I'm going 1/4 mile drag racing for the first time ever this weekend. One of my dads friends has an 04 GTO,6spd. It doen't have nitrous, turbo, or supercharger but it does have bolt-ons and tuning. Of course he won't tell me exactly what he's done. We've been discussing whos car would be faster. What are my odds?

I'm running a 89 TTA, my mods include walboro pump, adj fuel pressure regulator, chip from precision turbo for 19psi (had pitbull and thrasher 92 in past-this one by far the best) 8" K&N cone, 160 thermostat, test pipe, sfc's, and brand spankin new BFG G-force tires (street tires not the drag ones).

Tomorrow I am installing a AEM boost controller/guage. I bought 10 gallons of 109 octane so I am planning on turning up the boost to 22psi. I am considering removing the sway bar.

My car only has 22,000 miles. I'm not sure if that will help but it is in general good running condition.

He is a really good driver, I am a beginner. Any suggestions on my launch would help (rpm's at stall, how much throttle to get traction, etc.)

Thanks!!!

 

I'd say you would win but I've heard guys running 12's with those GTO's stock!

 

You should take him without a problem.

 

I think you will take him but it will be real close.

 

Wanna pick up a 2-3 mph and a few tenths for free?

Pull the test pipe, leave the back half of the exhaust bolted to the hanger at 4 bolt flange, you can just let the flex pipe hang or bailing wire it to the cat shield.

Don't know if or when the precison chip locks the converter, but the paperclip trick in the ALDL will lock convertor after going into 2nd gear.

Correct way to do this of course would be a test pipe with dump and a TCC switch.
Switches

But it seem like time is something you don't have right now

Just launch easy at 2k then drop the hammer and let him wheel hop that
tricky IRS portly goat off the line.

 

I'll go with the GTO on this one. I'm sure your LC2 is very fast, but being that it's your first time at the track... reaction time, traction and your sixty foot will be very critical for you to pull it off (especially if your running an experienced driver).

Good luck, and have fun!

 

TTA for the win. The 04's had the LS1 not the LS2 and are only good for mid 13's. But it's hard to say just how fast the GTO is without listing the mods. He could be a typical car and he just has a KN filter and mufflers. Even still, we are talking about a modded TTA.

Get better at launching in the meantime. Again, TTA FTW!!!!

 

I agree. I think you will have this one. The '04 GTO's were pretty slow.

 

Depends on your launch, can't be cuttin no 2.5 60's...


I think you got him though..

 

My '98 has an LS1, and with the addition of just an SLP lid, K&N filter, FRA mod, 3500 stall, and tune, it ran a best of 12.85 (stock heads, cam, intake, exhaust and tires)...

He mentioned the GTO has bolt-ons (unknown though), and is tuned, as well as it's driver being experienced. If the GTO gets a good launch, it'll be over pretty shortly...

 

The GTO is an IRS car which is not very easy to launch especially if it's on a street tire. If the GTO has full bolt ons and maybe john force behind the wheel he may have a chance but I still see the TTA taking the win.

 

I'm aware that the GTO has IRS. In fact, I got back from the track about an hour and a half ago, and there were a couple of them running tonight. Low to mid twelves is usually the norm for them around here. Not too many TTA's though.

Plenty of modded Grand Nationals though, running pretty similar times. I still stand by what I said though. I'm sure his TTA is very fast, but with him never dragging before, the win is't necessarily guaranteed because he has boost.

As far as I'm concerned, without knowing the Goats mods, it's all speculation. It's safe to say that the cars are, somewhat, evenly matched. This would make it a drivers race, and experience usually takes the win...

 

Well guys, it doen't sound like were going to find out. I called the GTO owner again yesterday and he is wussing out. He had origionally said he was going to the track but not planning on racing. After me razzing him with the "my v6 firebird would beat that thing" we started talking about wagers and I thought I had him talked into running. I don't know if he's done research on our cars now or what but all he says now is that "his car isn't ready yet" . I think that is called a forfeit . O-well.

I think he's planning on watching me this year and building his car to beat me for next year. Of course he don't know what I have planned for next year. My brother works for precision turbos, I may need to check on that employee discount!

 

could you include me on that employing discount? lol anyways sounds to me he was trying to scare you and he probably saw this thread and thought he would lose.

 

Yeah I agree. I bet he did a little research and his feet got real cold.

 

Really? Mine went 13.25 stock after I figured out how to launch it. Took 4 times to the track Probably would have eeked out a 13.1x if I stayed stock. Others have gone 13.1 in thier '04 GTO's also. Its all in the launch and shifting. A4 GTO's were mid 13's at best because of torque management. Best I saw was 13.4.

Having said that, you have the better car mod wise. My TTA with mostly the same stuff would run 12.6 on Firestone Firehawks and 12.1 on Nittos. No bolt on GTO is going to run those numbers.

If he can launch, it'll be close. If you can't launch, it'll be close. If you both launch, you should win.

 

wow sounds like you've got some fast GTO's in jersey. The norm around here are high 13's to low 14's for stockers and low to mid 13's for bolt on cars. Either way that TTA is a very low 12 second car with it's mods. No '04 bolt on GTO is going to be running those times.

 

LOL, I didnt mean to imply that the GTO runs low to mid 12's from the factory. If it did, I would have traded in my '98 Trans Am a long time ago. What I meant, was that, GTO's around here, modded GTO's, run low to mid 12's....

Again, I'm sure his TTA is very fast, but hey, so are the LS7 powered ZO6's... and I've seen beginner's run 13's with them at the track for crying out loud. This is what I was referring to, the experience level.

 

I understand you meant modded ones. The particular car in question was bolt ons only and probably won't be seeing any low 12 second passes. I've owned 3 LS1 powered cars so I do have experience with how they perform. You don't need much experience to drive an automatic car at the track especially only a 12 second one on a sticky tire. A 505 HP ZO6 with a 6 speed is a completely different story..lol

 

 

and stop beating on the TTA i will want to by one soon in about 5-10 years

 

[quote=CrazyBear;3034966]could you include me on that employing discount? lol quote]

Actually I might be able to. When you need something, and arent in a really big hurry, price shop me. My brothers boss wouldn't let him sell me parts cheap. However since I own a GM dealership he set up my store as a vendor so I'm supposed to be selling precision parts/accessories. So far I've only been selling stuff to myself. I know some vendors get better deals than others and I'm not sure how good my deal really is. I guess the only way to find out is ask.

Just PM me if you need something.

And to the guy who wants my car in 10 years. I save every stock part I took off. When I go to sell it they'll all be reinstalled and you won't know the difference. Besides, running it at the track once during the 8 years I've owned it really isn't too bad. I think I raced 3 times on the street and spent 4 runs on a back street yesterday learning how to launch properly. It still feels like new! I love old GM F-cars and this one is a lot of fun!

 

It's really hard to say, especially when you consider the varying definitions of "bolt on" (spray. etc...). Again, I'm sure that TTA is honestly capeable of 11's, and on paper, it will totally destroy that Goat. But when it gets right down to it, I've seen even stranger wins due to lack of experience...

 

hehehe....that's what its meant for.

If you get one, you'll enjoy it. They are pretty good at everything. Very well balanced performance car.

 

Man am I a bad driver. I dialed in at 13.09 and ran a 13.11 which isn't too bad for bracket racing. However my reaction time was so bad that I lost and got eliminated in round 1. I sure had a lot of fun though. I've never been so nerves behind the wheel ever.

I think my biggest problem was trying to watch my tach and the light at the same time. I really didn't do a good job at either one. Next year I'm going to try again but I'm going to put an exhaust cutout so I can hear the engine. I did my best reaction time against a stock monte SS in qualifiers because he was actually running mufflers and I could hear my own car.

Main thing is that nothing broke, nobody got hurt, and it was a whole lot of fun. Thanks for all the advice!

 

What mph?

You should try and go on a track rental. Usually only one lane and you get to really practice with no distractions.

 

This is exactly what I was referring to. Your first run was a very good one, but since youre reaction time suffered because it was your first time, the GTO in question would have probably beaten you. Anyways, I'm glad you had fun, as that's what it's all about. Your car should be running mid to low 12's rather easily...

 

good driver in a bolt on LS1 GTO could do a high 12 on good tires...aka slicks/drag radials. stock they are capable of doing mid 13s...thats 13.4-13.6 range. traps are comparable to a bolt on LT1...102-103 from what i seen. maybe 104. ls2s are the fast ones...capable high 12s stock. 105-107 mph traps stock i heard of/seen. i street raced one and it was moving out kinda quick. if they launch right they out.

TTA should have a mild modded ls1 goat tho, especially if u have a few mods

 

That LS motor will smoke you

 

it's all about the fun so enjoy

 

107.7mph. My brother is much bigger into racing and he ownes a practice tree. I tried that a few times this weekend just sitting on the livingroom couch. I even got smoked on that one until I got used to it. I'll just try the same thing again next year. I was really wanting to see what the car was capable of much more than wanting to be a competitive bracket racer.

I am going to try selling my snowmobile in an effort to fund a bigger ball bearing turbo. The car will hopefully give me some faster times for next year!

 

You easily have a 12 second ride there. Put some drag radials on there and you'll have mid 12's or better.

Just takes a little practice and you are there!