I'm heading to the ZMax dragway for some test and tune action soon and would like some advice, constructive please, on things like what RPM to launch. When to shift. The proper technique to warm the tires up without looking like a jack ****. I bought this car to have some fun so help a guy out. Oh and I don't really care if the spies are watching this thread. I'm not the kind of guy who romps his car and the complains to the dealership that his car isn't working quite right. You have to pay to play. Thanks in advance.

 

Are you on street tires? I wouldn't worry about warming them at all. Just do a quick spin if you want to get rocks and dirt off them. Launch at about 2600 RPM's. You'll probably spin like crazy irregardless if they're street tires and depending on your track's prep. Shift basically right below the red line. These cars rev high, so you don't want to leave that HP on the table by short shifting.

 

Just right !!!

 

I also went to the track for the first time tonight. It was embarrassingly bad. I did 6 passes. Started with 16.8 and a best of 13.8 in the 1/4.

I still have a heck of alot of improvement to do but I encountered something weird concerning shifting into 2nd. It seems like i was locked out or prevented into shifting into 2nd gear. I don't recall grinding noise. I never approached redline even because the rpm gauge never lighted up.

Well it was my first time and i played around with traction control and advance trac off. I did get my best time with everything on though.

Need to work on my launches cuz i spun too much. Need to lower tire psi. And i experienced a lot of wheel hop. I've done some mini burnouts on secluded streets before and never experienced that. But when i would spin the tires on the track i experienced wheel hop. Is that normal?

 

Lockout is a real problem with these transmissions/clutches unfortunately. Some get it in second gear, others in third. I experience lockout in third. The only way to mitigate it is to slowly and methodically shift into the gear after waiting a small period of time for the synchros to settle with the clutch in.

Wheel hop is also common. But seriously try to prevent it. It can cause serious damage. Slipping the clutch is the best way to try and keep traction. Assuming you are on a manual that is.

 

Wheel hop might be better with lower air pressure. The starting line is treated to stick. So hop is more likely to happen. The street is not sticky so you won't have that issue practicing off track. Don't be discouraged. The more trips to the track, the more comfortable you will be. Seat time is the key.

 

Do the current cars come with a dual mass flywheel? If so going to a lighter flywheel and clutch assembly might help with the shifting issues (when it comes time to replace the clutch naturally).

The McCleod in my car is an 11" unit I beleive but its rotating mass is comparable to the stocker I replaced even with a steel flywheel and large diameter clutch.

 

Good replies in here. Keep them coming. I sadly ended up not being able to race because we got rained out. The at the two hour mark it dried up but I had to head to the Panthers/Dolphins game. Maybe next time.

 

Question regarding launches. Im on stock tires. Say i launch at 2kRPM: Do i dump the clutch or let it slip quickly? I need to control tire spin and wheel hop.

After letting the the clutch go, i have to basically apply gas on that sweet spot before i do excessive tire spin?

And when i try to do that the rpm's will go down. Do i maintain the launch rpm? And then press gas fully when i feel i have full traction?

I just cant wait to go back to the track. Next available test&tune that i can attend is in 2 weeks. So i'm dying. If i can achieve mid or low 13s on my stock 12' GT i'll be happy.

Street and track surface conditions are totally different. I didnt expect the difference to be that drastic. I'm not even gonna practice on secluded roads like i have done before since it's not the same environment.

 

Definitely don't dump the clutch. You'll spin uncontrollably. Your second part of your post is pretty much what you'll want to do. Slip the clutch right at the edge of tire spin. A little spin is ok. I've found my best 60 ft times occur when I do have just a little controlled tire spin. But yes, slip the clutch maintaining your launch RPM with just a little tire spin and releasing the clutch... and then stab the gas once you have control releasing the clutch the rest of the way.

And yes, the street is not even comparable. Each track is different including each night. What I do is to always start with the same RPM launch each track night making very small adjustments depending on track prep. I'll launch at a bit higher if the track is sticky, or a bit lower if it isn't in very good shape. My track has "ok" traction. The best I can do at my track 60ft time wise is 2.01 on drag radials at 20 PSI.

 

Anyone ever raced at ZMax? That's where I will be going?

 

The one time I raced at Zmax it was nice. The starting line prep wasn't the greatest ive seen. BUt the track surface was nice. For street tires you can lower the air pressure some to help alittle with sidewall stiffness. And they are right dont do a crazy smoky burnout on the Pirelli's they get slick and hurts traction. Play around with your launch rpm at first. Start low and practice getting away with just a bit of spin while slipping the clutch. And then start raising the rpms until you are getting your 60's in the 1.90's. Thats the best ive ever gotten on street tires was a 1.95ish. Best time on street tires was a 12.66 @ 111. Have run a 12.19 @113 on a set of 305/40/18 nitto NT05's. Just goto the track and have fun. Dont worry if someone is faster, go and work on getting your runs consistent. And dont hot lap the car let it cool down some between runs, and to help some with the lock out in the trans make sure you put the clutch completely to the floor. Ive been lucky, havent had the lockout problem yet, but have missed 3rd a couple times. Hope it helps

 

Would you suggest maybe giving the car some cool off time every two runs?

 

That should help.

 

Thanks for the info on the track. I will be trying to head up there next month for some fun as well as a mountain run up to Little Switzerland, NC. There are some great roads on the way up there and the loop that goes up the hill is very scenic.