2009 national drag race. Rules/discussions.
11-09-09, 05:23 AM
#46
ARGH. This car is a b**** to launch. Actual temp was 57 during my runs and dew temperature was 37 and pressure was 29.87 in Hg so DA was right around zero according to GLD's DA calculator. I did have a nice tailwind though.
No matter what, I can't seem to get under 1.95X with the drag radials. I did 20 runs or so. I tried brake torqueing, I tried mashing on the gas, I burned it out, I did no burn out, I tried left lane, right lane. No matter what I did, I can't get the car to launch out of the hole. Traction was never an issue. The engine just would bog down. One time, I think I had a perfect launch and the car was hooking up - but it almost felt like there was something smooth slipping - like as if the transmission has a protection feature to just slip at a certain torque level.
Any case, here's my best run:
60' 1.960
12.560@114.24 mph
Overall weight reduction was 100 pounds or so and I was running about 1/4 tank. So far Oztiks has the best numbers this year.
GLD said they might be open a couple more weekends weather permitting. I'll leave my drag setup on my car until they completely close.
No matter what, I can't seem to get under 1.95X with the drag radials. I did 20 runs or so. I tried brake torqueing, I tried mashing on the gas, I burned it out, I did no burn out, I tried left lane, right lane. No matter what I did, I can't get the car to launch out of the hole. Traction was never an issue. The engine just would bog down. One time, I think I had a perfect launch and the car was hooking up - but it almost felt like there was something smooth slipping - like as if the transmission has a protection feature to just slip at a certain torque level.
Any case, here's my best run:
60' 1.960
12.560@114.24 mph
Overall weight reduction was 100 pounds or so and I was running about 1/4 tank. So far Oztiks has the best numbers this year.
GLD said they might be open a couple more weekends weather permitting. I'll leave my drag setup on my car until they completely close.
Tooth,
Remember you did a 1.911 60' on 10/21/08 on your stock tires?
Have you considered trying them again? Personally I think if there is sunlight then sticking with the stock wheel/tire setup works the best, but at night it's almost a must for drag radials. I also calculated your DA for Friday. It was +765 with a very nice tailwind as you said.
11-09-09, 06:06 AM
#47
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I haven't been able to go to the 1/4 track yet, the closest one is about 120 miles away! I tried my luck though at the 1/8 local track yesterday, and as usual this track sucks! It's bad prepped, dirty, you name it! I had about 10 passes, spinning most of the time deep into second (full weight, 1/4 gas tank, and running on 20's). An 09 BMW M6 showed up and inmediately this guy's friends sent him over my way, all of them trying to see the M6 kill the poor IS-F. Since I race everyone I accepted, and proceeded to show some respect for the Lexus family not once, but 3 times!!! After each race the guy was like "let's try again", after the 3rd one he just drove away and left the track... LOL
Back to the subject, my car feels faster than last year, temperature was 78F and wind was at about 24mph coming from the side (not good at all, you could feel the wind pushing you to the right). Running on 20's I matched my best time from last year at this same track (8.40s), mind you last year I got this time running 19's on stock Bridgestone, around 62F, no spare, and about the same 1/4 gas tank. I'm sure I'll shave a few tenths mounting the stock 19's and cleaning up my air filter (or replacing it), I've never done it! I'll probably hit the 1/4 track before the end of November.
Back to the subject, my car feels faster than last year, temperature was 78F and wind was at about 24mph coming from the side (not good at all, you could feel the wind pushing you to the right). Running on 20's I matched my best time from last year at this same track (8.40s), mind you last year I got this time running 19's on stock Bridgestone, around 62F, no spare, and about the same 1/4 gas tank. I'm sure I'll shave a few tenths mounting the stock 19's and cleaning up my air filter (or replacing it), I've never done it! I'll probably hit the 1/4 track before the end of November.
11-09-09, 10:12 AM
#48
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
Tooth,
Remember you did a 1.911 60' on 10/21/08 on your stock tires? Have you considered trying them again? Personally I think if there is sunlight then sticking with the stock wheel/tire setup works the best, but at night it's almost a must for drag radials.
I also calculated your DA for Friday. It was +765 with a very nice tailwind as you said.
Remember you did a 1.911 60' on 10/21/08 on your stock tires?
Have you considered trying them again? Personally I think if there is sunlight then sticking with the stock wheel/tire setup works the best, but at night it's almost a must for drag radials. I also calculated your DA for Friday. It was +765 with a very nice tailwind as you said.
It's weird that different DA software gives out such different DAs. According to the one I used, it was right about zero and your software is saying +765. 12.56 in +765 is pretty good IMO.
But I did have a nice tailwind that probably contributed about 1-2 mph I think.
11-09-09, 02:09 PM
#49
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I posted this in the other thread, but I figured better to post it in here..
What do you guys think about 17's for the rear.?
(if the wheel design clears the caliper)
What do you guys think about 17's for the rear.?
(if the wheel design clears the caliper)
Originally Posted by Joe Z
I have been heavily researching a drag set up for the rear wheels...
I was looking at some 17x9 light weight wheels with some MT drag radials...
Tire size would have to be 275-40-17
Just yesterday I was rolling in traffic at 40mph and opened up a small gap a head of me. I got down to second gear and spun the crap out of my 265-30 19's... when I mashed on the gas..
I can NOT go to the track until a get a decent set up for traction.
Joe Z
I was looking at some 17x9 light weight wheels with some MT drag radials...
Tire size would have to be 275-40-17
Just yesterday I was rolling in traffic at 40mph and opened up a small gap a head of me. I got down to second gear and spun the crap out of my 265-30 19's... when I mashed on the gas..
I can NOT go to the track until a get a decent set up for traction.
Joe Z
11-14-09, 05:52 PM
#52
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
12.500@114.21 with 1.920 60'. Temperature was 48 degrees. Unfortunately, I was at 1/2 tank!! I hope GLD stays open just a couple more weekends. If I could get a nice 30 degree day with the Hg being higher than 29.9 (like 30.5) I have a chance.
11-14-09, 06:16 PM
#53
Very good times ToohDoc. At this rate I may not have any more runs left for the year either. Rain rain and more rain and scheduled track events have made this the worst year for getting to the strip. 
11-14-09, 06:40 PM
#54
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
Yeah, it was funny that I was getting 1.91s and 1.92s all day. I've accidentally stumbled upon something though. Everybody knows that a hot engine doesn't make HP, but a cold one doesn't give good numbers either. I've found out that driving around in high gear to cool off the intake manifold but maintaining the engine temps give me the best numbers. Too bad I wasn't able to put it to the test though. I'll try it for my next day. I used to think hot lapping was best, but now I'm thinking it's not. Also, the secret to sub 1.95 60' is simply good HP down low and low weight and good traction. I'm starting to think that the 1.90 and 1.91 60's on the RE050 were more a result of temperature and HP than traction. I believe once it gets down to 30's and the Hg being closer to 30.5 inches - the same condition I ran last year, I'll be able to go sub 1.9 60'.
11-22-09, 06:47 PM
#55
12.27@114.28
Ran last minute today per my wife's suggestion early this morning. What a great gal! I hadn't planned on running because I knew about the headwinds and the temps were kinda warm in the 50's, but I guess my wife knew something or else she just wanted me out of the house for the day. LOL. Anyway, the runs were all very good and consistent. I also finally managed a 1.900 60'. 
Maybe 1.8x 60' is possible in this car for a potential 12.1x! 
YouTube Link
Maybe 1.8x 60' is possible in this car for a potential 12.1x! YouTube Link
11-22-09, 08:21 PM
#57
11 Second Club
Thread Starter
Great launch! 1.900!!! I don't think the drag radials hurt you either. At first I thought it was bogging, but now I'm starting to think that we just need better DA to get the car to launch.
The year ain't over yet...
The year ain't over yet...
11-23-09, 09:12 AM
#58
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Ran last minute today per my wife's suggestion early this morning. What a great gal! I hadn't planned on running because I knew about the headwinds and the temps were kinda warm in the 50's, but I guess my wife knew something or else she just wanted me out of the house for the day. LOL. Anyway, the runs were all very good and consistent. I also finally managed a 1.900 60'. Maybe 1.8x 60' is possible in this car for a potential 12.1x!
YouTube Link
Maybe 1.8x 60' is possible in this car for a potential 12.1x! YouTube Link
Got your message over the weekend...
Fastest N/A IS-F down the 1/4 mile to date..!!??
Joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 11-23-09 at 09:17 AM.
