Hey. I'm definately new to the whole drag w/times thing but I've been trying to read as much as I can about it under the forum. Anyways, I went to the track a few days ago and I ran a 16.4 twice. I have a stock 97 SE automatic (yeah, i shoulda waited and gotten stick ) but I thought the times weren't too bad for the year of the car and the millage. (73k)

Two questions; when I run the 1/4 mile, should I take off Overdrive?...should I manually try to shift it? (1st, 2nd, drive)

Also, what helps with track times? I'm pretty sure filters, plugs, exhausts, weight...anything else that you would suggest?

Thanks for all your help and this site is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

 

Take off all your blue lighting and subs

Post the whole slip ...

 

I don't have the slips anymore...the wind blew em away that night. All I can remember was:

R/T: .507
1/8th: 10.3ish
1/4th: 16.403
Top Speed: 83.5ish mph

(Sorry thats not much help)

The sub box was meant to be taken out that night but it didn't work out seeing as I left straight from work. So yes, that will lighten it up a bit. As for my blue lightning, I doubt those few quarter pound tubes are going to make a difference but I appreciate your input.

If you or anyone else has anything more to add, I will welcome all comments/suggestions. Thanks.

 

I'm going to go through the basics here.

60'ft data would help a little too, if the winds were howling against you, then that could've also played a role, obviously.

How much fuel in the tank and what grade?

Take out subs, spare/jack and everything you don't need.

What wheel/tire combo? 15's are the best for 3.0 due to the automatic lack of tq off the line.

Hows the vehicle shape, check for ghost codes, is the CEL on?

Don;t "power brake" very high rpm, just take the slack out of the driveline, 1200 or so, because too high makes the engine "burp" because it's at a higher speed than the wheels are turning when you launch...

Due to the automatic having very tall gearing redline shifts are not really optimal but the tall gearing makes you fall in a dead spot if you shift before redline, so it's almost a no win situ here with the stock manifold.

If you want a quiet, decent qucik car, get some sort of VI+JWT and a y-pipe.

As for the blue lighting, iw as only giving you grief, but the subs, yes, they do make a difference.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I had very little fuel in the tank (by luck) that day so I had enough to get out to the track and get back home. I run 92 octane Speedway gas.
I have stock wheels that are 16 inches but the tires are worn so I know that didn't help.

When you ask about the vehicle shape, the physical shape is excellent and I'm fairly certain there is nothing wrong with the car. I am unfamiliar with ghosts codes and CEL. If you could further explain that, I'd appreciate it.

Also in regards the power braking, you're saying to power brack a little bit up to about 1200 before I launch at the line...Correct?

And I should just leave the car shift by itself? With or without the O/D?

Thanks!

 

CEL = Check Engine Light, read the 4th gen stickys because a ghost code does not set the light off, but the code still exsists and needs attention.

Personally I would redline shifts, but you can try it both ways and see what nets better times, if there's a difference it wont be by much since you have the stock intake manifold.

Physical shape, no, I mean mecahnical shape, engine properly mainted etc. 15" wheels will help bring your times down a bit too, along with being lightweight.