Just about time to head to the track for the first time. I'm trying to get the new spec stage 2+ broken in, I've got about 125 miles on it now. Let me give some details about my set up. 1999 coupe, stock ls1 shortblock, ported 853 thunder racing heads w/ 202 valves, big comp spring, comp. 566-561 rev lift, 224-228 duration on 114 centerline. Ls6 intake and ported tb. Kooks long tubes (no cats), xpipe, magna axle backs. Mgw short throw sitting on a 6 spd, spec stage 2+, 342 gears. My Dr's are toyo tq 315-35-18's. These tires really hook, thats how I found out the clutch was bad. I'm an old drag racer from the 70's and 80's and had a 70 Nova that ran 9.70's at 136, 6.30's in the 1/8. So, been there with the fast rides, had a Doug Nash in the car before I switched to Powerglide with a brake, so, I can gear bang with the best. Launched the Nova at 7000 grand and shifted it at 8500, lots of wheels up fun. Now, I know I can't launch this car with anything close to those r's. So, what rpm's are most of you launching at, I was thinking somewhere in the 3 to 3500 range. The car makes good power all the way to 6500 (414 rwhp). So, what kind of rpm's and what do you guys think it should run. I'm thinking mid to high 11's if everything stays together. I'm sure its gonna hook. thanks for your input. My g8gt runs 13.20 at 105 with only 313 rwhp, doesn't want to hook very well on street tires, it should run 13.0's with some dr's and it weighs 800 more lbs then the vet.

 

I used to have a similar set up but with a A4 and stall. I made 414, with an unlocked stall, which would actually be a few more hps, but I ran consistent 11.4s (without spray) WITHOUT a hard launch. (I always "drove it off the line" to prevent breaking)
If you hook well and can find the right launch rpm, you should get mid 11s

 

Speaking of spray, I'm gonna spray it later w/125 wet shot. We'll do a progressive shot so its not so hard on the drive train. Maybe 25% launch and 100% in second. The posts I've read I think you are in the ball park with 11.40's. There are some pretty awsome vets running faster with less hp. We are going to retune it as the dyno's numbers were very rich, the afr's were running in the mid 11's, they should be in the 12.5 to 12.9 area. We would have tuned it then except the clutch wasn't done yet. When its broken in then back to the dyno. My tuner says it should put out 10-15 more hp with the right fuel numbers. We'll run a timing twister when we do spray it so we can retard the timing 6 degrees. So, maybe 10's with spray. Who knows, may not run worth a crap. Only the time slip will tell.

 

Should go easy tens w/ spray...I think 11.4 is possible in good weather if you can cut a 1.6x(gonna take a 5k rpm launch imo) I've got similar power, but FRC with 4.10 gears and skinnies...looking to dip into the 10's this weekend! BTW like the black on pewter, same setup here!

 

is your diff stock? Its gonna be tough to eek into the 11s with the stock diff/342s and a M6 Transmission...the Z06 guys have easier 60 ft'ing on 342s as their 1-3rd transmission gearing is shorter...what kind of track elevation/DA we looking at? when you say whats it gonna run...do you mean whats the potential...or whats it gonna do on your first time or two out on it? You mention your DR's "really hook"...now i know my nitto DR's really hooked on the street but pretty much sucked ***** at the track...and my MT drag radials didnt hook for **** on the street but hooked at the track...who woulda thought....my recommendation...get a dedicated drag pack with a real tire and a skinny up front and get yourself a set of gears with a hardened left hand output shaft and the car will really wake up both on the street and on the track...it will also be easier to launch and easier on your clutch with the shorter gearing

 

I found it easy to hit 11's with the stock diff and 342's. I was running 434 rwhp and was always running from 11.3 to 11.8, depending on weather. I launched at 3200 - 3500 rpm.

I think you will hit some where in that range as well.

Pitt

 

I ran 10.6x with a 150 shot single stage (563rwhp). There's no question I could have gone faster, but it wasn't worth breaking the rear end, etc. (did enough of that on my C3s and C4s) for a little better time with no money involved My best 60ft times were 1.7s with a lot of 1.8s, so there was some better times left in it

 

Be careful not to dump the clutch. Rear end carnage can occur.

 

i agree.i rev 5k and cut 1.6 60"s.imo its better if u lauch at 5k. i run on 18's aswell (bfg's) and spin very lightly of the line so i think that is less stess on the drivetrain than dead hooking. i tried a 3600 lauch and my best 60" was a 1.8. good luck and keep us posted and make sure you take video

 

The track opens early March, I agree can't dump this clutch like my old race car. I watched a bunch of vids on vets launching and it looks like to me most are not dumping but slipping it slightly to save the drive train. Thats probably the key to keeping one of these together. I appreciate everyones input. I think my first time out if it doesn't break anything will be about 11.90, then I'll work on the launches to get my 60's down. If it runs fast thats even better. I'm not spraying til the car is ready for a shot or two.

 

FWIW I went 11.9 on a 1.74 when I had stock gears stealthII cam-only launching at 5k on 90k mi. stock clutch...A buddies cammed c5z making similar power as you has those same tires and has cut 1.7x launching at 4k he has ls7 clutch, granted he does have a better first gear ratio...good luck and keep us updated!

 

thats because your MN12 and 342s is like a M6 and 390s in 1st thru 3rd gears...gonna be tough to get lower than 1.7x with M6 342s on a 18in DR

 

With 414 rwhp I would think the OP could get sub 1.7 60s even with 18" DRs. I managed a 1.72 with 348 rwhp and 3.42s and I'm certainly no Don Garlits.

 

Lets hope my numbers are that good, I just need to get used to launching a stick again. My g8 is a 6A with 313 rwhp and it just won't hook good enough to run better then a 2.05 60'. I'm planning on some Dr's for it also, I'm gonna have my wife drive it when we take two cars to the track. I'm sure it will run a 13 flat under the rigt conditions, it needs to break into the 1.90's or so.

 

True, I forgot about that ! Your my HERO !!

 

Well just one week away, finishing up the final details. Got my trailer purchased, 285-40-18 Nt05r's, clutch is now ready to rock. I did try the nitto's on my g8 and it ran 13.11 which was 2 tenths quicker then it had run before. Bought me a 2005 Avalanche to drag it down the road, going to pinks all out in July. What more could a guy ask for, well maybe a zr1 would be ok. I'll post after next Saturday.

 

We are ready and waiting

 

Me too, hope no problems crop up between now and then. I grew up driving a stick at the track and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I still can. Let er eat.

 

Well the car didn't run at all, we got rained out. Just didn't want to pull 100 miles and get rained on so I decided to give it a try next weekend at KCIR in Kansas City. Was loaded on the trailer and just pissed it had to rain. Oh well thats racing.

 

Raining here to (St.Louis area).