Problems getting traction at the track

04 STANG · 05-28-2005, 11:29 AM

So I have been to the track the last two days and have done 10 runs combined. But my best time is a 14.434 @98.71. My R/T was 0.184 and my 60' was 2.453. The problem is a cant get started correctly. I either spin or else bog out. Any idea what I should do next time? Could that be what I should be running with my mods? I hope not!!

USMCstang · 05-28-2005, 03:40 PM

Some suggestions:

1. Air down your tires to around 18Psi...then tweak them up or down to see if you get better traction
2. Either remove your front sway bar, or at least disconnect it for the track
3. Practice your launches some more
4. Practice your launches some more
5. Did I say this? Practice your launches some more. You just need to find the "sweet spot" to launch at.
6. Get rid of the jack and spare tire for track duty
7. Practice your launches some more.

Are you granny shifting or power shifting? A bone stock 99-up GT will run low 14's straight out of the box with no weight reduction. All of the stuff I listed above has the benefit of being free to do. Don't worry about your R/T too much...it has no bearing on your E/T or 60' time. You could have sat there for five minutes after the light turned green and ran the same time. Oh yeah...practice your launches some more.

spike_africa · 05-29-2005, 10:58 AM

YOur 60' sucks ass. you need to learn to launch the car. i recomend 3-3,500rpms and sliping the clutch out of the hole and shift at 5,500rpms.

And dont use 18psi its way to low for stock tires and will just cup them. something around 28would be as low as i would go.

WaterDR · 05-29-2005, 12:01 PM

You just need practice. You trap is on par with your mods, so you seem to be making the correct amount of hp. You problem is plain and simple: bad launch.

In fact, I would say don't remove any weight from the trunk. Loosing weight in the back will only make launching harder for you. Once you get your 60 foot times down, then take out some weight to help at the top end.

Are you just spinning? Or, are you getting wheel hop? Wheel hop is a different issue all together and with a 2004 GT might indicate something broken with you rear suspension. If you are just getting tire spin, then you just need to learn to hook.

Are you driving through the water box? If so, don't.

If I were you, I would rev the engine to about 3,000 rpms, then slip the clutch out while adding gas at the same time. If you start to spin, then push in on the clutch a tad. Don't lift up the clutch completely while in first and definately, do not "pop" the clutch out. You need to feather it.

Find a parking lot somewhere whe you can practise. in fact, Don't try to launch fast, just try to launch well.

If you can drop that 60' to 2.0x, you will be trapping at about 13.8 @ 100 miles per hour or so.

Godo luck.

Blue02GT · 05-29-2005, 03:45 PM

I ran my best 60' times on street tires at 18 psi. Experiment and see what works best for you.

spike_africa · 05-29-2005, 09:59 PM

wow that is a disgustingly low psi for street tires.

Blue02GT · 05-30-2005, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike_africa

wow that is a disgustingly low psi for street tires.

Spike I did alot of experimenting with the tire pressure trying to get traction. 18 - 20 psi worked the best for me. Any lower than 18 and they started to cup as you suggested. Any higher than 20 and they would spin too easily. Alot of it depends on your cars suspension set up, you just have to play around with it and find out what works best for you.

spike_africa · 05-30-2005, 07:45 AM

i know that, but wow 18psi seems way to damn low, mine hated anything under 25psi.

USMCstang · 05-30-2005, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue02GT

I ran my best 60' times on street tires at 18 psi. Experiment and see what works best for you.

Same with me. May be the goodyear's construction. I'm sure different brands like different PSI's.

04 STANG · 05-30-2005, 08:59 AM

I also just found out that my x-pipe came loose at the headers earlier in the week. I had heard it earlier in the week and thought nothing of it. Last night it came off good and I was driving a nascar. It was loud as sh*t.

Joe Friday · 05-30-2005, 11:45 AM

05-28-2005, 11:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
04 STANG GT Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Malvern, PA Posts: 123	Problems getting traction at the track So I have been to the track the last two days and have done 10 runs combined. But my best time is a 14.434 @98.71. My R/T was 0.184 and my 60' was 2.453. The problem is a cant get started correctly. I either spin or else bog out. Any idea what I should do next time? Could that be what I should be running with my mods? I hope not!! __________________ 2004 Mustang GT

05-28-2005, 03:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
USMCstang Secretary of Defense Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Akron, OH...5 Mins from Summit Racing Posts: 355	Some suggestions: 1. Air down your tires to around 18Psi...then tweak them up or down to see if you get better traction 2. Either remove your front sway bar, or at least disconnect it for the track 3. Practice your launches some more 4. Practice your launches some more 5. Did I say this? Practice your launches some more. You just need to find the "sweet spot" to launch at. 6. Get rid of the jack and spare tire for track duty 7. Practice your launches some more. Are you granny shifting or power shifting? A bone stock 99-up GT will run low 14's straight out of the box with no weight reduction. All of the stuff I listed above has the benefit of being free to do. Don't worry about your R/T too much...it has no bearing on your E/T or 60' time. You could have sat there for five minutes after the light turned green and ran the same time. Oh yeah...practice your launches some more. __________________ ~Mike 98 GT 4R70W Buckeye Stangs - Ohio Based Mustang Enthusiasts

05-29-2005, 10:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
spike_africa Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando,Florida Posts: 6,868	YOur 60' sucks ass. you need to learn to launch the car. i recomend 3-3,500rpms and sliping the clutch out of the hole and shift at 5,500rpms. And dont use 18psi its way to low for stock tires and will just cup them. something around 28would be as low as i would go. __________________ Dustin 2002 GT Mustang 5-Speed Drag Radials,Sprayed,Powershifted WOOO HOOOO!

05-29-2005, 12:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
WaterDR Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,343	You just need practice. You trap is on par with your mods, so you seem to be making the correct amount of hp. You problem is plain and simple: bad launch. In fact, I would say don't remove any weight from the trunk. Loosing weight in the back will only make launching harder for you. Once you get your 60 foot times down, then take out some weight to help at the top end. Are you just spinning? Or, are you getting wheel hop? Wheel hop is a different issue all together and with a 2004 GT might indicate something broken with you rear suspension. If you are just getting tire spin, then you just need to learn to hook. Are you driving through the water box? If so, don't. If I were you, I would rev the engine to about 3,000 rpms, then slip the clutch out while adding gas at the same time. If you start to spin, then push in on the clutch a tad. Don't lift up the clutch completely while in first and definately, do not "pop" the clutch out. You need to feather it. Find a parking lot somewhere whe you can practise. in fact, Don't try to launch fast, just try to launch well. If you can drop that 60' to 2.0x, you will be trapping at about 13.8 @ 100 miles per hour or so. Godo luck. __________________ Black 2000 GT Vert: Novi-2000 with Intercooler (375rwhp @ 9 psi); Tune by Kauffmans; Roush 380R Body kit; Steeda Subframes; Steeda Strut Tower Support; Deep Dish Bullets; FRPP 4:10's; SCT 4 Position Chip with four custom tunes; Steeda CAI; C&L Pleum; BBK 75 TB; SLP Loudmouth; SLP Catted X-Pipe; Bullitt Suspension; UPR Conrol Arms; Focus Fuel Pump My Car My Email

05-29-2005, 03:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Blue02GT Ex Mini Smack King Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: St. Louis Posts: 868	I ran my best 60' times on street tires at 18 psi. Experiment and see what works best for you. __________________ 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.

05-29-2005, 09:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
spike_africa Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando,Florida Posts: 6,868	wow that is a disgustingly low psi for street tires. __________________ Dustin 2002 GT Mustang 5-Speed Drag Radials,Sprayed,Powershifted WOOO HOOOO!

05-30-2005, 07:45 AM	#8 (permalink)
spike_africa Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando,Florida Posts: 6,868	i know that, but wow 18psi seems way to damn low, mine hated anything under 25psi. __________________ Dustin 2002 GT Mustang 5-Speed Drag Radials,Sprayed,Powershifted WOOO HOOOO!

05-30-2005, 08:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
04 STANG GT Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Malvern, PA Posts: 123	I also just found out that my x-pipe came loose at the headers earlier in the week. I had heard it earlier in the week and thought nothing of it. Last night it came off good and I was driving a nascar. It was loud as sht. __________________ 2004 Mustang GT*

05-30-2005, 11:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
Joe Friday I Carry A Badge Join Date: May 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 128	__________________ -Adrian -2000 "Black" GT / 8.8 @ 79 / 1.9 60ft

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