track tips for my 99 cobra

[daveshapellSVT]

Ok, i've been talking to ppl and i think i can run a 12.9 with my mods.. i'm just wondering what some tricks for the track might be? i've seen some guys remove there right headlight so they can get more air to the engine.. does that really help? how much? what about tire pressure? whats a good tire pressure to run on the rear tires? i have stock 99 cobra rims with nitto 555R drag radials.. how about weight? is it worth it to remove the spare and jack? anything else that will help? i wanna first try and run the 12.9 with the car just the way it is and if i can't get it i wanna use some tricks so your help and commentsare appreciated..

[StangNut86]

get a set of slicks and hook hard. that's the best advice i can give.

[daveshapellSVT]

thanks, but will that break my rear end?

[StangNut86]

it might break your rear end, especially after repeated hard launches. but as your car gets more powerful, you're gonna have to upgrade that anyway. i mean, if you told me that's as far as you're ever gonna go with your mods i'd shoot myself in the foot. if i were you, i'd get a good diff, a pair of 31 or even 33 spline axles, c-clip elims, and a rear support. that wouldn't cost too overwhelmingly much, and carry you a lot farther. while you have the diff open you can also change wheel bearings, it's a good opportunity. and if you up your rear gear a little you'll be just that much faster, too.

[SikNingStang]

I would say 25lbs of air pressure would do good... 20 - 25... and removing the headlight gets more air in but it's like that ram air configuration whoever it was came up with... ram air is a myth I'd think the same thing applies here.

Theoredically every 100lbs you drop is the equivalent of gaining 10 hp... keep that in mind while removing stuff to lose weight... so a 2000lb car with 200hp should be even with a 3000lb car with 300hp... theoredically

Do you warm up your tires before launching? I found to be the best is just burning the tires till they begin to hook up and let off then run it... that seems to work best for me... I don't do any excessive burnout/white smoking everywhere. It doesn't seem to work as well.

That's about all I can think of... slicks would be good but... you got to get some first... lol

[GTStang]

#1 Any weight you can ditch do it! Rear seats, spare tire, jack, etc.., ditch it!!!

#2 Nitto DR's 18psi your gonna have to expirement a little but this is a good starting point.

#3 If you feel wheel-hop get off the gas right away!!!!!! That is how the half-shafts break. I have to be honest with DR's at a low psi like I said a few good launches could kill a half-shaft.

[daveshapellSVT]

sweet i'll lower the air pressure to 20lbs, and i'll remove the spare and jack see how much that does... now, should i prep the tires at the track? heat them up by doing a burnout or is that just for slicks? i totally don't wanna take a chance at breaking anything, but i guess by going to the track i already am lol

[SikNingStang]

drag radials... yes you should warm them up... you can tell the difference by simply driving through gravel... if you burnout you can hear them picking up all the little rocks but when they're not warm they won't... that's just an easy way to see that is DOES help them get sticky/stickier.

[daveshapellSVT]

thanks man..

[GrahamGT]

#1 Any weight you can ditch do it! Rear seats, spare tire, jack, etc.., ditch it!!!
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Not me, I don't know if it's just me but a spare tire has been a life saver many "A" time. I don't know what it is, I'm starting to think it has something to do with the burnout that last for a solid 30 seconds but I'm not sure. :continues thinking:

[daveshapellSVT]

i may seem kinda fagish, but i really don't wanna get ahrdcore on gutting the car.. i think i'll go as far as the spare and jack, but interiors get ugly fast when you remove them alot..i used to do that in my 2000 Z24 and after a while there were scratches, tears, and parts that didn't fit.. It got me a 15.3 though let me tell ya lol hey is it true the track won't let you run without a roll cage if you run 11.9 or lower?