A little drag and tech advice
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
A little drag and tech advice
hello all,
Coming soon in the near future I will be joining some people from the local Camaro\Trans Am club at the local dragstrip. I have a 96 LT4 Corvette that is basically stock. I got the car over the summer and ran it stock for a baseline number and ran a best of 13.7 @ 105.48 with a 2.5 60ft. I will be running Goodyear GSC's 275-40-17 in the street car shootout.
Based on everyone elses experience, what is a good launch RPM? I read an article with a guy who ran a 12.9 on a stock LT4. From another thread I read in here...and the Camaro forum, based on my MPH, I should be in the low 13's... how do I get there?
Over the winter, I plan to do a cam and header install. I was reading that the GM heavy duty timing chain is a must... but was also told that the LT4 came with it already installed. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Mods (if you can call them that) to date are a 160 stat, B&M shifter, hypertech tuning, Hooker Aerochamber mufflers, TB bypass, RamAir Box with hollowed MAF and soon a 52mm throttle body. I doubt that these few things will make a difference... I just don't want to get smoked too badly by a modded F-body.
Any advice so I don't go up in smoke?
Chris
Coming soon in the near future I will be joining some people from the local Camaro\Trans Am club at the local dragstrip. I have a 96 LT4 Corvette that is basically stock. I got the car over the summer and ran it stock for a baseline number and ran a best of 13.7 @ 105.48 with a 2.5 60ft. I will be running Goodyear GSC's 275-40-17 in the street car shootout.
Based on everyone elses experience, what is a good launch RPM? I read an article with a guy who ran a 12.9 on a stock LT4. From another thread I read in here...and the Camaro forum, based on my MPH, I should be in the low 13's... how do I get there?
Over the winter, I plan to do a cam and header install. I was reading that the GM heavy duty timing chain is a must... but was also told that the LT4 came with it already installed. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Mods (if you can call them that) to date are a 160 stat, B&M shifter, hypertech tuning, Hooker Aerochamber mufflers, TB bypass, RamAir Box with hollowed MAF and soon a 52mm throttle body. I doubt that these few things will make a difference... I just don't want to get smoked too badly by a modded F-body.
Any advice so I don't go up in smoke?
Chris
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,695
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Illinois
I would think you should be running at least a 13.3 1/4 mile. Your 2.5 60' time is whats obviously slowing you up. Are you getting any traction at all. When my 93 Lt1 was stock I ran 13.7 at 103 60' 1.9. though its a auto trans. Some of the Lt4 guys here will buzz in and give good advice on how to launch the beast within. My suggestion would be wider tires with drag radials by Nitto. Keep practicing.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Indeed even dropping your short time from 2.5sec to 2.2 sec should knock about .5sec off your ET.
However, if you will be involved in a bracket race event, don't worry about improving your ET. The only two things that will be important will be cutting a good light and running a consistent ET.
Good luck and enjoy the race.
However, if you will be involved in a bracket race event, don't worry about improving your ET. The only two things that will be important will be cutting a good light and running a consistent ET.
Good luck and enjoy the race.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by 65Z01
Indeed even dropping your short time from 2.5sec to 2.2 sec should knock about .5sec off your ET.
However, if you will be involved in a bracket race event, don't worry about improving your ET. The only two things that will be important will be cutting a good light and running a consistent ET.
Good luck and enjoy the race.
However, if you will be involved in a bracket race event, don't worry about improving your ET. The only two things that will be important will be cutting a good light and running a consistent ET.
Good luck and enjoy the race.
take home the Bucks$$$$ 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,184
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
I didn't have lots of luck with traction and the GSC's, but found that 20lb rear tire pressure worked best for me.
40lb up front.
You might take out the passenger seat and front sway bar.
You have a 6 speed with the dual mass flywheel.
See our Mr. Mojo's video on how to shift a drag vette.
Did wonders for me.
Let us know how you fare
40lb up front.
You might take out the passenger seat and front sway bar.
You have a 6 speed with the dual mass flywheel.
See our Mr. Mojo's video on how to shift a drag vette.
Did wonders for me.
Let us know how you fare
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
You definatly need to get your 60' lower. I got a 13.2 out of mine when it was mostly stock but I only took it a few times before I started moding it.
As for the timing set the LT4 one is better than the LT1 chain, but the LT4 Extreem Duty chain is way better than both. Try making a few runs with the Hypertech engine tune taken out. When mine was more stock I went consistantly .20 slower with it installed. All it's good for is fan temps, and gear swaps.
As for the timing set the LT4 one is better than the LT1 chain, but the LT4 Extreem Duty chain is way better than both. Try making a few runs with the Hypertech engine tune taken out. When mine was more stock I went consistantly .20 slower with it installed. All it's good for is fan temps, and gear swaps.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 1
From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
I went 12.93 in my LT-4 with only Magnaflows and a cold air kit. This was on Firestone SZ50s and had a 60' of 1.94. This was by staging at about 2,500 and sliding the clutch.
MPH was 108-109.
MPH was 108-109.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
The event is a head to head 'grudge' fest for street king honors. I have to be faster than the guy next to me. I don't know much about drag racing and reaction times, but certainly don't want to be embarrassed by a mustang or something... even worse... a HONDA!!! That's grounds for suicide!!!
I can't find info on the elevation at track. It's Gateway International in St. Louis MO.
I can't find info on the elevation at track. It's Gateway International in St. Louis MO.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
Advice:
Get to the track early and make as many practice passes as you can. Don't worry about shifting, concentrate on your starts.
Traction on street tires will depend on the specific Track condition. How well they prepped it.
1. Poor prep: Try 1700rpm. If engine bogs and you gave traction, try 1800 or 2000rpm on next pass. If engine does not bog and you have gross slippage of tires, you must try 1500-1600 rpm.
2. Good, sticky track: Start w/2500 rpm and go up to 3000rpm, if engine bogs (see above).
I used to get 2.1s 60' w/ GSC's and poor track prep. That is about it.
Get to the track early and make as many practice passes as you can. Don't worry about shifting, concentrate on your starts.
Traction on street tires will depend on the specific Track condition. How well they prepped it.
1. Poor prep: Try 1700rpm. If engine bogs and you gave traction, try 1800 or 2000rpm on next pass. If engine does not bog and you have gross slippage of tires, you must try 1500-1600 rpm.
2. Good, sticky track: Start w/2500 rpm and go up to 3000rpm, if engine bogs (see above).
I used to get 2.1s 60' w/ GSC's and poor track prep. That is about it.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Thanks for the advice!!! Track date is in 2 weeks so I'll post then to let you know how I did. I need to find a helmet between now and then. Thanks again for all the advice.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,264
Likes: 88
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Gateway
I ran at Gateway tonight. The Vette was running pretty well and consistant.
12.42 @116
12.38 @116
12.38 @116
12.53 @115
12.41 @116
If I didn't toast my clutch tonight, I'll probably see you there in two weeks.
-Mike
12.42 @116
12.38 @116
12.38 @116
12.53 @115
12.41 @116
If I didn't toast my clutch tonight, I'll probably see you there in two weeks.
-Mike