SLK32 vs. LS1 powered Trans AM
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Frederick, MD
'72 Suburban
SLK32 vs. LS1 powered Trans AM
I've had my SLK32 for a few months and never had any street races (well, other than my friend's Z06 - he beat me on a highway roll, btw 
). That changed on Tuesday.
There is a flat stretch of road near my house that is 4 lanes, divided highway with limited side road access. I use it to do tuning on one of my other cars, since I can safely reach speeds of 130-140mph with no other cars around.
I came up to the only stoplight on this stretch of road behind a newer ('98+) black Trans Am. The only mod I could see was a Borla catback exhaust. I clicked off the ESP and manually shifted down to 1st gear in my SLK32. The light turned green and we were off. I stayed on his bumper until he shifted (manual tranny) to 3rd gear. Once in third, I moved over and started slowly pulling up beside him. I think we shutdown around 110mph and I was almost completely beside him. With a little more running room (there was traffic ahead) I would have taken him completely
Anyway, it was a nice race and even better since I had the top down and it was a beautiful day. I can't wait to get to the track with the car to see what kind of numbers I can run.
BTW, I used to own a 2001 Trans AM and it ran a 12.76@110 in the 1/4 when it was practically brand new. This was with 315 35 17 Drag Radials on the back. Based on the numbers the magazines get out of the SLK32 (13.0s@108-109), I'm hoping to run at least 12.90s on a cool day.
). That changed on Tuesday.There is a flat stretch of road near my house that is 4 lanes, divided highway with limited side road access. I use it to do tuning on one of my other cars, since I can safely reach speeds of 130-140mph with no other cars around.
I came up to the only stoplight on this stretch of road behind a newer ('98+) black Trans Am. The only mod I could see was a Borla catback exhaust. I clicked off the ESP and manually shifted down to 1st gear in my SLK32. The light turned green and we were off. I stayed on his bumper until he shifted (manual tranny) to 3rd gear. Once in third, I moved over and started slowly pulling up beside him. I think we shutdown around 110mph and I was almost completely beside him. With a little more running room (there was traffic ahead) I would have taken him completely
Anyway, it was a nice race and even better since I had the top down and it was a beautiful day. I can't wait to get to the track with the car to see what kind of numbers I can run.
BTW, I used to own a 2001 Trans AM and it ran a 12.76@110 in the 1/4 when it was practically brand new. This was with 315 35 17 Drag Radials on the back. Based on the numbers the magazines get out of the SLK32 (13.0s@108-109), I'm hoping to run at least 12.90s on a cool day.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Sitting behind thing freakin desk of mine. Dreaming I was playing my Taylors, and driving my Benz. Long Live The VRAA!!!!!!
C230 Sports Coupe
now all you need is a pulley kit and/or chip to beat him good! I had a 1999 Z28 that had a LPE Supercharger on it. I could run 11.4 and drag, and 11.8/9 on street tires. everyone in town knew me, my car and I could never get a race. I beat a Cobra R once, they guy about crapped his pants.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Area 3
G63, AMG GT S
The LS1 engines are good for take offs, but apparently, their high end performance does not match the zero to sixty time.
Based on your old Trans Am, I guess some performed well, and some did not.
Good semi-kill.
Based on your old Trans Am, I guess some performed well, and some did not.
Good semi-kill.
