theblue

Well today I got hooked. I went with the intent of getting a 14.8 and left with respect for anybody who got that with a close to stock setup. My first run was 16.01 and my last run (and best was a 15.33). I learnt so much about my car and how to drive that I feel like a fool to think I was ever racing before. In the 5MB zip file are some pics of from the event along with a spreadsheet of all the runs I made with averages and bests. I plan to study this and see where I need to improve the most (everywhere) I think the data clearly show that I can pull atleast a 14.8 with no other mods -> just look at how poor my best run was in most areas. Plus everybody was saying that the track had no stick because of the rain the night before. Well, I'm tired so this is all I'm typing for now... I highly recommend that those who have never 1/4 their cars go out and get some civic (I know I had my fill). Also, thanks to the 3rd Gen guy for all the tips, and thanks to the 5th gen guy for being a good sport losing against me so many times (no really, it was fun, and I know you can do much better)

(zip file is too big I guess, I'll post a link once I figure out where to put them as my webpage is at its quota)

Dave B

Yep, it takes a lot of skill to run at the track. Track surfaces are like ice compared to the street. My firsttime out, I was running 15.6s@91mph with my heavy 17s. In 30 runs, I've gotten my ets into the 14.7s with better driving and lighter wheels. A 15.33 is pretty good, but realize it WILL take more mods to run 14.8s. .533 seconds is a lot of time at the track.

What were your 60 foots, 1/8th et and trap speed, 1/4 mile trap speed? From this, I can guage how quickly you car could really go.


Dave

theblue

DaveB... here is a spreadsheet of all the data from my runs... tell me what you think

http://www.rit.edu/~aab8398/car/maximaspeed.html

1997 Maxima SE

ice??? where are you running... the track near my house has super stick compaired to the street...

mAdD MAX

hey theblue, how'd you get to Cayuga race track? and how much was it?

fivelitrekiller

iTrader: (1)

Good job Aaron, too bad I couldn't make it...but there will always be a next time.

G

Dave B

What's the elevation you run at?

Okay, after reviewing your timeslips, I'd say if you hit a 2.2 60 foot, you might be able to get a 15.0. A 2.2 is about the best you'll do on street tires on most track surfaces. It appears your track is about as slick as mine. To pull a 2.1 60 foot is gonna require atleast some drag radials and possibly more torque. Your trap speeds are typically in the 91mph range when you're running 15.3/15.4. Looking at trap speed is a very good way of judging your best et with some traction. With 2.2 60 foots on a fwd car, you can expect (for the most part):

90-91 = 15.0
91-92 = 14.9
93-94 = 14.8
94-95 = 14.7

Last year, with a B-pipe, Y-pipe, stock muffler, HKS intake, and the stock SE 15s with bald RSAs, I was running 15.0@94mph with 2.4 foots. Conditions were typically 70-80 degrees, 60% humidity, and ~1000' above sea level.
This season, after putting on new struts, lightweight 16s with new tires, and a modified stock airbox I'm running pretty consistent 14.7s/94mph with 2.2 60 foots under 60 degree weather, similar humidity, and elevation.

My typical timeslip reads like this:

60' 2.25
1/8 9.5@75mph
1/4 14.75@94mph

I hope this helps. Like I said before, you'll probably need some more mods like a Y-pipe and intake to break into the 14s consistently. Running a 14.8 with the mods you have may be a little unrealistic since I doubt you'll ever be able to pull a 2.0 60 foot.


Dave

Dave B

Yep, it's very slick. The launch pad is covered in rubber which isn't good for street tires. Slicks do pretty good on the stuff though. I launch at 3300rpms at the track. I quickly slip the clutch (~1 second), I get a bit of wheelspin and some wheelhop. My rpms drop to 3000 and then I can floor it and chirp pretty hard into 2nd. My 60 foots are usually 2.25-2.29. I know I could do better if I could come off the line a little harder, but I can't. I've tried launching at 3700-4000 rpms and all I get is reall bad wheelspin thru 1st and well into 2nd which results in much slower 15.2s with 2.4+ 60 foots. On the street, I can easily launch at 4000 rpms with pretty minimal wheelspin.


My track is Kansas City International Raceway. It's not known to be a very quick track, butthey are improving. I plan on racing at Heartland Park Topeka which is about .2-.3 quicker due to a much stickier surface and it's a NHRA sactioned track (supposedly one of the quickest tracks in the nation).

Dave

trbo

hey the blue, i sent you email with the three pics attached .
I agree with all the guys so far, i can hit 2.2-2.3 at the track on radials, you dont really need slicks, drag radials will work just fine,and they are less expensive.(ie. Nitto 555r)
Im gonna run the maxima this year with Yokohamas intermediate s1 tire, very sticky(160treadwear)
I ran my colt this year with the yokohama A520, and that definitely improved my 60ft times by .3-.4seconds over last years times on radials.
I agree too that 15.2, maybe , big maybe, a 15.15 with your setup right now, will be your best time.
If you want to go faster, just go straight to a supercharger setup. It is the most efficient means of acquiring ponies!!
Forced air is the way to go.
(turbo or no go)

Cha cha.

Synki

Good job on the 15.3 run. With your trap speeds, you should be a 15.1 or so. Pulling off a 14.8 with only a exhaust is tough. It is possible but tough. With more track time and new techniques, you will be faster. It's fun dragging isnt it? I'm hooked.

theblue

thanks for the pictures, they look great.

It's sounding more and more like I'm going to need an intake to break into the 14s. I'm not totally sold on this and I know it will bug me forever if I get the intake before trying at least one more day at the track with my current set up. My local track opens soon and I'll get back to you guys with the results!

trbo

once again, good job on the low 15's. Keep it up.