First time running..

[97_eclipse_gst]

Im going to be running my 97 gst at the track for the first time tomarrow and im really excited. I was wondering if there is anything i should know or any tips anyone can give me. Right now i have a turboback exhaust, 17" kumho drag radials, act 2600 clutch, act streetlite flywheel, underdrive pulley, walboro 255 fuel pump thats all i can think of. Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[dsm-onster]

Take off the drag radials!!!

You do not make enough power to need them. All they are going to do is slow your time, TRUST ME. Drag tires are designed to put an emense amount of HP to the ground (obviosuly), if you dont have enough power to spin those tires enough, all that momentum from your engine trying to spin those tires WILL go somewhere else (tranny, axles, etc...). If you use them dont be surprised if you break an axle when you launch it, especially with that ACT 2600. Tire spin will actually help you, it will enable your turbo to spool thus moving your ass off the line and down the track. Backpedal and dont launch to high (5000-5500 works for me) you will be impressed with what kind of numbers you can put up just by doing that. Good luck.

WTF So, heres the scenerio: someone running 500whp, who "needs" drag radials, launches and gets traction. Becasue he has 500whp w/ the slicks and consequently traction, his 500whp will not break up the driveline. Yet, if the same guy turns his boost down to 7 psi and runs 200whp and keeps his drag radials (consequently having traction), he will break his drivetrain. No!

Applied torque is what destroys drivetrain components. A stock driveline can handle more applied torque than what this guy is delivering w/ his mods.

 

[dsm-onster]

Right now i have 245/45 kumho tires on front and the drag radials on back. I have some problems with traction as it is now. I get really bad wheel hop in second, should i still stay with the 245/45's or swap the drag radials to the front?

Are you FWD? Do kumhos have more traction than drag radials?

 

[dsm-onster]

LMFAO

No, Sorry Jr. HE DOESNT MAKE ENOUGH POWER TO NEED THEM! Oh. but Im sure you know this from experience. I have seen many people do this and hurt thier times. Drag radials are NOT needed until you are making some good HP. It applies to BOTH FWD and AWD vehicles.

exapmle. 91 GMC Syclone ran 11.78 on street tires (not cheap tires, good street tires). A week later, 4 Nitto Drag radials were added DROPPING the time CONSISTANTLY to mid 12's. And thats an automic, not much room for error at the line.

My advice is put the radials in the garage until you really need them.

Obviously you've never driven a fwd or you've never paid attention when you have. OR! you've seen a retard drive a fwd who shifts with his elbows.

My dad ran 13.4 with his slightly modified (5 more psi, k&n, and 3" exhaust) automatic GN. And ran 12.6 with drag radials! Your gmc syclone had a problem. Your advice needs to be re-evaluated.

 

[dsm-onster]

5000 is a little high imo for a front wheel drive car. I would suggest around 3500, but that's just a guess on my part because i have never owned a gst now have i tried to launch one. Take a few practice runs and get a feel for your car since it is your first time and like it was stated before give your car time to cool down between passes. And lastly, but most importantly, have fun and be safe!

W/ FWD, it is not about how high your rpms are, for the most part. It is how far you depress the accelerator in first and second.

--Rev to anywhere over your bogging rpm (this will take practice on a back country road).
--slip the clutch alittle as you depress the accelerator and push the pedal down smoothly to a point just before traction loss (mostlikely half way down)
-- shift early from 1st to second and press the pedal farther down. Just before traction loss.
--smoothly increase pedal depression throughout 2nd (this is key!)
--quickly shift to 3rd and floor it instantly
--finish of 4th just like third.

Obviously, this takes alot of practice. And, for many, it takes the fun out of drag racing; but I actually like the challenge.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

why would someone put drag radials on the back of their FWD car?

 

[dsm-onster]

why would someone put drag radials on the back of their FWD car?

that's is what I'm asking!!

 

[97_eclipse_gst]

The reason the radials are on the back is because that is how the wheels came when i got the car. The reason i have changed it is i dont want to wear the treds down, and whenever i want to race if i have to i jus swap the back ones for the front ones. Plus i havnt bought new tires to through on because im trying to save all my money i can for a new turbo and dsm-link.

 

[97_eclipse_gst]

As long as the rain holds out tonight im going to be running my car at raceway park. I just have one quick question, if i were to get race gas tonight what the highest octane i should go. I have the stock t25 at 15lbs and stock internals, what would be a safe number that would give me the best power gain?

 

[97_eclipse_gst]

I finally got to run on friday, i ran a 15.4 shifting at 6500 a 15.1 shifting at 6800 and a 15.009 shifting at 7000. I will try to scan a pic of the slips to show the rest of the info. Thanks everyone for all the help.