I was able to get in 7 runs last night. It was only my second time at the track, but I figured I would do better. I can't figure out what I am doing wrong please someone give me some insight. Is something wrong with my car possibly? I have 165,000 miles, and a bad knock sensor. I also had to reset the computer about an hour before we went because I didn't have the intake air temperature sensor
plugged in properly. Could any of these be the result of my slow times?

Two best:

Reaction: .255
60 ft: 2.318
660 ft: 9.843
E.T. 15.222
MPH: 91.200

Reaction: .642
60 ft: 2.344
660 ft: 9.792
E.T. 15.181
MPH: 91.241

 

Join the club, last night I went to the drag strip and could not break 14s either. Best was a 15.0 but I was between 15.5 and 15.2 and 15.3 most the night.

 

Do you think it is just the heat?

 

WTH?? u guys r 5spd with lil mods and can't get in the 14s?? man that's weird...it's probabaly jus the weather conditions

 

At least you're not running 15's with the SC. From what I've read about the knock sensor, if it's bad, there is a power loss.

 

hmm..aside from higher altitude and atmospheric conditions, it could be the state of tune of your car. you've also got a lot of miles on it. that's amazing. i still think you can get into the 14's as long as it's in decent tune. the way i drive my car to get it into the low 14's: decrease the front tire pressure to 15.5psi. stage and hold the car at 1,500rpm. on the third yellow (RT doesn't count towards ET)quickly match, but don't drop the clutch at the same time fully depressing the throttle! you should chirp or spin a little. there should not be excess wheelspin coming from first gear otherwise the launch technique must be improved. watch the tach and keep your hand on the shifter. shift to second one tick before you reach redline (6,400). by the time you shift the engine will be at or beyond redline. when you shift make sure you do it as quickly as humanly possible. my quickest times come when i keep partial throttle during the shift. engage the clutch as quickly as you can. watch the tach and shift at an indicated 6,200rpm. i do this because in the past i find my car running out of steam close to redline in 2nd gear. your individual experience might be different. run 3rd gear until you cross the finish line. i sometimes hit the limiter just after i cross it. keep the pedal to the metal! more tips to running 14s on the max are to run with 1/4 tank full or less, remove the spare and jack. remove the front passenger seat and rear bench and backrest. remove the trunk lining and any other unnecessary items. track preparation only takes 15 mins for me. if you cover these angles there shouldn't be a reason why any 4th gen 5speed car can't run in the 14s. keep practicing and good luck.

 

Thank you! That was a good write up. I will definitely try this next time.

 

I on the other hand do not run my car anywhere near redline in 2nd-3rd gear. I redline 1st, but shift at 6200 in 2nd and 6000 in 3rd. I shift to 4th at about the 1000 foot mark. I've tried running it to redline in all gears and turned worse times. I lift off the throttle during the 1-2 shift because otherwise I get too much wheelspin into 2nd, but not during the 2-3 or 3-4 shift.

I run 32psi in the front tires and only drop it down if I am getting wheelhop. Otherwise I don't touch the pressures.

 

Maxinxs-

I wouldn't worry about it too much. You live in Wichita, KS which is the hottest city I've ever worked in, period. The heat is extreme down there, more so than Kansas City, Houston, or anywhere in the South. Trying to break into the 14s in the heat of the Midwest summer and at a relatively poor altitude (~1500') most likely won't happen. I went out and ran a few weeks ago here in KC and was running 14.9-15.2s@94mph. I had less than a 1/4 tank of gas and had nothing in the trunk too. When it gets above 80 degrees, my car is consistently .4 and 3 mph slower. I've noted this for the past 3 years now. You'll be amazed how much quicker you car will be in 50-60 weather and low humidity.

Shift at the rpms Neal posted and you won't go wrong.


Dave

 

hey, i shift at those RPMs too! lol. sure, your car will be slower overall in hot weather, but i ran a 14.3 when it was just short of 90 deg with sun and humidity in a hot and humid south jersey summer where you can sweat just sitting still. so, it's still possible...now go to a lower altitude to improve your chances.

 

Dave-

I must say that this is one of the most informative posts I think that I have ever read on the Org. I don't think that I ever realized how much of an effect heat has on cars performance. Thank you for your response. This makes me feel much better about my car in general. I was considering selling it this whole week. You have made me into a believer again.

 

if you think heat has a great affect on our cars, wait until you drive a turbo. turbo's live and die by air density. waiting in line for a run superheats the intercooler making it more susceptible to heat soak which means dramatically slower times. i've driven my dad's WRX from a 14.6 to a 15.3 because of the heat sitting in the pits.