I'm thinking about taking the Corvette down to the local drag strip for the first time this weekend I was wondering what everyone thinks about draggin the c4? My car is all stock so I think the clutch and rear end will be fine but it makes me wonder because im sure the track will be sticky, any suggestions?

 

If it's just for chits and giggles, go for it. I wouldn't think you'd blow out anything from one time down the track.

And if you do, it was fun getting there

 

WARNING: It's addictive.

I don't dare. I'd be there every weekend.

 

With a stick it takes lots of practice to launch well without bogging or going up in smoke

 

Revs to about 1800 to 2000 once staged. At the yellow on the tree roll off the clutch as you roll on the gas. Don't "drop" the clutch, you'll spin for days.

 

Try to arrive with ~1/3 tank of fuel. Drop rear pressure to 30psi.

Sit and watch the procedure before pulling into the lanes.

When waved forward, drive AROUND the water box.
When signalled to do so, do a mild dry hop to clean the rear tires.
Note where the slick tire cars have laid down some rubber on the track and pre-stage in line with those tracks.
Await your opponent to pre-stage, then inch into the staging beams.
On the 3rd yellow, launch the car.
If they have a scale, record your launch weight so we can calculate chp from weight and trap speed.

Now, go and have fun with your Vette...

 

All correct...except I'll add; if you're RACING your other-lane opponent in ernest, then launch at the end of the second yellow for a great reaction time.

HOWEVER...if you're there only for yourself and trying to run a good number w/your own car (and not interested in racing the other lane)...then forget about reaction time, DON'T attempt to coordinate a timely launch, and simply launch on your own terms, after the light is green. This allows you to shift your focus from "reaction time", to what you are doing and what you car is doing. That focus will increase the speed of your learning curve and results.

When I go to the track, I don't GAF about racing...all I care about is running the lowest number that my CAR will run. I stage (per 65Z01's procedure above), bring my RPM's up to what works best for MY car...then sit and wait. AFTER the light has turned green,, I turn 100% of my cerebral power to focusing on one thing; obtaining MAX acceleration from the car, during the clutch-engagement phase.

As for your CAR...it will be fine. You won't break anything unless something is about to break anyway...or you're out there trying to abuse it. Do it. It is wicked fun!

 

Oops, forgot another item at all NHRA tracks, i.e. "tech inspection"...

After you pay at the gate you will proceed into the tech inspection line. There a track official will go over your car and YOU to verify fitness on the track. YOU will need a valid DL and helmet. My local track (Englishtown) has helmets available for rent for the day.

 

Should only need a helmet if you're going 13.99 or faster.

 

thank you everyone! lots of good info, I'm kind of nervous and excited I'll be borrowing a helmet from my friend just in case the track doesn't have any. I tried calling the track but nobody answered. I will be pretty happy if I run under 14 tomorrow, I've read stock Lt1s run anywhere from 13.5-13.7

 

TOM, what would you consider "abusing" the car at the track?

 

Those numbers are with an experienced driver. Your first pass at the track, you aren't likely to be anywhere near that. But each time you will get a little bit better, and will learn what the car likes, and how to launch better. This is why going to the track is addictive....the faster you go and the lower your times, the more fun you have.

I've only done it a handful of times, and that was 20 years ago....but the 1320 is a blast.

 

Well driven stock LT1 ZF6 cars typically run in the 13.5 range. I've clicked off a 13.38 at 105 as my best. Others have seen low 13's. Mid 13's is typically with average driver. Stock auto's will be slower.

I would consider abuse at the track to be excessive burnouts, dry hops, too much clutch slippage, NOT using the clutch to shift, not having the car in adequate maintained state.

If you think the 1/4 mile is addicting try auto-x. OMG!!!

 

What he said...and I don't know how to express this in objective terms....but you know "that guy" that breaks something every time he goes out? "That guy" who could break an anvil? That is "abuse" -for no faster ET.

I was "that guy" way back in my dumbass days. I blew the auto in my Trans Am. So I put in a T5. Then I blew that. Rebuilt, broke the shift lever off it. Fixed and blew the countershaft bearings. Fixed and broke it again. This was all on a stock 305 CFI. Years later, I had a SB 400 in the car and I'd do two nights a week at our drag track. I'd make about 5-7 passes/night, flat foot shift every shift every pass and do 1.8 sixty's. In 4 or so years of that, I broke one shift fork.

What was different earlier and later? Hard to say, but later, I could "feel" what the car could take, and drive w/in those limits. Earlier, I was "numb" (and dumb) and I just beat the thing for no gain.

 

I get you, just want to know so I don't abuse my car when I go to the track later on. OP, let us know how it goes for you.

 

its not much different than hammering your car up a long onramp wont hurt a thing.

 

Did the Op run it this weekend? Curious how he did.

 

The track was closed due to weather conditions so I didn't get to run this weekend.

 

I made it down to the strip yesterday night for test and tune and It's safe to say that...I'M ADDICTED!! I got to run three times and met my goal of breaking into the 13s. My first run was about 5 mins after I got to the track. For my first run, I slipped the clutch a little and was easy on the throttle for the launch and left late, ran a 14.5067@103.23mph 1/4 mile time and 9.6090@78.14mph in the 1/8 mile with a 60ft time of 2.5220 and .7174 reaction. My second run was done about 5 mins later and I was extremely happy and excited when I got my time slip, for the second run I didn't slip the clutch at all and had it pinned right off the line, I ran a 13.9594@104.20mph 1/4 mile and 9.1262@79.50 in the 1/8 mile with a 60ft time of 2.2092 and .3011 reaction! The rain started coming down in sprinkles right before my second run. After excitingly looking over and comparing my time slips I quickly went up to run again because the clouds started looking dark, right as I pulled onto the track it started raining harder and they closed it down. The rain stopped minutes later and they dried the track. I left just like my second time but the tires spun through 3/4 of 1st gear. On my last run, I ran 14.3566@103.27mph 1/4 mile and 9.4808@78.55mph 1/8 mile with a 60ft time of 2.4612 and reaction of .3622. Now my goal is to run 13.5s, My car is bone stock except for rear muffler delete pipes and 96 collector edition wheels. It is a WHOLE different expeirience driving down the track than just watching to say the least and I'm absolutely HOOKED! I couldn't be happier with how everything went

 

Seat time, Seat Time, Seat Time, that is how you get faster. NEVER underestimate the DRIVER MOD. Plenty of guys and throw money at their car and go faster, but its cheaper and more satisfying to do the driver mod.

Glad you had fun, you'll be back for me.