Well, I had my 2002 SE Auto at the track today and was a little disappointed. My first run was terrible, major wheelspin in first, so I won't count that one. But the next two were consistent. 15.12 @ 91.54 and 15.10 @ 91.25. My 60' times on those were 2.297 and 2.252 respectively.

My car has 1150 miles on it and I when I took delivery, it had 590 miles on it. They said the VP of the dealership drove it, but that doesn't mean he didn't beat on it.

The car weighs 3485 lbs. with 1/4 tank and 190 lb. (est.) driver. It was about 80 degrees and there had to have been every bit of 200 cars there. I saw Steve and his Max is IMPRESSIVE. I didn't see Ferhan, but heard the track announcer talk about his run and he couldn't believe it.

I also have heard of the trans slip problems in the early 5th gen models, and am experiencing the same thing, but only when the trans is cold. I know that my times would improve if the stinkin' trans would just shift right.

Somehow though, I don't think that if the trans shifted right and the car was broken in, that I could get into the 14.7-14.8 range. Which is where I thought this car would be, even though I was expecting a 15.0 today, due to the newness of the car.

Sorry for the long post, but I thought I would provide you all with a little insight on the times of a 2002 Auto.

I think you have to sharpen your racing skills i own a 2k2 automagic and i dont have any problems beating cars in a race, you just have to learn, understand and love the engine after that you are ready for some action, really learn how to drive it first (respectfully)
am in your side!!

No offense, but I have yet to be dissapointed about my AUTO Maxx.. I just smoked an Is 300 ..by a LOT ! I have some Mods..and having driven many cars before.. I know I am running in the 14's.. I am working on getting to a track to document my times...

a 91 trap speed seem extremly low for a 2k2; auto or not

Good lord the car is heavy, your basically around 3500lbs with about 190fwhp, heavy stock tires. Also did you manually shift or did the car do the shifting and could you post the 330', 1/8 ET/traps?

did you torque brake?

why 190fwhp? isn't it more

Don't worry about it, as you rack up more miles your engine should be fully broken in. From what i've gathered, the VQ maximizes it's power output around 8-10k miles on the odo.

Were you brake torquing btw? I'm surprised you got those numbers, Ehughes got 14.6 in the 1/4 and that was with a full set of subs/amp in the trunk... and before the VB mod.

As the song goes, Practice makes perfect. Don't think you're licked yet

OK, times and methods.

Around the burnout box, romp on the gas to clean the tires. Head up to the staging beams. Brake torque to about 2000 rpm (the first run I wanted to go just off idle and stomp on it to get a feel for how the car hooks, result: burned off 1st gear completely and got a 15.82.). Go on 3rd yellow and gradually get on it. Now I didn't take forever to get fully on it, as soon as I felt the car moving, I stood on it and the tires stayed hooked. With 60' times averaging 2.27, I thought I got out of the hole pretty good. (I think if I am a little more aggressive with the throttle and get a little wheelspin out of the gate, my times will get slightly better.) I had the trans in 1, to make sure it stayed in 1st through the launch. Once I was around 4500 rpm, I shifted it out of 1st to 3rd (for some reason, it seems that my trans doesn't like to be manually shifted, even when it's warm). The trans stayed in 1st and shifted around 6200 rpm (which seems to be normal for MY car). The 2-3 shift point occurred right at 6500, with the trans holding out longer than it should have, then slipping into 3rd. At the end of the traps, I was between 4500-5000 rpm.

R/T: .849 (.622 best)
60': 2.252
330': 6.346
1/8: 9.731
MPH: 73.17
1000': 12.635
1/4: 15.104
MPH: 91.25

I have been drag racing for about 8 years now. I have a pretty good idea of how to setup, and launch cars. As far as driving an automatic down the track, it's a no brainer. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to get a stock, automatic family sport sedan down the 1320. Now, do I have to get more experience with figuring out launch rpm's and throttle technics with THIS car? Yes. But by the MPH (which is the telltale on horsepower), I'm a little disappointed, especially when comparing it to some of your Max's. My Volvo only has a K&N and it's running close to 98 mph (236hp stock and 3275 lbs, with the weight being the difference.)

kloogy: I have no doubt that you smoked an IS300. I almost bought that instead of the Max. Good thing. Now I just need to get my Max into the 14's with no mods. Once that happens, then we can get cookin'.

Those times are very slow, heck they are close to what some guys are running with 95-01 Maxima's stock.

When I went with ehughes I couldn't get my launch down very well (2.4 60') but still managed 15.0-15.1 completely stock but with 150 lbs. of stereo stuff in the trunk. If i could get my 60' down to where you have yours (2.2s) I'm sure 14s are ready for the taking. I have mods now and am getting rid of a lot of stereo weight. I was surprised to see you had the same times as me with a much lower 60'.

When eric and I went we had a lot of tranny fluid and other stuff to lag around so I only went a couple times--it was just a bad night for me to be at the track as I had other stuff on my mind.

You guys are funny. This isn't the first time I've read of an auto 2k2 Maxima/Altima hitting 15.0-15.1 with 91-92mph trap speeds. I'd venture to say MOST stock and mostly stock auto 2k2s are gonna be in the upper 14s to lower 15s. MT and the other rags have gotten 14.9-15.3@92-93mph out of the auto 2k2 I35/Altima. I don't know why the Maxima would be any different. There have been a few auto 2k2 Maxima/Alimtas running 14.7-14.8@93-94mph in stock form, but you guys have to realize that every track is different and conditions vary daily and by the hour. Somedays cars just run better. Just because Joe Shmo in Florida is running 14.7 in a stock auto Max doesn't mean you should expect the same time out of your car in Ohio.

Hawks25 is completely right. Trap speed is a clear indicator of power. Trap speed varies little during a run while ET can be all over the place because of a good/poor launch. Hawk25 ran in 80-degree weather and most likely had to sit at idle in the lanes for extended periods of time. The heat and long idles probably pushed the cast intake manifold into the "boiling" range. I can tell you that warm/hot weather and a baking motor can suck out .2-.3 seconds and 2mph out of my 1/4 mile. A 15.0@91+mph in these conditions is pretty normal if you ask me. I don't consider 91mph-92mph exactly low for a auto 2k2 seeing that quite a few 6 speed Maximas have struggled to break 94mph in 1/4 mile. I think DMBMaxima (6 speed) only ran 93.9X mphs on his 14.3 run in 40 degree weather no less. Hawks25 is also right in that it takes very little skill to launch and drive a automatic. Torque braking, manually shifting, etc might get you .1 seconds or so, but it won't affect your trap speed. Now that it's getting warmer outside, fewer and fewer Maximas will be running "best" times. A car will always run better in cooler weather.

BTW, beating 14-second cars on the street DOES NOT mean you have a 14-second ride. I've beaten 13-second cars on the street and strip NUMEROUS times. Look at my ET. Driving, traction, and reaction time play a big roll.


Dave

What are your times?

damn you guys make it sound like 15.1 is slow for an auto! 15.1 is damn good for a sedan. IMO

it is, I expect more considering stock 95-2k1 auto maxes are getting similar and sometimes better times and speeds--I am happy with every aspect of my max except for the fact that it's the same speed as older models; just knowing that pi$$es me off

So from what it looks like, those guys with the 14.2-14.6 stock 2002's (manual or auto) probably got away with factory freaks. Damn, some of us aren't so lucky.

Everyone needs to get their car to the track, so they have accurate representations of their times (somewhat). The seat of the pants dyno just won't cut it. I think some folks will be surprised at the times they get.

I wonder what is considered a "good" 60' time? If I'm in the lower echelon of the group (for a stock VQ35), then I know that not much more will come from the car, even with the engine peaking around 5000+ miles.

Don't feel too bad hawks. I ran a 15.039@90.93mph on my 2K2 SE with 800miles on the odo WITHOUT brake torquing.

Speaking from my own experience, the only Y2K Maximas running this time are those with a few mods. I've yet to see a Y2K run this time stock, auto or 5sp.

My last time in my 2k2 auto was 14.89 @94.33 mph. I havent ran it recently.

You've got to remember some things. The auto 4th gens that are running low 15s/high 14s have an intake, y-pipe, exhaust, and usually a chip. Some even have UDPs. The big kicker is that the 4th gens are 200+lbs lighter. It makes a difference.

Add some lighter weight rims, intake, and UDP and I'd bet you guys would be a bit quicker. The new 2k2 makes so much more torque that it can get off the line much stronger.

Dave

Since when. 95-2001 auto Maxima's are running 15.4+ stock.