[mob17]

Ever since i visited Ecotune i have wanted to go to the Santa Pod 1/4 mile strip. But things have been really busy, moved house and had our first baby 2 weeks ago.

However i am hoping to go this month, just to get an idea of how much power i can put down. Just want some guidance on tire pressures? Should i run lower than street, same or higher?

Also please see my dyno below:



When should i shift gears on the drag strip? I was thinking in starting in 2nd and just let it rev all the way and shift by itself?

Someone posted the gear ratios somewhere a while ago and you could work out the optimal time to shift, can't find it though.

Also any other tips you feel would be useful, i've never been before

Will appreciate your insight...

[NC335d]

Originally Posted by mob17

Ever since i visited Ecotune i have wanted to go to the Santa Pod 1/4 mile strip. But things have been really busy, moved house and had our first baby 2 weeks ago.

However i am hoping to go this month, just to get an idea of how much power i can put down. Just want some guidance on tire pressures? Should i run lower than street, same or higher?

Also please see my dyno below:



When should i shift gears on the drag strip? I was thinking in starting in 2nd and just let it rev all the way and shift by itself?

Someone posted the gear ratios somewhere a while ago and you could work out the optimal time to shift, can't find it though.

Also any other tips you feel would be useful, i've never been before

Will appreciate your insight...

Hey mob17, sorry to jack your thread. I couldn't help but notice that the numbers your dyno show are at the crank and not at the wheels. How much boost are you peaking out with??

[mob17]

Hey. Sorry i forgot guys in the states primarily use the wheel figure. Please see below for wheel dyno:

[IMG]http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3gzl7bvk.jpg[/IMG]

I'm not sure what boost it is running at unfortunately. Any way to find out properly?

[Novo777]

I went to a drag strip 2 days ago and launched in sport mode, with brake boost up to 1300 rpm was the best for me. I boosted one time to 1500 rpm and all it did was burn out. I have continentals DW 275 in the back and 245 in the front and traction is a bitch, the track was sticky and smooth but boosting too much would only hurt the lunch! I didn't play with gears and starting in second because I simply didn't know how to and what exactly to do, next trip I will practice, this past time I didn't want to lose to few mustangs that wanted to race with me. I wish I could afford LSD because I imagine that would help a lot. I have DP with JR stage 2 tune.

[Poosik]

hey novo, how where your times at the strip? i have same setup, no lsd, and 17" mx4 tires

[Novo777]

I went to 1/8 of a mile strip and I got 8.5 sec the best and 8.9 the worst. The biggest problem is traction! I am very sure the damn thing is capable of sub 8 sec for the 1/8th mile track but all the torque just burns the tires instead of accelerating the car! I haven't tried the second gear like I stated before, I need to play with it and see if it does better but braking and raving past 1300rpm is pointless because once you go and let go brakes and smash on gas it just lights up rear wheel

[Novo777]

Poosik not sure about mx4 but the continentals that I got are the second best to PSS. 275 PSS are out of stock till October and I got tired of waiting so got conti instead and they are definitely better than 225 I used to have but still don't trip to the point where it won't lose traction. All that torque and can't use half of it on launch!

[BB_cuda]

Go get set of slicks or drag radials mounted on some spare wheels. You may need to experiment with pressure too. Our 11.8 sec 1/4 mile celebrity says put trans in sport mode but not full manual and no brake boost.

[TDIwyse]

This thread might be helpful for you.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=986844

Drag Radials help a bunch for a good 60 ft time, but its still difficult to control in 2nd. 1st would be even worse.

The LSD didn't help me a lot on the launch, but didn't hurt.

I prefer launching in 2nd, and shifting into 3rd a little earlier than the car would choose. Also shifting a little early into 4th. The early shifting is based on data I've collected for my car (which may not apply to others cars) that followed a strategy to maximize wheel power across the rpm regions the various gears/speeds placed the vehicle into.

[mob17]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I might try and get some times in the next week, kinds hard with a 2 week baby but really want to go

[Needbmwpartzz]

Go fast!

[mob17]

So had some time finally to go to Santa Pod today. Got 7 runs in before i had to go.

I'm disappointed with my times/speed, was hoping to get at least mid 12s and 115mph trap speed. Best run was 12.9s and 112.22mph.

It was very tricky to launch clean, traction was an issue. Had the traction control button pressed once (DTC) and in DS mode launching in second, wasn't brave enough to take it completely off. The traction control cut power a few times which was very annoying. The rest of the time I couldn't go WOT until 3rd gear and was feathering the pedal. First 4 runs i let the gearbox change by itself, last 3 i changed gears manually at 4.5k. Kept tire pressues normal at 38/41psi. Not sure if i should have gotten out of 2nd earlier, felt like i was in second for ages.

I did race a subaru (sti i think) and won. I found i was even with slower cars up until 3rd gear and then just left them. Now i know what people mean when they say traction is an issue at the drag strip

However the car did have a problem, power under 3k was lost after 7 runs! Will get it checked out on Monday, hopefully it's just a vacuum pipe or something. Not sure if that affected my times today, i don't think it did as power seemed normal until then...



Would welcome some constructive criticism and tips on how to improve my trap speed. Don't really want to get different tires.

Also TDI: I remember you said you could work out 0-60 and 0-100 times from a spreadsheet using the timing slip?

[dr_dirtg]

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Our 11.8 sec 1/4 mile celebrity...

lol, i love this community

[TDIwyse]

Originally Posted by mob17

So had some time finally to go to Santa Pod today. Got 7 runs in before i had to go.

I'm disappointed with my times/speed, was hoping to get at least mid 12s and 115mph trap speed. Best run was 12.9s and 112.22mph.

It was very tricky to launch clean, traction was an issue. Had the traction control button pressed once (DTC) and in DS mode launching in second, wasn't brave enough to take it completely off. The traction control cut power a few times which was very annoying. The rest of the time I couldn't go WOT until 3rd gear and was feathering the pedal. First 4 runs i let the gearbox change by itself, last 3 i changed gears manually at 4.5k. Kept tire pressues normal at 38/41psi. Not sure if i should have gotten out of 2nd earlier, felt like i was in second for ages.

I did race a subaru (sti i think) and won. I found i was even with slower cars up until 3rd gear and then just left them. Now i know what people mean when they say traction is an issue at the drag strip

However the car did have a problem, power under 3k was lost after 7 runs! Will get it checked out on Monday, hopefully it's just a vacuum pipe or something. Not sure if that affected my times today, i don't think it did as power seemed normal until then...

...

Would welcome some constructive criticism and tips on how to improve my trap speed. Don't really want to get different tires.

Also TDI: I remember you said you could work out 0-60 and 0-100 times from a spreadsheet using the timing slip?

Thanks for posting your results. And I hope you had a good time going fast! Everytime I've gone to the track I've enjoyed the rush of the acceleration and speed :-)

Here's the post with the spreadsheet info (the website is shown in the screen shot so you should be able to go there and enter your data).

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...4&postcount=16

You shouldn't feel disappointed. Getting a set of drag slicks would really help your launch time, and the general rull-of-thumb is every ~0.1 sec improvement on the 60 ft time gives a ~0.15 to ~0.2 sec improvement in the 1/4 mile time. If you could get good traction you'd likely be in the lower 12's.

[mob17]

Hey no worries TDI its the least i could do! Thanks for the link i'll have a look at that.

I loved it. The atmosphere, the people, the hot rods, the smell of burning rubber and fuel Was a real adrenaline rush! The only downer was my car having a loss of power under 3k. Hopefully it will be a simple fix on Monday, and if so, i'm sure i will be back there soon, trying my damn hardest to get 115mph! I'm secretly hoping that power issue was why i couldn't get 115mph, but i think thats just wishful thinking

I don't know why but a target i set for myself was 12.5 and 115mph, but i guess that is unrealistic for me without better tires. Or maybe it's just driver skill? I used michellin PSS, and tread levels are prob 4mm as a guess, with 19" rims

If i wanted to get drag tires, to save money could i get 2 drag tires for the rears only? Will 17" rims fit a 335d?

[TDIwyse]

Originally Posted by mob17

... I used michellin PSS, and tread levels are prob 4mm as a guess, with 19" rims

If i wanted to get drag tires, to save money could i get 2 drag tires for the rears only? Will 17" rims fit a 335d?

I tried with the PSS's as well (they're my everyday summer tire) and they're not up to the task of an aggressive launch with the kind of torque you're putting down in 1st or 2nd.

17 inch rims will fit. I run 17's year round (both summer and winter tires) due to sub-optimum roads in my neck of the woods. My drag tires are mounted on Kosie K1 17's and on the rear only due to the rwd platform.

Good luck and keep us posted on further results.

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by TDIwyse

I tried with the PSS's as well (they're my everyday summer tire) and they're not up to the task of an aggressive launch with the kind of torque you're putting down in 1st or 2nd.

17 inch rims will fit. I run 17's year round (both summer and winter tires) due to sub-optimum roads in my neck of the woods. My drag tires are mounted on Kosie K1 17's and on the rear only due to the rwd platform.

Good luck and keep us posted on further results.

TDI what size rim and tires are you running? I have a basically stock sport setup 225/45 r 17 front and 255 40 r 17 rear. I don't want to go up to an 18 rim size but I would like wider tires without having to use spacers. I know this is not a suspension thread but getting torque to the ground is huge for us. Something about LCI cars complicates 17 inch rims and wide tires. I am thinking about a square setup with 17/9 ET 31 with 255 40 r 17th on all four corners. According to Apex this will not require spacers or fender mods. I would like to get something much fatter on the rear.

Anyone using coilovers?

[NC335d]

Originally Posted by Chief Orman

TDI what size rim and tires are you running? I have a basically stock sport setup 225/45 r 17 front and 255 40 r 17 rear. I don't want to go up to an 18 rim size but I would like wider tires without having to use spacers. I know this is not a suspension thread but getting torque to the ground is huge for us. Something about LCI cars complicates 17 inch rims and wide tires. I am thinking about a square setup with 17/9 ET 31 with 255 40 r 17th on all four corners. According to Apex this will not require spacers or fender mods. I would like to get something much fatter on the rear.

Anyone using coilovers?

I am getting a winter setup and using 17" wheels for it, Apex Arc-8 in Anthracite, the same wheels as I am running now except 17". I have gone with the 17"x9" on the front and 17"x9.5" on the rear. Going to be running Conti DWS 245/45zr17 front and 275/40zr17 on the rear. Also, going to order an extra pair of the 17"x9" to have the option of running a square or drag setup in the rear.

Going for the meaty tire look, hence the 45's on the front. Also, going w/ Bilstein B16 coilovers w/ EDC.

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by NC335d

I am getting a winter setup and using 17" wheels for it, Apex Arc-8 in Anthracite, the same wheels as I am running now except 17". I have gone with the 17"x9" on the front and 17"x9.5" on the rear. Going to be running Conti DWS 245/45zr17 front and 275/40zr17 on the rear. Also, going to order an extra pair of the 17"x9" to have the option of running a square or drag setup in the rear.

Going for the meaty tire look, hence the 45's on the front. Also, going w/ Bilstein B16 coilovers w/ EDC.

Nice setup...will the 17 9.5 on the rears fit without spacers? What is the offset? Why Contis vs S04s or some other brand? just curious...

[mob17]

I'm thinking of buying some cheapo OEM 8j 17" rims and wacking budget tires up front and hoosier drag radials on the rear. Good idea or not?

[TDIwyse]

Originally Posted by mob17

I'm thinking of buying some cheapo OEM 8j 17" rims and wacking budget tires up front and hoosier drag radials on the rear. Good idea or not?

Why not keep your current front wheel/tire combo and just get a set of rear wheels/tires?

[mob17]

Originally Posted by TDIwyse

Why not keep your current front wheel/tire combo and just get a set of rear wheels/tires?

I suppose i could, but it would just look weird with 19" CSL type alloys on the front and 17" on the back!

On the front currently i've got 245/35/19 PSS, which i think have a high rolling resistance. Would changing that to a 225 "economical" 17" tire make much reduction to rolling resistance, or is there not much point and better to save the money?