6505pony

I'm taking the car and myself to the track for the first time this weekend. My question is since this will be my first time, I won't know in the car whether I'm running a 12 or 15 sec quarter mile time due to lack of experience.

I can't run less than a 13.99 per NHRA rules because its a vert and I certainly don't want to put a roll cage in it. Yet I don't have the vaguest idea what this car will run. I have Borla Cat-Back, C&L with 93 tune from Lidio at Alt Auto and a Jet TBS so far and it is an automatic. Everything else is stock including tires.

Does anybody have even a rough guess what I should do as a newby at WOT and should I need to back off before the end of the run and if so how hard so I don't get that bad old big "X" on my windshield after the first run. This will be a run what you brung day and not really for competition.

Thanks

Mustang Kid

I'm sure with the mods you have you will definetly pass that 13.99 time. I'm quessing low to mid 13's.

don_w

If the weather is good and the track is prepped well, then maybe mid 13s. But, since the vert is heavier... then maybe not.

Also, I believe the new NHRA rule is 13.49 for convertibles (not 13.99).

6505pony... If you want to play it safe, make the first pass at WOT until about 1000'. Then tap the brakes and coast on out. Then check your 1/8-mi times. If the 1/8-mi ET is 8.75 or higher, then you likely won't run under 13.49. If it's lower, then you might run under 13.49. A good rule of thumb is to take the 1/8-mi ET and multiply it by 1.55 to estimate the 1/4-mi ET.

6505pony

I checked NHRA's website under their FAQ page it said 13.99 with the specs for a proper roll cage. I would assume their website should be up to date on something like this.

I think this is just going to be a "feeling my way through" process to see what the best time I can get and practice my launches for most of the day without turning under the allowed. Might need to treat as 1/8 mile races. Then go wide open all the way on the last run.

Are there any good pointers out there on how to get the most out of this first time experience? :scratch:

dustindu4

TCS off, press brakes and rev engine until ur just about to break loose, on the 3rd amber release the brake and mash on the gas.

bigaloz

I was doing the same thing (loading the converter), and I got a tip from someone at the track.
When I was staged, I just let the car idle, as soon as the last yellow lit up, I slammed the gas (flashing the converter).
I dropped 1/10 just doing that.

don_w

If you looked at this page, http://www.nhra.com/contacts/tech_faq.html , those were the old 2003-04 rules. In November 2004, this new rule for 2005 was published: http://www.nhra.com/2004/news/November/110102.html

It also says 13.49 here: http://nhra.com/tech_specs/ETQuickRef.html (look at the line for "Roll Bar"... it says C/13.49).

Also... re-read my previous post about the rule of thumb for 1/8 vs. 1/4 ... it will help you determine if you need to worry about going too fast. Or maybe you don't believe me about that either.

6505pony

It's not that I didn't believe you Don. I had already read the 13.99 info, albeit it was older info but not knowing so, when I posted this thread and thought maybe you may have been misinformed. I am taking your advice on the 1000' calculation and will be using it. Thank you for the info.

I was just double checking on this reg because it will greatly determine how I do my runs this weekend.

Sorry to offend if I did.

don_w

No offense taken.. all is good. I hope you enjoy your time at the track as much as I do. And make sure you let us know how it goes!!

TURBO 05

I ran low 13.4's bone stock in my HT GT so expect with good driving to do better then that. I have 9 years drag racing experiance though so your time may varry

Kluski

I have never raced before owning this mustang. I have a JLT intake plus tune and my best time so far is 13.54. Everyone complains about that track (I raced at) and says it is slow there. So I am sure it is that and lack of experience.

6505pony

I think if time permits I'll try both Dustin's and Alan's approach to see what better 1/8 times I get. It looks like with the mods I've done so far I will not have to back down too much to stay above 13.49.

I just put in the CAI and tune last weekend. I have set up a time with the dyno shop tommorrow.

I figured before I run it hard repeatedly I better get everything checked on a dyno to make sure the A/F is right and all. I trust Lidio completely but it's better to be safe in case there something up or different with my car specifically.

They said this will be their first time with an 05 automatic. Hopefully they will do what I said and run it in 4th and not 3rd like the last shop did.

pittperson

All of this talk makes me sad, my best time is 13.7...although it was hot out. I'll be at this track this friday, weather permitting, to try and better that time now that it's a bit cooler.

6505pony

Chris why don't you come out to 75-80 outside of Frederick instead of Capitol there are a couple of us going this Sunday to run and the All Ford show is going on.

It will be cooler and no chance of rain.