[Z_RaceR]

Hey guys so here is the story, i have a 2003 Z which i only had about 3 months, and the only mod i have is a pop charger intake. Im running 225 tires in the front and 245's in the back, street tire with plenty of thread left. The temperature was about 15 degrees celsius (sorry dont know the conversion) lol...and it had just rained before we came to the track, but was fully dried out.

I did 4 runs, with my best time of [email protected]/h which was disappointing, as i was hoping for a MAX 14.3 run. I launched at around 22-2300 rpm's and got minor wheel hop. My 60 ft time were not that gear, averaging about 2.3 or so. At first i thought it was because of the track but then my buddy in a bone stock Cobalt SS was doing [email protected] mp/h which is what his car should do.

I recently did a tupe up, i changed all the fluids, and put in new spark plugs. Now here is the thing, and i dont know if this has anything to do with performance at all, as im not too familiar with cars mechanically. I bought NGK Iridium IX spark plugs and put them in without gapping them, as people on some forums said they are pre-gapped and dont need to be touched, the manual also said gapping was not needed. I then found out that our OEM plugs are actually NGK laser platinums. Now would this have anything to do with the performance of my car? My car runs really good, smoothly, no knocking or hesitation.

Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks

 

[Z1NONLY]

Looking at your trap speed, I'm thinking your car is running ok. (I ran a 13.997 and only trapped ~98mph)

If you post your slip, we might be able to help more, but the 60ft needs to come down, and I'm guessing there's a little too much time between your shifts.

 

[smoothz]

Some people lower the rear tire pressure at the drag strip. Consider that some people also take out their passenger seat, spare tire, floor mats, run with a few gallons of gas, etc to lighten the load.

 

[Z_RaceR]

Thanks guys, here is my slip...

R/T .543
60' 2.357
330 6.366
1/8 9.615
MPH 77.62
1000 12.348
1/4 14.657
MPH 99.42

 

[smoothz]

I think reducing the 60' time will help you. Reaction time is good. Maybe the track sucks. I know that's the case with one of them in my area.

 

[Z1NONLY]

Thanks guys, here is my slip...

R/T .543
60' 2.357
330 6.366
1/8 9.615
MPH 77.62
1000 12.348
1/4 14.657
MPH 99.42

Looks like it's all in the launch. Your car is pulling pretty well from the 1/8 to the 1/4.

If you can get the 60ft down around 2 flat, you will be in the high 13's low 14's.

(Shaving 3 tenths at the beginning will hack more than three tenths overall.)

 

[ambigu0us]

I concur with the fellas.

If you're on stock tires, go around the water box and no burn out.
Lower the tire pressure just a bit as mentioned.
Don't "shallow" stage (have both yellow lights on the tree when staging).
You have a really good trap speed.
Are you stick or auto?

It just takes some practice. Don't be down on yourself or car. =)

 

[Z_RaceR]

Thanks guys, my car is 6 spd, and i dont think i mentioned there was still puddles all over the place...so im pretty sure my tires were still a bit wet when i did my runs.

Stupid question probably, but do spark plugs have anything to do with performance? Should i have gotten the platinum (OEM) ones ore am i ok with the NGK iridium ones that i bought?

 

[smoothz]

You're fine with the OEM plugs. That should be the least of your worries or concerns unless you think you're getting an oil leak and fouling the plugs.

 

[idrm350]

Personally, I don't think you should have put in the iridium plugs. That said, a lot of people use them.

 

[ambigu0us]

Personally, I don't think you should have put in the iridium plugs. That said, a lot of people use them.

We installed some when we put the S/C in -- no issues on our end. =)
Either way -- I don't think its the plugs causing and good or bad on these runs.

 

[Z_RaceR]

I guess i should mention that when we took out my old plugs they had oil all over the bottom of the plugs, especially the 2 plugs at the back of the motor (closer to the driver)...is this normal?

 

[Turbo_Z]

From what I've read that could be a valve cover gasket leak.

 

[kidtsi]

maybe it is you?

 

[smlocklear]

yea i ran 13.8 in a 04 all stock .