Weak Quarter Mile
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
That is definitely slow even for a 2.73 A4 on a hot day in central Florida. If you've been running it in mid 80 and higher temps, that will hurt your 1/4 mile. A vararam and a little tuning will help. Also apply the brake and rev to 1000 to 1200 rpm to load the drivetrain and take a full second to floor the car. This will improve your 60' which should get into the 13s at least. With 3.42 gears, long tube headers and a vararam, I ran a 12.59 on street tires with my A4 coupe.
Original Founding Member!
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,037
Likes: 88
From: Granby, MA
Cruise-In 1, 3, 9. 10 & 11 Veteran
hmmmmm
hmmm ok I will be oddman out and ask a question Iam really stumped to see that no one has asked the OP already.
How is your car running? You say you want to change the fuel filter or look for a culprit that may solve your slow times. What makes you think there is something wrong with the car besides obviously the slow times? Do you feel pinging? Is it hesitating? Bogging? Are you just frying the tires off the line when you "punch it" and then the car just boggs down the line. I am more looking at this as to why your blaming the car or looking for faults with it when you really don't sound like you have a problem with it. Sounds to me like a cross between driver error/inexperience with the vette and tires.
If someone knows something about a fuel filter making you lose over a half second I would love to know about it. Unless that thing is completely clogged up (in which you would be hesitating and sputtering like crazy) I can't see it causing this.
How is your car running? You say you want to change the fuel filter or look for a culprit that may solve your slow times. What makes you think there is something wrong with the car besides obviously the slow times? Do you feel pinging? Is it hesitating? Bogging? Are you just frying the tires off the line when you "punch it" and then the car just boggs down the line. I am more looking at this as to why your blaming the car or looking for faults with it when you really don't sound like you have a problem with it. Sounds to me like a cross between driver error/inexperience with the vette and tires.
If someone knows something about a fuel filter making you lose over a half second I would love to know about it. Unless that thing is completely clogged up (in which you would be hesitating and sputtering like crazy) I can't see it causing this.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 5
From: Jensen Beach FL
The “mid twos” sixty foot is the problem. That is a terrible sixty foot time. Your car should easily be capable of a 2.0 sixty foot. It sounds like you’re spinning a lot off of the line. Work on your launch a little and mid 13’s are in your future.
A 2.0 sixty foot would put you in the mid 13’s.
A 2.0 sixty foot would put you in the mid 13’s.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Orlando / Daytona Beach Florida
Sounds to me like a cross between driver error/inexperience with the vette and tires.
p.s. Is anyone located near Orlando Speed World that would like to go with me one night to get an opinion from someone with experience? I would love to have a forum member to go with if anyone's close enough!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Toronto/Maple ON
my friend with an A4 ran exact same, 14.0@103mph, not uncommon. i think its all in launch technique with an A4. u need some practice and try different ways i guess. i never launched an auto car in my life, so i could not help much with pointers.
good luck.
good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
So I was wondering if you guys think there could be something wrong with my Vette. I have consistenly been running early 14's and thought that these Vette's packed more umph than that... I used to own lots of mustangs that would kill my Vette with similar mods. Everything's stock except a catback/K&N drop in. It's an A4. I normally torque brake it a little bit and drop it on the last yellow. Should I be satisfied with early 14's or are these supposed to be quicker. I'm going to change the fuel filter soon, Im not sure if/when it was previously done so maybe she's not getting enough fuel? What do you guys think? Thanks in advance!
You need to check what Gears you have.
I have an a4 with 3.15's breathless performance cold air, corsa catback, and fresh set of rubber and hit 12.9's 13.4's stock
Keep it in 3rd, traction control off, flash the converter and dont bog it.
You will benefit if you went to a true cold air intake and prob change the gears if you have 2.73
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,009
Likes: 491
From: South Florida
Thats not necessarily the problem, but definitely check the MAF sensor and TB and make sure they are clean. My automatic 96Z28 went 14.1@100mph with a 2.1 60ft. The car would have been lucky to see 260rwhp, and it weighed about 300-400lbs more than a vette. A C5 should not go into the 14's at any track during any time of the year. 13.8 at the very worst. Listen to what people are telling you and start poking around to see what's going on. The C5 that went 12.999 at Atco that was bone stock trapped 105mph on that run. He was trapping 103-104 most of the night.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: CAPE CORAL FL
You might try going with different gearing. I had 2.73 and went to 3.73. I have run 12.4 trapping at 111mph. That is with blackwing, longtube headers, high flow cats, and 3500 torque converter.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 5
From: Jensen Beach FL
I think what he is trying to say is put the gear selector in 3rd and leave it there i.e. don’t manually shift it through the gears.
You don’t want to drag race with the traction control engaged it will slow you down
By flashing the converter he means leave from an idle as opposed to loading the converter by applying throttle while applying the brakes at the line to increase RPMs. There are often opposing points of view as to which method is better. With a stock vehicle you should try both methods and see which works best for you.
You don’t want to drag race with the traction control engaged it will slow you down
By flashing the converter he means leave from an idle as opposed to loading the converter by applying throttle while applying the brakes at the line to increase RPMs. There are often opposing points of view as to which method is better. With a stock vehicle you should try both methods and see which works best for you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 956
Likes: 2
From: st. anne illinois
dude. man don't feel too bad.
i was at us41. and i seen several.. stock a4's going 14.0 14.2's.
my 99 a4 with a twin flo cold air, shorty headers, 3.42 gear, computer tuning, i went 12.8 with a drag radial. on street tires i would spin and run a 13.2- 13.3
my mph was actually higher when i ran the 13.2 then when i ran a 12.8 i believe because the tires were spinning gaining more mph???
but no i dont know how all of these people claim low 13's in there bone stock a4's.. never in person seen someone run that.. 14 is reasonable here in illinois
i was at us41. and i seen several.. stock a4's going 14.0 14.2's.
my 99 a4 with a twin flo cold air, shorty headers, 3.42 gear, computer tuning, i went 12.8 with a drag radial. on street tires i would spin and run a 13.2- 13.3
my mph was actually higher when i ran the 13.2 then when i ran a 12.8 i believe because the tires were spinning gaining more mph???
but no i dont know how all of these people claim low 13's in there bone stock a4's.. never in person seen someone run that.. 14 is reasonable here in illinois
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I have an A4 Z51 with 3.15 gears with a Halltech intake and TI exhaust and I can run 13.4 give or take. At sea level.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 378
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What year is your Vette? Not all C5's are the same. My friend has a 2002 auto and runs 13.11's, bone stock, street tires and 2:73's @ 1400' track elevation.
I've seen C5's run what yours does. A lot has to do with how you're driving it. An auto isn't necessarily slower in the 1/4 if you know how to drive it. I had a 6-speed LS1 (Z28) and would run 12.50's @ 1400' and beat the snot out of stock vette's all the time.
There are so many variables. When you get your time slips, scan your best run and email it to me or post it here and I can tell you where the car is making it's power and what might be the problem, if any. Could just be your lack of skill to get down the 1320 quickly!
I've seen C5's run what yours does. A lot has to do with how you're driving it. An auto isn't necessarily slower in the 1/4 if you know how to drive it. I had a 6-speed LS1 (Z28) and would run 12.50's @ 1400' and beat the snot out of stock vette's all the time.
There are so many variables. When you get your time slips, scan your best run and email it to me or post it here and I can tell you where the car is making it's power and what might be the problem, if any. Could just be your lack of skill to get down the 1320 quickly!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 194
Likes: 1
From: Lemont IL
I didn't read the whole thread, so forgive me if this has already been figured out. You've already answered your own question. You said your 60ft time is in the mid 2's. Thats your problem. Figure for every tenth you reduce your 60ft, is worth 2 tenths on the big end. With a bone stock automatic, and street tires, you should be capable of at least a 2.0 60ft. Theres your low 13's.
You need tires. And bad.
You need tires. And bad.
