This past Sunday Dragway 42 opened up and I took the L out for a few runs. Some people came over and told there was a red L there too. I went to check out the other truck, and talked to the owner. He had made one pass, a 14.1x (I think). He asked what mine ran, and I told him high 13's. I asked him how he was launching the truck. I sugested he try idling at the line, then hitting the gas. his next run was a 13.9x, followed by a 13.71@100.27 (which is faster than my all-time best). Later we got to run each other, I got him on the tree, and went about a tenth quicker(13.82-13.9x). It was a great day (except for my buddy's GN, he was going for "10's or bust",well best was 11.01@123 before blowing the motor again), I was happy mine didn't slow down with the extra weight of the roll top(not to mention it was much warmer than when I ran it before), and Bill got a great ET to brag about. Side note: Bill's truck was one that I test drove and almost bought! I'll post a few pics from the track when I find my ftp program.

 

98,

When launching, do you nail the gas or roll it on? Are you using non-stock tires or traction devices?

Thanks,

Strohm

 

Depends on the track, haven't been able to mash it hard yet. I put it to full throttle, but with some moderation on how fast I put it down. Even when it spins some the truck gets 2.0x 60's, only had two 2.1x's ever. Oh, both trucks are completely stock, down to the original air filter. In the past I tried power brakeing it, but even with the same 60' time the truck slowed down and ran the worst pass ever(still a 14.0 though). I think power braking heatsoaks the intercooler, reducing power down the track. Give it a try, you may like it!

------------------
99 Lightning black #2022, cd,tow package,bed rug,roll-n-lock, stock
(13.73 @ 99.74)
98 Cobra coupe laser red
best stock et 13.43 @ 103
one run w/ 3.55 gears 13.34 @ 102 no other mods
former Chevy fan still have a few
72 SS454 11.6 @ 116 (slicks open headers)
68 Camaro 12.2 @ 116 (street tires closed exhast)

 

Ok guys listen up. I am about to give you my 40 years of experience of drag racing. Most of the vehicles I owned were capable of really smoking the tires and there is a trick to coming off the line. Last weekend six of us went to the drags and three of us were stock and I had the best time by .2(of the stock trucks). Ok ready..When you spin the tires you have a slower time. Object--Spin the tires as little as possible. Stage, brake, (make sure Overdrive is disengaged) (don't ask me why, I don't know but mine runs faster) foot on gas petal, RPM AT NORMAL IDLE. Last Yellow, release brake and push gas pedel about 1/3 to 1/2 (experiment). When tires grab push gas pedal down as fast as you can WITHOUT braking your tires loose again. This may sound hard to do but it can be achieved with practice. I can feel it as I accelerate. Practice some where where it's safe. You only need to go up to about 50 and then slow down, stop and try it again. This well achive your best times with a stock setup.

Now if you want better traction another way change the springs to lower truck about 4" and replace stiff gas shocks with racing shocks that will let the body drop and grab, but thats someone elses story.
CIGAR formerly noelvm


[This message has been edited by noelvm (edited 03-29-2000).]