Help with 1/4 time PLEASE!

[6spdChick]

OK so first let me say this. I would appreciate no rude comments about my times. And I'd really appreciate no smart ass comments on how I can better my times. I'd would like any real help anyone can give me.

So I see many of you posting high 14's times for your 1/4 mile. And you say you're stock. I have noooooooooooooo clue how you do this. I know I'm not the best driver and I'm new to driving MT but everytime someone rides with me they tell em that I'm doing good. I take the RPMs all the way to redline before I shift, I pop the clutch and not feather it off, when I launch I launch at 2k usually but the other night I rolled out at about 1.5k and did much better. I don't see any HUGE flaws that would make it to where my times are such crap. So can someone please tell me how any of you are running high 14s.
Here are my times from my runs Friday.
1st run.... launch pop clutch @ 2k.. Front tire PSI 28.. back PSI 32
R/T.. .529
60.. 2.425
330.. 6.704
1/8.. 10.199
MPH.. 71.87
1000.. 13.183
1/4.. 15.703
MPH.. 89.11

2nd run.... feather off clutch @ 1.5k.. Front tire PSI 28.. back PSI 32
R/T.. .188
60..2.531
330.. 9.952
1/8.. 10.516
MPH.. 69.91
1000.. 13.548
1/4.. 16.116
MPH.. 88.02

So I'm just sooo frustrated. My best time I've gotten is 15.4 and I cant hit it again. I'm still getting high 15's and low 16's what is going on here? Please give me some tips. Thank you in advance.

[UncleSid]

i had the same problem you are having...my technique was almost identical to yours, as were my 1/4 mile times....i ran the other night and got a 15.1...what you do is basically keep the revs up at the limiter at around 5.5k...and launch at 5.5k, letting the clutch out fast, but not too fast...you just have to experiment...but i found that method was getting me my best times...also lower your front PSI to around 25 or 24...thats what i run my front tires at....

[whitecivicsi]

Hey Girl


Maybe you should let me drive for you....hehe

Considering I've never ever been to the track I think you got me there buddy.

[wbb1211]

I have not been to the track either but hope to when I get up to Ohio. I live in Jacksonville Florida till the 6th. What track do you go to? I have know idea where to go. I know some friends of mine go but I don't know where. They are on board ship and out to sea so I can't ask.

[JeShUa]

next time you're in cali, we'll "race"
I dont think you're pushing your car enough.

[uscgbeachbum]

I had some difficulties at the track my first few times through with my old car. The worst I ran was 14.9 @ 100mph (eek!). Track experience will be much better than any kind of advice someone can give you. How much tire spin are you getting? One problem I notice a TON of people doing is just mashing the gas in gears 1-3. If you are spinning the tires you are losing traction and time. Easy on the gas at first. I also find that going barefoot gives you a better clutch/gas feel (I know, its kind of dangerous, but I'm a sandals guy) Also, are you doing a burnout? Without slicks make sure you go AROUND the water instead of through it. With FWD you aren't looking to do anything impressive. Just knock the road grime off. Oh, when shifting, I find it was best if I started pulling/pushing on the shifter before I even pushed in the clutch. That way there is no "ok, clutch is down now shift now clutch up" brain time lag. Just start pulling/pushing and stomp on the clutch. As soon as the shift is almost done pull your foot off the clutch like you just stepped in some dog poo. I know of a great place to practice at if you want some "safe" practicing.

[6spdChick]

lol I NEEED ADVICEEEEEE ON HOW TO IMPROVEEE not invitations to race lol
Thank you UncleSid but I'm not sure if I'm willing to launch at 5k since my wheels spin like crazy when I launch at 2k

[6spdChick]

I always run my car with no shoes on. I even wore sneakers on Friday to see if it would make a difference BUT NOOO Lol

[Kakashi]

Originally Posted by 6spdChick

I always run my car with no shoes on. I even wore sneakers on Friday to see if it would make a difference BUT NOOO Lol

haha, thats funny stuff. What i dont think some people who are getting 15.1's and 14.9's are mentioning is, they are probably pushing their Si's REAL hard. doesnt sound like your doing they same, and i dont think thats a bad thing either. But Definately, for a better time, rev at 4500-5500. IMO the best.

[UncleSid]

if you let the clutch out correctly you only have minimal wheel spin... if you dump it, you will have a lot, but thats not what i said to do...just let it out fast, but not too fast, and ride it for a couple feet....thats how i got a 15.1 with only an injen SRI.

[bizzybearfigiblue]

launch at 5.5 that's what i did. i got a 15.201@93.75mph, i fell out of VTEC on that run (1st-2nd shift) and my tire pressure was still at 38psi. u have to take the revs all the way to 8300rpm when u shift, not when it hits 8k rpms. also considering the sucky track/weather we have here in S.FLA high 14's is kinda hard to get stock. next time i go to the track i'm gonna get a better time now that i know how to shift.

[UncleSid]

Originally Posted by bizzybearfigiblue

launch at 5.5 that's what i did. i got a 15.201@93.75mph, i fell out of VTEC on that run (1st-2nd shift) and my tire pressure was still at 38psi. u have to take the revs all the way to 8300rpm when u shift, not when it hits 8k rpms. also considering the sucky track/weather we have here in S.FLA high 14's is kinda hard to get stock. next time i go to the track i'm gonna get a better time now that i know how to shift.

what was your 60 ft time??? my trap speed was 1 mph lower than yours and i ran a 15.14 somethin...

[StreetThisSI]

The best advice is to honestly just keep practicing. :shrug:


I launch off the limiter at 5500 rpm w/ a pretty aggressive clutch drop. Yes I get wheel hop and yes I get wheel spin but I ride it out and the car grabs. My best 60 so far on all season OEM 17's is a 2.2001. I've played with tire pressure and got my best results at 23 psi up front and 29 psi in the back.

1st to 2nd is the MOST important shift in this car. If you biff it up the engine will cut and you'll bog down second and loose 2-3 tenths waiting to get back into vtech, etc.. I personally power shift in every gear. I rip the tires in second and bark them in third every time. I shift right around 8200 rpm. Be careful again not to take it to high or you'll bounce off the rev limiter hurting your time.

My best stock run to date is a 14.511 @ 96.77 mph. It just takes experience and knowing your car. I have run my Si about 30 times down the 1/4 now and am very consitant with the car. All 6 of my runs last Friday night were within a tenth of each other (14.51 to a 14.63).

Keep it up and keep on

[6spdChick]

Originally Posted by wbb1211

I have not been to the track either but hope to when I get up to Ohio. I live in Jacksonville Florida till the 6th. What track do you go to? I have know idea where to go. I know some friends of mine go but I don't know where. They are on board ship and out to sea so I can't ask.

I go to Orlando Speed World(Bithlo) PM me if you wanna go tomorrow :)
And Jeshua cute pic I didn't see it before when I read your post....

OK so I'll try to lauch at 5k tomorrow night and see what happeneds... And I'll feather off the clutch because there is no way in hell I'm gonna pop it at 5k. Also how are you getting 14.5 stock in your SI I don't see that at all.

[StreetThisSI]

Originally Posted by 6spdChick

I go to Orlando Speed World(Bithlo) PM me if you wanna go tomorrow :)
And Jeshua cute pic I didn't see it before when I read your post....

OK so I'll try to lauch at 5k tomorrow night and see what happeneds... And I'll feather off the clutch because there is no way in hell I'm gonna pop it at 5k. Also how are you getting 14.5 stock in your SI I don't see that at all.

Ohio weather rocks

[bizzybearfigiblue]

Originally Posted by UncleSid

what was your 60 ft time??? my trap speed was 1 mph lower than yours and i ran a 15.14 somethin...

that run i believe it was 2.39

[Silver8th]

I know how your car can get a better time. Let me drive it for you..lol..j/k
On a serious note I do know that spinning the tires on launch slows you down a lot, so avoid spinning the tires. Also take it to the redline and shift very quickly.

[6spdChick]

Tires spun on my 15.7... but didn't spin on my 16.1 doesn't make sense... and if you come all the way down here I'll let you drive her :)

[06Fg2]

My best was a 14.8 with a shitty 2.3 60' and I learned to feather out the clutch. At first, I was running 15.4s consistently and then I asked for some advice, went to an open parking lot a couple weekends to practice my launches, then went and ran the 14.8 stock except I have 05 Type S wheels, but they probably don't do anything. Practice your launches for a weekend and when you go back to the track, you will run better. I don't know about 14.xxx though cause you guys have some high temps down in FL.

[loflynrr]

Just remember: Wheel spin = slower times.