I went to the local 1/8th mile track yesterday to lay down some baseline times. With my mods (y-pipe, intake) I was hoping to get into the mid 9's around 75MPH. My first run was a 9.91@71. This was OK since I expected to better my times from that. Unfortunately, they only got worse, except for one 9.81@73.75. Most of my times were in the low low 10's at around 75mph. I couldn't launch at all above 1200 RPM or the tires would break loose, and I could only slowly give it gas off the start because at any point through 1st gear, and partially through second, the tires would break loose with excessive throttle. My 60' times were never better than 2.245 sec (the 9.81 time), with most hovering in the 2.255-2.265 range. I also havn't figured out whether it was better to shift at around 6200RPM through all the gears, or whether 5200-5500 was a better shift point. The car felt faster when I shifter higher, but the times didn't reflect the feeling. I'm thinking that the car would be around 9.25-9.5 in the 1/8th if I could get the traction under control. I'd love to just get a pair of drag slicks up front, but I know I'd start breaking expensive stuff. The other option is a Limited Slip...I don't know. Any thoughts about any of this?

Spence

 

First, those 60' are not that bad.

Shift at indicated 6700 into second, 6400 into 3rd and 6200 into 4th(if necessary). Those might not be the exact right rpm's, but you get the picture. 5500 rpm's is waaaaay to early.

What was the weather like? Were you letting your car cool down between runs?

 

Yeah...its getting cool between runs. I read that the power of the VQ is found lower in the RPM band...is this untrue with the addition of the y-pipe and intake? I would like to see my 60' times around or below 2.2. I made a mistake in my first posting...my 60' times were ranging between 2.45 (best) and 2.65. I WISH I had been posting 60' times in the 2.245 range...this would of course be good The weather was around 75 degrees with probably 75% humidity. I'm probably going back again in a couple weeks, so I'll try shifting a bit later...maybe that way I can stay out of third for the entire run (yesterday I had to shift to third 150' before the finish...)

Spence

 

OK, yhea work on those 60's. It just takes practice. For each tenth you reduce your 60' you will run two tenths faster at the end of the track. Just try different rpms, clutch and throttle modulation to find out what works for you.

Yes, your are correct, peak power is found before redline. But you want to shift 500 rpms after peak power so you will fall back into the power range on the up shift. Those shift points I gave you have been found to generally the best for the VQ30DE. Like I said 5500 rpms is way to early.

Good luck next time out, it will only get better.

 

dont worry about it man. might have just been the track. i went to a 1/8 track with intake and y and had trouble beating 9.8.
next weekend i went to a 1/4 track and ran consistent 9.5s in the 1/8

 

Like mike said work on your 60's but don't expect any 9.25s out of your car. 9.25 1/8 miles equate to 14.3 second 1/4 miles, and you aren't going to run that. Shoot for the 9.5s maybe 9.4s if you are really good, 9.4 is a low 14.5 and 9.5 is a low 14.7. Multiply your 1/8 by 1.56 to see what you would have run in the 1/4.