My day at the track - Honda Prelude Forum

gmwhitelude · 07-24-2003, 10:33 PM

Ok, well me and my friend decided to go to the track and watch the races for the first time. The following week, I was going to go and race. Well, when we got to the gate my friend said to just run it, so I did. I had never been to any track before.

Well, I sucked

My first ever race, I was going to take off normal just to get the feel. I got a 16.4.

My second race, 4500rpm, slipped the clutch too long. My best time, wasnt much better 16.1!!

My third race, one of the 2 little lights shut off (my car rolled a couple of inches forward). I thought I had to back up but the lights went and I wasnt ready. No launch at all 16.4(Thats the worst you can possibly get without misshifting).

Before the fourth race, we met Tony, who says is a member of this board. He gave us a few tips. Thanks Tony

I let my friend go this time against Tony 5th gen vs 5th gen.
He launched at 4500rpm. Got a much better launch than I did but shifted to 5th instead of 3rd. Oh well, it was a bad night but we had a blast.
My best time 16.1
60' 2.720
330 7.046
1/8 10.575
mph 68.94
1000 13.604
1/4 16.157
mph 88.01

My friends time
60' 2.566
330 6.764
1/8 10.363
mph 65.69
1000 13.738
1/4 16.466
mph 83.56

Can you guys comment on what I need to do the most to get a better time.
Also, about what time would my friend have gotten if he hadnt missed 3rd. He also shifted at 7500, not 8000.

I have a 98 prelude with i/e and yes its 5 speed

Brady92/4WS · 07-24-2003, 10:40 PM

its all in your launch... you got a 2.7 60 foot time, respectable is 2.3 and good is 2.2 and below. Read the LC launch thingy...

gmwhitelude · 07-24-2003, 10:47 PM

How did you get 15.5 at 88mph.
All my trps were 88mph+ and they were all 16.1 and up?

CTPRELUDE · 07-24-2003, 10:52 PM

Dont feel bad, my first time to the track ever I got a 16.1 also. I was stock and had only had it for about 3 months though. Anyway you will get better. Best launches come from around 5200rpm while slipping the clutch and feathering the throttle.

Jacques · 07-25-2003, 12:19 AM

Moving to the Drag forum...

99Prelude_LC · 07-25-2003, 12:40 AM

88mph, thats ridiculously low, i'm assuming theres a whole lot of elevation where you are. Otherwise you would know somethings wrong with the car. I trapped 92 once and it made me very sad lol, i would be crying if it were 88 at around sea level. Yeah don't worry about the e.t. if its altitude related, just work on the launch, its in the faq!. a 4500 slip should net you a 2.3. If you're doing that and still getting 2.7 your stock clutch may be going out.

gmwhitelude · 07-25-2003, 04:19 AM

Now your scaring me. I hope that there is nothing wrong with the car. The clutch is new since a spring popped on my old one and I had to replace it. I only really had one launch and that sucked, so its obvious that thats the problem.
I would think that if I get in the 2.3s and improve .4 to .5 then I will be in the 90s right?
Also, the reason that I meesed up is that my so3 grip really well on the regular road causing me to wheel hop many times. In the track the car went totally different. Much slipplier especially since it had drizzled a few hours earlier.
I am going back next week because I cannot take this time.
Also, what should my tire pressure be set at. I had mine at 32psi but with the tires being hot it was like 36!

apocalypse · 07-25-2003, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 99Prelude_LC
88mph, thats ridiculously low, i'm assuming theres a whole lot of elevation where you are. Otherwise you would know somethings wrong with the car. I trapped 92 once and it made me very sad lol, i would be crying if it were 88 at around sea level. Yeah don't worry about the e.t. if its altitude related, just work on the launch, its in the faq!. a 4500 slip should net you a 2.3. If you're doing that and still getting 2.7 your stock clutch may be going out.

elevation of the track is 86 feet

cantdrive55 · 07-25-2003, 01:19 PM

Both of you need to work on your launches. 2.7 is HORRIBLE! So is 2.5 actually.

vector4 · 07-25-2003, 06:22 PM

shift at 8000 rpms on teh stock tach, it is way off and you are really at about 7500 rpms

99Prelude_LC · 07-25-2003, 07:29 PM

yeah if you're short shifting at anything below 8k on the tach before fuel cutoff that could hurt your times too. 88mph is too low imo. you might want to reset your ecu also just in case. what were you shifting at outta curiosity?

gmwhitelude · 07-25-2003, 09:41 PM

Yeah, I shifted at 8000 but it really doesnt matter with that type of launch.
Also, due you guys use the clutch when you shift?
My friend, in his car, does not use the clutch at all. Only during takeoff.
I have been practicing my launch and I realized how much better I can do. I'll be going back to the track on wed.
I am not sure but I should easily be in the 90s if I can get in the 2.3s. Right?

jtcdudeman · 07-26-2003, 04:18 PM

umm guys... I was traping at 89 mph last week when I went ot the track too... It was also my firts time ever.. Needless to say I did hit 92mph once... and I was disapointed because that was my slowest 60 ft time... 2.3.. Of course, 4th gen here.. Times were alright.. 14.6 best time of the day @ 92 mph... and I was running 15.4 at 89 mph.... It was just too damn hot at the track too...

Fast&furiuslude · 07-26-2003, 04:21 PM

ok my dead grandma can beat a 2.7 60!

gmwhitelude · 07-26-2003, 10:42 PM

Hey, dude what kind of a joke is that?
Talking about your grandma like that and making fun of me because I messed up on a launch?

No need for that man

godfather16 · 07-27-2003, 04:16 PM

His comment is nothing more than insignificant, do not pay attention.

dubzz24 · 11-20-2003, 11:46 AM

Old post, but I thought I'd comment. Typically (from experience), I've found that the lower the 60' time is, the lower the trap speed will be too. Same as when most guys get slicks. The traction will give you lower 60' times, you'll get slightly quicker 1/4 times, but yuor trap speed will likely drop a few mph even though you're 1/4 time is quicker. The best trap speed I ever got was 94.5mph and that was with a 2.6 60' (horrible for me). Best 1/4 is 15.0 at 93 mph with a 2.2 60'.