Going to the track for the first time.....suggestions?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 102
Likes: 1
From: Clinton, NY. USA
Going to the track for the first time.....suggestions?
The tranny has been just rebuilt and I figured it was time to test. I wanna see where I'm at with the simple mods I've done. Any suggestions for a first timer?
------------------
_ ____________________ _
1991 G92 Auto L98 - 3.23 71,000 miles
BBK 52mm Throttle Body, Ported Plenum/Runners, Edelbrock TES Headers (JetHot coated),
Dual Cats, American Thunder 80 Series Catback,Accel Ignition/Wires (8.8mm),
Performance Resource Chip, 160 Thermostat, TPIS AFPR (48),K&N Air Filters.
Rebuilt 700R-4 with all the goodies. Thanks to my friend "Transfixleo". The list of the parts he installed are listed on my website.
http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/Jeff1991z.html
------------------
_ ____________________ _
1991 G92 Auto L98 - 3.23 71,000 miles
BBK 52mm Throttle Body, Ported Plenum/Runners, Edelbrock TES Headers (JetHot coated),
Dual Cats, American Thunder 80 Series Catback,Accel Ignition/Wires (8.8mm),
Performance Resource Chip, 160 Thermostat, TPIS AFPR (48),K&N Air Filters.
Rebuilt 700R-4 with all the goodies. Thanks to my friend "Transfixleo". The list of the parts he installed are listed on my website.
http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/Jeff1991z.html
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 0
From: Newington, CT
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 5.7 RamJet
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Dana44 4.10
What track are you going to and what day?
I go to Lebanon Valley on Wednesday nights for test and tune. Bunch of us going up there next Wednesday, the 25th.
Just a guess, but you will probably be in the low 14 high 13 sec range with your car depending on conditions. I have seen stock L98 91 Z28's running 14.4 - 14.6 hihg mileage, with only cat back exhaust for mods.
Make sure you car is tuned up,and that the engine is relatively clean.. not leaking anything or dripping. You won't pass tech if it is. Make sure you have all lug nuts on, your overflow tank is hooked up and working, and your battery is secured.
Some tracks make you wear a helmet no matter what, others only require one if you run 13.99 or faster. You are in that range, so either bring a helmet in case, or find out if the track rents them.
Just watch what everyone else is doing, and pay attention to the track staff. If you are going on a test and tune night, they expect first timers, so they are used to people not knowing the ropes. Ask questions if you are not sure about something.
Most tracks require long pants, no open toe shoes, and at least a t shirt with short sleeves for you to run.
If you are running street tires, when you drive to the line, go around the water box. Do a short burn out.. just basically spin the tires a little to get any sand off them.
Slowly creep up to the staging area. Courtesy staging says that you light the first light then wait for the other guy to light his first light before you light the second one and are fully staged. Most people just roll up and stage though.
After that, just watch the yellow lights.. when the third one comes on.. go. If you wait for the green light.. you are leaving to slow. ( lol don't really have to worry about this unless you are in bracket racing.. and I am pretty bad at my reation times so far. A slow reaction time won't hurt your ET)
Oh.. find out BEFORE you are lined up, exactly where the end of the 1/4 is. I had the problem of not knowing where to slow down exactly
Safety tip.. the exit and return road is usually only accesible from one lane. Which ever driver is closer to it get the right of way.. even if you are there first don't cut across them. Wait until they go first.
If possible, get there early and let your car cool off a bit. While waiting go watch the action... but watch it and pay attention to know what you'll be doing.
After you make a pass or two, you can try different launching techniques.. bringing the RPMs up a little higher.. stomping the throttle off idle,... easing into it before flooring it.. etc etc.
You can make up or lose, a lot of time in the first 60 feet.
I am hardly an expert on this subject.. I just started going regularly this summer, so this is just from my personal experience. I am sure that other people can add a lot more.
------------------
Member of The Connecticut F Body Association
1987 IROC 5.7 - 14.46 @ 93
1988 Formula
1986 Z28
[This message has been edited by Jay (edited July 18, 2001).]
I go to Lebanon Valley on Wednesday nights for test and tune. Bunch of us going up there next Wednesday, the 25th.
Just a guess, but you will probably be in the low 14 high 13 sec range with your car depending on conditions. I have seen stock L98 91 Z28's running 14.4 - 14.6 hihg mileage, with only cat back exhaust for mods.
Make sure you car is tuned up,and that the engine is relatively clean.. not leaking anything or dripping. You won't pass tech if it is. Make sure you have all lug nuts on, your overflow tank is hooked up and working, and your battery is secured.
Some tracks make you wear a helmet no matter what, others only require one if you run 13.99 or faster. You are in that range, so either bring a helmet in case, or find out if the track rents them.
Just watch what everyone else is doing, and pay attention to the track staff. If you are going on a test and tune night, they expect first timers, so they are used to people not knowing the ropes. Ask questions if you are not sure about something.
Most tracks require long pants, no open toe shoes, and at least a t shirt with short sleeves for you to run.
If you are running street tires, when you drive to the line, go around the water box. Do a short burn out.. just basically spin the tires a little to get any sand off them.
Slowly creep up to the staging area. Courtesy staging says that you light the first light then wait for the other guy to light his first light before you light the second one and are fully staged. Most people just roll up and stage though.
After that, just watch the yellow lights.. when the third one comes on.. go. If you wait for the green light.. you are leaving to slow. ( lol don't really have to worry about this unless you are in bracket racing.. and I am pretty bad at my reation times so far. A slow reaction time won't hurt your ET)
Oh.. find out BEFORE you are lined up, exactly where the end of the 1/4 is. I had the problem of not knowing where to slow down exactly
Safety tip.. the exit and return road is usually only accesible from one lane. Which ever driver is closer to it get the right of way.. even if you are there first don't cut across them. Wait until they go first.
If possible, get there early and let your car cool off a bit. While waiting go watch the action... but watch it and pay attention to know what you'll be doing.
After you make a pass or two, you can try different launching techniques.. bringing the RPMs up a little higher.. stomping the throttle off idle,... easing into it before flooring it.. etc etc.
You can make up or lose, a lot of time in the first 60 feet.
I am hardly an expert on this subject.. I just started going regularly this summer, so this is just from my personal experience. I am sure that other people can add a lot more.
------------------
Member of The Connecticut F Body Association
1987 IROC 5.7 - 14.46 @ 93
1988 Formula
1986 Z28
[This message has been edited by Jay (edited July 18, 2001).]
TGO Supporter
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: 700R4
Wow, great tips Jay! The only thing I would add is that some tracks want you to run just water in the cooling system. This is so that the track surface doesn't get wrecked if you blow a hose.
Alex
Alex
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 102
Likes: 1
From: Clinton, NY. USA
Jay my friend, that was the stuff I was looking for, thanks! I'll give it my best and hope to dial it in and give my fellow thirdgenners respect. I'll post the runs when I get back. I'm gonna be running at Cicero Dragway this Saturday (21st), North of Syracuse, NY and hoping to do well. I'm just expecting mid to low 14's but anything better will be great. If any one is gonna attend let me know and I'll get with you!
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 0
From: Newington, CT
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 5.7 RamJet
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Dana44 4.10
No problem 
Gald to be of help to anyone just getting into it. Just so ya know, I was a little nervous my first time.. wasn't sure exactly what to do, what to expect... lol I tried to stage right at the lighta, but I was about 10 feet over the line. Had to back up and do it right. So if ya make any mistakes, don't sweat it. Everyone messes up from time to time.
One other word of caution... watch out, it can get addicting... And then you'll end up like me, and many others.. always thinking of how you can squeek another tenth out of your car
I am pretty happy with mine.. I started with a first ever run of 16.43 @ 82 MPH and got it down to 14.46 @ 93 last week. No major mods in between, just tuning, and tweaking and learning how to launch the car.
Have fun! I'll be looking for your post about how you did.
Gald to be of help to anyone just getting into it. Just so ya know, I was a little nervous my first time.. wasn't sure exactly what to do, what to expect... lol I tried to stage right at the lighta, but I was about 10 feet over the line.
Had to back up and do it right. So if ya make any mistakes, don't sweat it. Everyone messes up from time to time.One other word of caution... watch out, it can get addicting... And then you'll end up like me, and many others.. always thinking of how you can squeek another tenth out of your car
I am pretty happy with mine.. I started with a first ever run of 16.43 @ 82 MPH and got it down to 14.46 @ 93 last week. No major mods in between, just tuning, and tweaking and learning how to launch the car.
Have fun! I'll be looking for your post about how you did.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 17,271
Likes: 171
From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Can't say it better than what Jay has already said. Keep telling new drivers just that and they'll do fine.
And yes, it is addictive. There's no such thing as fast enough. I'm still working at getting into the 10's and once I get there I'll want low 10's. There's no end.
------------------
Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car
87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block
Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546
Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association
87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley
And yes, it is addictive. There's no such thing as fast enough. I'm still working at getting into the 10's and once I get there I'll want low 10's. There's no end.
------------------
Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car
87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block
Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546
Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association
87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley
Member
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Hopewell Jct., N.Y.
Car: 84 Z28 Camaro
Engine: 350ci
Transmission: T-5
Lebanon Valley is a great track. I have actually bumped into a couple of thirdgenners from this board up there. The only negative thing I can say about the track
is it is somewhere between 1000 -1200 ft
elevation so it runs about 2 tenths slow. Doesn't matter, just keep that in mind when
you look at your times...
------------------
Tom K.
84 Z-28 M5 305 L69 HO
pulleys,coil,3:73(stock)
Jet chip, fan switch,
Al dshaft,1.6 rockers,
LCAs and brackets,BFG DRs
14.20 @ 96.74 2.02 60ft
is it is somewhere between 1000 -1200 ft
elevation so it runs about 2 tenths slow. Doesn't matter, just keep that in mind when
you look at your times...
------------------
Tom K.
84 Z-28 M5 305 L69 HO
pulleys,coil,3:73(stock)
Jet chip, fan switch,
Al dshaft,1.6 rockers,
LCAs and brackets,BFG DRs
14.20 @ 96.74 2.02 60ft
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 102
Likes: 1
From: Clinton, NY. USA
Well, the numbers aren't pretty but I just wanted to see where I was at for the first time. It was 86 degrees and 69% humidity. I don't know what the track's elevation is. Times are uncorrected.
1st Run: little nervous and spun badly. :-o
60ft: 2.439
Qrtr: 14.59
MPH: 92.17
2nd run - Best run of the day for me.
60ft: 2.154
Qrtr: 14.20
MPH: 98.49
3rd run
60ft: 2.274
Qrtr: 14.249
MPH: 98.88
The firestone FS SZ50 EP's didn't want to hook up to well. I have to look at drag radials or something. It would have been nice to get in the high 13's though.
------------------
1991 G92 Auto L98 - 3.23 71,000 miles
BBK 52mm Throttle Body, Ported Plenum/Runners, Edelbrock TES Headers (JetHot coated),
Dual Cats, American Thunder 80 Series Catback,Accel Ignition/Wires (8.8mm),
Performance Resource Chip, 160 Thermostat, TPIS AFPR (48),K&N Air Filters.
Rebuilt 700R-4 with all the goodies. Thanks to my friend "Transfixleo". The list of the parts he installed are listed on my website.
[url]http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/Jeff1991z.html[url]
1st Run: little nervous and spun badly. :-o
60ft: 2.439
Qrtr: 14.59
MPH: 92.17
2nd run - Best run of the day for me.
60ft: 2.154
Qrtr: 14.20
MPH: 98.49
3rd run
60ft: 2.274
Qrtr: 14.249
MPH: 98.88
The firestone FS SZ50 EP's didn't want to hook up to well. I have to look at drag radials or something. It would have been nice to get in the high 13's though.
------------------
1991 G92 Auto L98 - 3.23 71,000 miles
BBK 52mm Throttle Body, Ported Plenum/Runners, Edelbrock TES Headers (JetHot coated),
Dual Cats, American Thunder 80 Series Catback,Accel Ignition/Wires (8.8mm),
Performance Resource Chip, 160 Thermostat, TPIS AFPR (48),K&N Air Filters.
Rebuilt 700R-4 with all the goodies. Thanks to my friend "Transfixleo". The list of the parts he installed are listed on my website.
[url]http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/Jeff1991z.html[url]
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 0
From: Newington, CT
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 5.7 RamJet
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Dana44 4.10
Pretty good times.. the temp will definitely slow you down. When I go to the track it's always late afternoon, and my best runs come around 8:30 - 9:30 when the temp is a lot lower.
Also, if you could get that 60ft time a tenth, you would pick up two tenths at the end of the track, so that would put you into the 13's
Now you can try out some modifications and see what the difference ends up being. It's noce to have a baseline figure.
Also, if you could get that 60ft time a tenth, you would pick up two tenths at the end of the track, so that would put you into the 13's
Now you can try out some modifications and see what the difference ends up being. It's noce to have a baseline figure.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 102
Likes: 1
From: Clinton, NY. USA
Yeah, I would do a brake stance and get the RPM's up to 1200 and then floor it (Stupid, I know). 
She would spin like a SOB.
I tried only giving it 2/3's throttle at take off but I would still manage to get into it to soon and light the tires. Oh well, it'll take some time and practice before I get it down. It was fun regardless.
------------------
1991 G92 Auto L98 - 3.23 71,000 miles
BBK 52mm Throttle Body, Ported Plenum/Runners, Edelbrock TES Headers (JetHot coated),
Dual Cats, American Thunder 80 Series Catback,Accel Wires (8.8mm), 160 Thermostat, TPIS AFPR (48psi),K&N Air Filters.
Rebuilt 700R-4. Thanks "Transfixleo".
1st time at the track, guess I should learn to launch right.
60ft: 2.15
Qrtr: 14.20
MPH: 98.49
http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/Jeff1991z.html
<A HREF="http://
Engine:
http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/camm1.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
Engine:
http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/camm1.JPG</A>
She would spin like a SOB. I tried only giving it 2/3's throttle at take off but I would still manage to get into it to soon and light the tires. Oh well, it'll take some time and practice before I get it down. It was fun regardless.
------------------
1991 G92 Auto L98 - 3.23 71,000 miles
BBK 52mm Throttle Body, Ported Plenum/Runners, Edelbrock TES Headers (JetHot coated),
Dual Cats, American Thunder 80 Series Catback,Accel Wires (8.8mm), 160 Thermostat, TPIS AFPR (48psi),K&N Air Filters.
Rebuilt 700R-4. Thanks "Transfixleo".
1st time at the track, guess I should learn to launch right.
60ft: 2.15
Qrtr: 14.20
MPH: 98.49
http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/Jeff1991z.html
<A HREF="http://
Engine:
http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/camm1.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
Engine:
http://www.geocities.com/ssgtmcmichael/camm1.JPG</A>
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