I figured Id start a thread now that Ive done some things to Laura’s car since I bought it. I plan on doing more as time goes by, but I bought it as a daily and have other projects at the moment haha.
For anyone who doesnt know the car has ran a best of 12.0 @ 115 in the past. Since then it has new heads and a new converter/tranny. I have ran a best of 12.14 @ 113 with the car untuned. Since then I had Ed dyno and tune it for me while he was up here. After he corrected the lean issue it dynoed at 398hp/377tq @ 6100 after his tune. All in all I gained about 60whp.
Ive also done 2 oil changes on it, replaced all 4 street tires, bought 2 used DRs, replaced the driver’s window motor, replaced the driver’s high beam, replaced the battery, and had the emissions/state done while Laura still owned it.
As the car sits Im hoping for 11.8/11.9s and Ill be happy for now. Future plans are to upgrade the suspension, underdrive pulley, tranny cooler, replace the component speakers, and possibly a fast intake/throttle body.
Somethings wrong with that car if it cant go 11’s with fresh tune that gained 50-60whp. Thats a huge difference. 4mph more atleast. Thats gonna trap 117-118 and a half ass 60 foot thats 11.6-11.7’s all day.
First thing Ill blame is the driver…me haha. Laura thinks the same thing, 11.6-11.7s. Ill be pumped if thats what it does, but as long as I get an 11.9x pass tonight I have the rest of the summer to play around with the launches and shifts. Im hoping for atleast a 1.7 60ft tonight, 1.6s would be sweet.
Since the tune 3rd gear feels ALOT different. And I haven’t wot’d it from a dig lately cuz I like my street tires haha, so I havent been able to tell if there’s a difference in 1st. Ill find out tonight lol.
Well for the most part tonight was a bust. Car ran a best of 12.12 @ 112.84
First two runs I ran it in D, and 3rd gear was bogging like the converter locked up. First run I ran 12.5 @ 103. Second run when it happened I threw it in 3rd it took off, and when it launched me in my seat I accidentaly bumped it to 2nd and hit rev limiter before I could bump it back to 3rd. I ran a 12.4 @ 106 that pass. Then Laura told me the new tune is saved in 3, so I ran it in 3 the rest of the night with no more lock up.
Third run I did a shitty burnout. Didnt realize TC was on, so when I turned it off did a small burnout. Guess it wasnt enough. I spun all the way through first and it was my worst 60ft of the night. I ran 12.3 @ 111.
First 3 passes I launched off idle. Fourth run I tried brake torquing sitting around 2-2200rpms. I ran my best time of 12.12 @ 112. My 60ft was a 1.77 and my 1/8 was 7.75 at 89.6.
Fifth pass I tried brake torquing around 3k or so. Car felt GREAT, but I spun pretty good out of the hole from what my buddy told me. I ran a 12.2 @ 113. My 60ft was 1.87 and my 1/8 was 7.83 at 89.7.
Ill try an upload some of the runs eventually soon. If anyone wants any more details or questions just ask. I need to work on my tree times, and tire pressure/brake torque rpm. Hopefully practice alone will get the car into the 11s. Also the good passes I made were later in the evening when the track started to cool off, and the air temp was a lil low.
Wow, what was the temperature at the track yesterday? After a dyno tune that car doesnt pick up MPH something seems wrong with that. I didnt think it mattered what gear you are in, 3rd or D, they both should work the same. Only thing that may happen is a converter lockup. I would have someone change that so that the converter doesnt lock up at all until well after the 1/4 mile mark. It will run quicker with open converter.
Brake torque launches are definately the best. Sounds like you need to get better tires and work the suspension abit. Once it hooks up it will go low 1.7 60’s but should beable to manage 1.6’s without too much difficulty. That will get you 11.9’s maybe 11.8’s on good air.
Still think that car should be quicker than it is tho.
I’ve had customers gain et and MPH by locking loose converters. But I will agree something isn’t right a 11.1 ls1 with a 224/230 cam ported heads should MPH around 118 and be low 11s
I think the point at which you lock up the converter makes the biggest difference. I’ve tried on my car at different places and never gained mph or ET. Always ran best with open converter.
I was abit undergeared for a n/a setup but ok geared for the spray i was running.
When i was bolt ons, the gearing was better suited but I could never find the spot to lock up that made most sense. It always seemed to lockup and the rpms drop too much and it die out. I locked it at top of second, early second, early third, mid third and just before the traps. No gains anywhere. Just my experience.
Its all good dude. Its kind of a game to get it into the 11s, and Im having fun chasing it haha.
The temp dropped pretty good by the time I ran my good runs. Ive noticed my car likes it a little warm/hot out to run really well. Ive actually lost about .6 mph in the 1/8 since the tune. Im thinking the converter was locking up on me yea. Once it shifted to 3rd it would sit right at 4500 rpms and not drop or increase…until I dropped it down into 3.
I agree on the tires and suspension. Seems like gaining 60whp did it in for these tires lol cuz Im spinning with my good launches. Im gonna try lowering the psi next time. I ran it at 14 psi the whole night. Maybe 10 or 12 will be better. My tires are MT 26/10.50/16 if anyone wants to know. The suspension I plan on doing like I did with my other car. Besides subframe connectors and a strut tower brace the suspension is stock.
I dont think that will help. I still had my big front sway bar on and went 1.55’s easily with about your power level. Your typical LCA’s with brackets, good shocks/springs, and good pinion angle will be all thats necessary on that car.
Im thinking the converter was locking up on me yea. Once it shifted to 3rd it would sit right at 4500 rpms and not drop or increase…until I dropped it down into 3.
Sounds like its locking and the car just cant pull it. Same thing mine used to do. There will be like 5-8% converter rpm slippage with most converters. Once it locks up, it drops rpm to 0% slip or actual engine rpm for the mph you are traveling. If its not in a good spot in the powerband it wont pull. IF leaving it in third helps keep converter open, i would have expected a big difference in performance and it seemed to show based on your times. But still seems down abit from optimal.
I think the car really wants more gear to get up in the higher rpms before the traps. Should help the 60 as well
its bc you suck bobby thats why you didnt get it. lol jk. your last pass was a lot better and you will get it! just keep trying crap till you figure out what works best for you. maybe if you ate the 3 year old cookie it would help?
Hmm…Im not the only one that hasnt been able to hit the 11s with it.
My last pass I spun a bit but the car felt good. My second to last run I like how far the front clip raised haha. Im sure Ill get it…just gotta tweak some shit and get more practice in. Seeing as I woulda probably got diarrhea from your 3 yr old cookie you left under the back seat…I would have lost weight…and maybe hit the 11s? Haha
Here is another question I have tho. Laura said it would be a good idea to replace the plugs cuz its been awhile and the car was running lean for a few months. NGK TR55’s are in it now…do I stay with them or can/should I go with something a little better?
