. There are a couple things to work out.
To be honest, I never even saw the shifter. It shipped from Paul's HP directly to my mechanic (Oakes). I had him throw it on since he was doing the clutch anyhow.
The rubber really smears when you try to rub it with a rag. Once I get it all off, I will apply a few more coats of wax then some of that geddex stuff.

 

I see that Ram has released some clutches for the 05 already . I was just wondering if you had gotten the Powergrip or Powergrip HD or something else?
Are you getting any chatter with your new clutch?

http://www.ramclutches.com/

 

I stand corrected on the availability statement. Info is only as good as the person giving it to you.

 

so i'm confused on your times, you're running slower with the new stuff??? you sig says 12.86

 

Yes, I'm running slower with my new setup because I'm not solid to the track for the whole 1/4. I have all the power going to the rear now instead of some loss at launch and in the clutch. I'm spinning the tires as I shift into every gear-including 4th! I need to move my rev limiter so that I can keep it in 3rd. Once I handle the launch and shifting, I'll be getting better times-for sure. Also, my local track is not quite as groomed as the Bradenton track. I don't mind it though. It will make me better in technique and even better at other tracks.

 

I think they just updated thier website yesterday besause I was checking it out on friday and they didnt have any news on the 05 then. Your message made me go look again today...

 

David,

Any chance we could get a picture of the line lock install? I would like to see how they installed the solenoids. I'm thinking about buying this kit as well.

 

I'll get a few angle tomorrow in the light for all to see. I really love the line locks. It's like a little toy. When my wife first got into the car, she's like..."What is that button!" "NO more extra buttons!" I didn't tell her, I showed her. I was one of two cars at the track doing a true burn out. I really wanted to heat my tires up and the announcer was saying that he missed the announcement for the burnout contest. I love it!

 

David,
Hey, just a simple solution that I use for the tire issue, take a wash cloth and put a film of dish soap on the lower half of your rear quarter panel on each side. It is cheap and works just as well as the burnout gaurd stuff. I used to have an 02 GT that was white and this problem was horrible. I have seen your posts on shocks?line locks/and the clutch which I am contemplating at the present time prior to purchasing slicks. As for your rev limiter issue I would suggest the SCT route, it took me from 13.3s and 13.4s into the 12s with just the tune and rev limiter increase!

 

The dish soap won't run? I would be afraid the soap would get on the tires. Then again, if you've done this and it works...I'll try it. I do need to go to Steeda to have the rev limiter moved up.

 

Only put enough dish soap on a cloth to "coat" the quarter panel, sort of like when applying a thick layer of wax. Give it a try, maybe at least an excuse to take your car out and do a line-lock burnout and wash it off to prove it!

 

WD-40 works too.

 

Well if you want to move the stuff already on there cheaply and easilly.
just use a gas soaked rag, wipe it off, then hoze it off, then wash it with warm soapy water, rinse it and rewax it.

then use the guard stuff next time.

I don't like using gas very often, but there is not much that it won't take off.

just make sure that you don't leave it on the paint too long.

 

Went to the track again tonight...My best was 12.94@105. My 60' was 1.77. I am still getting used to the new setup. I was consistantly getting between 12.94-13.1 besides missing the 2-3 shift. I've always gripped the shifter. I changed to open palm and pushing it up. I'm getting the powershifting down except from 1-2. I'm just in the habit of letting off the gas after launch and getting out of 1st gear. It drives me nuts. This track isn't the super. I can't wait to get up to GA this weekend where it'll be a much better track and it's supposed to be cool. We'll see! I really need to get my exhaust in and I think I may go with the Charge motion plates at the same time. I'm hoping to gain between 20-25 hp with a custom tune. We'll see there too. The Steeda car was there tonight and I think his best was 12.74@107. 4.10's, Charge motion plates, Nitto's, Steeda's exhaust, custom SCT tune, LCA's, Pullies and Steeda CAI. He's also a very good driver. He's their "Driver." He was there to showcase the car. People were all over it. It was fun running (Scott).

 

David,
Sounds like you are having fun though and that is the most important part, our track is opening this weekend. I'm going to try to get over there and give it a shot. Any news on the clutch that blew up?

 

I am having a blast! The most info I got on the clutch is that Prochager was really putting a beating on the clutch. They had to be side stepping the clutch or something to really heat it up. I'll be looking for some of the Procharger people this weekend when I go to GA for the NMRA nationals. I've been emailing Micheal Freedman and can't get a reply. He's got the same clutch in his car. Actually, he's the one who told me about it. I just wish I could get more detailed answers. We'll see this weekend.