My bolt on crusade - a retrospect

[NA-Stang]

I see that a lot of people have a build thread. This isn't exactly a build thread, but it is something I wish I had to look at when I started drag racing and modding my 05 GT.

I kept an accurate record of what I did to my car, and how it affected my ET. I didn't have the luxury of doing each bolt on one at a time, but it can give you a pretty good idea.

I hope this will help the beginners out there obtain some sort of direction to go in. Im not saying that me or my car is anything special, but I think I do fairly well.

I am going to spread this out through several posts, because I don't have the time to sit and do it all at once.

My first time at the track was a little over a year ago, on 7/8/2009. It was at Pittsburgh Raceway Park. I made three runs that night. The only thing done to the car at this point was a JLT Cold Air Intake, with the tune that came on my Xcal2 Tuner.

All of the runs are at full weight and on street tires. Sometimes I even had a cooler in the back seat with me.

Here was the quickest run of the night...

60ft - 2.16
330ft - 5.99
1/8 mile - 9.11 @ 79.7 mph
1000ft - 11.73
1/4 mile - 13.92 @ 103.42 mph

I am also going to give you the corrected ET given the DA, which was 13.53 @ 106.45 mph. I by no means say that this is what my car runs, I just use it to truely see if I improved from the last time at the track. Takes out the Humidity/Pressure/Temp variable.

So, that was my base run. Sort of.

 

[NA-Stang]

My next trip to the track was to National Trail Raceway, in Columbus, Ohio. It was an NMRA event. I raced in True Street. The date was 9/4/2009.

So, the mods for this trip were Stinger axle-back mufflers and a 4" aluminum driveshaft.

I made 8 runs that weekend, and here was my quickest run...

60ft - 2.09
330ft - 5.75
1/8 mile - 8.75 @ 82.16 mph
1000ft - 11.31
1/4 mile - 13.46 @ 105.04 mph

Corrected ET - 13.25 @ 106.77

So, I picked up .46 in the quarter mile actually, and theoretically picked up .28

The DA was way better at Columbus.

 

[Weou09]

I like this. I see my down fall now TIRES! Those are pretty good times compared to my poor ability.

 

[NA-Stang]

I then went back to PRP on 10/25/2009.

My mods this time was LCA's, UCA, LCA Relocation Brackets (on the 2" hole), and replaced the rear tires with 275/50/17.

I made three runs that night, and here is the best run....

60ft - 2.01
330ft - 5.63
1/8 mile - 8.60 @ 83.01 mph
1000ft - 11.15
1/4 mile - 13.29 @ 105.29 mph

Corrected ET was 13.14 @ 106.45

So, I actually picked up .17 in the quarter, and theoretically picked up a tenth.

 

[NA-Stang]

I was then done for the 2009 season. Over the winter, I added a sway bar delete, BBR Tune, UDP's, Delete Plates, and activated one of my two home-made "ram air" tubes.

I made it down to the track on July 1st, 2010. I made 6 runs that day, and here was the best...

60ft - 1.89
330ft - 5.35
1/8 mile - 8.25 @ 85.07 mph
1000ft - 10.73
1/4 mile - 12.83 @ 107.53 mph

Corrected ET was 12.65

So, I actually picked up .46 in the quarter, and theoretically picked up .49

 

[bullitt boy]

Can't factor out the experience you got driving the car and racing it gotta count for something.

 

[HEMI LOL]

Great thread.

 

[Ken04]

awesome thread, first I've seen with a break down of ET slips per mod, well done ! Rep for you.

 

[Five Oh Brian]

Your thread prompted me to go back and update my thread that outlined my mods and ET improvements after each....

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30729

 

[Blacksmoke]

Speaking of tires... I'd like to get a set of tires that will hook like a mofo on the street, but that I can leave on every day.

Hell, I only do about 10mi. of driving each day in traffic.
I have Nitto 555's now but I want a set of tires that will help me just completely
jump out and hook when I go up against pals on the weekend.

Any suggestions?
I'm running 275/40/18's all the way around.

 

[NA-Stang]

My next trip down, not much was done. To add to it, the DA was terrible.

The date, August 13, 2010

I installed CJ springs all around, and lowered my LCA's to the 3" Hole.

Here were the results...

60ft - 1.86
330ft - 5.35
1/8 mile - 8.31 @ 83.3 mph
1000ft - 10.84
1/4 mile - 12.98 @ 105.66 mph

Corrected ET - 12.58 @ 109.06

So, I lost .14 actually, but the DA, like I said, was terrible.

Theoretically, I picked up .06

 

[NA-Stang]

My last trip down was the last one for this season. It was on Oct 16, 2010.

My mods consisted of an o/r H-Pipe, and a dyno tune (more or less), and activation of my second "ram air" duct.

Here was my quickest run...

60ft - 1.82
330ft - 5.23
1/8 mile - 8.08 @ 86.26 mph
1000ft - 10.53
1/4 mile - 12.60 @ 109.06 mph

Corrected ET - 12.38 @ 111.01

So I actually picked up .22, and theoretically picked up .26 in the quarter.

And with that, the season is over.

To be continued...

 

[Torch Red GT]

This is a great thread! Btw those a great times for your mods especially your most recent runs

 

[808muscle]

Unreal times dude......awesome!

 

[GrnBullitt08]

Good Times.

 

[Blxcklist]

Cool thread and great times. What are the next mods in line?

 

[Kidd]

Very nice. Still haven't taken my car to the track, but I am starting to get inspired!

 

[NA-Stang]

Can't factor out the experience you got driving the car and racing it gotta count for something.

I do agree, especially with the first time at PRP compared to the second time at National Trail. Pretty unbelieviable to pick up .46 in the quarter with just an aluminum driveshaft and stinger axlebacks.

But after that, I think I had it down pretty good.

 

[NA-Stang]

Speaking of tires... I'd like to get a set of tires that will hook like a mofo on the street, but that I can leave on every day.

Hell, I only do about 10mi. of driving each day in traffic.
I have Nitto 555's now but I want a set of tires that will help me just completely
jump out and hook when I go up against pals on the weekend.

Any suggestions?
I'm running 275/40/18's all the way around.

For street tires, im sold on Nitto's. I have NT450s on my car.

 

[NA-Stang]

Cool thread and great times. What are the next mods in line?

I don't know. Eventually I would like to have every bolt on available. I just don't know what would benefit me the most. Im down to some expensive shit that when debated on this forum, have two very distinct sides of opinions when it comes to performance enhancement. So, Im torn.

But, I have these in mind..

• Tubular K-member and a-arms (together should shave 30lbs off the front end)
• Lightweight Battery (should shave another 15lbs off the front end)
• Ford Racing Intake
• Ford Racing TB
• Aftermarket Shocks
• Maziere Electric Water Pump
• LT Headers

I think that's about it. It will take some time, but rest assure I will post the ET after each mod done.