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First time at the track, and bad times! Need some tips....

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Old 06-05-2004, 07:03 AM
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First time at the track, and bad times! Need some tips....

So i went to the track for the first time yesterday. Ive never been to one so i was not sure about a few things, but it was alot of fun. i did 3 runs, and here are the results of the best one:

R/T--1.182
60`--2.630
330--7.056
1/8--10.644
MPH--69.52
1000--13.678
1/4--16.275
MPH--86.42

My mods are: Berk intake, Warpspeed y-pipe, Flowmaster dual exhaust.

I know my first problem, i did awfull on the launch all 3 times, thats was my major problem, what can i do to improve these times? any tips would be great. Thanx
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Old 06-05-2004, 07:09 AM
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practice your lauch. your 60' bites. are you auto? without boost, the auto 3.0 just isn't a fast car.
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Old 06-05-2004, 07:11 AM
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yeah i am an auto, if i improve my launch i know i can do atleast like mid high 15,s cus i was lagging alot on the launch, but it was my first time so hopefully ill do better next time
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Old 06-05-2004, 07:49 AM
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Juice it.....
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Old 06-05-2004, 08:27 AM
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you need some noost...

btw, how high is the track above the sea level?
My suggestion would be, get rid of all the heavy stuff from the car, break torque a little and manually shift.
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Old 06-05-2004, 08:36 AM
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is break torque, when u hold the break w/your left foot, and press the gas a bit w/your right?

and i dont know how high the track is above sea level.
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Old 06-05-2004, 08:54 AM
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yea, break torque is exactly that.

does your track have a website? If it does, check it out and see what they say about altitude. Otherwise just see what they city's where the track is altitude is.

Reason I'm saying this, first time I went to track best I did was 16.3. BUT, it was 2700+ ft above sea level so the actualy time was something about 15.6-7
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Old 06-05-2004, 09:12 AM
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The best I got out of my old '01 auto was a 16.3 at LVMS which is 2200ft elevation. My '03 same track did a 15.2-3. The biggest difference between the cars is the '03 wants to spin the wheels, the '01 wish it did.
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Old 06-05-2004, 09:14 AM
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It's that droopy face of yours....it's heavy...no aerodynamics eather.....

Without the kit u'd be going nicely.
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Old 06-05-2004, 10:18 AM
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ok i went to thier website and it is 90ft above sea level
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Old 06-05-2004, 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by PearlWhtMaX2000
So i went to the track for the first time yesterday. Ive never been to one so i was not sure about a few things, but it was alot of fun. i did 3 runs, and here are the results of the best one:

R/T--1.182
60`--2.630
330--7.056
1/8--10.644
MPH--69.52
1000--13.678
1/4--16.275
MPH--86.42

My mods are: Berk intake, Warpspeed y-pipe, Flowmaster dual exhaust.

I know my first problem, i did awfull on the launch all 3 times, thats was my major problem, what can i do to improve these times? any tips would be great. Thanx

OUCH!! I ran that time when I blew my MAF sensor mid-run. Dumb question: Is your Max tuned up?
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Old 06-05-2004, 07:27 PM
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16.275 on a 1/4 mile means something is really wrong.
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Old 06-05-2004, 07:40 PM
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Would I be wrong to say that your anti-aero body kit is cancelling out your mods? Get rid of the kit and then make a few runs.
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Old 06-06-2004, 06:36 AM
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this is what happens when you're more worried about show that go. 2.6 60' how did you manage that in an 00 Auto bc I doubt it spun that bad out of the hole.
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Old 06-06-2004, 07:03 AM
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like i said i had an awfull launch.

and what do u mean is my car tuned up?
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Old 06-06-2004, 07:29 AM
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What times should i have got, w/my mods? and it is an auto.
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Old 06-06-2004, 08:33 AM
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btw, how are your tires? maybe you need new ones? How's the tranny?
next time you go try to take all extra stuff out of your car (spare tire, jack, if you have a sub take that out), if you didn't do it this time of course.
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Old 06-06-2004, 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by carabuser
btw, how are your tires? maybe you need new ones? How's the tranny?
next time you go try to take all extra stuff out of your car (spare tire, jack, if you have a sub take that out), if you didn't do it this time of course.
i am running on the stock potenza tires w/not much tred. i did take out all the extra weight, like my subs, spare tire, and jack. But i honestly think that my times where so bad because i did really bad on the launches (drivers error) since it was my first time i waited until the light turned green than i hit the gas, but people are telling me that i should have started to hit the gas when it is on the last yellow. any more tips for next time? im going again next wed.
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Old 06-06-2004, 10:12 AM
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the clock don't start till you actually move, U can sit at the light for 2 min and then move after the green and it will still turn the same time. Its the reaction time people talk about when drag racing- its the time it takes your left foot to mash the gas after the light turns green. My moms Altima after I bought it for her 4 years ago turned a better time with a 2.4L 155HP engine under the hood, wanna race it ?
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Old 06-06-2004, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by PearlWhtMaX2000
i am running on the stock potenza tires w/not much tred. i did take out all the extra weight, like my subs, spare tire, and jack. But i honestly think that my times where so bad because i did really bad on the launches (drivers error) since it was my first time i waited until the light turned green than i hit the gas, but people are telling me that i should have started to hit the gas when it is on the last yellow. any more tips for next time? im going again next wed.
well, a set of new tires would help lol

also, do you just floor it once it turns green? does spin a lot? I would experiment a little. just hit the gas 2/3 down then once it stop spinning press it all the way and see what happens.
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Old 06-06-2004, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackBIRDVQ
the clock don't start till you actually move, U can sit at the light for 2 min and then move after the green and it will still turn the same time. Its the reaction time people talk about when drag racing- its the time it takes your left foot to mash the gas after the light turns green. My moms Altima after I bought it for her 4 years ago turned a better time with a 2.4L 155HP engine under the hood, wanna race it ?

really?? i thought it started when the light turned green?? so what could be wrong w/my car??
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Old 06-06-2004, 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by carabuser
well, a set of new tires would help lol

also, do you just floor it once it turns green? does spin a lot? I would experiment a little. just hit the gas 2/3 down then once it stop spinning press it all the way and see what happens.
the tires dont spin, i dont floor it right away. well im going next wed so ill try again.
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Old 06-06-2004, 11:22 AM
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what kinda gas do you run ? how hot was it ? I'm thinking you might be detonating and the ECU is pulling timing out to save the engine from detonating to death. Maybe you ran with the parking brake engaged ? brake calipers frozen up and keep the car from accelerating... I dunno. Sounds fubbared to me.
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Old 06-06-2004, 12:05 PM
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the best time I ran with my '00 auto SE was 15.39 @ 94.5....granted it was with a G-tech pro, but I was on ****ty asphalt and bald tires, plus I live in cali where emissions have a stronghold on performance and 91 is the highest octane you can get. I'm not sure what to tell you.
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Old 06-06-2004, 12:21 PM
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i run 93 octane, the weather was about 59F. the e-brake was not on. i dont get it. but if the time starts when the light turns green, than i am pretty sure that it was because of how long i waited to launch
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Old 06-06-2004, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 5thgen2nr
the best time I ran with my '00 auto SE was 15.39 @ 94.5....granted it was with a G-tech pro, but I was on ****ty asphalt and bald tires, plus I live in cali where emissions have a stronghold on performance and 91 is the highest octane you can get. I'm not sure what to tell you.

was your '00 stock or moded?
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Old 06-06-2004, 12:35 PM
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lightly modded....custom-fabricated intake, HKS axle-back exhaust system, hollow catalytic converter....that's about it....my run was at night, it was about 55 degrees if that helps......most of my times have been in the 15.5 range though.
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Old 06-06-2004, 01:13 PM
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hmmmmmmm this is killing me i gatta figure out what went wrong! but i really hope that the clock starts when the light turns green
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Old 06-06-2004, 01:21 PM
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clock starts when you start moving. have you noticed there are some cars that red light but they still get their 1/4 mi time? that's the reason
just break torque a little, up 1.2-1.5K and see what happens.

also, if you have a chance, get your tranny inspected. See if there's anything wrong with it
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Old 06-06-2004, 01:35 PM
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i see ok ill try that. i think i am also going to gotry and test drive a 2000 maxima and see if it feels more powerfull or faster than mine
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Old 06-06-2004, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by blubyu2k2
this is what happens when you're more worried about show that go. 2.6 60' how did you manage that in an 00 Auto bc I doubt it spun that bad out of the hole.

I cant imagine a Y2k/2k1 auto spinning anywhere NEAR as bad as a 2k2/3 Max auto.

Pearl, sometimes the biggest problem(s) have a simple solution. If your car is out of tune, it'll definitely hogtie your performance. Without having seen your runs in person, it's hard to tell what could be going on. $.02
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Old 06-06-2004, 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by F23A4
I cant imagine a Y2k/2k1 auto spinning anywhere NEAR as bad as a 2k2/3 Max auto.

Pearl, sometimes the biggest problem(s) have a simple solution. If your car is out of tune, it'll definitely hogtie your performance. Without having seen your runs in person, it's hard to tell what could be going on. $.02
I doubt his 60' was so bad because of spinning. I think it's the opposite
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Old 06-07-2004, 01:08 AM
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Next time you go to the track & you do want to attempt (Power Braking) I suggest you try using the e-brake instead of the foot brake. Your car is front wheel drive & by usuing the e-brake instead your gonna have a better chance of getting alittle tire spin out of the hole. This little bit of tire spin will actually be a good thing & I bet your 60' time will improve quite a bit. Just hold up on your e-brake with your thumb holding the button down give it alittle gas right before the light turns green & as soon as the light changes green floor it & let the e-brake down. This should help you out a good bit. Another thing is make sure you have your shifter in 1st gear & shift manually from there on. Good luck at the track & let us know how things turned out?
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Old 06-07-2004, 05:46 AM
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Man, I heard the 5th gen 3.0 Auto Max's were dogs, but 86mph trap, in good weather is ridiculous. Torque means so much from a dig, looks like your car just lacks it. If this is bothering you, get a dyno done, just so you know it isn't all driver ya know? Maybe there is something up. On an auto, it is fairly straight-forward though, just hit the gas, minimize bad wheelspin, ouila!

I've had 60' of 2.4 and 2.5 on free day at local track, so no track prep at all, and still ran 14.9's and 15.0's. With a good launch, you could do a 15.7 which isn't terribly bad. Just seems out of the ordinary that a 5.5th gen Auto is almost a whole second quicker than a 5th gen 3.0, but this just proves it.

p.s. If you are worried about getting a good light, just leave on the 2nd amber, roll through the lights, you won't get a wink from the evil red eye.

p.s.2 5thgen2nr: i could run a 98 trap on your g-tech, i don't think they are too accurate. i trap mid 94's and if i ever ran mid 15's, I'd send her over a cliff.
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Old 06-07-2004, 07:37 AM
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My first and best run with intake, heavy wheels, stock tires and no weight reduction, not manual shifting and torque braking: 60' = 2.59, 1/4 = 16.013 @ 88.64. Hope to improve with practice and a new Y-Pipe. Practice will definitely make some difference.
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Old 06-07-2004, 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by F23A4
I cant imagine a Y2k/2k1 auto spinning anywhere NEAR as bad as a 2k2/3 Max auto.

Pearl, sometimes the biggest problem(s) have a simple solution. If your car is out of tune, it'll definitely hogtie your performance. Without having seen your runs in person, it's hard to tell what could be going on. $.02

Thanx alot you guys have been a great help, when they tune our cars what exactly do they do? and how much would this run me? and should i just ask the mechanic for a tune up?

again, thanx alot guys.
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Old 06-07-2004, 01:21 PM
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I think everyone is ignoring what could be the simplest explanatioon. Are you manually shifting or leavign your car in D? The first few times I went stock I left it in D and would get low 16s. Manually shifting drops those times by up to .5 seconds. I looked to see if you mentioned it, but didn't see anything.

Break torque at the start with overdrive off and the shifter in 1. drop the brake and floor it at the light. push the shifter forward into 2 at about 6100-6200 rpms. Do it right and it will shift at redline right before the rpm limiter hits. Do this again 2-3 and you should finish in 3rd.
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Old 06-07-2004, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Ferbs02SMMax
Man, I heard the 5th gen 3.0 Auto Max's were dogs, but 86mph trap, in good weather is ridiculous. Torque means so much from a dig, looks like your car just lacks it. If this is bothering you, get a dyno done, just so you know it isn't all driver ya know? Maybe there is something up. On an auto, it is fairly straight-forward though, just hit the gas, minimize bad wheelspin, ouila!

I've had 60' of 2.4 and 2.5 on free day at local track, so no track prep at all, and still ran 14.9's and 15.0's. With a good launch, you could do a 15.7 which isn't terribly bad. Just seems out of the ordinary that a 5.5th gen Auto is almost a whole second quicker than a 5th gen 3.0, but this just proves it.

p.s. If you are worried about getting a good light, just leave on the 2nd amber, roll through the lights, you won't get a wink from the evil red eye.

p.s.2 5thgen2nr: i could run a 98 trap on your g-tech, i don't think they are too accurate. i trap mid 94's and if i ever ran mid 15's, I'd send her over a cliff.
Actually the 02/03 autos are more than a sec quicker in the 1/4 than 00/01 autos. 00/01 autos run high 15's to low 16's stock and 02/03 autos run mid 14's to high 14's stock. The difference is very noticeable behind the wheel also.
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Old 06-07-2004, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Ironlord
I think everyone is ignoring what could be the simplest explanatioon. Are you manually shifting or leavign your car in D? The first few times I went stock I left it in D and would get low 16s. Manually shifting drops those times by up to .5 seconds. I looked to see if you mentioned it, but didn't see anything.

Break torque at the start with overdrive off and the shifter in 1. drop the brake and floor it at the light. push the shifter forward into 2 at about 6100-6200 rpms. Do it right and it will shift at redline right before the rpm limiter hits. Do this again 2-3 and you should finish in 3rd.
no i just kept it in drive, thats a good idea, ill try that next wed. but u said that i should end at 3, when the shifter on my 00 only goes up to 2, than D.

so i should go from 1 too 2 than to Drive?
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Old 06-07-2004, 02:22 PM
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yep you should, that's what I do. I heard it isn't good for the transmission however.
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