I was wondering I have a 03 GT mustang stick, how can I get a good start off the line at a track? also anything I should know about riding on the track? k thanks for your help
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2003 Mustang GT
BBK CAI, BBK plenum & 70mm TB, intake spacer, o/r BBK x pipe, flowmaster exhaust, Steeda triax short shifter.
I was wondering I have a 03 GT mustang stick, how can I get a good start off the line at a track? also anything I should know about riding on the track? k thanks for your help
1. Good set of Drag Radials.....and start at 15 psi and go down from there. A lot of people report that they hook best at 12 psi. Most popular drag radial at the tracks I race at are M/T et streets, 275/40/17's.
2. More aggressive rear gear ratio.....3.73 to 4.10's are the most popular choices
3. Good reaction time. While this does not effect your et at all....it will help you win races. If you leave the line when you see green...you probably already lost. I don't know your power level or setup, but a good rule of thumb is go on the last yellow. When you see the third yellow, go.
With a good set of tires, you can bring up the rpm and leave hard. If you show up to the track with just a normal radial tire, be prepared to be disappointed with your ets.......you can bring up the rpm all you want, but as soon as you release the clutch it will all go up in smoke.
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Paul
Daily driven 2005 GT AUTO - Whipple @ 16psi - 577 rwhp 519 rwtq
Best 1/8th mile: 6.740 @ 101.56 mph with a 1.431 60' time
Best 1/4 mile: 10.672 @ 128.42 mph with a 1.480 60' time Special thanks to:
ST Motorsports, San Bernardino CA - built engine and tune
Larry's Transmission, Corona CA - built 5R55S
M&H - 325/45/17 racemaster drag radials
GI Joe - 8 rib pulley kit
Thump_rrr - billet tensioner
You should also look into suspension upgrades. Throwing on some good drag radials or slicks is your best bet, but will also begin to destroy your chassis over time. Reinforce your torque boxes by welding completely around them, as they are only tack (or spot) welded. You can also purchase brackets to weld in to add even more support. Then get some subframe connectors to prevent the chassis from flexing for both preventing damage and improving your 60' times. and get some aftermarket control arms with polyurethane bushing.
I have ordered my control arms and can't wait to get them installed. I will let you know how they work out, however it looks like I will still be on street radials when the track opens back up. My average 60' is about 2.2 seconds, with a couple lucky starts in the 2.1 range, however that was stock. Hopefully I can drop them into the 1.8-2.0 range. Good luck!
Also look into rear springs and shocks that will help the car squat when launching hard (This will help push the tire into the ground and make it work) Moroso has a killer psring out there and Lakewood offer's a good 50/50 rear shock.
Thanks
Doug
This is a complete n00b racing question, but since we're already on the topic.......
Traction Control. I've noticed over the last week of Mustang ownership my traction control has stepped in a few times to keep me out of the ditch so-to-speak. Should it be turned off for the 1/4 - or does it make that much of a difference?
It feels like a stupid question, but I really don't know.
This is a complete n00b racing question, but since we're already on the topic.......
Traction Control. I've noticed over the last week of Mustang ownership my traction control has stepped in a few times to keep me out of the ditch so-to-speak. Should it be turned off for the 1/4 - or does it make that much of a difference?
It feels like a stupid question, but I really don't know.
T/C OFF for racing, it will slow you down because if you wheels spin alittle bit, it cuts the fuel to your engine ,you lose lots of time !
Alittle bit of wheel spin is fine, its way better then bogging down !
I don't know if that was a stab at those of us that are relatively new to the sport or not.......but thanks for the link.
Not meant to be a 'stab,' but I see way too many folks with decent cars show up at the strip and have NO IDEA what they are doing. They then make a total AZZ out of themselves.
Quote:
how can I get a good start off the line at a track
The answer to that question starts with the link I gave.
Not meant to be a 'stab,' but I see way too many folks with decent cars show up at the strip and have NO IDEA what they are doing. They then make a total AZZ out of themselves.
Understood - and thanks again for the link, contains some useful information for the aspiring enthusiest .
[quote=Tominator]Not meant to be a 'stab,' but I see way too many folks with decent cars show up at the strip and have NO IDEA what they are doing. They then make a total AZZ out of themselves. QUOTE]
There is only one way to learn, GET OUT AND DO IT! I'm not gonna lie, my first time was a disaster. I left traction control on, bogged down off the line, and got beat by a Toyota Tacoma. I ran a 10.1 in the 1/8th, did I look like an AZZ? Hell yeah!!! Whats worse, I did the same damn thing on my second run, powershifter into second and bogged down again. Got beat by the Tacoma again. By my third run I ran a 9.7, and by the end of the year I ran my best at 9.38, no changes to the car all year.
Now with my mods, I will probably have to learn all over again, especially with the 4.10's. Guess I'll find out on Sunday!
Daily driven 2005 GT AUTO - Whipple @ 16psi - 577 rwhp 519 rwtq
Best 1/8th mile: 6.740 @ 101.56 mph with a 1.431 60' time
Best 1/4 mile: 10.672 @ 128.42 mph with a 1.480 60' time Special thanks to:
ST Motorsports, San Bernardino CA - built engine and tune
Larry's Transmission, Corona CA - built 5R55S
M&H - 325/45/17 racemaster drag radials
GI Joe - 8 rib pulley kit
Thump_rrr - billet tensioner
fast take off 
.
