bad day at the drag, any advice?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: State College,PA
CLK55 '05 CLK320 '02
bad day at the drag, any advice?
Hey guys I went drag racing a week ago and wasn't very happy with my results. The last time I went was in November 2008 and best time I got was a 13.53. I got Kleemann headers on my car after that and added an Eisenmann exhaust. And on this attempt I could only get a 13.45. temps this time were between 41-60 F. There was some wind blowing against the cars but I doubt that would have a big impact on any gains.
Here is a video of a bad attempt and loosing control of my car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd_OEKVe7x8
and a side picture of it going sideways:
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/7861/img296023.jpg
Here is a video of a bad attempt and loosing control of my car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd_OEKVe7x8
and a side picture of it going sideways:
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/7861/img296023.jpg
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 5
AMG
what was weather like? that's not that bad. It takes quite a bit to break into the 12s. If you roast the tires enough you should be able to get full traction off the launch with TC completely disconnected.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Lynnwood in summer, Fountain Hills during the rainy season in Wa.
2008 Maserati QP EGT, 2005 SL55AMG , 2002 CLK55AMG 2002 C230K Coupe
Yes, you looked like you had one-wheel-go.
Drag radials, LSD and a good tire warmup, you're times will be better.
Drag radials, LSD and a good tire warmup, you're times will be better.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 68
From: Texas
C63 507 AMG DA Car #19
##
Get an extra set of rims and a set of drag radials...... you should get your 60' times down to 2.0 range..... it looks like you're running 2.5 60'.....
Can you post up your time slip details?
What MPH are you running?
Cheers,
Can you post up your time slip details?
What MPH are you running?
Cheers,
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 1
From: ny
2019 s560 sedan
what was your MPH"S ??? this will tell you where u are . Also were u running traction on ??? if so time suffers but MPH's usually dont .
not tires for sure . maybe you just are new at racing the car at the track ??? I got behind the wheel of my car at Atco and ripped off 12.8's and my cousin and Bruce from TTM were ripping off 12.0's .
track takes some getting used to . Good luck!
After watching the video u need to lower tire pressure and also do a 3 gear burnout to heat the tires up nice . i run 22-24 psi at the track and the Nitto's invo street tires are great !
not tires for sure . maybe you just are new at racing the car at the track ??? I got behind the wheel of my car at Atco and ripped off 12.8's and my cousin and Bruce from TTM were ripping off 12.0's .
track takes some getting used to . Good luck!
After watching the video u need to lower tire pressure and also do a 3 gear burnout to heat the tires up nice . i run 22-24 psi at the track and the Nitto's invo street tires are great !
Last edited by DAGREEKNYC; Apr 26, 2010 at 09:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: State College,PA
CLK55 '05 CLK320 '02
my best slip time was:
60 2.172
330 5.797
1/8 8.775
MPH 82.31
1/4 13.454
MPH 107.19
I averaged 105 to 107 at the trap and my 60 times were around 2.2 to 2.4. the run in the video had a 60 of 2.614
my traction was off my best runs were when i didnt press the gas all the way. and yea I warmed up my tires a couple of times best time i got doing that was a 13.55 with a passenger and my 13.45 was without doing so, I kind of think it doesnt matter unless i have drags on.
well i was burning out on first gear. I didnt want to kill the tires they were new. i was running 32-35 psi I think lowering pressure would have helped. and yea im kind of a noobie at this I only raced 3 times so far but i go with my friends and I know a lot of what to do and what not to do from them
with my upgrades I was hoping for a 13.3 at least even with bad driving skills
fyi my friends 335 ran a 13.7 at best when we went the first time he ran a 13.5 so im still blaming the weather conditions :P
60 2.172
330 5.797
1/8 8.775
MPH 82.31
1/4 13.454
MPH 107.19
I averaged 105 to 107 at the trap and my 60 times were around 2.2 to 2.4. the run in the video had a 60 of 2.614
my traction was off my best runs were when i didnt press the gas all the way. and yea I warmed up my tires a couple of times best time i got doing that was a 13.55 with a passenger and my 13.45 was without doing so, I kind of think it doesnt matter unless i have drags on.
well i was burning out on first gear. I didnt want to kill the tires they were new. i was running 32-35 psi I think lowering pressure would have helped. and yea im kind of a noobie at this I only raced 3 times so far but i go with my friends and I know a lot of what to do and what not to do from them
with my upgrades I was hoping for a 13.3 at least even with bad driving skills
fyi my friends 335 ran a 13.7 at best when we went the first time he ran a 13.5 so im still blaming the weather conditions :P
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 1
From: ny
2019 s560 sedan
my best slip time was:
60 2.172
330 5.797
1/8 8.775
MPH 82.31
1/4 13.454
MPH 107.19
I averaged 105 to 107 at the trap and my 60 times were around 2.2 to 2.4. the run in the video had a 60 of 2.614
my traction was off my best runs were when i didnt press the gas all the way. and yea I warmed up my tires a couple of times best time i got doing that was a 13.55 with a passenger and my 13.45 was without doing so, I kind of think it doesnt matter unless i have drags on.
well i was burning out on first gear. I didnt want to kill the tires they were new. i was running 32-35 psi I think lowering pressure would have helped. and yea im kind of a noobie at this I only raced 3 times so far but i go with my friends and I know a lot of what to do and what not to do from them
with my upgrades I was hoping for a 13.3 at least even with bad driving skills
fyi my friends 335 ran a 13.7 at best when we went the first time he ran a 13.5 so im still blaming the weather conditions :P
60 2.172
330 5.797
1/8 8.775
MPH 82.31
1/4 13.454
MPH 107.19
I averaged 105 to 107 at the trap and my 60 times were around 2.2 to 2.4. the run in the video had a 60 of 2.614
my traction was off my best runs were when i didnt press the gas all the way. and yea I warmed up my tires a couple of times best time i got doing that was a 13.55 with a passenger and my 13.45 was without doing so, I kind of think it doesnt matter unless i have drags on.
well i was burning out on first gear. I didnt want to kill the tires they were new. i was running 32-35 psi I think lowering pressure would have helped. and yea im kind of a noobie at this I only raced 3 times so far but i go with my friends and I know a lot of what to do and what not to do from them
with my upgrades I was hoping for a 13.3 at least even with bad driving skills
fyi my friends 335 ran a 13.7 at best when we went the first time he ran a 13.5 so im still blaming the weather conditions :P
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,136
Likes: 5
Corrolla
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 439
Likes: 3
From: Macungie, Pa
2005 SL55 2022 GLE350
all you need is a set of drag radials and you need to practice on your 60 ft, if you knock of 2 tenths on your 60ft you will take off 4 tenths on the 1/4 , the first 60ft is everything at drag racing, don't get to anxious to floor it so soon, lay into it easy.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 1
From: ny
2019 s560 sedan
what do i know bout the 55 bizness lol 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
02 996 Turbo, 05 CLK55 AMG
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: State College,PA
CLK55 '05 CLK320 '02
Well when do I know when to floor it?
any tips?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: State College,PA
CLK55 '05 CLK320 '02
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 40
From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
Launching properly is definitely a tactile thing. We can give you advice here, but it really comes down to just getting out there and getting a feel for it. A 107 trap speed should be able to get you down in the 13.1 to 13.3 range with a decent launch. What was your trap speed prior to the headers and exhaust?
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,935
Likes: 5
AMG
I agree, with 107 trap speeds you should be able to hit 13.1-13.2 so you are giving up a few tenths b/c of traction. On the AMGs, 25psi seems to be a good tire pressure at the strip.
Did you just hit the traction control button off or did you truly completely disengage it? (two totally different things). If you didn't it could still have been kicking in thereby causing it to bog.
Ecu upgrade will help alittle bit but honestly don't expect that much (8-10 @ wheels). High flow 2nd cats help more than ECU does (10-12 @ wheels). Also, power pulley will help with acceleration (especially in lower gears). All three combined should get you very close to the 12s.
hope that helps.
Did you just hit the traction control button off or did you truly completely disengage it? (two totally different things). If you didn't it could still have been kicking in thereby causing it to bog.
Ecu upgrade will help alittle bit but honestly don't expect that much (8-10 @ wheels). High flow 2nd cats help more than ECU does (10-12 @ wheels). Also, power pulley will help with acceleration (especially in lower gears). All three combined should get you very close to the 12s.
hope that helps.
