At the track my best time was a 14.4 @ 95 MPH. I launched at 6000 RPMs with dry tires with a full clutch dump as I went all the way in on the gas (to the floor). What am I doing wrong.

 

hype,

1. Did you bog below vtec at any point in 1st gear?

If you did...try launching a little higher than 6.

I launch at 6.5 on the streets to not bog 1st gear...the surface at the track should be pretty sticky...try 6.5 and 7K launch bud. Some people launch high and just feather the gas during tire spin.

From what I hear and from my experience...your best launch will occur when your rpm's stay in vtec during your launch, and when you come out of wheel spin...you should be above 6K rpm.

2. Weight...

Did you have a full tank of gas? Did you have any extra heavy items in the car? Take out the spare and the jack...plus any other heavy items.

3. Condition of the car...

How was the condition of the car? Was your oil old? Was it really hot outside? How about your oil level? Oil level effects your vtec...not enough oil...and your vtec isn't as strong

4. Driving...

Launch is pretty important...was your reaction time o.k.? How about shifting? Are you a good shifter? Sev seems to get really good times at the track...as him for some shifting techniques.



[Edited by Unicron on 04-19-2001 at 08:16 AM]

 

Well, my S2K is still breaking in but I have much experience with Hondas and I have run a 14.9@93mph with my unmodded 99 Prelude. In this car, the VTEC switch over is at 5250 rpm and I slip the clutch at 5300 rpm just enough to keep the tires from breaking loose and once rolling, I just dump the clutch the rest of the way and I get perfect traction every time. My 60 ft. time with this car is a consistant 2.1-2.2 seconds. Try this and I'll bet that your times will improve.

 

Beware the clutch fry out effect!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

i first the first time did some clutch slipping last night at 6000rpm, then let the clutch the entire way out while the gas was floored.... i burned through some clutch for sure! (smell when I got home)...no bog, no tire spin and i am sure a great timeslip......if only i had been at the track.

Scot

 

Hype,

Please post the details of your timeslip (60 ft, 1/8th mile ET and trap, etc.), condition of car (mileage, spare tire in or out, amount of gas in the tank, your weight) and your assessment of the weather while running (estimated temp and barometric pressure if you can find it).

From just the numbers you provided, its tough to tell, but a 14.4 ET is not bad with this car, especially the first time out. With only a 95 mph trap speed, that indicates to me that you got off the line pretty well. The reduced trap speed could be due to several factors: high temps, top down (can't believe they'd let you race like that) or driver technique. The latter is hard to assess, but you have to shift quickly and you have to hold each gear (well, at least the first 3) right to the redline without hitting the limiter. Shift too early or hit the limiter and you will lose ET and trap speed.

UL

 

Slipping the clutch on this car gets you nowhere. The tires have to be shocked into spinning with a quick clutch dump in the 5k to 7.5k RPMs range depending on asphalt condition, temperature, tires pressures, tire condition...

Any lower and you will badly bog and higher you will spin like crazy and loose time.

Clutch slippage was a techinque i used to use with my previous cars including my 1998 SH, however with this car if you slip the clutch it will only slip forever and you will smell the "funky" smell and get nowhere fast.

There is more to a 1/4 mile timeslip then just launching and shifting, as UL indicated, shifting at a precise point is necessary to extract max performance, shift speed and clutch engagement/disengagament are factors. Conditions such as, humidity, elevation, temperature and grip also play an important role.

 

Best Pass Statistics:

[S2000 / Weather]

4 1/2 gallons of gas
Spare tire in car
20 lb bookbag in trunk (college)
10,100 miles on car
Last oil change? at 9,100 miles
Outside temp: 55 to 60 degrees fareheit
Humidity: normal for the deep south (Tennessee)

[Timeslip]

R/T: 1.056
60': 2.143
330: 6.066
1/8: 9.291
MPH: 76.63 (at 1/8 mile)
1000: 12.047
1/4: 14.402
MPH: 95.79 (at 1/4 mile)

That was my best run ever. It was the 2nd run for that night and the 5th run in my *ENTIRE* life. The one prior to that was a 14.55 and the two after it were 14.9 and 15.4 (nervous, trying to do better, total screw up).

 

Oh yeah, they require the convertible top be *UP* during racing at this track. Further, this track is considered one of "the fastest NHRA drag strips in the country".

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hype
[B]Best Pass Statistics:

[S2000 / Weather]

4 1/2 gallons of gas
Spare tire in car
20 lb bookbag in trunk (college)
10,100 miles on car
Last oil change? at 9,100 miles
Outside temp: 55 to 60 degrees fareheit
Humidity: normal for the deep south (Tennessee)

[Timeslip]

R/T: