I took my bone stock 07 gt convertible to the 1/8 mile track. I had never raced in my life. Scared to death I posted my best time of 9.9 at about 75mph. I was very disappointed. I had fun but I am rady to go back and redeem my self with some new goodies. I can get a s/c right now but would be open to suggestions. Tires were my most obvious disadvantage. I'de like to hear your first track experiences and times on stock or modified cars.

 

cold air induction kit with a tune is the first thing you need to get.

either go for the C&L or steeda kit from brenspeed with the sct tuner

 

What was your 60' (Should be on the slip?). Automatic or Manual? Altitude where you live? Temperature?

I would say based on your trap speed you have some work to do.
75 mph should be in the lower 9's.

Tell us about how the car left. What was your launch procedure? How hard was the track hooking?

My guess is you had lots of wheelspin. I can give you a couple of different ways to launch a manual on a slick track.
One is easier and the other is quicker but takes more skill. The automatic will be easier but I suspect you are manual.

Where you Granny Shifting, Speed Shifting, or Power Shifting? What rpms?

Lets get the most out of your current combo before we throw parts at it. Although a set of Drag Radials would definatley make the launch easier.

PS dont be suprised if Mods kick this to Street/Strip.

 

did you say you were scared to death of posting your time? or going at the speed you were going?

if you were scared of going at the speed your stock gt dishes out, id HIGHLY recommend you not get a supercharger

 

I think he meant he was intimidated by actually lining up and go through the motions to make a drag strip pass.
Like a fish out of water since he had no experience at it.

 

the possibilities are endless....how fast do you want to run? get a tune,exhaust,cai,gear........and see how you do? you said you had probs with the initial launch(what were you leaving the tree at?)

 

th is was my best one. r/t .673, 60' 2.608, 330' 6.702 1/8 9.959 at 74.38 mph. My car is manual. I was scared cause i was new and lots of people were watching me, no fear of the speed. Its also a convertible. wheel spin was bad in 1st and 2nd

 

ouchh..need to work on that 60' but not bad...it will get better with more seat time

 

If the track has newer led bulbs its a 0.000 tree. If thats the case it looks like you are leaving on the green.
If you left on the last yellow that would have been a 0.173 r/t. The car takes time to roll out of the staging beam.
If its a 0.500 tree you still need to anticipate slightly to whittle that reaction down lower.

60'. Need to get that down. Best 60' in a stone stock car on stock tires Ive personally witnessed is 1.84.
Your convertible is heavier so would 60' a little slower than that all else being equal.

Cut that 60' to a 2.05 for a slick track and you will cut you 1/8 mi ET to a 9.36.
On a tacky track a 1.90 would get you to 9.20.

First the prep work to get you to the line.

Go around the water box if possible with street tires. Stop bring the rpm to 4000 rpm and go full throttle and drop the clutch quick at the same to shock the tires and do a rolling burn out modulating the throttle to keep it below redline (Im usually around 5600-5800 rpm). Stop about half way to the starting line. Do a couple of dry hops. Bring the rpm to 4000 and do basically the same thing you did for the burnout except slower on the throttle and clutch release. IF it sticks great, if not drop the rpm by 1000 and try again. These are essentially test launches allowing to judge what you are going to do after you stage.

Technique 1.
Constant Throttle Technique. Bring the rpm up to say 2500-5500 rpm(depends on traction). When its time to leave release the clutch quickly but smoothly.Dontshock the drivetrain. Dont add any throttle. You will get some wheelspinand when you sense the car about to hook then start to roll into the throttle. The idea is to keep the wheelspeed from rising out of control but keep the front end form dropping.This is good for a 1.93 for me if the track will hold it.

Technique 2 (Advanced for slick tracks).
Bring RPM to 4500. When you leave use the throttle to hold the rpm at 4500 and use the clutch to control wheelspeed and font end lift. Remember clutch controls wheelspeed and amount of force applied to the rear tires and throttle controls engine rpm.
This is good for a 1.89 for me if the track will hold it. When it wont Im sometimes slipping the clutch for 30' to a 2.05.
This is pretty hard on the clutch when the track is very slick but its quicker.

Technique 3 (Tacky tracks.)
Bring rpm to 4500-6000 rpm and go full throttle the same time you are coming out on the clutch and just-roll slip the clutch slightly as you came out to avoid shocking the tires. When I do this correctly I get a 1.85-1.92 60'. When I dont I get 2.60. This is a all or nothing method. You either get a good 60' or blow the tires off.

 

If you're definately going for an S/C sometime soon-ish, then don't waste your money on a CAI & tune. If you think it might be some way away, like next year, then maybe.