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1st Gen Forever · 10-21-2012, 02:19 PM

I call this my "Full Disclosure" post. Friday's outing was a mixed bag for me because although I took my ZL1 and did not do well, my son ran our 2010 SS (all stock) as his first time down a drag strip and he really impressed me. I was a proud father Friday night for his performance with that car! He's car #403 on two of the time slips below.

Nice job Alex!

Now for the disclosure. The time slips below are my final 3 runs of the night and the only 3 that I didn't shut the power down at the end. I started the night attempting to get my launches figured out without running faster than 11.5 because the tech crew were EXTREMELY strict to point out that without a roll cage and drive shaft loop, I would be kicked out if I ran quicker than 11.5. At first, I thought that would be my biggest issue because I have a 700HP car and drag radials so of course i would hit 10s if I didn't take it easy right?

Wrong!

I'm car# 402 on these slips

Between my own nervousness and the slickness of the track Friday, every launch felt like a tap dance through a mine field!

I've drag raced 400 to 500 RWHP cars years ago. Autos and stick. Stick was always tricky so I installed a line lock in my ZL1 to help with burnouts and staging. My biggest enemy on my launches was my own mind. Between managing the traction control every time I would restart the car, using the line lock, and trying not to over power the launch, I ended up with crappy reaction times, wheel spinning 60' times, and a powerful car that once I hit 3rd gear would spend the top end of the track actually putting down the power.

So now other than tuning my own mental reaction time and making sure I go to a track that actually does a nice job with prep, I am on the fence with the next step on this car. My goal all along has been to build a 700rwhp daily drivable street Camaro that makes torque everywhere, is a blast to drive, but civilized when you need it to be. I would like to take road trips with this car and be able to occasionally put people in the back seat. My outing to the drag strip was intended to be a "lets see what the car can do?" Not the next chapter of building an NHRA legal 10 second car.

So today as I debate the following list...
-Bogart 17" wheels and Hoosier slicks
-Beadlocks or no beadlocks
-A custom drag tune on the ECM reducing torque down low
-RPM bolt in Roll Cage and Moroso Driveshaft loop
-Race gas tune

I have to ask myself if all of this is worth it to get that 9.999 timeslip and then go on with my life having a 2 seater Camaro and some expensive wheel/tires to sell on cragslist.

10-21-2012, 02:19 PM	#261
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	I call this my "Full Disclosure" post. Friday's outing was a mixed bag for me because although I took my ZL1 and did not do well, my son ran our 2010 SS (all stock) as his first time down a drag strip and he really impressed me. I was a proud father Friday night for his performance with that car! He's car #403 on two of the time slips below. Nice job Alex! Now for the disclosure. The time slips below are my final 3 runs of the night and the only 3 that I didn't shut the power down at the end. I started the night attempting to get my launches figured out without running faster than 11.5 because the tech crew were EXTREMELY strict to point out that without a roll cage and drive shaft loop, I would be kicked out if I ran quicker than 11.5. At first, I thought that would be my biggest issue because I have a 700HP car and drag radials so of course i would hit 10s if I didn't take it easy right? Wrong! I'm car# 402 on these slips Between my own nervousness and the slickness of the track Friday, every launch felt like a tap dance through a mine field! I've drag raced 400 to 500 RWHP cars years ago. Autos and stick. Stick was always tricky so I installed a line lock in my ZL1 to help with burnouts and staging. My biggest enemy on my launches was my own mind. Between managing the traction control every time I would restart the car, using the line lock, and trying not to over power the launch, I ended up with crappy reaction times, wheel spinning 60' times, and a powerful car that once I hit 3rd gear would spend the top end of the track actually putting down the power. So now other than tuning my own mental reaction time and making sure I go to a track that actually does a nice job with prep, I am on the fence with the next step on this car. My goal all along has been to build a 700rwhp daily drivable street Camaro that makes torque everywhere, is a blast to drive, but civilized when you need it to be. I would like to take road trips with this car and be able to occasionally put people in the back seat. My outing to the drag strip was intended to be a "lets see what the car can do?" Not the next chapter of building an NHRA legal 10 second car. So today as I debate the following list... -Bogart 17" wheels and Hoosier slicks -Beadlocks or no beadlocks -A custom drag tune on the ECM reducing torque down low -RPM bolt in Roll Cage and Moroso Driveshaft loop -Race gas tune I have to ask myself if all of this is worth it to get that 9.999 timeslip and then go on with my life having a 2 seater Camaro and some expensive wheel/tires to sell on cragslist.