Low Trap Speed? Coils?
 

Hey guys, Well last night was the first day of our New Remodeled Track in Airway Heights, Washington. Weather was about 50*F . I Got 2 good runs (not counting my horrible launch and gf in car) .
My Trap speed seems really low, wondering if it could be my coils? I have a 100% stock 05 6mt 30,500 miles, 75% Tread on Stock RE40's, Spark Plugs are good, Fresh oil change and 32psi in Tires. (Still on Factory Coils), Feathered from 6krpm, Shifted right before fuel cut (around 9400). 1 hour 30min between runs. Well here are the times for my 2 runs.

..........1st ............................... 2nd
60ft....2.396..............................2.333
330....6.575..............................6.517
1/8....10.014.............................9.959
mph....71.51 .............................71.48
1000..12.972............................12.919
1/4.....15.461............................15.414
mph....91.27..............................90.84

Is it Just me or do the traps seem low? I passed the finish in 3rd.
Thanks in advance, Max

what elevation?...and your launch could be worked on for a good 14.5 time you need a 2.0-2.1 60ft....but your trap is definitely low should be at least 95

They're a little low... but not too bad. If you're stock, then 93-94mph would be at the upper end. From what you're describing, the conditions were good, so that should have been possible. Take a look at how many mph difference there is from 1/8 to the 1/4 (called "the big end" in drag racing lingo). You made nearly 20 mph there. That's good for an RX8. I've been looking at a few other time slips posted on the forum, and most are making 18 or 19mph on the big end. That's a good indicator your car is okay and making good power.

Your 60ft's weren't terrible, but you're losing most of your mph and ET on the first 1/8th. What RPM are shifting at for your 1-2 and 2-3 shifts?

So, wait... was your girlfriend in the car for both of these runs? I could see that making a 2 mph difference.

Shit, AT LEAST 95mph? That's expecting a lot for a stock RX8.

No Those runs were just me, The elevation is 1905 ft above sea level. And I was shifting right before fuel cut. so at 9400rpm's on both from first to second and from second to third.

from a healthy running 8 its easy to hit 95 in 50 degree weather....at or around sea level

Well, with those times, you should've hit around 93-94 mph. But at 30k miles, you should really change them ASAP!

that time looks right for a 2.3 second 60', get it to 2.1 or less and you'll see 14s.

what do you mean staying in 3rd too long? i try to stay in each gear until 9.2-9.3k rpm.

cool, let me know. im all about trying to increase my ETs. even if its something minor like shifting 400 rpms sooner.

I believe peak power is at 8k for a stock motor.

it's 8.5k my friend :)
5.5k for Torque.

So I should try to shift from third to fourth at maybe 8500 rpm's instead of trying to take it to 9400?

I always thought that for the fastest time I need to rev up all the day to fuel cut, but now that i think about it, it does seem that it takes a little long to go from about 8xxx to 9400 rpm's, Like with the MS3 the power cuts off from 5500rpms on, its like my engine doesnt pull as hard at top rpm's . I know it makes peak hp at 8500, but Ive never been in another rx8, so I dont really know how it pulls above that, does it still pull strong or does it kinda die out? Also, Can the stock intake heatsoak? Is there a way for me to check if my coils need changing, I Googled it but all I found is someway using a timing checking device.

Just did a couple runs down a friends private road, not enough road to redline third but I did try shifting from first to second at 8800 rpm's instead of 9400 and it still chirped. not sure of the difference from second to third, it all happends so fast to try to tell a difference.

every car is different. with the ms3 you do get better times shifting at 6k rather than the 6.5k redline, but that's with the stock tuning, something with the turbo lightening up after 6k for engine longevity reasons. while its true we aren't making peak horsepower after 8.5k, but its no where near a great of a loss to shift once we hit it. so the general shifting right at fuel cut or right before is perfect for our cars. and you should touch 4th gear for the 1/4. you can ride it out at like 92 or something, but if you're doing everything right up to the trap speed, you should need to be in 4th.

Not trying to muddy the waters but I found in my limited drag racing experience that shifting into 4th gear usually resulted in a loss of a few tenths of a second due to the idle time that it takes me to move from 3rd to 4th gear.

Normally I'll ride 3rd gear and I would hit fuel cut as I'm crossing the finish. I've not been back to the strip since my AP tuning which I've extended my rev limiter so it's hard to say if I would see any improvements.

Anyway, it probably comes down to the driver. I guess next time I'm at the strip I'll have to try it both ways.

Yea I will try Launching more aggressively, letting the tires spin a bit more (right now they barely spin at launch) and ill try shifting into fourth seeing if that will be better. IIf everything goes well ill get 4 or more runs in so well see

I got vids of the 2 runs up on youtube! so check them out if you want, Both were 15.4 with 2.3xx 60ft

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i hit my fuel cut 50 feet before the finish line. engine bogs, car slows. no good. are you running stock size tires?

yes stock tires 32 psi.. Well i was wondering, i pulled my plugs and all 4 of them are round, not like ive seen were 2 are all the way round and the other 2 have slits cut into them. could that make a drop in performance?

yes, but apparently not much.

honestly, your car is not your problem. your driving is. a 2.3 60' time will be 15s all day long in a stock rx8.

and i was talking to flashwing about his tires. since he seems to be able to cross the finish line while still in 3rd. his gearing has to be different than mine, and the logical area for this to be would a different size of tires than me. i have 245/40/18, which are slightly smaller than the stock 225/45s. so i'll run out of rpms sooner than he will.

Well tomorrow Is our second Friday night street drags. So well see what happens! Wish me luck! Ill be sure to post more vids :)

Congratulations you beat a 350z in the quarter mile :)

Thanx! :) beat him 2 the finish but not et :(