Depressing results
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Newbury Park CA
Depressing results
I just ran my 85' auto up at the LACR north of LA. I have a basicly stock engine, with just aftermarket mufflers, the K&N open lid, descreened MAF, and TB bypass done. My best time was a 14.8. I have been paying attention to other peoples stock times and everybody seems to be at least 3/4 of second better. The palmdale track is at about 3000 feet, but my times seem to still be meager. Can i do anything short of rebuild to restore some of the vigor on my 170,000 mile car?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Re: Depressing results (1985vette)
@ that altitude the et's posted sound about right to me. If you are spinning tires even a little bit you could lose a couple of tenths.Considering 170k I would be proud of that et on a basicly stock car. Just my $.02
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Depressing results (Pete K)
I think brand new Car & Driver only got a best of 14.1 if I remember right,,,, your wheel spin & reaction time combined with your high miles is costing you some for sure.
I am sure someone will correct me on the best ET if the 14.1 is incorrect :seeya
I am sure someone will correct me on the best ET if the 14.1 is incorrect :seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Depressing results (1985vette)
Well you've added about 10chp with the intake mods and maybe 5-10chp with the exhaust mods.
What was your 60' time and MPH?
What was air temp & baro?
What was launch weight, or how much gas, how much do you weigh?
Is it an A4 or Stick; what launch RPM?
From launch weight and trap speed we can calculate CHP. And from trap speed we can see if it has an more left to drop ET.
To get a little more hp:
-install a 160deg stat & fan switch, worth 10chp
-add cut-back spark plugs, worth 8-10chp
-install a 2 1/2" mandrel-bent front Y, hi-flow cat and cat-back; worth 20chp
-install an AFPR to add some fuel at WOT
That altitude is likely costing .6sec compared with sea level. When I run with a +1000' DA my ET climbs by a copla 10ths, compared with a zero DA.
Weather and altitude make a big difference in track data. So don't be too discouraged; lets look at the data.
What was your 60' time and MPH?
What was air temp & baro?
What was launch weight, or how much gas, how much do you weigh?
Is it an A4 or Stick; what launch RPM?
From launch weight and trap speed we can calculate CHP. And from trap speed we can see if it has an more left to drop ET.
To get a little more hp:
-install a 160deg stat & fan switch, worth 10chp
-add cut-back spark plugs, worth 8-10chp
-install a 2 1/2" mandrel-bent front Y, hi-flow cat and cat-back; worth 20chp
-install an AFPR to add some fuel at WOT
That altitude is likely costing .6sec compared with sea level. When I run with a +1000' DA my ET climbs by a copla 10ths, compared with a zero DA.
Weather and altitude make a big difference in track data. So don't be too discouraged; lets look at the data.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Newbury Park CA
Re: Depressing results (65Z01)
unfortunately i dont have the slips to check my 60ft and 1/8th times, my jealous brother stole them...he has a 66' stang. As for the day, it was decently hot, not overbearing, i drove about 1 hour 30 minutes to get there, so my car was pretty hot the whole time. Not sure at all about barometric pressure. I always had a mid sized passenger in the car, and was running on about a half tank of gas.
As for launch RPM, this was my first time to the track in a long time, since a rebuilt tranny, and the cheap mods. I am only 17 so i am not going to hesitate in stating the fact that i am a newb when it comes to driving. I was varying the RPMs testing different ones, anywhere from 1800 up to 3200 i think was the highest i went, where should i go for best results?
[Modified by 1985vette, 8:27 AM 4/10/2004]
[Modified by 1985vette, 8:30 AM 4/10/2004]
As for launch RPM, this was my first time to the track in a long time, since a rebuilt tranny, and the cheap mods. I am only 17 so i am not going to hesitate in stating the fact that i am a newb when it comes to driving. I was varying the RPMs testing different ones, anywhere from 1800 up to 3200 i think was the highest i went, where should i go for best results?
[Modified by 1985vette, 8:27 AM 4/10/2004]
[Modified by 1985vette, 8:30 AM 4/10/2004]
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Oakley Ca
Re: Depressing results (1985vette)
It's been a long time since my 85 was new, but as I remember, about forteen and a half was what most were running with high 90's. Considering the elevation, extra weight and warm weather, I'd say you are about right. Drop the passenger and pick up one tenth the extra gas and altitude will cost another tenth or so.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Depressing results (1985vette)
Contrary to an above post, your reaction time (RT) is NOT a part of your ET.
The answer is on those time slips you gave away. Save those suckers. Write on them. Better yet get a log book. Make note of the engine temp, tire pressure, launch rpms, wind, weather, shift points, and anything else that comes to mind. The question, "where should i go for best results?" is answered on your time slips.
RACE ON!!!
I was varying the RPMs testing different ones, anywhere from 1800 up to 3200 i think was the highest i went, where should i go for best results?
RACE ON!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: Depressing results (1985vette)
Well...
It sounds like you are down about this. I would think if you were going to actually take measure of your car's worth by how quick it is at the digs, you'd have dumped the passenger.
Years ago, one of the car mags took an older big caddy with the 502 C.I. engine in good running order and ran it through the traps to get a baseline. Then they started removing the interior and cutting panels off. They said that for every 100 pounds they removed, ET quickened by .1 sec. I think that's a law of physics and should be the same for you, with no wheel spin.
If you had a 200 pound passenger, you could have done 14.6's. And maybe you'd be a little more proud of your nice running, obviously well-maintained C4.
FWIW,
BIG JIM
It sounds like you are down about this. I would think if you were going to actually take measure of your car's worth by how quick it is at the digs, you'd have dumped the passenger.
Years ago, one of the car mags took an older big caddy with the 502 C.I. engine in good running order and ran it through the traps to get a baseline. Then they started removing the interior and cutting panels off. They said that for every 100 pounds they removed, ET quickened by .1 sec. I think that's a law of physics and should be the same for you, with no wheel spin.
If you had a 200 pound passenger, you could have done 14.6's. And maybe you'd be a little more proud of your nice running, obviously well-maintained C4.
FWIW,
BIG JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,159
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Re: Depressing results (1985vette)
Do you still have the main cat? My first pass was almost an identical time. I was disappointed just like you. I took off my rear Y-pipe and found cat guts lodged inside. The catalytic converter had fragmented and clogged the exhaust. I removed the chunks and went back to the track and promptly ran a 14.10 at around 99 mph at about 1000' above sea level.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Depressing results (1985vette)
Sounds like an honest STOCK time to me. You want it to go faster, you need to consider how must "stuff" you want to do to it. Then of course, it won't "technically" be stock anymore, but then again.........you could always say it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Depressing results (MagikDraggin)
Sounds like an honest STOCK time to me. You want it to go faster, you need to consider how must "stuff" you want to do to it. Then of course, it won't "technically" be stock anymore, but then again.........you could always say it is.
How many times have we read "Stock motor with ported heads and plenum 1.6rr's, a million and a half to one compression" and on and on goes the signature for another half page.
Sounds like you are running pretty much where you should be right now. CFI-EFI has great idea with the log. :thumbs:
