[04MachOne]

I'm taking my mach out tonight on the track and I've never dragged a car before so this will be my first time so I need a little advice. My car has a flowmaster catback that's it, so what is the best RPM to launch the car at with stock 3.55 gears and where is the best point to shift at? I have a mustang gt that thinks he can take me with 3.73s and a few other bolt ons talking crap so I don't want my inexperience to set my cars rep back. Thanks guys

[04MachOne]

Sorry guys wrong spot.

[DickH]

What tires are you using?

[04MachOne]

Originally Posted by DickH What tires are you using?

Street.

[DickH]

What kind?

[04MachOne]

Originally Posted by DickH What kind?

I think goodyear bfg something. I'm not too sure I didn't have them put on there the guy that had the car before me did.

[Techniq]

Did you run? Just curious..... when I was launching I did so at about 4k I'm sure I could have gotten more, and yes it was on fairly new street tires @ 23 psi. Remember it's the clutch you use to control wheel spin. To add there is never really a set rpm to launch at.... it comes down to drivers opinion and ability.

[04MachOne]

Originally Posted by Techniq Did you run? Just curious..... when I was launching I did so at about 4k I'm sure I could have gotten more, and yes it was on fairly new street tires @ 23 psi. Remember it's the clutch you use to control wheel spin. To add there is never really a set rpm to launch at.... it comes down to drivers opinion and ability.

Nah didn't end up running last night. I had never been before so I just got a feel for the place. I think I'm going to head out there not this coming weekend but the one after.

[BadBlackGT]

Go find a nice road that isn't slick and work on your launches. Just feel for what RPM your comfortable with and get it.

[04MachOne]

Well when I do go should I even warm up my tires? I mean I have just regular street tires. Will I be getting tar and crap all over my car even though I'll just be making a few runs and its not even with radials or anything like that.

[BadBlackGT]

Well, try to drive around the water pit if you can so you don't get water on your front tires. Then back your back tires to the water pit, rev it to about 2500 or just enough to drop the clutch to spin a rotation in the water. Same if you can't drive around it, just drive up to where your rear tires are in it. Then pull up to a dry spot, and spin for a sec and roll out until you hear a squeak. You may pic up some tar just from the loose rubber and compound on the track, but it won't be that bad to wash off. Not near as bad as road and asphalt tar.


I would try dry hopping too before you line up. (Rev to your launching rpm just where you did a burn out, and see if you hook) Just keep adjusting until you hook up. Be sure to let some air out of your rear tires to a pretty soft amount, but not too too much because you can spin your wheel out of the tire. You'll get the hang of it eventually, just do a few practice runs before you run this guy. Maybe go earlier than he does or something.

[DickH]

no for street tires just do a 2 second burnout or something like that just to clean them off. If they make smoke, it was too long. You could probably start at ~2k, and let the clutch out fairly quick, if it doesnt really spin, try increasing rpms until you find where you are comfortable. Or you can hold it at 4 or 5k, and feather the clutch out according to traction. This way might be harder for you, and may take longer to get used to. If you have time, go ahead and order some Lower control arms, and disconnect your front sway bar, little bits of suspension can go a long way.

[BadBlackGT]

Oh yea, +1... i forgot to add disconnecting the front sway. And DickH, which would you think reaps better launches? Lower rpm and smashing it, or feathering at a higher rpm?

['97'Cobra]

probably feathering it but thats really hard on your clutch and fly. I wouldnt do it..

[BadBlackGT]

Originally Posted by '97'Cobra probably feathering it but thats really hard on your clutch and fly. I wouldnt do it..

Oh i know lol...

[DickH]

Oh high rev for sure, no need to wait for power. When I would drop it at 2-2.5k, I would jump, then just pick up from whatever power I had, it wasn't bad but I didn't know any different. Then I figured I would try launching from a higher rpm and its much better. Ill hold it at 4-4.5k, then let out the clutch half way real fast, and just feather the rest. Whenever I get to it ill get on the gas and pick up from 4k. Launching like this (along with control arms and whatnot) I was able to get a 5 car swing off the line over where I was before. I wouldn't recommend it for someone that is starting just because its a little harder and you need to pay more attention to whats going on.

[04MachOne]

Alright thanks guys! And with the disconnecting of the front sway what does this do exactly for me? Does it take away from daily driving any? I won't be going to the track often.

[DickH]

you disconnect the end links of the sway bar to help with weight transfer. Sway bar connects left tire to the right, reducing body roll, it also happens to connect to the body, limiting front suspension travel. Removing it allows the front to come up more/easier and that means you get just a little more weight transfer. If anything it looks cooler when the nose pulls up a few inches more than it would have.

[04MachOne]

Originally Posted by DickH you disconnect the end links of the sway bar to help with weight transfer. Sway bar connects left tire to the right, reducing body roll, it also happens to connect to the body, limiting front suspension travel. Removing it allows the front to come up more/easier and that means you get just a little more weight transfer. If anything it looks cooler when the nose pulls up a few inches more than it would have.

So all it does it help stop the car from rolling over? It make the ride any more rough of anything?

['97'Cobra]

for daily driving its just going to make the car lean when you are in a turn. Its ok to leave off as long as you arent yanking and banking to often.