Gonna drag race my Sol for the first time.......

HuJass · 10-01-2009, 04:25 PM

Gonna drag race my Sol for the first time this weekend.
What are some things I need to keep in mind before I race and while I race?

The car is an all stock '07 GXP.

Is there a way to prep the car? What are good tire pressures? What's the best way to launch the car? Should I ice anything between runs?

Any input you could give me would be appreciated.

LatinVenom · 10-01-2009, 05:35 PM

Traction control completely off.
Try 25 lbs at the rear tires and 32-35 lbs on the front tires.
Experiment with the RPM start out at 2000.
Reaction time is your key.

I1ULUZ · 10-01-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LatinVenom

Reaction time is your key.

Reaction time helps you win if you are racing the guy in the next lane but does NOT change your ET or MPH in the least bit. You can sit there all day and still run 13.999.

Watch others before you go for your first pass, notice where they stop at, it's NOT at the tree. Don't drive past the staging lights. Street tires, stay away from the water if at all possible. First time going down the track, leave TC on think of it like training wheels even in the Solstice things can happen real fast if you are not expecting it.

The car on the side that has the turn off to the return road has the right away, always let them turn before you enter their lane. If you break something move over toward the outside of the lane so you don't lay down oil/coolant on the main part of the track.

Take a air pressure gauge if you are going to change your tire pressure.

Bosch · 10-01-2009, 09:54 PM

^^ Awsome advice

Most important. Anytime you feel something wrong, ANYTHING just let off the gas.. Don't worry about looking like a schmuck, your pride is much easier to fix than the sol.

The first few passes don't look for times, don't look for speed. You and the car want to launch and get to the other end in once piece.

And it just takes time and many many passes to get really good at it.

Beyond that have fun..

Jayhawker · 10-01-2009, 10:25 PM

I agree with everything that has been stated. Again, avoid the water. Don't feel obligated to do a burnout; it's unnecessary. Your tires will be clean and warmed up soon enough!

JT72 · 10-02-2009, 03:29 AM

Always avoid wheel hop.. As soon as it starts let off the gas then continue. It will damage your drive line, rear end, differ, etc..

HuJass · 10-02-2009, 03:40 AM

I was thinking more along the lines of things specific to the turbo Kappas.
I've been racing all my life.

Like what RPMs to leave at, what rear tire pressures, do I sidestep the clutch when I leave or do I feather it out? Is there any basic things I can do to the car to wring out an extra tenth or 2? Those kinds of things.

But thank you for the input so far.

I1ULUZ · 10-02-2009, 05:11 AM

Let us know your ET/MPH of your runs. If you don't mind the name of the track and the time of your quickest run. This site will give you the DA at the time of that run or very close if the track is on their list.

DA Calculator - Density Altitude Calculator - DragTimes.com

HuJass · 10-04-2009, 07:41 AM

No racing today. Intermittent showers all day.
That's 2 weeks in a row now.
Only 3 events left for the season.

Craig Lewis · 10-04-2009, 08:49 AM

My only succesful launch style was slipping the clutch in a big way.

Otherwise...either the car would bog at low RMP launch or wheel hop if you try to leave hard.

I experimented with several air preasures from 24- 29. I noticed no difference.

Let me qualify by saying that I am no expert, by a long shot. I'm pretty sure even the anouncer mentioned over the PA that I was having significant trouble launching

If I were to take it to the drag strip with any intention other than giving the car a good blast, I would definately put a far smaller wheel on the back.

RayW · 10-04-2009, 04:43 PM

In July 2009, I took my 2007 Soltice GXP to Island Dragway in New Jersey for "tuners night" where you can make as may runs as you want. It's a bone stock automatic with 2500 miles on it. Two best passes were 14.07 at 97mph and 14.11 at 98mph. In "Competition Mode", I launced at around 2500 and slowly rolled on the throttle, with just a tiny bit of wheelspin. This was the first car I ever drag raced and it was really fun.

When I got home , I asked my Pontiac dealer to purchase and install the stainless cat-back exhaust and turbo upgrade kit. I can't wait to get back to the strip, 'cause it has much more balls; I'd say I'll drop a second - we'll see. I learned about these upgrades form this forum which is great.

HuJass · 10-08-2009, 03:50 AM

We're gonna shoot for this Sunday. The weatherman says it should be dry. We'll see.
It will be cool. 51 degrees F. I know cars like cool temps but I question if that's too cool.

I1ULUZ · 10-08-2009, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuJass

We're gonna shoot for this Sunday. The weatherman says it should be dry. We'll see.
It will be cool. 51 degrees F. I know cars like cool temps but I question if that's too cool.

Some of my best runs have been on colder days than that. If it's sunny the track surface will be warm and the VHT will help. Rule of thumb is for every 10*F drop in temps a 1% increase in power gain.

The track I go to is hosting a National event this weekend so next Friday I'll get to go back and run.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayW

In July 2009, I took my 2007 Soltice GXP to Island Dragway in New Jersey for "tuners night" where you can make as may runs as you want. It's a bone stock automatic with 2500 miles on it. Two best passes were 14.07 at 97mph and 14.11 at 98mph. In "Competition Mode", I launced at around 2500 and slowly rolled on the throttle, with just a tiny bit of wheelspin. This was the first car I ever drag raced and it was really fun.

When I got home , I asked my Pontiac dealer to purchase and install the stainless cat-back exhaust and turbo upgrade kit. I can't wait to get back to the strip, 'cause it has much more balls; I'd say I'll drop a second - we'll see. I learned about these upgrades form this forum which is great.

Interesting ET/MPH what were 60ft times?

Dropping a full second off might be wishful thinking.

HuJass · 10-08-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I1ULUZ

Some of my best runs have been on colder days than that. If it's sunny the track surface will be warm and the VHT will help. Rule of thumb is for every 10*F drop in temps a 1% increase in power gain.

I'm worried about the car cooling off too much between runs. The track will probably be packed as they haven't run in the last 2 weeks. It's also a regular points event, so all the classes will be there.

There could be a 1 to 1.5 hour wait between runs. The car probably won't run it's best if it's not in closed loop.

I1ULUZ · 10-08-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuJass

I'm worried about the car cooling off too much between runs. The track will probably be packed as they haven't run in the last 2 weeks. It's also a regular points event, so all the classes will be there.

There could be a 1 to 1.5 hour wait between runs. The car probably won't run it's best if it's not in closed loop.

As long as it's not making the strange start up light off the cats sound it will be in closed loop, normally about a minute or so. Every once in a while start it up and bring the coolant temps up to normal and shut it down. Older PCM's it was coolant temp, number of revs and time it's been running that would let it go into closed loop. Waiting on my service manual so I can read up on what parameters this PCM looks at before going into closed loop. Also at WOT most likely it goes out of closed loop unless it looking at the WB O2 and making corrections from it, I would think it's using the LTFT's for corrections.

I've been to the track on days like that, not a lot of fun except for those 13 or so seconds you are making your pass. But it's normally interesting to talk to others stuck in the staging lanes.