I bought a 99' Hardtop C5 a few weeks ago. It is my first Corvette.
I plan on drag racing it at the local track (PIR) just to see my 1/4 Mi. times.
I could use some tips as to how to drag race a C5 manual trans.

My main question would be about the take off.

How do you start out?..
I need details.
Do you keep it rev'd to a certain RPM level?
How and When exactly do/should you let out the clutch?
And when do you shift in each gear? It seems as though it would not be wise to take it near the redline in first gear before shifting to second. At what RMP level should you shift to get more power from 2nd?
Then from 2nd and 3rd.. is it best to shift near redline?..

I appreciate any pointers.

Thanks

 

Try 2000 rpm. If your tires spin like mad, reduce rpm next time. If the car bogs, use more rpm next time.

I let it out quickly, but I don't side step it or anything like that. It might give a better time to slip the clutch, but the clutch will wear out faster.

Shift as close to redline as possible without hitting the rev limiter.

At redline, again. You've got to remember that torque is mutliplied by gearing. So if you have 250rwtq at redline, in 1st gear with a gear ratio of 2.66 and a rear of 3.42, you have 250*2.66*3.42=2272 ft-lbs at the rear wheels. If in second at 4000rpm you have 300ft-lbs, you have 300*1.78*3.42=1826 ft-lbs at the rear wheels.

Moral of the story, first gear's mechanical advantage means you can accelerate faster than in second gear, even if the flywheel torque is less.
Gear ratios are:
1st: 2.66
2nd: 1.78
3rd: 1.30
4th: 1.00
5th: 0.74
6th: 0.50

You can use a dyno chart and the gear ratios to find the right RPM more exactly, but it's gonna be redline anyway, on a stock LS1.

Just my $0.02. I've never drag raced at a track, only listened to what others have said, and practiced quick launches on empty roads.

Have fun.

 

I always start at 3000 and drop the clutch.

Red in 1st
5700 - 5800 in 2nd
same in 3rd

Good Luck and post your times!

 

Ok, so say you are in first gear and reved to about 3000rpms.. and you get the Green light and pop the clutch... and it catches.. do you now floor it?

 

I take it to about 2500 rpms and when it's time to go, I feather it out and feather the throttle in and when it grabs, I hit it. . that's 2.0-2.2 60s consistently on runflats. Can't powershift into 2nd, spins too much. Powershift at 3rd and into 4th, right at 5900 or so. Don't worry about going into the red, your rev limiter will catch it before anything happens. . but you're losing power in the red.

Just practice. .

Judging by your name you have/had a pretty beefy Supra, so you should know how to drive.

 

Last car was an automatic.. so I didnt have to do much at the Track...

Can you or someone explain "Powershifting"?

 

:eek: Unless you're generalizing, make sure you come back for a follow-up lesson after this outing. Looks like we need to talk about lights and the tree in lesson 2. ;) :lol:

JC

 

Try lowering the air pressure in the rear tires to 20 psi. Don't slip the clutch much, it'll just smoke. Let it out quickly and spin the tires. If they don't spin, you need more RPM. I use 2300-2500. When the tires stop spinning, floor it. Tires are cheaper than a clutch. At first, you may not need to shift into 4th gear. Red line is at just about 105 mph in 3rd. If you the rev limiter, next time shift earlier. For the lights, leave when the third yellow comes on, not when the green comes on.

 

Powershifting is simply not lifting off the throttle between shifts - i.e. - the throttle is on the floor during shifts. You really don't want to practice this your first time drag racing a stick! :nono:

JC


[Modified by The One, 4:38 PM 5/15/2002]

 

Leave on third yellow light... Got it.

Ok another newbie racing question...

I have noticed that most cars(when I was at the track anyways) would spin there tires on there approach to the starting line. I guess they are just warming up there tires for better traction..

Is this needed? Or can I skip this, to preserve my tire tread? :confused:


[Modified by TDogg72, 10:55 PM 5/15/2002]

 

Congrats on the car, good luck and have fun :)

 

if its your daily driver you might want to skip it but it will give you new rubber and heat up the tires to give you better traction. goooood luck!!! :crazy: :smash:

 

It has been debated if you need to do a burn out with run flat tires. If you still have the stock run flats then it is really your call. I would do a burn out so you can get newer non run flat tires sooner.

To do a burn out with a 6sp is easy. If possible go around the water box and then back up into it. Pull forward just out of the box and rev up the engine (3k is good) and let off the clutch to start your spin. Now take your left foot and stand on the brake. Do this until you see smoke or for 8 to 10 seconds. Let off the gas and off the brake and roll out.

Now you are ready to stage. Pull up until the first white light comes on. Then inch your way up until the second light comes on. Once you and the other guy in the other lane both have staged. (both lights) the tree will start to go. When the 3rd light comes on, then get on it and have fun.

After that first run you will have a smile from ear to ear and be ready to make a decent pass the next time.

My first run, I burned up the tires and my clutch all the way down the track. I hit the rev limiter in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. :nonod: But I got right back up there and made a second pass almost perfect.


[Modified by John's vette, 12:43 AM 5/16/2002]

 

Thanks TDoog 72....these are questions I was too afraid to ask.
And thanks to all the forum members who contributed the great information.

North Texas FM roads will light up this weekend with my practice sessions.

 

Watch the back of an A4 and say ouch! :lol :lol:

 

That must be why that GM decided to put the A4 in the Z06

 

All you want to know about Drag racing is here http://www.staginglight.com/ and here http://www.asmartin.com/b_et.htm

Enjoy

 

Don't forget to shut traction control off. Your Vette's traction control is meant to keep you from spinning off the road - it will not help you get a better 1/4 mile time - if you've made it kick in before, you'll know that it slows you down for a second or two and would ruin a 1/4 mile time anytime it kicked in.

Have fun - racing is a blast!

 

:lol:

 

Avoid the water box unless you are running slicks.

Drive around it drop the clutch @ 4500rpm stand on the brake, let 'em spin for about 8 - 10 seconds.

Leave aound 2500rpm adjust as necessary.