Drag Strip
 

Ok, I'm taking my lil ole '8 down to the strip tonight for the first time. Unfortunately it is an 1/8 mile track. I know this isn't the preferred track, but its close and I want to give it a run. Any suggestions as far as shifting, gas, takeoff, burnout???

Turn off DSC if you have it, rev to about 4,000 and feather out the clutch, being drive by wire I'd push the gas in quickly, but don't go wide open right away, in my experience the more gradual you push the gas, the less likely it is to bog, It feels like something in the computer over-richens the fuel at flat full out throttle.

Thanks, I don't mean to sound like a fool... what is DSC?

Dynamic Stability Control

Thanks guys... You will just have to understand my background. I drove 4 Ford Rangers for the past 5 years. I am trying to get back into this stuff. What kind of racing do most of you do?

Most people who race an '8 do so on a track, and not on a drag strip. It's not really a drag car... but man, can it handle! :D

I do remember someone saying to change the air pressure in the rear to help with wheel hop. Lower it probably??

Oh well, I guess there is just one way to find out. I know for a fact I will be up against 2 'stangs, and a z28... hopefully I can connect.

i ran 25psi in ther rears with a 5k clutch drop, it spins for a bit , but i found a little spin is O.K. I was getting 2.1 60' and 9.7 in the 1/8th. I beat a evo8, 350z and new mustang GT that night.

That's what I'm talking about. I have been wondering about the 350Z. That is what I wanted to hear for tonight. I could be wrong becuase I haven't really raced this car yet, but isn't the '8 a little better in the 1/4 than the 1/8? I am racing an 1/8 tonight... but was just curious.

Try 20-25Lbs in your rear tires.

I'll do it. I'll post some results up Monday for everyone.

because of the low torque, 1/8 mile is hard to get the engine staying in the sweet spot, I've done the 1/8 mile in my old Camaro, and went there when the designated track was closed just to goof off, but I mainly like to drift and mountain roads.

Thats pretty much what I had expected. I figured it would do a little better in the 1/4, but I'll just have to check the 1/8 out. Anyone know where a good track is in Texas?

Am I the only one that DOESN'T have DSC? The tech guys at Trussville Mazda thought I was either weird or that it was crazy I didn't have DSC. From what I can tell, and I figured this long ago, DSC sucks if you plan on doing any sort of racing or tuning. I just wanted to control the car myself, even if it meant sliding off the road, rather than have a computer stripping control.

yea it all depends on the driver between you and the 350z in the 1/8th, cut a good light and a good 60' you should take him

You cannot be serious. My friend pulls 9.0-9.1 1\8th's at 80MPH in his stock 350Z all day long and 13.9-14.1@100-101 in the 1\4.

I was looking at one of my friend's slips and he managed a 9.25 1/8 even with a miserable 2.35 60'

9.7 is about a 15.2-15.3 in the 1\4.

As I know since I own one, the lack of torque is a big disadvantage for 1/8 racing unless you want to make a habbit of launching at 7000-8000 and feathering the clutch.

I love my 8 but in everyday driving I really miss the low end power I used to have with my last car (Pontiac GTP)

Unless you're an excellent driver and the 350Z driver is very poor it ain't happenin, same goes for the EVO, especially in the 1/8th. That EVO should have destroyed you. Also, keep in mind many many guys that are up there don't care about their RT, they are just there to test and tune or make sure they get a good launch and the best time possible.

As far as the RX-8 being good or bad at the 1/8th compared to the 1/4, it's really about the same and it's not particularly good at either. In stock form it just isn't much of a drag racer (not many cars are really), but if you have fun going to the strip then by all means do so!

OK, I said I would post results... well, there are none. Due to construction I didn't arrive until about 1:00 and they were over at 2:30 so I just watched. After watching everyone else I should be ready this week. I saw some Mustang GT's pull about 9.8-10.2 in the 1/8, a Camaro SS pulled a 9.29, and a Dodge Neon that pulled an 8.8.?? There was also an RX-7 that pulled a 10.02. According to the Threads people generally pull a 9.4 to 9.8 in the RX-8 so I think I should do fair.

i hate to break it to ya but all tracks are different, the fastest 350z i have seen at our track is 9.5 and he had intake and exhaust, i beat the same 350z twice that day, if it were a 1/4 he would have caught me as he was pulling pretty hard in 3rd

yea the evo should have raped me but he did'nt want to launch for fear of his clutch going out ( a common problem with the stock evo8 clutch on the strip) but the 350z i beat twice it was'nt by much but a win is a win

What kind of mods do you have?

just a custom cat back we made and a drop in filter, nothing major

Well, it's Friday... I guess it's race night. Also I haven't seen any numbers on the M-Flash update, so I will try to post some for you guys. I am going to run my car tonight and get the M-Flash tomarrow at 11. I may run again tomarrow night (weather permitting). I don't know what flash I have now, but I know the 20x brake test didn't work so I have something prior to L. Any advice except "drive fast"?

Be careful, don't fry your tranny and clutch. And HAVE FUN!