Drag Race Tips
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Hamilton Mass
Drag Race Tips
I have a good friend who will be taking his 2016 base model coupe to the drag strip this Saturday for the first time and obviously wants to perform as well as possible at the quarter mile.
The car is a bone stock A8 and has the 1LT interior and will be running with the factory tires.
What tips can you help us with in terms of tire pressure (front & back),
drive mode sport or track, traction control and launch control, paddles or let it shift automatically or anything else you can think off that will improve his times.
Much obliged for your valued help !
I promise to report back to the forum on how he did !
The car is a bone stock A8 and has the 1LT interior and will be running with the factory tires.
What tips can you help us with in terms of tire pressure (front & back),
drive mode sport or track, traction control and launch control, paddles or let it shift automatically or anything else you can think off that will improve his times.
Much obliged for your valued help !
I promise to report back to the forum on how he did !
Last edited by 1966STER; Oct 22, 2017 at 03:41 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 77
Likes: 37
From: Naples FL
I've had my factory stock 2016 C7 Stingray (Z51 / A8 / 3LT / Without MRC) to the drags only once. Weather conditions were not ideal (Density Altitude 900' to 1450'). I took five runs with a best of 11.772 @ 117.78 MPH and a worst of 11.896 @ 116.89 MPH. The setup / driving details follow.
- Tire Pressure: Front 45 PSI / Rear 25 PSI
- Driving Mode: Track
- Traction Control: Off
- Burnout: Back into water box - Spin tires one revolution - Pull out of water box - Five second burnout
- Transmission Mode: Drive (Auto)
- Launch RPM: Off idle
Good luck!
- Tire Pressure: Front 45 PSI / Rear 25 PSI
- Driving Mode: Track
- Traction Control: Off
- Burnout: Back into water box - Spin tires one revolution - Pull out of water box - Five second burnout
- Transmission Mode: Drive (Auto)
- Launch RPM: Off idle
Good luck!
Last edited by RPOC7R; Oct 22, 2017 at 05:35 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Tire pressure won't matter much. It should stick with 30lbs.
Use launch control (Track mode) or...
Tour mode and lightly load the converter.
Leave it in drive.
Use launch control (Track mode) or...
Tour mode and lightly load the converter.
Leave it in drive.
Last edited by bigsapper; Oct 23, 2017 at 09:52 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 77
Likes: 37
From: Naples FL
With the factory rear tires at 25 PSI, a hard burnout, Traction Control off, Launch Control not activated and launch off idle as described in my prior post, on my 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th runs I had 60' ET's of 1.721, 1.748, 1.786 and 1.771 and quarter mile ET's of 11.772, 11.855, 11.830 and 11.847. On my 3rd run, I lightly loaded the converter and had a 60' ET of 1.820 and a quarter mile ET of the 11.896, the slowest run of the day.
Regarding your Tour Mode recommendation, A8 transmission shift speed is quicker in Track Mode than Tour Mode. My C7 is a non-MRC car, and its suspension firmness and weight transfer is not adversely impacted by the Track Mode. In a C7 with MRC, suspension firmness and weight transfer is adversely impacted by both the Sport and Track Modes. For a C7 with MRC, the quicker shifts / better weight transfer of the Sport Mode may be a better compromise than the Track Mode for low ET's.
Last edited by RPOC7R; Oct 23, 2017 at 12:35 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Launch control, 35frt/30rr, DA ~1,500', 3/4 tank, 3,540lbs
60' 330' 1/8 ET 1/8MPH 1000' 1/4 ET 1/4 MPH
1.796 4.984 7.582 95.42 9.804 11.667 120.60
1.764 4.968 7.589 94.83 9.827 11.701 120.46
1.754 4.956 7.565 95.13 9.791 11.653 121.37
1.773 4.960 7.572 95.13 9.800 11.664 121.18
1.763 4.972 7.586 94.94 9.817 11.685 120.97
I'll agree with your assessment on Tour vs Track.
60' 330' 1/8 ET 1/8MPH 1000' 1/4 ET 1/4 MPH
1.796 4.984 7.582 95.42 9.804 11.667 120.60
1.764 4.968 7.589 94.83 9.827 11.701 120.46
1.754 4.956 7.565 95.13 9.791 11.653 121.37
1.773 4.960 7.572 95.13 9.800 11.664 121.18
1.763 4.972 7.586 94.94 9.817 11.685 120.97
I'll agree with your assessment on Tour vs Track.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 77
Likes: 37
From: Naples FL
Launch control, 35frt/30rr, DA ~1,500', 3/4 tank, 3,540lbs
60' 330' 1/8 ET 1/8MPH 1000' 1/4 ET 1/4 MPH
1.796 4.984 7.582 95.42 9.804 11.667 120.60
1.764 4.968 7.589 94.83 9.827 11.701 120.46
1.754 4.956 7.565 95.13 9.791 11.653 121.37
1.773 4.960 7.572 95.13 9.800 11.664 121.18
1.763 4.972 7.586 94.94 9.817 11.685 120.97
I'll agree with your assessment on Tour vs Track.
60' 330' 1/8 ET 1/8MPH 1000' 1/4 ET 1/4 MPH
1.796 4.984 7.582 95.42 9.804 11.667 120.60
1.764 4.968 7.589 94.83 9.827 11.701 120.46
1.754 4.956 7.565 95.13 9.791 11.653 121.37
1.773 4.960 7.572 95.13 9.800 11.664 121.18
1.763 4.972 7.586 94.94 9.817 11.685 120.97
I'll agree with your assessment on Tour vs Track.
I still believe that your impressive ET's would have been a tad quicker without Launch Control, because Launch Control initially reduces engine power.
C7 Stingrays sure would make good bracket racers!
Last edited by RPOC7R; Oct 23, 2017 at 04:49 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Thanks. I'm slowly working on a better starting technique, but as you're aware, consistency is King.
I tried the Tour mode/off idle technique during drag week when I had a problem with launch control. I was only .05 off, so I just went with that the rest of the week.
I'll give your technique a try next time out. Last race of the year for me is Sunday at Texas Motorplex.
I tried the Tour mode/off idle technique during drag week when I had a problem with launch control. I was only .05 off, so I just went with that the rest of the week.
I'll give your technique a try next time out. Last race of the year for me is Sunday at Texas Motorplex.
Last edited by bigsapper; Oct 23, 2017 at 05:01 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 7
From: MO
Here's an interesting article.
http://www.carsillustrated.com/secre...d-c7-corvette/
http://www.carsillustrated.com/secre...d-c7-corvette/
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 297
From: Plano TX
I've had my factory stock 2016 C7 Stingray (Z51 / A8 / 3LT / Without MRC) to the drags only once. Weather conditions were not ideal (Density Altitude 900' to 1450'). I took five runs with a best of 11.772 @ 117.78 MPH and a worst of 11.896 @ 116.89 MPH. The setup / driving details follow.
- Tire Pressure: Front 45 PSI / Rear 25 PSI
- Driving Mode: Track
- Traction Control: Off
- Burnout: Back into water box - Spin tires one revolution - Pull out of water box - Five second burnout
- Transmission Mode: Drive (Auto)
- Launch RPM: Off idle
Good luck!
- Tire Pressure: Front 45 PSI / Rear 25 PSI
- Driving Mode: Track
- Traction Control: Off
- Burnout: Back into water box - Spin tires one revolution - Pull out of water box - Five second burnout
- Transmission Mode: Drive (Auto)
- Launch RPM: Off idle
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Hamilton Mass
Thank you all, I passed that information to my friend and as promised here's the results:
11.86 with 1.86
120.05
It was a beautiful day with cold crisp air and full sunshine; however, it had rained heavy that week and the traction was a problem for everybody in the morning, but, improved tremendously in the afternoon with the sun heating up the track. Unfortunately and disappointingly he had to leave at 10:30 thus was unable to take advantage of the greatly improved track conditions and in my estimation left one to two tenths at the track. It's very impressive to me that an A8 base model can achieve times like that; even with the 1.86 short time he was spinning the tires a bit and I wouldn't be surprised if his car could have achieved a 11.7 or high 11.6 if he stayed ?? Again thank you very much !
11.86 with 1.86
120.05
It was a beautiful day with cold crisp air and full sunshine; however, it had rained heavy that week and the traction was a problem for everybody in the morning, but, improved tremendously in the afternoon with the sun heating up the track. Unfortunately and disappointingly he had to leave at 10:30 thus was unable to take advantage of the greatly improved track conditions and in my estimation left one to two tenths at the track. It's very impressive to me that an A8 base model can achieve times like that; even with the 1.86 short time he was spinning the tires a bit and I wouldn't be surprised if his car could have achieved a 11.7 or high 11.6 if he stayed ?? Again thank you very much !
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 77
Likes: 37
From: Naples FL
Thank you all, I passed that information to my friend and as promised here's the results:
11.86 with 1.86
120.05
It was a beautiful day with cold crisp air and full sunshine; however, it had rained heavy that week and the traction was a problem for everybody in the morning, but, improved tremendously in the afternoon with the sun heating up the track. Unfortunately and disappointingly he had to leave at 10:30 thus was unable to take advantage of the greatly improved track conditions and in my estimation left one to two tenths at the track. It's very impressive to me that an A8 base model can achieve times like that; even with the 1.86 short time he was spinning the tires a bit and I wouldn't be surprised if his car could have achieved a 11.7 or high 11.6 if he stayed ?? Again thank you very much !
11.86 with 1.86
120.05
It was a beautiful day with cold crisp air and full sunshine; however, it had rained heavy that week and the traction was a problem for everybody in the morning, but, improved tremendously in the afternoon with the sun heating up the track. Unfortunately and disappointingly he had to leave at 10:30 thus was unable to take advantage of the greatly improved track conditions and in my estimation left one to two tenths at the track. It's very impressive to me that an A8 base model can achieve times like that; even with the 1.86 short time he was spinning the tires a bit and I wouldn't be surprised if his car could have achieved a 11.7 or high 11.6 if he stayed ?? Again thank you very much !
Last edited by RPOC7R; Oct 29, 2017 at 08:44 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
The difference in hook at 25 psi heated pressure (23 -24psi cold) versus the normal 32 psi cold setting ( which would be 33 or 34 when warmed up) is noticeable. The high psi fronts does reduce drag. Couple that with a full tank of gas and decent track prep, a automatic LT1 C7 can pull 1.7 60 ft times.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 409
From: Bremerton Wa.
The difference in hook at 25 psi heated pressure (23 -24psi cold) versus the normal 32 psi cold setting ( which would be 33 or 34 when warmed up) is noticeable. The high psi fronts does reduce drag. Couple that with a full tank of gas and decent track prep, a automatic LT1 C7 can pull 1.7 60 ft times.
Even 1.60's.