500HP quarter mile times

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by Bob Eyres

Running the quarter mile with stock gears and street tires is fun, but it isn't the optimum setup for the track. I would not sink $10K or more in engine work, then only use 3 gears at the track. It just won't give the best results.

On Paul's gear chart, look at the 4.10 gear. In fourth at 7K (which is where you want to be in the traps), you're at 130mph. You need way more than 500 crank hp to do that. That tells me, ideally 4.10 gears are STILL a little too tall to be the optimum for the Qtr. Maybe a little more tire, say 255X50X16" and a 4.56 gear might just be the ticket.
Of course nobody, even Pete, has done that. But once you start bolting slicks and skinnies on the car, why not?

Pete's been able to do 129 either w 3.45s or 4.10s.

[Bob Eyres]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

Pete's been able to do 129 either w 3.45s or 4.10s.

This illustrates what I was saying. Trap speed is a good indicator of power, but that's all. It does not determine who wins the race.

The key question is, which gear gets the best e.t.?

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Bob Eyres

This illustrates what I was saying. Trap speed is a good indicator of power, but that's all. It does not determine who wins the race.

The key question is, which gear gets the best e.t.?

I thought about the gearing, and come to the same general conclusion: something higher that a 4:10 (4:30+) might showcase a 500 hp LT5 a little better - at least in the 1/4 mile. However, at some point a car becomes so adept at 1/4 mile drag racing, that any other use suffers.

For instance: 1/2 mile runs! Frankly, I like the 1/2 mile run as much or more - from a speed perspective - and for that we're talking about yet another rear gear ratio to optimize the car for that too.


So, back to the OP: it appears to me that 117-122mph with 3.45 gear is at the top of the "bell curve" for mortal/occasional drag racers in the quarter; ET, not withstanding.