Looking for some racing advice.

[DarrenX33]

Considering that I am barely an amateur when it comes to racing. I was hoping some of the pros from the site could give me some tips on how to improve my time. Whether it be mechanical or technique tips I'd like to hear them.

This was my best run at the reunion. Nothing mechanical was touched other than adjusting my tire pressure to assure the tires were planted correctly.

R/T - .529 (I'm aware I tend to dose at the line.)
60' - 2.305
330 - 6.069
1/8 - 9.127
MPH - 81.00
1000- 11.707
1/4 - 13.848
MPH - 105.79

The car is a 454 with an M22 and 4.10 rear. Carb is a DZ from a Z.

And before you get any bright ideas Dan. I don't want to hear any Mopar cracks!

[Salvatore]

The are many ways to improve your times. First let Stefano drive and if the car don't break put Dru in it!!

[DarrenX33]

Oh brother. It is a given that I'm a lousy driver.

[Salvatore]

Nope, Didn't say that. Its practice. Put Rob Clary in it or COPO Pete. No one can argue about there driving! Once the car gets pretty consistent with those guys driving then you can make changes. Hey, ask KP He has alot of lap time in race cars!! He will tell you what it is doing or not doing.

[Chevy454]

Firstly, don't worry about the reaction time right now...I don't remember what tires you were running, but you're looking at picking up nearly 1/2 second on the big just by knocking .3 tenths off you're 60' time (each tenth off 60' time = 1.5 tenths on the other end)...a 2.0' short time is doable (with practice) on street tires and for sure on Polys. Are you running any clamps on your leafs? Dist/carb work could both help or hurt depending on where they're currently at...waddya got for an engine?

[DarrenX33]

Rob,

Traction bars but no clamps.
Tires are M/T Indy Profiles.
Carb is a 780 but unsure at this time what the innards are.
I installed the Crane ignition w/Limiter in the distributor. Think the total advance was 38.
Engine is an LS6. Intake is a hi-rise 163 rather than the low 569. That seems to be the only mod on it..

[Stefano]

Put Slicks on it, get a line lock so that you can properly warm them up. Wind it up to just under the max torque and dump the clutch and be ready to do some quick shifting.

My best 60 foot at the SR was a traction limited 1.77. I am going to put a line lock on so that I can properly heat my tires. The L88 cam provides little vacuum to the brake booster and I can't hold the tires long enough to get them real sticky.

Letting off the gas and granny shifting can also cost you some time once the car has been launched, no matter the set up.

Practice until you will find out where the traction/hp limitation of the suspension and tires is.

Your engine set up is very similar to my COPO/427. I also have a DZ carb, headers, L88 spec cam.

You are talking two complete different set ups from what the pure stock guys are doing and the modified old school Super Stocker style set up.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

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...
Letting off the gas and granny shifting can also cost you some time once the car has been launched, no matter the set up....

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True. I'm a 'granny shifter' and probably lose a tenth+ because of it, but this way when I miss a shift I don't see the rpm's go past 9grand. Gotta save my 'born with' stuff!

[Chevy454]

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You are talking two complete different set ups from what the pure stock guys are doing and the modified old school Super Stocker style set up.

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I'll agree with that *to a point*...throwing slicks at that car is just gonna be a band-aid, as those MPH's tell me something else is askew. You have to crawl before you walk, and you either work on the tune now or it's gonna come back and haunt you later. Granted, D's car has some luxuries us Pure Stock guys aren't allowed (tires, headers, traction bars) so we *have* to sweat the small stuff...but most folks would be surprised how important that little stuff is. In fact, Pete & JJ helped Peter Klute knock a second off the ET of a COPO Camaro in about 15 minutes time...

[DarrenX33]

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In fact, Pete & JJ helped Peter Klute knock a second off the ET of a COPO Camaro in about 15 minutes time...


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I recorded and watched that episode very carefully..

I don't think I have a problem with shifting. I had more confidence knowing I had the limiter in there just in case....