Another "1st time @ the strip" thread...

[Phalanx]

Well, this past weekend I went to Englishtown Raceway in NJ for my first runs ever on a track (drag strip in this case)

My slips are below, but I'll type out the times b/c they didnt come out 100% clear when I scanned them. Also, on the 1st slip... they were giving people the wrong slips. I had the slip for the people that ran in front of me, and I got the proper slip from the guys behind me... hence the wrong car #s...



Videos:
Run #1 - YouTube - 2008 Civic Si 1/4 mile run
Run #2 - YouTube - 2008 Civic Si 1/4 mile run 2

Run #3 apparently didnt get recorded.

Run #1:
R/T - 1.092
60ft - 2.280
330ft - 6.357
1/8 - 9.722
MPH - 74.17
1000 - 12.585
1/4 - 15.005
MPH - 93.38

Run #2:
R/T - 1.513
60ft - 2.394
330ft - 6.539
1/8 - 9.892
MPH - 74.13
1000 - 12.754
1/4 - 15.174
MPH - 92.04

Run #2:
R/T - .738
60ft - 2.353
330ft - 6.592
1/8 - 10.044
MPH - 72.19
1000 - 12.986
1/4 - 15.426
MPH - 91.71

1st run - about as good as I could have hoped for, in my eyes. my goal for the day was 15.2

2nd run - forgot to turn off VSA so when I launched... it kept killing the throttle so it could catch traction. The rest of the run was better than the 1st run, but the time is worse due to the VSA thing @ launch

3rd run - something happened on my 1st -> 2nd shift. Im not sure what, though. The shift felt smooth... but the RPMs dropped to like 4500 and ultimately ruined my time b/c I dropped out of the 'vtec' section of our powerband

I have videos of all 3 runs that Im just waiting on receiving. My buddy has them on his camera.

I think ultimately, my biggest 'mistake' was inexperience... both in launching and at driving stick. This is my first manual transmission car and I've only been driving stick now for about 2 months.

Mods that should have some effect on my times:
Vibrant CatBack Exhaust
Ingalls Engine Torque Damper
P2R Throttle Body Spacer & Gaskets
Comptech ShortShift
Corsport Cable Bushings
Stock wheels w/ Stock all season tires.

------------------

Not sure what Im looking for by posting this info... comments, criticism, advice... anything.

I can not wait to get back out there and give it another shot.

[Phalanx]

Ok... after pondering things and analyzing what happened for a couple days... I think money would be best spent on a set of wheels/tires for the track.

So, Im in the process of getting a set of 16" wheels... I will then need to decide which tires to get. These will be 100% track only... and Im putting them ONLY on the front.

Suggestions on tires? Should I look for 'Extreme Performance Summer' or 'Competition DOT' (as categorized by tirerack.com)

What sizing should I consider?

[07CivicMD]

BF Drag "DOT" Radials and 16" are fine!

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by 07CivicMD

BF Drag "DOT" Radials and 16" are fine!

im not sure what the 'DOT' stands for... but I see BFG makes a few difference competition models. Any experience or insight into which ones to consider?

edit... looking @ the sizing they offer, i dont think any of those are offered in a size that will fit the wheels I am likely getting (beat up OEM 06+ EX wheels)

[07CivicMD]

BF Drag radials are drag slicks with thread so the "DOT" means there street legal. I wouldn't drive on them for long distances, very soft compound. But I know several Supras' that have to use drag radials for there DD since they have sooooo much power.

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by 07CivicMD

BF Drag radials are drag slicks with thread so the "DOT" means there street legal. I wouldn't drive on them for long distances, very soft compound. But I know several Supras' that have to use drag radials for there DD since they have sooooo much power.

i had a feeling that mightve been it. I didnt know any other DOT beside department of trans.

These wont be on a DD and wont be drivin on besides at the track. I might have my car tailored to the track... and if not, Ill just bring the 'track wheels/tires' in my trunk and swap them on once i get there.

[07CivicMD]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

i had a feeling that mightve been it. I didnt know any other DOT beside department of trans.

These wont be on a DD and wont be drivin on besides at the track. I might have my car tailored to the track... and if not, Ill just bring the 'track wheels/tires' in my trunk and swap them on once i get there.

You can "legally" drive on those tires to the track and lower the pressure once you get there to your prefer tire pressure.

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by 07CivicMD

You can "legally" drive on those tires to the track and lower the pressure once you get there to your prefer tire pressure.

i wouldnt wanna drive my track tires all the way there. all the tracks are 1.5+ hrs away from me. Too far, IMO.

thanks for the info tho

still having trouble finding a BFG in the proper size, tho.

these are the only ones i can find...

g-Force R1

[07CivicMD]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

i wouldnt wanna drive my track tires all the way there. all the tracks are 1.5+ hrs away from me. Too far, IMO.

thanks for the info tho

still having trouble finding a BFG in the proper size, tho.

these are the only ones i can find...

g-Force R1

Yah! Those are nice. What rims are you planning to use?

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by 07CivicMD

Yah! Those are nice. What rims are you planning to use?

probably gonna end up w/ a set of 06+ EX wheels... not too worried about the weight of the wheels @ this point. I can upgrade that later. I just wanna get a good set of tires mounted on 16" rims for when I go back in 2 weeks

[K20Redline]

Not bad for your first time and you obviously did not powershift so not bad at all your 60ft is decent too!

[Phalanx]

< does not know what 'powershift' is... someone please explain

thanks

[udumkid]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

< does not know what 'powershift' is... someone please explain

thanks

When you shift with out releasing the gas pedal, heres a good example;

YouTube - 06 Si vs 06 Si w/ Hondata reflash Ecu

can you hear how the car shifts?

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by udumkid

When you shift with out releasing the gas pedal, heres a good example;

YouTube - 06 Si vs 06 Si w/ Hondata reflash Ecu

can you hear how the car shifts?

hmm yea... i can hear it. i did a little reading up on powershifting. i mean, i know going to the track and dragging is hard on a car.... but isnt powershifting quite a bit harsher on the transmission?

[K20Redline]

Originally Posted by Phalanx

hmm yea... i can hear it. i did a little reading up on powershifting. i mean, i know going to the track and dragging is hard on a car.... but isnt powershifting quite a bit harsher on the transmission?

yup its bad on the clutch and syncs but if you ask me if you drag your car occasionally powershifting then wont kill it but if you do it a lot it will slowly and surely but only your trany thou

[Phalanx]

videos posted in OP

[udumkid]

Very good run.....

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by udumkid

Very good run.....

thanks!