A4-Drag Racing Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim CA
A4-Drag Racing Question(Update:Back from the track)
I'm going to the California Speedway tomorrow to go drag race and I just had a question for guys with A4's. What gear do you race in? Do you race in regular Drive, or drop it down to 3? I went last time and kept it in 3 and it ran good, but I just want to know if there's any difference in the 1/4 mile. Thanks guys.
Manny
Manny
Last edited by MannyFresh; Apr 7, 2007 at 09:07 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 33
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From: Lisle IL
Does it really make a difference whether you are in "Drive" or "3" from a standing start and mashing the pedal to the floor for a quarter mile run? I'd be shocked if it does. AutoX and road courses? Sure. Drag racing? How could it matter?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
I don't know or think it does, i keep it in 3rd so after the run it does not up shift to 4th and help use the engine to brake.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
That's the nice part about an A4, no clutch issues, no missing a shift! I love mine and I agree, keep it in 3. I've also heard that it can hurt the tranny doing it in D.
As for the launch warm your tires up some without using the water box. Drive around the water box, then back up, but don't get into the box (otherwise w/ wet tires you'll be sliding all over the place off the line). Then briefly do a burn out holding your brakes and hitting the gas simultaneously which will allow the back tires to spin while holding the front (poor mans line lock). Then scoot to the line slowly to stage.
Now, assuming u have a stock converter, mash your brake pedal again at the line and gently raise your rpm's by hitting the gas to get to about 1200 or 1300. It will feel like she's about to break loose from the line, but you'll get a better 1/4 mile and 60 ft time doing this rather than simply mashing the gas pedal from idle off the line.
Leave as the last yellow light just comes on and away u go! Takes lots of practice to find your sweet spot on the tree. For me it has been between the 2nd and 3rd yellow light, but you need to grow into this. So for starters, try leaving as the last yellow light comes on. Let us know how u do!
As for the launch warm your tires up some without using the water box. Drive around the water box, then back up, but don't get into the box (otherwise w/ wet tires you'll be sliding all over the place off the line). Then briefly do a burn out holding your brakes and hitting the gas simultaneously which will allow the back tires to spin while holding the front (poor mans line lock). Then scoot to the line slowly to stage.
Now, assuming u have a stock converter, mash your brake pedal again at the line and gently raise your rpm's by hitting the gas to get to about 1200 or 1300. It will feel like she's about to break loose from the line, but you'll get a better 1/4 mile and 60 ft time doing this rather than simply mashing the gas pedal from idle off the line.
Leave as the last yellow light just comes on and away u go! Takes lots of practice to find your sweet spot on the tree. For me it has been between the 2nd and 3rd yellow light, but you need to grow into this. So for starters, try leaving as the last yellow light comes on. Let us know how u do!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Omaha Nebraska
St. Jude Donor '06
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
2002 A4; factory tires
mods:
3.42 rear axle ratio (retained stock converter)
Z06 air lid cover
Z06 titanuim mufflers
K&N drop-in OEM type filter
gutted pup-cats (factory cats still intact)
Predator tune
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 33
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From: Lisle IL
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 31
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From: Charlotte NC
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Lisle IL
I am not here to beat a dead point but no one has offered a convincing reason for 3 over D in a drag race. With my 3.73 gears and aggressive tune I run in 3 around town to avoid alot of the overdrive upshift and downshifts. But in a drag race I don't the difference.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
On mine, I used the Predator to give me WOT redline shifts in all gears... so it wouldn't matter whether in 3 or D.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Lisle IL
I just need to somehow confirm your statement that a stock transmission running in 3 will change gears differently than a stock transmission running in D. To me that doesn't make sense but it could be true.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 384
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From: Anaheim CA
I'm bummed
Well I just got back from the track and I'm sorry to say it sucked ***. I ran 13.5xx on all 4 runs, compared to my 13.404 that I ran before I put the Vararam intake and BFG KDWtires on. What the hell is up with that?
Why did I get slower? It was overcast the whole day and cold and misting half the time we were there, maybe weather is at fault? I was just disappointed the whole day, I did what you guys told me to do and my best run was 13.511 today. At least I beat a GT(which I took off late on the launch and caught up and passed him) and a 300 SRT-8 which was alright. But I was expecting to run low 13's maybe high 12's so I think I'm gonna get the car tuned and see if that helps. Just thought I would share my crappy day.
Why did I get slower? It was overcast the whole day and cold and misting half the time we were there, maybe weather is at fault? I was just disappointed the whole day, I did what you guys told me to do and my best run was 13.511 today. At least I beat a GT(which I took off late on the launch and caught up and passed him) and a 300 SRT-8 which was alright. But I was expecting to run low 13's maybe high 12's so I think I'm gonna get the car tuned and see if that helps. Just thought I would share my crappy day.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Well I just got back from the track and I'm sorry to say it sucked ***. I ran 13.5xx on all 4 runs, compared to my 13.404 that I ran before I put the Vararam intake and BFG KDWtires on. What the hell is up with that? Why did I get slower? It was overcast the whole day and cold and misting half the time we were there, maybe weather is at fault? I was just disappointed the whole day, I did what you guys told me to do and my best run was 13.511 today. At least I beat a GT(which I took off late on the launch and caught up and passed him) and a 300 SRT-8 which was alright. But I was expecting to run low 13's maybe high 12's so I think I'm gonna get the car tuned and see if that helps. Just thought I would share my crappy day.
Why did I get slower? It was overcast the whole day and cold and misting half the time we were there, maybe weather is at fault? I was just disappointed the whole day, I did what you guys told me to do and my best run was 13.511 today. At least I beat a GT(which I took off late on the launch and caught up and passed him) and a 300 SRT-8 which was alright. But I was expecting to run low 13's maybe high 12's so I think I'm gonna get the car tuned and see if that helps. Just thought I would share my crappy day.what were the 60' times?