How in the hell.... (60' Related)

Just wondering how you hear about guys running street tires with stock gears and converter putting down sub 1.9 to high 1.8 60 foots? I went to the track last weekend and with my stock converter and 3.73 gears on 315/35-17 GS-D3s, the best I could get was 2.05. I was dead hooking (no spinning that I could tell of) and that was the best I could get. I tried both flashing the converter and stalling it up and neither one could I get any lower than the 2.05. A couple of months ago I did go to the track with some DRs and cut a 1.95, but once again this was dead hooking and me launching as hard as I could. What gives??

Much less than 2 seconds is not usual with street tires on a consistent basis. Track prep and air density will both have a significant impact.

Rich

The best I could cut was a 2.06 on 315/30/18 BFG DR's. Thats with no tire spin also. Ive got no suspension mods, stock gears, and a stock converter. I think you need more power, or some serious rubber and suspension mods to cut a lower 60' time.

Heh you dont have it too bad...only time ive had the current setup at the track i could only cut a 1.9 with et streets....terrible track combined with 5000+ da didnt help either.

For my first couple years at the track, on street tires, with both 2.73's and 3.73's I could normally only get ~2.0 - 2.1 60' times at best. 2.2's occasionally if I spun a little too much.

Then a couple years ago, after I'd installed the 4.10 gears (everything else still stock) I started cutting pretty consistant ~1.9's (1.92 best) with STREET tires, including a brand a new set of Hankook's, a pair of BFG Comp T/A drag radials, and EVEN on my buddy's Goodyear GS's :think: (can't remember exactly, but they were crappy tires:rolleyes: ) and in all cases, I was cutting 1.9x's and the occasional 2.0x. Even with the low 4.10 gearing, the car dead hooked, or gave only a quick spin sometimes?:shrug: I knew I needed a stall converter, and/or more torque to make the 60' time improve any.

...like Rich said, track prep and CONDITIONS probably play the biggest role in things ... that's been my experience anyway. Otherwise, how do you explain the same car, same track, but running ~13.0's one time, and high 13 / 14.0's another??:rolleyes:

This is why I'm thinking that a torque converter will help my car A LOT. With the offroad pipe and 1.75" headers, there just may not be enough low end torque to get the car moving. If I ran a 13.57 in 2000' DA, with a 2800 converter, I'm sure I'll be really close to 12s in good air.

Most likely you'd get into the 12's, or at least darn close ;). Converters are usually good for knocking off upwards of ~1/2 second from your time :). That was going to be my next step until I blew my A4 :rolleyes: (don't take your car on a road course with A4 & 4.10 gears ... they both die fast!!! :dead: ).

When I was still running the A4 & 4.10's at the track, I couldn't believe how the tires hooked and the engine bogged :shrug:. Even with street tires! A stall will definitely change all that :yes:.

It's a combination of a good converter and a good suspension setup.
I attribute my good launches to my suspension.

I've cut a few 1.82 60-ft times on 275/40-17 BFG KDW tires.

Just wondering how you hear about guys running street tires with stock gears and converter putting down sub 1.9 to high 1.8 60 foots? I went to the track last weekend and with my stock converter and 3.73 gears on 315/35-17 GS-D3s, the best I could get was 2.05. I was dead hooking (no spinning that I could tell of) and that was the best I could get. I tried both flashing the converter and stalling it up and neither one could I get any lower than the 2.05. A couple of months ago I did go to the track with some DRs and cut a 1.95, but once again this was dead hooking and me launching as hard as I could. What gives??

Todd, we need to find you a mild stall converter that will flash about 2400 and reduce your ET about 2, to 3 tenths. You'll then probably see 1.8, 60ft times with the street tires you have (which are very wide).

I made the semi-finals at the Saturday T/V race (then broke-out) and I'm headed to the Lawton race this Saturday. I'm also qualified and entered in the Div-4 NHRA Bracket finals at Ennis (Texasmotorplex Oct 6, 7 & 8). Hopefully, I can win some rounds there, as the car will be competitive (hope my driving is competitive also).

WD

It's a combination of a good converter and a good suspension setup.
I attribute my good launches to my suspension.

I've cut a few 1.82 60-ft times on 275/40-17 BFG KDW tires.
Do you think that my lowering springs are hurting my times that much? I put on an adjustable TA over the summer and set it to -2 degrees. It seemed to help with my launching on street tires, but I havn't had an oppertunity to try it out with DRs. Only other thing that I really need to get is a nice set of adjustable LCAs.

Glad to hear you made it Warren. Must be "frustrating" to run too fast LOL:eek: