Launching on Drag Radials....Need Help

jeff's01 · 08-12-2003

I have been trying to get the launch down but seem to be unsuccessful. I can launch at 2500 rpm with the tire pressure at 18psi, but nothing more without spinning. The tires are 17". Could the lack of sidewall have anything to do with it. My burnouts are in 1st for about 4 seconds and not really smoky. I tried launching on the juice and lost traction right out of the box with a 3k rpm window switch. Is anyone running the same size tire and getting better traction or do I need to just suck it up and get some M/T E/T streets?

Twokingsracer · 08-12-2003

The lack of sidewall will definitely have something to do with it. How much I am not sure. I know I am making less HP than you but my 97 is now pretty well modded and I can launch with my Nittos at around 3000-3500 roll the throttle with minmal spin and get decent times. I am running on 16's though and probably have a smidgen more sidewall.

Julian Moore · 08-12-2003

I launch on the nitrous with 17 inch nittos and run consistent 1.8 60'ft times. Nittos have to be heated up, drop your pressure to 13psi, heat the crap out of them, I mean till you see a ton of smoke..after the heat they should be arond 15psi..perfect. I launch a 4200rpm, and I drop the cluthcx and mash the gas ...no slipping the clutch, and run those times. ***WARNING** I do this on a stock rear, with 3.73's but I have a king cobra clutch. ****END WARNING*** My friend in his Cobra, with a rear going, did this technique, they hooked so well he snapped his axels!! If your ready for MT streets, I would think your not worried. Good luck, and let me know if this works for you.
Jules

jeff's01 · 08-12-2003

Maybe if I do the burn out in 2nd gear I can get the tires hotter and get a better launch. We have a Mustang run this Friday so I will try it and see what happens.

Sargin · 08-14-2003

I burn out in 2nd gear, it takes about 15-20 secs to get my tires warm. I launch at about 5krpms and it gripps like a MOFO.
THis is with some 295/55R-15 DR's

86Cobra · 08-21-2003

Yep, with 4.10s you should be doing 2nd gear burnouts. I've been through 3 sets of Nittos and am on my second set of BFGs. I got my best results on both with large (8-10 second) burnouts and 11-12 psi.

Quick95cobra · 11-10-2003

I have nitto 555r's (315/35/17) and i'm running 10-12psi in each. i also have an AODE tranny completely rebuilt with 3.73 gears, and i don't seem to have any problem launching at 3100 RPM's. Get your tires real hot. BF goodrich and Nitto 555r's are good for auto cars, but M/T's are best for standard tranny's. good luck.

1/4: 14.70@94 mph @3975 lbs.

EricD · 11-24-2003

Yeah I've heard that to get DR's to hook good you need to kill them in the burnout box. Seeing how you have 4.10s definatly go ahead and do a burnout in 2nd. I Tried a set of MT Drags on 14in rims they where 26X8's or somthing. The guy I borrowed them from said with 14in rim you get a better sideway action see how the Mustang tires are around 26in talls. I messed up with the slicks. I have 3.55s I tried a burnout in 1st and couldn't spinn the tires fast enough to get them to smoke good. The out come was me letting the button go on the line lock and pedaling it rollin sideways to the line. Must have looked cool... But definatly sideway will kill you at the track. Remember to kill the tires on the burnout in 2nd. Stay around 12-14 psi. Should work good. Try slipin the clutch too. Try it once see what happens.

michaels86gt · 02-09-2004

I drove a friend of mine 2003 Cobra with a few mods and Nitto Drag Radials on the factory 17" wheels.I done a 2nd gear burn for about 5sec.At 4800 I dumped the clutch and soon as the car moved I eased the gaspedal straight to the floor.Results: 1.8 60ft.

I have a set of 275/60/15 BF drag radials on my '90 Coupe I'm going to try as soon as the track opens back up.