Burnout tips

I seem to be having a problem with the back-end of the car stepping way out to the left when in the waterbox. Is there anything I can do to fix this? It's a 6-speed car on MT DR's (16") and I do my burnouts in 2nd gear.

Thanks for any advice!

Im assuming you have an LSD, but if you didn't, that's what your problem is...either that or something is wrong with your posi unit and it is not performing like it should. I dont know all the details about rears, but I've heard about guys running bad lsd's that would cause the rear to act as if it were an open diff.

At our local track, my car does that in one lane but not the other. Must be something to do with the water box. I have a full spool so both tires spin equally.

Try coming into the water box at a slight angle so when the back end starts to move over, it will straighten you out.

Im assuming you have an LSD, but if you didn't, that's what your problem is...either that or something is wrong with your posi unit and it is not performing like it should. I dont know all the details about rears, but I've heard about guys running bad lsd's that would cause the rear to act as if it were an open diff.

Both tires are spinning equally, had somebody watch me to confirm that.

At our local track, my car does that in one lane but not the other. Must be something to do with the water box. I have a full spool so both tires spin equally.

Try coming into the water box at a slight angle so when the back end starts to move over, it will straighten you out.

It happened to me in both lanes, but I will try that next time to see what happens.

Maybe your rear suspension isn't pre-loaded correctly to compensate for rear-end torque? Also, your 60 ft times are "very slow" for the 1/4 ETs you've posted. Possibly you should add an air-bag to the right rear to pre-load and counter the torque under load. More important than the burn-out, it could improve your 60 ft times. I'm running 12.30s and have 1.70, 60 fts. Good luck!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2189634

Maybe your rear suspension isn't pre-loaded correctly to compensate for rear-end torque? Also, your 60 ft times are "very slow" for the 1/4 ETs you've posted. Possibly you should add an air-bag to the right rear to pre-load and counter the torque under load. More important than the burn-out, it could improve your 60 ft times. I'm running 12.30s and have 1.76, 60 fts. Good luck!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2189634

Thanks, that makes sense!

Hey Engineer a couple years back did you spin your car out, bump something and have your airbags deploy on the highway or something like that with the bags?
If so I remember you when I used to live out there back in 01 (different car then I have now). Watched you at the track once also I think at thunder when you were in the low 13's.


My car gets loose with the Auburn. If I am carefully I can keep it on a dime, if I give it tons of power it starts to move, if I play with the brake while gasing it I can get it to creep forward a little faster and that counter acts it and does not let it get crazy but it still heats the tires up just fine.
But thats with an auto car, never tried it in a stick car.

Hey Engineer a couple years back did you spin your car out, bump something and have your airbags deploy on the highway or something like that with the bags?
If so I remember you when I used to live out there back in 01 (different car then I have now). Watched you at the track once also I think at thunder when you were in the low 13's.


My car gets loose with the Auburn. If I am carefully I can keep it on a dime, if I give it tons of power it starts to move, if I play with the brake while gasing it I can get it to creep forward a little faster and that counter acts it and does not let it get crazy but it still heats the tires up just fine.
But thats with an auto car, never tried it in a stick car.

I seem to be having a problem with the back-end of the car stepping way out to the left when in the waterbox. Is there anything I can do to fix this? It's a 6-speed car on MT DR's (16") and I do my burnouts in 2nd gear.

Thanks for any advice!

Are you using a line lock?? Most cars that I see do that have one front brake not holding as good as the other letting that side roll forward making the car go sideways.

Hey Engineer a couple years back did you spin your car out, bump something and have your airbags deploy on the highway or something like that with the bags?
If so I remember you when I used to live out there back in 01 (different car then I have now). Watched you at the track once also I think at thunder when you were in the low 13's.

I guess everyone one has had their most embarrassing moments. However, I’m happy to say that definitely “was not” me that hit the wall in 2001, or wrecked on the street. I’ve been drag racing on and off since the 70s and haven’t wrecked yet (knock on wood), but like everyone I’ve gotten loose a few times and let off. Also, I’ve only been racing my LT1 about three years, so that couldn’t have been me in 2001.

The front line-lock is “very important” for proper burn-outs. If you’re holding the foot brake during the burn-out, one rear wheel could be holding (braking) more than the other. Not to mention holding the brake during the burn-out is extremely hard on rear brakes. SLP makes a really great line-lock for F-Bodies.

I would hae to agree with Stephen and Engineer as it could one or both things getting you squirley. The line lock is really a must have, especially with a stick car since you have soo much going on already with your feet, so if you have the lil extra cash and time it's a great investment for your brakes and your sanity:)

AND it could possibly just be the water box itself, do you happen to notice other cars consistantly "kicking out"? If so I would say the groove in the concrete is worn one way or another, maybe try straddling the ruts and see what happens, or even pulling a little further forward. I've been to tracks were 1 lane does it every time and the other is fine, other tracks I've learned which one I have to straddle the "main drive in area" of the water box. And then other tracks where no matter what you try you get sideways. Our NHRA track here is notorious for this and many guys have acutally turned 90* before they let off just to spite the tower/track and make a point LOL!! Just glad I've never looked over and seen a car facing me in the water box...I might've crapped my pants.

My guess is that it's something simple like unequal tire pressure or the dip in the water box isn't equal in depth or width from one end to the other......... Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Mickey Thompson Drag Radials a treadded tire? If so, I would avoid the water box like the plague and bake those tires until the smoke completely engulfs the car and then see what your sixty foots look like.

Did you check the rollout on the tires. Sometimes the tires may stretch unevenly. You may have to put more air in one tire to make them even.

97 SSM6

Thanks for all the ideas guys, I'm going to install a line lock before I hit the track again, and then check all the other ideas that were offered. Hopefully they take care of the problem!

AND it could possibly just be the water box itself, do you happen to notice other cars consistantly "kicking out"?

The other cars don't seem to have a problem in the box.

My guess is that it's something simple like unequal tire pressure or the dip in the water box isn't equal in depth or width from one end to the other......... Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't Mickey Thompson Drag Radials a treadded tire? If so, I would avoid the water box like the plague and bake those tires until the smoke completely engulfs the car and then see what your sixty foots look like.

Without going into the waterbox, I can't get the tires to spin enough (although I never tried a dry burnout in 1st gear-always 2nd), and it still tries to go sideways, even when dry.

Did you check the rollout on the tires. Sometimes the tires may stretch unevenly. You may have to put more air in one tire to make them even.

97 SSM6


I know both tires had the same air pressure, but I never thought about measuring the rollout on a radial tire. I've done it countless times on a bias-ply slick, so I may just check them to be sure.