Rotary_Guy

I hear about everyone running their 8's down the quarter mile in the 14 second range and it makes me a lil frustrated. Try and try as i might, i cannot get down that low. My fastest 1/4 has been a 15.6, but that was a fluke, normally it's right at 16 flat. This is before and after engine transplant which i'm currently about 2500 miles into. I don't understand it. 2006 6 spd gt. Original motor with k&n v2 and turboxs test pipe also ran comparative times. I'm certainly no pro when it comes to launches, but beyond that I nail every shift, and finish at the top of third around 89-90 mph. Weight with me in the car is 3175 (give or take, as the scale tends to be a bit finicky).

05rex8

iTrader: (7)

It's all in the launch
keep practicing!

Rotary_Guy

yea, that's what i hear, but even when the launch seems "perfect" my time's are nothing to jump about... I've tried several different techniques from feathering, differing launch rpm between 4-6k, allowing wheel-spin, even *eek* double clutching and power shifting, etc... btw, that 15.6 came from a spin that lasted all the way to ~8k... Idk, maybe if i had someone who actually knew how to track our cars physically show me, or possibly drive my car, i'd get much farther. Eh, another track day coming up with supposedly cool temps. I suppose i'll get a lil more practice in then.

expo1

You are turning off the DSC right?

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/best-way-launch-sotck-rx8-drag-strip-170040/

Rotary_Guy

yup... holdin it for 7 secs or however long for the tcs indicator to show so it turn's off everything...

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

double clutching and launching at 4000rpm, so i assume you have a manual.

whats really evident that something is wrong is that 89-90mph trap speed. put it on a dyno. i bet you have 170whp. i was trapping around there when i was having problems with my coils/spark plugs. replaced them. my trap speed went up 3mph.

whats your 60 foot looking like? if its not below 2.2 seconds you're going to have problems.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Rotary Guy,

Don't feel bad, I have been drag racing for years and years and the first time I went to SAR back in 06' with my 8 I went with two other 8's. One had every Mazdaspeed option available (yes even the wheels) and the other was a stock VR six speed like mine. Both guys had been there in their 8's a few times. I ticked off a 15.6, then a 15.2, then a 15.0. Then I found out about the DSC, . Then after a couple of runs I was down to a 14.5 flat. I was happy with that and never returned (this is not a drag car, been there, done that).

I am certain now that with the little mods and seat time I have in the 8 I have now I could click off a 14.3.

The guy with the Mazdaspeed was livid because no matter what he did he could not break a 15.0 even with all his mods (flywheel, intake, exhaust, etc.). It just takes a certain skill that some don't have. You need to practice and practice. It is also not a bad idea to get your car dynoed so you can have a baseline. If you are on a weak motor you are just killing it faster.

edit: Also tires are of big importance and launching at 4k is too low.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Nobody quick double clutches

sooner or later the transmission will break drag racing it

be advised that this forum has a few blowhards who who like to brag about how much power they think they have or how quick they could be without anything to back it up but wishful thinking plugged into their inaccurate butt dyno

Rotary_Guy

60ft is between 2.2 to 2.5. interestingly, my best et of 15.6 was with a 60ft of 2.48... o and lookin at the slips, my speed is typically about 87mph.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

rofl. 2.48s 60 foot?

thats your problem.

when you get down below a 2.1s 60' foot and you're still running 15-16, then you can complain.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

My AT is faster than your MT. Sounds like your launch is the issue for sure.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

What launch technique are people using to get down to a 2.2-2.1 on street tires?

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah I don't get the double clutching thing either and check the official time slips thread to see actual time slips so you can compare numbers. You can search for my time slips but that was years ago so I have no clue where I posted them or if they are still hosted. Even though I had to other members with me I still had to post them because no one believed it,


But as it has been said, I would not drag race this car on a consistent basis unless you want to break things.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

i launch at ~4500rpm and ride the clutch out of first. i run 2.0 consistently.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Interesting. If I could have put down 2.0s consistently at the Packwood ProSolo I probably would have won.

When you say "ride" the clutch, you mean that you are modulating power to the wheels by slipping the clutch, all the way up until the wheels finally hook up? If so, you are probably looking for that "just right" amount of wheel spin, correct?

What mods & wheel/tire package are you using, if you don't mind me asking?

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

You can't compare the drag strip 60 ft time to a Pro Solo time, they never match up

not to mention the elevation at Packwood, altitude sucks the life out of a rotary engine

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Interesting. Anybody know what WRXs wil normally get for 60 ft times at a drag strip?

ps sorry for the drift.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

I've seen 2.0L WRXs cut anywhere from 1.8-1.9 60fts at the drag strip. A really good launch could get one down into the 1.7's...

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

awwwwddddddddddd

and as team said, an autocross launch and a drag race launch are totally different. in autocross, you dont have a straight road ahead of you, so you have to think about that. also, on a drag strip they lay down a chemical called VHT, which is extremely sticky and helps with launches.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

In Pro Solo you do, but the issue has more to do with accuracy of the 60 ft mark and drag strips usually "goop" the start area, also the methods used for the lights

@!!narotordo

Drop it at 6k rpms kick the cluth around 4k. Step on the clutch as fast as you can and shift right after! and shift in just under the red

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

deeeep staaaaaggee1!!!

i deep stage like a mother. i admit it. i'll start inching the car forward when i see the first yellow light.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

You will RL at a Pro Solo doing that because it's not the same setup, but the only difference at the strip for deep vs shallow staging is when you leave. It's all in your reaction timing.