Hi,
I am thinking about going to the 1/4 mile drag strip for the first time, and was hopeing to get some advice.my car is a 1983 Trans am, 305 LG4, 700R4 trans and 3.23 rear gear and functional hood scoop.
i used the calculator on the main page to find my top speed, is this correct:

tyre radius 12inches, RPM 5000, rear 3.23, trans gear 1 (drive, 3rd gear) = 110MPH

and using over drive:

tyre radius 12inches, RPM 5000, rear 3.23, trans gear 0.70 (Odrive, 4rd gear) = 157MPH

also is the tyre radius the distance from the center of the wheel to the ground?

also if i get a Hypertech Street Runner Power Chip or the Thermo Master, i know these will improve performance but how much on my unmodified engine and which will get the most speed and power.
the only mods i have are a hypertech powercoil, splitfire plugs and good wires, oh and a k and N air filter.

Thank You.

 

Go fully expecting to run in the high 15-low 16 sec range at 8?mph that way your not expecting the world. All these math calculators are usually bunk when it comes to real world since the math cannot factor is convertor slip, air density, driver error, hook, etc...

All those little bolt on/plug's on your stock motor/drivetrain will not net you much and will hardly seem worth it once you go back to the track and get real numbers to proive that point. exhaust is best place to start, then intake and induction, then get some tires that will dead hook with the new found power that will get you so future testing can be accurate.

Then your going to have to start forking over real money to buy parts that will actually make the car better like heads, cam, etc...just dont put alot of money into a 305 since the cubes are just not there for any practical speed. Simple bolt on stuff is a good investment since many of the parts you can use on your 305, then transfer them to a 350 or larger when the time comes....think ahead and only buy parts once is best advise I can offer

 

thanks for the advice.
so what is my cars maximum top speed? as I can't seem to find reference to it anywhere.

 

Your cars top speed is going to be different from anything mathmatical you'll find since aerodynamic drag will be a HUGE factor., gearing and hp will also play into. If you could muster 120 out of it as it sits your doing pretty good IMO

 

The first time I went out I just hope I made it to the end of the track, so Im not mad about not getting my "target" time. Just stomp the gas on the last amber ligth you'll be good

 

honestly, don't expect to much from that lg4. I would say low 16s. The biggest mod you could do at the track to help out would be slicks.