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sunbird	I took the kcat out to the Worlds Oldest Continuously Operating Dragstrip to see what she could do. It was on April 12. OK, OK, I'm a little slow on posting! (Actually, I was ashamed of my times.) Two recent posts gave me the guts to post this. quote: Tonight "C5Frank" and I ran our Prowlers at Moroso's open drag strip night. I ran my best time ever, despite the 80% humidity. My best time was a 15.018 sec @ 87.77 mph. My 1997 Cat has a stock engine (214 HP) and MTD Air filter. quote: ....and it breaks the tires loose when you nail the throttle without the nitrous!!! So... here is a got to read about the strip: The Land that Time Forgot! And here is the dragstrip: Worlds Oldest Dragstrip Be sure to look at the old pictures for some of the early hot rodders - you will probably remember a few. I met Wally Parks here about 5 or 6 years ago! The dragstrip is at an altitude of 2454 feet and they race the old fashioned way, at the airport! That suites me just fine, the last time I ran down a dragstrip, they still had flagmen! So, the first race...I lost to an SRT w/turbo charger. Man, lost to a dang Neon!!!! code: Him ME Reaction: .183 .428 I1 2.539 2.314 I3 9.600 9.885 MPH(I3) 80.229 71.187 E.T. 14.627 15.362 MPH 97.120 89.033 Win Margin .981 Second Run I went against a V8 Pontiac Firebird. Whipped again! code: Him ME Reaction: .278 .355 I1 2.675 2.371 I3 10.103 9.973 MPH(I3) 75.526 70.835 E.T. 15.205 15.472 MPH 97.107 89.607 Win Margin .344 Now, my kcat is stock except for mud flaps. I ran in Drive and didn't do the third gear lock down. I think I could cut between 1/4 to 1/2 second off the times if I could stop the tire spin. The third run I won. It was a disaster! My dealer was there and was taking pictures of me, so that was a little distraction, but I really blew staging. I made what I though was a perfect staging. I was staring at the staging lights, patting myself on the back, completely spaced out! The I saw a black blur in my peripheral vision. I 'woke up', saw the last yellow go out and stabbed it. Tire spin really excessive, the back end even moved a little to the left. The black blur was the other car and was about a car length and a half ahead of me when I left the starting line. When the tires finally grabbed the kcat took to pursuit and I caught him at about the 1/8 mile. At the traps, I saw him in my rear view mirror. Unfortunately, I don't know how I did on that run. When I got home and studied the time slips, I found I had two slips for the second run. The win was bitter sweet, because the car was a small car, like a Honda Civic (never really took a good look at it, so I'm not sure - just that it was small) I had a ball, but I wish I could have done a little better. ------------------
cmblockhus	Well all I have to say is YOUR HOOKED. sounds like you had a great time. block-buster ------------------ "SUNKIST" 2001 Orange cat
sunbird	I just applied the NHRA altitude conversion factors of .9718/1.0297 for ET/MPH for Inyokern (Stock/Super Stock) and obtained these results: First Run: 14.929/91.677 Second Run: 15.036/92.268 Gee, checking the ET/MPH, the longer I take, the faster I go!! Now, some questions for those of you that are more experienced - I did dead throttle take offs. If I built static in the torque converter, would I increase or decrease my tendency for wheel spin? I would think increase, but I haven't tried it. If I ran 'out of the groove', would the street tires have a better chance to connect? Does locking the tranny down into third have that much effect on ET? PS don't suggest modifications, I don't have the spare cash. All improvements would have to be on technique. Maybe with the new complexion of this post, Mike should move it to the performance and appearance forum.
spoons	Sunbird, Did you hold the break and rev the engine to 1500-2000 rpm's before taken off? How do you drive this cat on a daily basis? I've been told (and I could be wrong, please correct me if I am) that the computer calculates how you drive and shift your cat. More aggressive driving will result in a faster shifting tranny which may effect your 1/4 mile times? If this is true, "drive it like to stole it" and this may give you better times. Can I recommend MTD air intake... stock air box chokes the cat... you have to let it breathe. ------------------ Brian K. Richardson West Palm Beach, FL http://www.brianrichardson.net 1997 Purple W/ 1997 Mopar Trailer TGF Metalcrafters Rear Spoiler ~ Splash Guards(Front + Back) ~ Ceramic brake pads (front) ~ "Cracked Ice" shimmers on rear bumpers ~ Magic Touch Design 2.2 Air Intake ~ Purple Painted Shift Bezel ~ Trailer Leather Bra ~ Complete, Speaker Upgrade ~ $15 chrome grill ~ Front Suspension Brace ~ 2001 Prowler Ignition Key ~ Louvered Transmission Cover. "Drive = Love"
sunbird	No, Spoons, I didn't build any static. I just nailed it from a dead idle. Driving daily is best described as 'old lady'. Going to work, out of 15 minute drive, 10 minutes are spent stopped and idling. On the way home, 'old lady' again, but once off the base I do a short half throttle burst to 45. I turn off to home about three blocks later. Yeah, I know, not exactly high performance driving. I'm limited by speed limits and an aggressive military police force. Also, at the strip, I didn't do any burnouts. The first run I did a polite quick spin in the burn out area. On the second and third run I drove around the burn out area. I let the engine and tranny cool for about a half-hour between runs. Does anyone know if removing the inserts from the tailpipe will improve the ET? Mods are out of the question right now (when I was getting the ball joints, the parts guy at the dealer kept telling me "I've got a nitrous in the back that will fit!" He has a 200 MPH dragster.)
Laddie Roussel	Sunbird. Glad you had a good time... You might try lowering your rear tire pressure to 23 lbs... Also, even if you go around the burnout, try to spin your tires a little just to get any dirt or water off... It's not a case of heating up the tires (not needed for street tires). Just try and getting any loose trash of water from the previous cars going through that area... ------------------
sunbird	Thanks Laddie! I would think raising the front tire pressure a tad might help offset rolling resistance too.