New SPF Owner - Drag Advice

[Kiwi Steve]

Giddy all,

About to get my new SPF on the road and really looking forward to some fun at the local drag strip.

I'm running a Windsor stroked to 438 ci, McLeod RST clutch, TKO600, ZF diff, 15" rims with Avon 295 rear rubber. Engine dyno'ed at 560 hp and 545 ft lb.

Couple of questions.

1. How much risk will I be running of drive train failure given this setup during full on launches? I've seen a few postings on SPF half shaft breakages. What if I ever put on drag radials?

2. I've never been on a strip with anything like this torque/power so my technique learning curve will be steep LOL! (there are some great postings I've been reading on technique to practice). Given the setup, what would be respectable 1/4 and 1/8 mile run times for me to aspire to?

Thanks all.

Steve

[Blas]

Drag radials will twist those axles in a heartbeat....
Especially with the HP you are pushing....

[vatdevil]

The IRS makes for horrible launches. I have the older T Bird IRS and wheel hop is bad. Rubber differential mounts and control arm bushing aren't helpful either.

[Mark IV]

Remember, it a "weakest link" setup. The axles will live forever if the tires don't hookup. So long as the there is tire slip, the trans, diff and axles will be happy. Once they become the "master" someone else will suffer the pain.

Do a low rev launch and all will be well. Just "roll into" the throttle off the line, it will not make great video but it will go fast and save the hardware.

[CHRIS DAMSCH]

I ran drag radials for 3 or 4 years and never broke a shaft, yet my Dad broke two on his SPF on bfg radial t/a's.
You just have to learn to slip the clutch just right to launch these cars.
With the right technique you can achieve 1.5 sec. 60' times on street tires. Lower on drag radials.

I wouldn't advise popping the clutch at any rpm's. You will just smoke the tires.

[madmaxx]

Make sure yo have the oltoff motor mounts!!!! Unless you don't like your side pipe opening

[D-CEL]

Been running them since 2005, haven't broken and axel yet.
But I wouldn't suggest airing them down to 13psi, heating them up and dropping the clutch at 5k....unless you need a "wife excuse" to upgrade to 31 spline

jason

[twin turbo]

With that hp and good traction and shifts you have a good shot at the 10's in the 1/4. However, most run 11's with similiar power in a Cobra replica. In addition to what others have said above, track prep makes a huge difference. Oh, and best of luck dealing with tech after you make your 1st pass. Cheers.

[Kiwi Steve]

Thanks for the great advice guys. You'll know I've screwed up clutch slip control if I'm here asking who builds stronger SPF half shafts soon! Anyway gotta have a serious crack at breaking into the 10's (tnx for the target twin turbo) - will be really interesting to see how the Avon's go but suspect drag radials may be required (and those MTs look great Jason!)

[750hp]

Originally Posted by D-CEL

Been running them since 2005

jason

Jason, what size tires are they? They look wide enough (but not tall enough) to be the 325/50.

[vatdevil]

Using the winter down time to better the launch of my car. Putting in solid mounts on the differential, both the two front mounts and single rear mount. Poly engine and trans mounts. Upgrading to 03-04 Cobra 31 spline half shafts, which are available new from Ford.

Would like to get rid of the rubber control arm bushings, haven't figured that out yet.

[G-Pete]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Steve

Giddy all,
2. I've never been on a strip with anything like this torque/power so my technique learning curve will be steep LOL!
Steve

There is some advise...

DON'T DO IT!!!


...at least not with this car. You need some experience about launching and launch control.
Get you an older car with 300HP+ and get a few drags on that. That cools your rookie fever and your hand stop to shake and your focus on the end of the strip not on your hands and feet.

If you like to trash your car, make your first run on the drag strip and be the funny topic for a month - go ahead make my day and put it on youtube....

Steve, now when you are ready for a good time, get a spare set of rims save your Avon's - get drag radials. The Avon tire is an good tire for the road course but they are less predictable at the drag strip.
The last thing what you don't want is, a near stock Civic beat you on the 1/8th.

Have fun and report back....



427 cobra vs. viper - YouTube

[Kiwi Steve]

GPete - that is undoubtably the best advice of all! I suspect however, I'll take the "jump in the deep end approach" with as much back country road drag practice as possible.

I promise to let you all know how I go (although there will be no embarrassing YouTube posts!!!)

I'm still a couple of months away as car has to ship from LA to NZ and get certified here, but I will be back.....

[G-Pete]

Good luck to you Steve. Just watch out the speed IS highly addictive .......

[patrickt]

Here you go, Pete... I "tweaked" it for you.

[G-Pete]

uhhhh Patrickt, to do that would be double of the budget needed --- we barely made the trip home hahaha

[blown871]

the need for 'speed' and dragracing is very addictive..........and to get to the next 'number' costs $.......

easy to go from the 13's to 12's to 11's... and then the 10's... BUT ... each increment after that is $... time and broken parts.

[twin turbo]

Getting our cars to pass tech is another issue in itself.

[Hotfingrs]

Originally Posted by blown871

the need for 'speed' and dragracing is very addictive..........and to get to the next 'number' costs $.......

easy to go from the 13's to 12's to 11's... and then the 10's... BUT ... each increment after that is $... time and broken parts.

A lot of broken parts, for me in the 10's......a lot more in the 9's.