1st time drag race!! 1/4 mile time thoughts?
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
1st time drag race!! 1/4 mile time thoughts?
Took my car to the drag strip this morning. This was my first time ever to the strip and it was quite difficult to get it to hook up!! 
I am on 265/35ZR18 PSS's and best 60' time was 2.15 with 12.47 ET and 116.89 MPH. What do you guys think. BTW dyno has me at 496HP and 566TQ with headers, pulley tune. I had full air pressure in them for this run and let out air all the way down to 22psi but that didn't seem to help much. I had traction control off, car raised, comfort ride selection and revved up to 1100 rpm then took foot off the brake. Very hard to roll into the throttle at just the right amount, especially with the adrenaline pumping!!! My first run I spun them horribly and ran a 13.3 so at least I was able to improve!!
This run the tires spun a bit at around 10mph or so but not much right off the line. Was a lot of fun though not sure maybe next time with some Hoosiers and cooler air??!!
I am on 265/35ZR18 PSS's and best 60' time was 2.15 with 12.47 ET and 116.89 MPH. What do you guys think. BTW dyno has me at 496HP and 566TQ with headers, pulley tune. I had full air pressure in them for this run and let out air all the way down to 22psi but that didn't seem to help much. I had traction control off, car raised, comfort ride selection and revved up to 1100 rpm then took foot off the brake. Very hard to roll into the throttle at just the right amount, especially with the adrenaline pumping!!! My first run I spun them horribly and ran a 13.3 so at least I was able to improve!! This run the tires spun a bit at around 10mph or so but not much right off the line. Was a lot of fun though not sure maybe next time with some Hoosiers and cooler air??!!
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05 White Pano E55, Cadillac CTS-V
Tons of room for improvement, it is really tough on street tires to get a good launch. You just have to fight the urge to plant the throttle and feather it instead and then you are also heavily at the mercy of track prep. How was the weather?
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03SL55
Find a desolate area and practice rolling on the throttle on the street. You'll get the hang of it. I got my 60ft down to 1.80 on stock rims/ street tires and similar power with a best 60 on nitto DR of 1.69. Get yourself some DR, well worth the $$.
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05 White Pano E55, Cadillac CTS-V
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E55
Addicting isn't it!
You've done well for your first time. I would suggest not airing down your street tires. Normal air pressure or even a couple of lbs over usually works best. Make sure you drive around the water if possible. A three second burn to clean the tires off is all you need on streets.
You've done well for your first time. I would suggest not airing down your street tires. Normal air pressure or even a couple of lbs over usually works best. Make sure you drive around the water if possible. A three second burn to clean the tires off is all you need on streets.
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
Addicting isn't it!
You've done well for your first time. I would suggest not airing down your street tires. Normal air pressure or even a couple of lbs over usually works best. Make sure you drive around the water if possible. A three second burn to clean the tires off is all you need on streets.
You've done well for your first time. I would suggest not airing down your street tires. Normal air pressure or even a couple of lbs over usually works best. Make sure you drive around the water if possible. A three second burn to clean the tires off is all you need on streets.
. Not sure about how well it was prepped the couple other guys I was talking to were having troubles but they were street cars and not sure how much experience they had either. But did manage to beat an M3 who said he was supercharged but only ran a 13.50 with a 2.10 on DR's??? Non-SS new camaro on streets was running high 14's so I was happy overall!! BTW Dragtimes calculates 73.9* and Density Altitude: 1474 feetRelative Density: 95.76 % Good or Bad???
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Thread Starter
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
Thanks for the info guys, I started looking at some tires to help hook and I have an extra set of stock 18" wheels that I figure I could use. Would a 273/35ZR18 Hoosier A6 tire be good to use? The other tire I have found are some 285/30ZR18 BFgoodrich drag tires, will they fit on stock rim and under the car??
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W221
So it begins! It only gets more and more addicting! I would definitely recommend you practice your launch. LOTS of rooms for improvement from the launch alone!
Keep practicing and you'll be running better and better!
Keep practicing and you'll be running better and better!
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
Yeah, I actually ran the 12.47 with it in there along with the slash 1000 amp. I then took it out at the track but still wasn't able to hook and the car was getting hotter. Next time I'll plan a little better, today was a spur of the moment kind of thing. Hopefully some drag radials next time too. BTW the sub sounds awesome, much better than the stock sub that used to bottom out and make a clanking noise!!
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
Cool, just bought these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=160861618407
These appear to have the "crinkle" sidewalls!! Figured I might as well start practicing with the right tires, no sense in getting good with the streets when I'm sure it will change quite a bit with the DR on
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=160861618407
These appear to have the "crinkle" sidewalls!! Figured I might as well start practicing with the right tires, no sense in getting good with the streets when I'm sure it will change quite a bit with the DR on
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2005 E55 AMG
So let me get this straight, I run an 11.8@119mph with the same amount of power he is putting down and I get stung for having a slow car, but he runs a mid 12's at 116 ( almost what I ran bone stock ) and he did a good job? Wow.
OP, don't feel bad, my comment wasn't for you since I get it. Launching these cars is not easy especially on regular street tires. Keep at it and I'm sure you will gain a good 2-3mph on your traps and go low 12/high 11's.
OP, don't feel bad, my comment wasn't for you since I get it. Launching these cars is not easy especially on regular street tires. Keep at it and I'm sure you will gain a good 2-3mph on your traps and go low 12/high 11's.
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Sold - 05' E55
Also, consider a lighter set of rims. I know you mentioned that you have another set of rims but a lighter set of rims and will help with your et.
I'm actually looking for a lighter set of front rims and tires.
Let the games begin and have fun and be safe.
I'm actually looking for a lighter set of front rims and tires.
Let the games begin and have fun and be safe.
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From: Jacksonville, FL
05 White Pano E55, Cadillac CTS-V
So let me get this straight, I run an 11.8@119mph with the same amount of power he is putting down and I get stung for having a slow car, but he runs a mid 12's at 116 ( almost what I ran bone stock ) and he did a good job? Wow.
OP, don't feel bad, my comment wasn't for you since I get it. Launching these cars is not easy especially on regular street tires. Keep at it and I'm sure you will gain a good 2-3mph on your traps and go low 12/high 11's.
OP, don't feel bad, my comment wasn't for you since I get it. Launching these cars is not easy especially on regular street tires. Keep at it and I'm sure you will gain a good 2-3mph on your traps and go low 12/high 11's.
Weather is by far the #1 factor with track prep an extremely close 2nd if you are going to get any kind of decent 60ft time on street tires.
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From: Racine, WI
2003 E55 AMG
Drag Radials CHECK!! 265 40 18 Mickey Thompson ET Street Radials!! Any more words of advice for me before I go out again with the new sticky rubber?? I assume still no waterbox with these tires due to tread? What air pressure should I start with? How long of a burnout to warm them up?? I'm gonna wait for a nice 50 degree day and see if I can't get into the 11's
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Dirt Scooters
Roll thru the water box and do a burnout after your thru the water. A quick 3 second burnout is all you need really. First pass set suspension in the raised mode. Trans in sport and floor it and see what it does.
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E55
Go to youtube and start searching through E55 track videos. This will give you a good idea of what to do.
I would suggest backing into the water box, unless told otherwise by the track crew. Roll back forward and burn them until you see some smoke develop.
I prefer to start high with pressure and lower only if needed. I haven't tried MTs but many have so I'm sure a few recommendations will come in.
Here's a vid to get you started
I would suggest backing into the water box, unless told otherwise by the track crew. Roll back forward and burn them until you see some smoke develop.
I prefer to start high with pressure and lower only if needed. I haven't tried MTs but many have so I'm sure a few recommendations will come in.
Here's a vid to get you started
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03 E55 AMG, 06 Harley Road King Custom 06 Ram 2500 Cummins, 97 Firebird Race Car, 88 Cutlass Supreme
Do not drive through the water. Your front tires will carry the water up to the line and drip all over and make people upset. Dragging water up there can also cause an accident. Only cars with special drag racing tires front and back should roll through the water. Even then I think most of em should go around but that's me.
Drive around the water and back into it so your a few feet over the wet part and do the burnout there. Let em spin for ~2-3 seconds then let it roll out till they hook then pull up to the line. Do not spin the tires any more, you will only make them less sticky.
Here's a tip to help with reaction time - you should be letting off the brake about the time the 3rd yellow is mid way through being lit. It takes your car a second to react and pull forward and clear the beam. Even if you leave early and the red light comes on you will still get your time don't worry. It's fun trying to get near a perfect reaction time.
Also turn off the air conditioning at least a couple minutes before going down the track. Again it can drip water onto the track and water and slicks lead to cars kissing the wall.
The guys working at the track are usually all very friendly. Especially a couple of the old guys that own great lakes. Don't at all be afraid to stop one of em and ask some questions. They'd rather take a couple minutes to explain things and give advice then see you out there confused and holding things up.
Most of all, HAVE FUN!
Drive around the water and back into it so your a few feet over the wet part and do the burnout there. Let em spin for ~2-3 seconds then let it roll out till they hook then pull up to the line. Do not spin the tires any more, you will only make them less sticky.
Here's a tip to help with reaction time - you should be letting off the brake about the time the 3rd yellow is mid way through being lit. It takes your car a second to react and pull forward and clear the beam. Even if you leave early and the red light comes on you will still get your time don't worry. It's fun trying to get near a perfect reaction time.
Also turn off the air conditioning at least a couple minutes before going down the track. Again it can drip water onto the track and water and slicks lead to cars kissing the wall.
The guys working at the track are usually all very friendly. Especially a couple of the old guys that own great lakes. Don't at all be afraid to stop one of em and ask some questions. They'd rather take a couple minutes to explain things and give advice then see you out there confused and holding things up.
Most of all, HAVE FUN!
