Heading to the dragstrip
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
Heading to the dragstrip
Well, it's been a while since I've been to an acceleration run. The last time I went, I ran a car that didn't have much wheelspin (300CE)....so I tried to lighten the car as much as possible. FWIW, the last acceleration run was done at an abandoned airport using basic timing gear....not at a professional track.
This time, however, I'll be running an '02 CLK55 at an NHRA dragstrip. I read numerous posts about traction problems with the V8 and have learned quite a bit by reading the posts with respect to launching. I have stock wheels with Michelin Pilot Sports.
My questions are as follows (keeping in mind all the traction problems)
1. Should I just leave the spare/tools in the trunk?
2. How full should the gas tank be? Lighter=less traction, right?
3. Will mixing in 5-8 gallons of Unleaded 100 Octane help?
4. What are recommendations for rear tire pressure?
Thanks for all responses
This time, however, I'll be running an '02 CLK55 at an NHRA dragstrip. I read numerous posts about traction problems with the V8 and have learned quite a bit by reading the posts with respect to launching. I have stock wheels with Michelin Pilot Sports.
My questions are as follows (keeping in mind all the traction problems)
1. Should I just leave the spare/tools in the trunk?
2. How full should the gas tank be? Lighter=less traction, right?
3. Will mixing in 5-8 gallons of Unleaded 100 Octane help?
4. What are recommendations for rear tire pressure?
Thanks for all responses
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Randolph, New Jersey
2002 C32 AMG
1. Remove The Spare - Savings Of 35/40 lbs (every little bit helps)
2. 1/4 Tank Of Gas
3. 100 can't hurt, but I don't think It will truly aid in your times
4. Rear 32 ?
The trick will be in your take offs - if you have too much wheel spin, your done - remember easy off the line until you have movement, then slam it - Works for me.
Best of luck, don't forget your time slips
2. 1/4 Tank Of Gas
3. 100 can't hurt, but I don't think It will truly aid in your times
4. Rear 32 ?
The trick will be in your take offs - if you have too much wheel spin, your done - remember easy off the line until you have movement, then slam it - Works for me.
Best of luck, don't forget your time slips
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,734
Likes: 65
From: Hotlanta
AMG
Originally posted by 5439cc
1. Remove The Spare - Savings Of 35/40 lbs (every little bit helps)
2. 1/4 Tank Of Gas
3. 100 can't hurt, but I don't think It will truly aid in your times
4. Rear 32 ?
1. Remove The Spare - Savings Of 35/40 lbs (every little bit helps)
2. 1/4 Tank Of Gas
3. 100 can't hurt, but I don't think It will truly aid in your times
4. Rear 32 ?
Thanks for the quick response
I certainly understand the concept that less weight=faster times. However, the torque-monster (CLK55) has so little traction off the line, wouldn't a full/near full tank and leaving the spare in aid with traction, thus improving ET?
...not trying to be argumentative, just trying to be thorough in my research
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Randolph, New Jersey
2002 C32 AMG
That has not been my experience - I perform rabbit starts almost everyday, trying to perfect my off the line starts, sometimes I try with a full trunk, and then empty, I truly have not noticed a difference on my times via the APM. I find the wheels spin nothing more than throttle control. again this has just been my experience.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, Michigan
clk55
My best time was 13.32 @105.9mph completely stock. I have taken the beast to the strip 3 or 4 times now. I lowered my rear tire pressure to 24 or 25 psi the third time I went and my 60 ft time(traction) improved quite a bit. Launching method is simple, left foot on brake right foot on gas and only raise the rpm's a couple of hundred. Anything more is detrimental. When you launch mash it to the floor and be prepared to modulate depending on grip.
In between runs open hood to cool off. I also run the heater on high with the fan all the way up in between. Obviously you do not have the engine running but the key in position two. You can literally sit and wach the temperature gauge go down slowly. It cools off 5 times quicker this way. Cooler = more hp. Have fun
In between runs open hood to cool off. I also run the heater on high with the fan all the way up in between. Obviously you do not have the engine running but the key in position two. You can literally sit and wach the temperature gauge go down slowly. It cools off 5 times quicker this way. Cooler = more hp. Have fun
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,081
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Volvo V90 CC
Chappy, i'm glad to see you are putting to good use the ponnies in your car, here is my recomendation:
Take everything off the trunk off
1/4 tank of gas
use 93 octane, if your car doesn't have advanced timing 100-104 octane might hurt your times
25 lbs in the rear tires, 40 in the front
burn some tire at the water trap (go around and back up to it)
power brake to 800-900 RPM
don't red light!
Good luck, I ran this weekend 13.27 @ 104 with spare tire, 1/4 tank of gas and my boom box in the trunk (2 10" subwoofers on a bandpass box), I think I know what I'm doing.
My best time is 13.20 with out anything in the trunk.
Take everything off the trunk off
1/4 tank of gas
use 93 octane, if your car doesn't have advanced timing 100-104 octane might hurt your times
25 lbs in the rear tires, 40 in the front
burn some tire at the water trap (go around and back up to it)
power brake to 800-900 RPM
don't red light!
Good luck, I ran this weekend 13.27 @ 104 with spare tire, 1/4 tank of gas and my boom box in the trunk (2 10" subwoofers on a bandpass box), I think I know what I'm doing.
My best time is 13.20 with out anything in the trunk.
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
No longer car shopping...
Weight transfer
Chappy - Since these monsters have so much torque, weight transfer becomes a big issue. I've only had mine for a short while (2 months) but have noticed better performance if you can keep the backend "chatter" (wheel spin) down to nothing. Try pushing the pedal about 67% of the way down for the first 1/2 second. You will notice the car "sit" back. As the car dows this, simply push it the rest of the way down = Good acceleration, no wheelspin and respecatble times. I've seen this method promoted by a number of guys on other forums. Try both and let us know how it turns out. Thanks for asking for input and also for sharing your results with us! Go get 'em. Oh yea, Lower your tire presure to the high 20's as well unless your testing 120MPH+ runs.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 20,081
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Volvo V90 CC
Originally posted by Chappy
Opening day was rained out.....
I'll have to find another time to rescedule. I'll get some pics when I finally get to the track.
Opening day was rained out.....
I'll have to find another time to rescedule. I'll get some pics when I finally get to the track.
