Remember, I'm a complete amateur. What do I need to know?
I think I'm gonna go with a friend to Mooresville Dragway tomorrow.

Turn off TC? etc

 

Put it in Sport mode. Hold your foot on the brake pedal and push the TC button twice. If you have "street" tires, don't do a burnout. Instead, spin them a bit to get the dirt off. Doing a burnout with stock street tires will only make them smaller(i.e. no extra traction).

The best I've seen a stock 5.0 run with stock tires was a 12.5 @ 114mph. I've ran a 12.6 @ 113mph down here at pomona raceway. I only say this so you have an idea of times and trap speed.

 

Hmm, I couldn't get it into sport mode last time. It just came up with ADVANCETRAC ON and TRACTION CONTROL OFF.
I'll go try again...

This will be a 1/8 mile strip. Any idea for times on the shorter distance?

 

Ah OK. Got it now. Thanks!

Someone else told me to hold it down. No beuno.

 

I'm thinking maybe I should hold off, I haven't done any suspension upgrades so I imagine my wheels will be like jackrabbits

 

To turn Advancetrac OFF you have to be at standstill, foot on the brake, and push and hold the TC button for 7 seconds. This turns everything but ABS off.

 

Stock tires are no bueno. I went to the drag strip and took all traction nannies off. All I did was spin thru first and second. I don't know what to blame, the track or my tires. I didn't do a burn out but I was told I shouldn't. I found I got better times with traction control on. Until I get better tires, I am not expecting much when I go to the strip. I go just to have fun. I launch at 2000rpm which is should be fine for the v6 from what I hear but it just spins.

 

Yeah I was thinking of going with sport mode KB suggested

 

What about safety?
At what point do people start wearing helmets?

 

No reason to turn off ESC(advancetrac) since you're only going in a straight line. ESC is to keep you from getting sideways with the car. I turn it off at the tracks, but not the drag strip, theres no reason to at the strip. I suggest only putting it in Sport mode, especially if this is your first time at the strip. A prepped track surface is much different than ordinary street asphalt.

As far as safety equipment, I'm quite sure you'll need a helmet, at the least. Every track I go to here in California requires a helmet, no matter how fast your car is. The faster you go, the more safety equipment you will need(roll cage, neck brace, engine diaper, automated fire extinguishers, wheelie bars, etc.)

I assume this will be your first time on the strip, no? Launch at about 1200rpm, anymore than that and you'll just spin the stock tires. If you launch as soon as the green light is lit up, you will have a terrible RT(reaction time). You want to launch about 2 tenths of a second before the green light is lit.

I can't stress this enough though, the stock pirellis are garbage at the track. Street tires in general are pretty bad on a prepped surface. Get some drag radials if you plan on hitting the drag strip frequently. Shoot me a pm if you have any questions about the drags. I spend my life at the drag strip.

 

Good luck at the track. I used take my 2000 all the time when she was young. Up here in Epping they require a helmet on any car that hits the 13's. I can't wait to take the 14. It's a blast no matter how well you do.

 

What kind of helmet and where do u get them?

 

You need a helmet that has a rating of Snell 2000 or SFI 41.1A min. You can buy them on websites like Jegs, Summit Racing, etc.

I suggest you look into NHRA requirements and regulations. There are different requirements depending how fast you are(ET). Most drag strips abide by the NHRA, or similiar, guidelines.

 

NHRA requires a helmet with a Snell rating of 2005 or newer now with any car running 1/4 mile in less than 14 seconds (not sure about 1/8 mile tracks). A Coyote is typically good for 1/8 mile passes under 8.5 seconds on street tires and under 8 seconds with sticky tires. Add some power and traction and low to mid 7's are possible with just a few mods. With sticky tires, you'll need driveshaft safety loops, as well.

Before getting to the waterbox, turn off all traction nannies (foot on brake while holding t/c button for 6-7 seconds until dash says AdvanceTrac Off). Assuming street tires, lower the air pressure to 25 psi, do a decent burnout in 2 gear until you see a little bit of smoke, then launch at a reasonable rpm (1500 to 2000 rpm's). Higher rpm launches will only result in lots of wheel spin. Shift at redline. Have fun!

 

Looks like I may have to wait until I can get a helmet X_X

 

Thanks for the tips guys.
Apparently you don't need a helmet at Mooresville but my "friend"/coworker and his ricer bailed on me anyway

 

I would place some tape on your lower qtr panels behind your rear wheels or you will get vht all over it. Vht is what the strip uses for traction.

 

Most tracks have a set speed / class at which you have to wear a helmet. The ones I've been to usually say if you're running 1/4 of less than 14 seconds, you have to wear one. However, I would recommend it as it's a few hundred bucks that may save your life. Having seen some less than responsible people trying to drag race, it's kind of nice to have. (eg: donk's on 22" wheels with rubber bands for tires, wtf?)

When you launch, I would recommend not just dumping the clutch. Let it slip a bit. The clutch is made to wear; let it do it's job. Dumping the clutch will either cause the tires to spin, or put a lot of stress on the rest of your powertrain. Remember, all of the momentum of the engine revving is going to go somewhere. I watched the owner of that donk do several clutch dumps before his axle broke... It's heartbreaking.

For your first time, I'd recommend avoiding the water and skipping the burnout. Just watch a few other noobs to see why.

Pay attention to the tree's timing. You'll get better r/t (reaction time) by anticipating the green. This will be up to you to figure out.

Anyways, don't go too crazy and have fun.

 

Up here where? I live in Epping and I still haven't been to the track... Maybe with the new Blowfish mount I won't have to worry about the 2-3 lockout and embarrassing myself. Haven't seen too many SGM GTs around here.

 

Josh, good luck at the strip! I've never taken mine to any. Not sure if I have a strong desire to.

side question for you all experienced folk: How do you do a decent "burnout" in our cars or in general? I've never done one, ever. I would like to know how before I ever sell her. hahahaha