Mustang Forums - View Single Post - Getting the most from your trip to the track

Blue02GT · 06-18-2005, 06:44 AM

Alot of people think you shift where your hp and tq cross, actually you want to shift about 500 ( about 10%) above that. So if you peak at 5200 try shifting at 5700 - 5800. I shift at 6,000 on mine. The reason you shift higher is to keep your motor rpm's up in it's power band. When you shift your motor will drop rpms as it begins to build power in the next gear. If you drop too far down you drop below your power and will bog. I have found that the 2-3 shift is critical to my et and trap speed. If I shift short it kills the run, you can feel the bog. A shift light is a great idea, anything that helps you concentrate on your driving is a plus. Keep good notes on your launching, it's the hardest part of drag racing. I have had a love hate relationship with my Nitto's. When they hook I love them when they don't I hate them. Lately I have been running mine at 18-19 lbs with a very long burnout. Mine are 15" 275 50's so I have a bigger side wall and can take advantage of more sidewall flex. You can do a simple test on your's away from the track. Find an asphalt parking lot where you can make a little noise and smoke without getting a ticket. Take a friend a tape measure, tire gauge and some water. Heat up the tires and launch, you will leave a nice rubber mark to measure. Get out and measure the width and amount of contact, you are looking to see at what air pressure you are getting the best tire contact. Try as many tire pressures as you can and be sure to check the pressure between tests because it will go up from the heat generated doing burnouts. You should be able to get your sixty foot time down into the 1.8's with a little practice.

06-18-2005, 06:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Blue02GT Ex Mini Smack King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St. Louis Posts: 868	Alot of people think you shift where your hp and tq cross, actually you want to shift about 500 ( about 10%) above that. So if you peak at 5200 try shifting at 5700 - 5800. I shift at 6,000 on mine. The reason you shift higher is to keep your motor rpm's up in it's power band. When you shift your motor will drop rpms as it begins to build power in the next gear. If you drop too far down you drop below your power and will bog. I have found that the 2-3 shift is critical to my et and trap speed. If I shift short it kills the run, you can feel the bog. A shift light is a great idea, anything that helps you concentrate on your driving is a plus. Keep good notes on your launching, it's the hardest part of drag racing. I have had a love hate relationship with my Nitto's. When they hook I love them when they don't I hate them. Lately I have been running mine at 18-19 lbs with a very long burnout. Mine are 15" 275 50's so I have a bigger side wall and can take advantage of more sidewall flex. You can do a simple test on your's away from the track. Find an asphalt parking lot where you can make a little noise and smoke without getting a ticket. Take a friend a tape measure, tire gauge and some water. Heat up the tires and launch, you will leave a nice rubber mark to measure. Get out and measure the width and amount of contact, you are looking to see at what air pressure you are getting the best tire contact. Try as many tire pressures as you can and be sure to check the pressure between tests because it will go up from the heat generated doing burnouts. You should be able to get your sixty foot time down into the 1.8's with a little practice. __________________ True Blue 2002 GT Premium 4r70W 1/8 8.205@ 84.780 1/4 12.874@ 107.20 Bolt on's n/a NMRA #7703 Dyno'd at Modular Depot 251 hp. 291 Tq. 4.30's, 3500 Stall converter, Steeda upper & Lowers, Tokico drag struts, M & M frame connectors, P & A valve body, C&L plenum, Accufab 75mm TB, Jet Hot Long tubes, Hooker O/R X, Steeda catback,SCT tune,Steeda pullies.