need help. first time at track

[blue_mann2003]

i have a 50 trim, solid motor and tranny mounts,and will be running slicks. i am wondering what rpm i should launch at? what psi should i have them set at? what rpm would it be more beneficial to shift at?

[Nsydr]

Slicks try 14psi cold. If they spin bad lower a couple psi but not more than a couple (you will spin but then should bite hard.... if you are spinning like on streets then lower pressure. Launch around 4000-4500 if it bogs launch a few 100 rpms higher but 4000-4500 is normally the spot. Bring extra axles if you have them... and have fun.

Don't worry about ur time if this is ur 1st time out. Just get to know the car and what works best.

Shift like you would in a street race UNLESS you plan on WOT shifting. If you WOT shift start your shift about 5800 or so depending on how quick you can shift. It's a trial and error thing... shift soon enough so you don't hit rev limit but not so soon that you lose a good portion of the powerband.

Do your burn out in 2nd gear not 1st. Make sure to turn the wheel back and forth to make sure both slicks are heated up.

read through this... it will tell you everything you need to know.
Drag Racing Fundamentals for the SRT-4

[Neon Nick]

I have M&H slicks and they say to run them between 10-12psi, so I usually put them around 9psi cold so when they heat up they are about where they need to be. I've accidentally had them at 14psi before and I knew to check them after my 60ft sucked on my time slip so I would think starting at 14psi cold is going to be a bad idea...

[Nsydr]

I started mine out at 14psi cold and gained 3psi in one run.... lowered down to 13psi while tire was still "warm" and that was the sweet spot for my car. In my opinion it's better to start with too much air then not enough.... that's why i said 14psi cold then go down from there (don't know if they have a air compressor to add air). (And yes you are correct BUT I never know how experienced the ppl i talk to are so I try to give advice that will cover even the beginners and then work into where they should be.)

[Neon Nick]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nsydr

I started mine out at 14psi cold and gained 3psi in one run.... lowered down to 13psi while tire was still "warm" and that was the sweet spot for my car. In my opinion it's better to start with too much air then not enough.... that's why i said 14psi cold then go down from there (don't know if they have a air compressor to add air). (And yes you are correct BUT I never know how experienced the ppl i talk to are so I try to give advice that will cover even the beginners and then work into where they should be.)

Yeah, I guess I didn't think of it but I always bring an air tank with me to the track so if I need more air it's not biggie, whereas if you go too low and you need more air then you either have a problem or you have to find someone that has an air tank around...

[BOOSTINSRT04]

14psi cold isnt a bad starting point for the first time, but depending on track prep, you'll find out that 9-10psi cold is going to be the sweet spot.

[Rhunter]

Quote: Originally Posted by BOOSTINSRT04

14psi cold isnt a bad starting point for the first time, but depending on track prep, you'll find out that 9-10psi cold is going to be the sweet spot.

would 12 be a better start? I run my DR's at 13 cold, the best 60' I've gotten out of them has been 2.0

I have some slicks now (got em used) and I have not have much luck with em. But in all fairness it's been operator error both times.

[Pablo]

Start out at 11psi cold and launch at about 4700-5200, this usually nets mid 11's in my .50 trim stock motor car.