I will try to answer any factors anyone needs to know.

Next week I am racing my 99 A4 coupe at Qualcomm stadium San Diego. This will be my first time racing this car.

It is only a 1/8th mile strip. From what I've read, a stock A4 car does a 8.4-8.6 ET.
My cars only major modifications are 3.42 gears and NT05 tires on stock 9.5" mag wheels with a 285/35 tire size). Only basic intake and exhaust mods and a tune are done making 325whp/325wtq.

It is obviously close to sea level and will be starting at 6pm and going into the night. So cool temps and low elevation.

I am running the tires at 29psi cool, a/c belt is removed, and I plan to brake launch at 1500 RPM. (That seems to be the best for my current setup only chirping the tires some). Doing a burn out will yield better results but I have no practice with this. Hoping it helps some. What are some other tricks to consider when getting ready to race?

I'm looking for a goal to shoot for ET wise and what I should be able to get. I myself am 180lbs and the car has no reduction other than a straight pipe axle back system, and no run-flats.

 

I also know to turn off the traction control.

 

First time? Traction control off? Be sure and YouTube it for us. Could be an interesting video to watch.

 

Your only making 225rwhp? I hope that a typo!

 

At the strip, essentially stock A4 (Intake and axle back), 3.15 gears, my car wouldn't spin the tires off the line. I didn't even do a burnout.
TC off as well.

Are you thinking he is going to lose control of a 13 second car?

I think the ET could be as good as an 8.20 @ 90 mph.

Ron

 

I think 90 is a bit high - I'd say it will trap about 85 - and run 8.6s

 

yes typo, 325/325

Stock cars get 8.4 -8.6 from what I hear.

I have better tires, 3.42 gears, and about 20-25whp over stock. I estimate 8.2 or 8.3 myself. But I am new to this, so I dont know what to expect really.

 

My car spins out if I mash it, so I will have to play with the launch a little. I think the burn out will cover me there... I hope it does anyway.

 

I think that 90 mph will be a little fast the quietest I think I've ever gone down the 1/8 was 8 sec flat at 84 mph and that is only do to everything being just right for one lucky pass
I strongly believe that my car will get into the high 7's but I have seen enough enough

 

90 might not yet be attainable. But we will see. I'll be sure to post results with a pic of the slip from my best run.

I went out and started getting the car ready already. Removing needless items and inspecting parts etc. Im pretty excited about friday.

I did just find out some bad news though. I hooked the scanner up to the OBDII and read that bank 2 is rich. I have no engine light and nothing has been messed with in quite awhile now.. I might have to swing by Cunningham Motorsports and see if they will give it a quick tune this week. Hope its nothing serious, never would have guessed anything was off without the scanner telling me.

 

Races go tonight, Ill post results tomorrow sometime.

 

First time out---9's

 

1/8th mile???

is this at a ricer dragstrip?

I seriously ask; only because the very few tracks in my area - that only allow 1/8 mile runs - are overwhelmingly populated by imports.

 

My prostock 1000 drag sled runs 5.40's at 123-124 mph 1/8 mile on ice,I guess that's why my C5 seems a bit sluggish...

 

Long story short, the drag strip got shut down around here and this was opened up in response to street racing. Its all they have room for and is a makeshift 1/8th mile strip in the Qualcomm stadium parking lot.

 

I found out a few quirks on the first couple runs then got down to consistent 8.7 ET's with 8.757 being my best at 87mph.

Not as good as I was expecting, but it is what it is. It is a pretty jank track too with little prep done. Seems everyone there says they run worse times at that track. But it could just be the typical excuses

Anyways, I did not know these cars bog down and act like weak sauce $hit when trying to do a burn out. I found out the best way to run was to turn traction control off to do a burn out, then turn it back to make the run. With it off my run was an 11 second run peeling out half way down the strip. Obviously it can be managed by an experienced driver. But I just left it on and had way better launches and hooking up.

But 6 runs and the last three being 8.7's gave me a pretty consistent idea about what the car runs. Almost all runs regardless off ET where at 87mph. Thought that was interesting.

 

Didn't know it was a "temporary" dragstrip. I can imagine no traction Which you proved with your first runs.

The 87mph should be encouraging, but then you have a bunch of mods planned, so just a baseline.

And correct, these cars don't like to do burnouts. Even with the TC off, the rear brakes tend to be too good. At least mine are. I need a line lock.

These cars also have what is called "abuse mode". They don't like to let you apply gas with no wheel speed.

Six passes, must have been fun!

Ron

 

The traction was horrible. Even with a good burn out and traction control on, and even backing down the brake launch to 1k rpm (barely stalling at all) I was still braking loose some.
On top of the traction, I still have a rich condition in bank two that I haven't got tuned out yet. So there were a couple things working against me out there. Not sure if they would have made much difference. Maybe I could pull in the 8.4 area under optimal conditions.

 

Totally different down here in the south. 90% are 1/8th mile and more are going to it dew to insurance.
1/4th mile you can screw up, eat a ham sandwich and still recover.
1/8th is a drivers race. You snooze you lose and better be on your game when the actions that fast and know what your doing at the line.
We ain't to slow in the 1/8th either. 140 mph


OP, Just started reading the thread tonight and before I seen your time was going to say 8.8 to 8.7s. Dads old buick back in the 70s would run 9.42... Leak your tires down to 24 pounds and see how it feels. If your comfortable with it go one more pound at a time. You'll find your spot... It helps. I'm at the top of my slicks now and have to leave the line at 5 pounds on the nose. Need to go up to 16 wide but its holding at 5 so tire pressure is really important. It will help in the spinning a little.
Most stock vettes I see run between 8.3s and 8.8s like yours. Just takes time to learn how to take off but thats half the fun in leaning how to do it all. Good luck.

 

Congratulations! 8.757 on your first night out is pretty good on an unpreped track! The main thing on your first time is to learn and have fun!
It takes a lot of seat time to be proficient in drag racing.