Gernby

iTrader: (1)

I'm hoping to try them out on Saturday if the weather is decent. I imagine 30 PSI is what I would run on a road course depending on their resutling tread temperature. These aren't drag tires, so I have no idea what pressure would be ideal for that purpose. The side walls are VERY stiff, so I don't think running 15 PSI woudl work very well.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Just got my BFG drag radials mounted/balanced on a spare set of stock OEM rear wheels. The tires are 245/40/18's, which will give the car -1.2% shorter gearing than stock and are -3lb's lighter than the stock Dunlops. Like Gernby said these stock wheels are not light. Just the wheels alone are 26lbs. The local drag strip here opens March 3rd and I'm hoping to try them out then. I'm hoping to get a 13.1. Only mods will be JoeZ pipe and these drag radials, 1/4 tank gas and spare removed.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Good luck caymandive! Which track will you be going to?

BTW, I forgot to let you know that my OEM wheels with Hoosiers were only about 1 lbs lighter than my TSW Nogaros with street tires. I guess the Nogaros are heavier than the OEMs.

You should take a ratchet and 14 mm socket with you to the track. After getting a satisfactory run, try removing the passenger seat. It's just 4 bolts and some cable connectors.

Edit: I was thinking backwards about the wheel weights. I guess the Nogaros are probably 5 lbs LIGHTER than OEMs.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Oh ... make sure you take a big DUECE before heading to the track!

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

I'm going back to my usual track. Maryland International Raceway. It's about 60 miles from my house. The elevation there is only 80ft and they usually do a good job at prepping the track.

As far as removing the seat, I won't be doing that just yet. I want to see what I can get out of the car as it is driven on the street with some good traction. Once the season gets underway and I'm involved in the stock street class events up against the M3's, 350z's, g35's and tricked out Honda's, that seat will def be coming out. Last year when I was in that event the 2 faster cars than me where both honda's! Of course they were stripped down, front slicks, ECU, Exhaust, cams, intake, etc. They were running consistent low 13's at about 104mph. Hopefully I'll be ready for them this season and make a couple of bucks in the process.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

So that's your secret!

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Let me throw out this scenario ...

Lets say you get a low 13.1 time. Would you not wish you had a 14mm socket so you could see if removing that passenger seat would make the needed difference to better my 13.09?

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Actually, I fasted for 3 days, so my throughput was pretty low.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

No way I'll better a 13.09 with just sticky tires. Once I see what I can do with the tires I'm going to do what you guys did and remove the rear cats and throw on a Tanabe exhaust. Then we'll see about the 13.09.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

I'm just sayin' ... if you get close, you'll regret not having that 14mm.

I also think that you could get close. Your track is closer to sea level, it's colder up there, your tires are true "drag radials", and you weren't that far off from my 13.25 when I was on street tires without removing my passenger seat.

That seat accounts for about 1.7% of the weight, which will make more of a difference than reducing gearing by 1.7%.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

From a mathematical standpoint, reducing weight by 1.7% is exactly like increasing torque and HP by 1.7% across the whole RPM range. Reducing gearing doesn't provide nearly as much benefit since it requires the trade-off of shifting to the next gears at lower speeds.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

I'll think about it, but my first few runs will be with the seat in place. When you took out the seat did you get any warning lights?

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

The only warning light I got was a tiny red indicator on the display that I think meant that the passenger air bag was disabled. It went away as soon as I put the seat back in, and it didn't cause any beeps or irritations.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Just dawned on me that 1.7% is only like gaining about 5hp. Guess every little bit helps.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

First off, gaining 5 HP doesn't sound impressive, but gaining 4 ft-lbs of torque across the whole RPM range is significant.