How many of you drag your Z? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

cuisinartvette · 08-23-2005

Any tips on how these cars do/don't like to be launched? Going to run her tomorrow night to get some baseline numbers before the mods start...
Not expecting too much, as the air is terrible where I run and it will probably be pretty warm.

Scoob · 08-23-2005

I can't offer much in the way of tips as the 1/4 isn't my thing so I only do it for fun. I put the shocks on "tour" and launch at about 2k.

Aurora40 · 08-23-2005

I was launching the car around 4000-4500 rpm when I took it to the strip. I'm no expert either, but I was going by advice I'd heard here (or on corvetteforum?). It worked well, don't dump the clutch, but modulate the launch using it. It wasn't hard on the car and was sort of easy to control. Easier than gas and dump, for sure. If I dump it at about 2000 rpm, it breaks loose badly.

Z Factor · 08-24-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuisinartvette

Any tips on how these cars do/don't like to be launched? Going to run her tomorrow night to get some baseline numbers before the mods start...
Not expecting too much, as the air is terrible where I run and it will probably be pretty warm.

My post is predicated on the assumption that you will be launching it at the track.

In my book, it is very important that we get our terms on the same page. I use several methods depending on what I am up against, and the track conditions. I feather my clutch (also know as "slipping the clutch") at fairly high RPM's to not bog the engine or break traction. Specifically, I hold rpms around 4500-5000 - feather the clutch to contact, get the car moving while adjusting the clutch and throttle to prevent the car from bogging, and prevent it from spinning the tires for greatest traction. I'm sure 5000 sounds high, but keep in mind that the LT5's secondaries don't come into play until 3000-3500 rpm's. If you were to "dump" the clutch at even 3-3.5k you would probably break traction so feathering is the way to get moving for best times.

cuisinartvette · 08-24-2005

My post is predicated on the assumption that you will be launching it at the track

Yes-I don't know that there's much life left in it, but I may give it a go anyways. As long as I don't smoke the clutch completely and can get home I'm happy. I thought I'd try walking it out of the hole once, then leaving from a higher RPM-Should I avoid the burnout box with new tires? I'm guessing a lot of water may be thrown up in the wheelwell? Running my auto is a cakewalk, thought I could benefit from you guys' experience. Track is about 3000 ft. elevation, DA is usually pretty lousy. I'll have some timeslips tonight!

Aurora40 · 08-24-2005

Depending on how it's set up, you can probably do a quick burn-out without using the water. Just drive around it and smoke 'em a tad past the water. I'd do at least some kind of burn out to clean any crud off the tires. You'll probably pick up a lot of crap on the way back from your run when the tires are hot.

WB9MCW · 08-24-2005

cuisinartvette WHEN U GET UR NEW CLUTCH GO CERAMIC RACE FROM CAROLINA CLUTCH WITH A ALUM. FLYWHEEL!!! I DID AND I PUT UP WITH THE GEAR RATTLE(IT IS A TRUE PAIN IN THE EAR) BUT I HAVE GREAT A LAUNCH NOW AT 3500 RPM. JIMO!!!

cuisinartvette · 08-25-2005

Well, bad news.

Two runs, both 13.8, one @103 and 104 mph. 2.22 and 2.25 60'. Some tirespin in first thru third...Here's the kicker:

3000 ft elevation
5500 DA
28% humidity

I suspect the lousy air had everything to do with this and my need for traction.Everything there was running SLOW. Even the modded turbo Subarus couldn't break into the 13'. They usually runwell up there. Felt good to whip an LS2 by a full second and destroy a brand new GT though!

Part of me blames the air/traction and the other part of me wants to dump both the vettes...

08-23-2005	#1
cuisinartvette Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA. Posts: 896	How many of you drag your Z? Any tips on how these cars do/don't like to be launched? Going to run her tomorrow night to get some baseline numbers before the mods start... Not expecting too much, as the air is terrible where I run and it will probably be pretty warm. __________________ 1990 ZR1, 142,000 miles-Black on black 4.09's Haibeck chip, 3"exh, K&N, meth inj.

08-23-2005	#3
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	I was launching the car around 4000-4500 rpm when I took it to the strip. I'm no expert either, but I was going by advice I'd heard here (or on corvetteforum?). It worked well, don't dump the clutch, but modulate the launch using it. It wasn't hard on the car and was sort of easy to control. Easier than gas and dump, for sure. If I dump it at about 2000 rpm, it breaks loose badly. __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

08-24-2005	#5
cuisinartvette Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA. Posts: 896	My post is predicated on the assumption that you will be launching it at the track Yes-I don't know that there's much life left in it, but I may give it a go anyways. As long as I don't smoke the clutch completely and can get home I'm happy. I thought I'd try walking it out of the hole once, then leaving from a higher RPM-Should I avoid the burnout box with new tires? I'm guessing a lot of water may be thrown up in the wheelwell? Running my auto is a cakewalk, thought I could benefit from you guys' experience. Track is about 3000 ft. elevation, DA is usually pretty lousy. I'll have some timeslips tonight! __________________ 1990 ZR1, 142,000 miles-Black on black 4.09's Haibeck chip, 3"exh, K&N, meth inj.

08-24-2005	#6
Aurora40 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 2,713	Depending on how it's set up, you can probably do a quick burn-out without using the water. Just drive around it and smoke 'em a tad past the water. I'd do at least some kind of burn out to clean any crud off the tires. You'll probably pick up a lot of crap on the way back from your run when the tires are hot. __________________ Bob Saveland Former owner of #2517 [IMG]http://a.random-image.net/aurora40/vette.jpg[/img]

08-24-2005	#7
WB9MCW Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: McHenry, Il. Posts: 6,607	GO RACE CLUTCH..... cuisinartvette WHEN U GET UR NEW CLUTCH GO CERAMIC RACE FROM CAROLINA CLUTCH WITH A ALUM. FLYWHEEL!!! I DID AND I PUT UP WITH THE GEAR RATTLE(IT IS A TRUE PAIN IN THE EAR) BUT I HAVE GREAT A LAUNCH NOW AT 3500 RPM. JIMO!!! __________________ http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...9mcw/SIG-2.jpg http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o128/wb9mcw/vcm.gif "The Budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed, lest Rome will become bankrupt. People must again learn to work instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero, 55 BC " We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution." - Abraham Lincoln

08-23-2005	#2
Scoob Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 34	I can't offer much in the way of tips as the 1/4 isn't my thing so I only do it for fun. I put the shocks on "tour" and launch at about 2k.

08-25-2005	#8
cuisinartvette Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA. Posts: 896	Well, bad news. Two runs, both 13.8, one @103 and 104 mph. 2.22 and 2.25 60'. Some tirespin in first thru third...Here's the kicker: 3000 ft elevation 5500 DA 28% humidity I suspect the lousy air had everything to do with this and my need for traction.Everything there was running SLOW. Even the modded turbo Subarus couldn't break into the 13'. They usually runwell up there. Felt good to whip an LS2 by a full second and destroy a brand new GT though! Part of me blames the air/traction and the other part of me wants to dump both the vettes... __________________ 1990 ZR1, 142,000 miles-Black on black 4.09's Haibeck chip, 3"exh, K&N, meth inj.