I have two drag races lined up. No stakes here, just bragging right.

First off, a 2002 jetta 1.8t....is a tiptronic, with a Carbonio CAI...about 20000 miles on the odo.

second, a 1993 taurus SHO...5-speed, no mods, about 100K miles

Both have leather and moonroofs, and all of us drivers weigh about the same.

I have a 97 5-speed with an Injen CAI. I also have leather and moonroof.

How will I fair, considering my shifting is decent?

 

5-spd sho's are quick..

 

yea, but the 93s werent amazing. should give you some trouble... the jetta will get killed

 

The SHO would be a close race... but you should be able to take him if you don't mess up. They are high 14s - low 15s, just like a stock gen 4 5-spd.

You will own the Jetta if you are racing off a standstill. Those are mid-high 15s stock.

 

It's REALLY hard to get those SHOs off the line from all the research I've done... of course it might just be that most of their drivers are idiots. Anyhow, SHOs are very fast, and I would put my money on a stock SHO over an intake'd 5spd 4th gen on the highway, so don't race him at high speeds. Race him up to like 80 or something and as long as you launch well and he does the typical SHO driver 2.6' 60' launch you will be just fine, race him from 80-130 and you could be in for a world of hurt. The Jetta isn't even worth discussing...