After my piss poor dyno disaster, I was feeling like, what exactly did I buy? I thought I bought a SRT-6. Maybe the 06’s are detuned or something. Well I headed to the track and watched and walked around the lines waiting to run. Lots of people with no idea, really clueless. And then some that really were pros. I saw enough people embarrass themselves that I felt relaxed about my noobness. So the next wednesday, off I went to finally see if my car was a SRT or a wuss. Got to the track late. Packed. When I finally got to run I started forgetting what to do. I remembered to go around the water. Forgot to roll up the window, got reminded. Did a sweet burnout. Prestaged fine, loaded the converter to 2,000 and surged forward. Perfect. Light, light, light FLOOR IT! Why arn’t I moving? Start to drift sideways, ohh, let off get on the gas again and away we go. But that rust bucket 280z is far in the distance. Rats. Pick up the slip and it says 3.40 60 foot, 15.1 at … hey, 106! Not bad. Now I know what to do. Wait an hour because somebody crashed at the end of the track. No mess but they took him to the hospital just in case and no one could run until the ambulance returned. Now its really late and the wife is calling. I’m stuck in line honny, blocked in, gotta wait and run once more then I’ll be home. Ok, finally it’s my turn again. Remember to close the window. Do everything the same except I only load the converter to 1,600. Light, light light LIFT OFF THE BRAKE, roll on the gas. IT HOOKS! I’m flying! Get to the booth really excited and …. No slip? NO SLIP!!! Oh man. I wanted to shoot the goof. Fast forward to this past wednesday. Got to the track early. I pulled in line behind a drop dead georgous sorta gold Neon SRT-4 Stage 3. Solid motor mount, GReady something or other, intercooler as far as the eye could see, 24 to 28 lbs of boost according to the guy, who by the way was supper cool. (are all you srt-4 guys cool?) We ended up running together. Man, what pressure. Window up, go around the water, check, back up, 3 sec burn out in 1rst shift to 2nd 2 more secs. Lift off the brake and spin forward. Back to first, check, traction control still off, good, prestage, 1600 rpm, inch forward. Staged first. Wait, wait, light light light LIFT off the brake first, roll on the gas, IT STICKS! Dang I’m flying! Wheres the Neon, oh, I see him in the mirror. YES!! Pic up the slip. 13.2 at 107.74. Ran again. Exact same time and mph. Then I took off the grill, I’ve read its good for a 1/10 or 2. 3rd run was 13.1 at 108. 4th and last run …. Drum roll …. 13.07 at 109.74. I entered it on dragtimes with the slip. Corrected time is 12.85. I think my fears about buying a slow SRT are un warranted. Now I’m thinking I have a freak! I really had a blast. Too much waiting around for me, but when the action starts, nothing is better. I’m looking for a 12.xx. I know the car can do it because my 60’ was only a 2.something. I’m really easing on the gas. If I can find how to get to full throttle sooner without spinning I think its a done deal. The car can do it, but can the driver? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of .. in search of a 12.xx. Oh, the Neon ran a 13.6 at 109 or 110. If he can get it to hook … Les
AWESOME. Told you practice makes perfect. hehe We do have a timeslip database here, so please add your great times...
Still learning. I can't launch hard without spinning. I have to let the car start moving on its own when I lift off the brake and then try not to just floor it. The Michelins are great for turns, real hard, but from a stop. Real slippery. I had women and children all over the car. I was like, where are the motor heads? Then I saw the wives and kids go report to papa what they discovered. I ran the Neon, Subaru, not sure if it was a STI or WRX. I won even though he ran faster. Some pos with slicks. We both red lighted but he had a 1.6 60' but less mph than me. The last was a pretty, tin can, (old Tercel?) with giggle gas. He put on a huge show. Made me wait FOREVER! Even my windows were all fogged up from the heat. Whooped him bad. The only frustration is the only place to practice is at the track. And bless my good times, but I need lots of practice launching. Les
congrats..those were great times....more you go the better you get....Dynos are great for tuning but can hurt egos really bad...track brings bragging rights..
