Okay, I have a 1989 Pontiac Firebird, 2.8L V6, automatic, no mods, 112 000 miles, all tuned up. It's an event called "Drag de rue national BFGoodRich". It's a 1/8. I don't want to look stupid with my bird, I know I will probably be the slowest of them all so that's why I hesitate. I wan't to race but I don't want the people to laught at me when they see my car in the street. What a dilema....

 

well, if your tracks are anything like the ones around here the majority of people are very nice and courteous about things. NOrmally, if they know you're trying to modify your car often they'll give you advice, maybe even give you hookups on how to shave those seconds (or tenths of them) off. Plus, if you're lucky you'll run into some grand national guys, they love the power of the v6 and know it's potential when designed properly, and normally they'll advocate any type of modifications to your car that you might have in mind....so, what'da ya got to lose? Nada, and atleast you'll know how well ur cars really running.

 

I only laugh at the *****'s with the big huge wings on the back and tons of stickers who think they are fast.

 

Not to mention, regardless of the car...if you figure out how to launch it and pull some good reaction times and 60 ft's, they'll respect you for your driving abilities.

 

Okay, I think I will give it a try then. I heard from a friend that's it's not even a 1/8, it something like 500 feet only. What is the best way to launch my 2.8L? Keep the engine at wich RPM?

 

Go do it! Go represent all the V6s!!!

 

Not even 1/8 mile?

You sure it's not on someones driveway?

Yeah go to track. I even took my 76 Bonneville to one. All 19', 4800+ pounds of it. Got a respectable 17.1 out of it.


Launch, well w/my gp I foot brake it to 2K, release on last yellow & floor it. Experiment, look at 60' times, listen to hear if you have tire squeil.

 

When I'm on the street and I foot brake my bird, at 2k it will spin... Depending on the situation I can only bring it to about 1500-1700RPM. If the tire spin before I start the car moves slow as hell... I think I should go practice my start tonight hehe. If you have some advice you can share them with me.

 

stage good then. let the tires smoke a little. DO NOT smoke em like drag tires, you'l only end up w/chunks of tire on your rear qtr panel, & a lot less miles left on them.

 

Load the engine up to as many rpms as possible without breaking traction, and launch from that. The goal is to have good solid traction straight out of the hole... Some cars do better with a little tirespin because of the extra rpms it can sustain for more power due to a lagging powerband....such as the new Mazda RX8....but these cars make torque all over the place so that isn't necessary and tirespin is counterproductive.