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I'm not expecting to do too good since I'm a virgin at this, but I hope to be in the mid 16s when I'm done.
I'm just not sure how to run my M, though. Should I redline between gears or shift at around 5500 rpms to stay in the powerband. I think I'm gonna keep the traction control on and do some power braking.
In any case, I'm sure it will be fun and will give me some true times before I add the big mods like dual exhaust, air charger and +4 plugs. I'll be bringing my video camera and digital camera and will hopefully be able to post some action shots soon after.
-vman
Although they cost more than Sears wanted to charge I'm happy to use DT again anyway as they offer the "true round" (Hunter balancing) for $10 per tire, plus they always put the weights on the inside of the wheel and give me those nice chrome stems and caps at no extra charge.
I have a neighbor friend who does runs there frequently. He used to have a really nice El Camino that would win quite a lot. His latest is an unassuming early model Volvo station wagon that he dropped a late model Z28 engine into. If you look closely you can see the Camaro dual pipes coming out the back (the thing is LOUD). So when this englishman pulls up in the little Volvo people will snicker. He won 3 out of 4 runs against a Camaro, a Mustang and a heavily modded "japanese" car. Lost to another Camaro.
Welcome to the Sport AS Club Blonda. Great choice huh?
Good luck with the tires. NO racing! ;-))
fastdriver
Here's some quick info about the two cars:
Dan's 1999 300M (Gold)
New (2 weeks old) Borla exhaust
K&N Air filter
Tornado Air
My 1999 300M (Silver)
K&N Air filter
Tornado Air
Rear spoiler (who knows, maybe it makes a difference...lol)
I was a little quicker off the line with a .761 reaction time (beginner's luck I guess) and Dan's was .824. Just to let you know,.50 is perfect.
My 1/4 mile was 16.238 at 85.47 mph
Dan's 1/4 mile was 16.272 at 86.33 mph
Although I beat him in the 1/4 mile, he was definitly catching up. I guess the Borla Exhaust likes it wide open. Dan actually made it to the semi-finals but I lost in my first round. I had a bad reaction time even though I beat the guy. The Dial-In time killed me.
Here's a streaming video of our "Dualing Ms" using Real Player. Dan's in the far lane and I'm in the near lane. If you don't have the Real Player, you can get it at http://www.real.com/realone/index.html?lang=en&loc=us
Cable Modems - http://www.martin-productions.com/Real-Media/dualing-Ms-cable.ram
56K Modems - http://www.martin-productions.com/Real-Media/dualing-Ms-56k.ram
I'll be posting more photos and videos of our other runs ASAP. I just wanted to get these two online so you can watch them.
Once I add some more mods, I'll certainly be headed back out to Keystone. It was a real blast. I would recommend it to anyone.
-vman
Cool stuff!
Once it's your turn to race, you can do a little burn out before you line up. This isn't a bad idea cause they spray water in the burn out area and if you don't do at least a little, your tires will be wet when you launch. After the burn out, you go up to the line. There's two lights that turn on (one for the front of the front wheel and one for the back of the front wheel). When both lights turn on, your car is properly set on the line. There are then 3 yellow lights that blink downward and the last light is green. That's go baby.
But here's the trick for quicker take off reaction times. You want to cut loose when the third yellow light lights up. This is because the sensor that says you "Red Lighted" (meaning that started too soon) is about 1 foot in front of the start line. By the time you're done doing a tire spin and go that 1 extra foot, the green light is already on. They give you specs on your reaction time. 0.50 is perfect. Some of these pros hit 0.54 and 0.53. My best was 0.615.
As for Autostick, Traction control, etc. I used the autostick and didn't touch it once I took off. I just let it shift by itself at the red line. The best part about that is the 300M is very consistent with it's shift points. Since you have to dial in times (basically tell the track people what you think your next time will be), the autostick makes that easier. I left the traction control on mainly because Dan said the last time he was there, he didn't see any difference with it on or off. So what the heck, I left it on.
Also, before the launch, I did a power brake. While holding the brake down as hard as I could, I would be giving it gas when the first yellow light turned on. Sorry, I'm not sure how many RPMs I was at cause I was too busy watching the light tree. Once the third yellow light turned on, I slid my foot off the brake and held on. The rest is pretty simple. Just keep your right foot pushed through the floor board and enjoy the ride.
One last thing. At the end of the 1/4 mile, there's two white lines. You have to keep it floored past those lines or you'll loose time. I made the mistake of seeing the lines and for some reason (I still can't figure it out) I let off the gas a bit. I lost over two tenths of a second on that run and was ridiculed by Dan the rest of the day.
-vman
Blonda--Know what it was like on the tires. I've been patiently waiting for a replacement on one of the Goodrich Comp TAs that was defective right off the rack. It's over a month now and they keep giving me that same old story, out of production, blah, blah, have to find one...in Reno, NV, will be here soon, etc., expect it Monday or Tuesday...Really frustrating sometimes.
I ended up in the placing 3rd out of about 50+ cars. Ended up losing to videoman's neighbor.
It was very hot 90+ and humid. I will not bore you will all the details since videoman posted our race, but for 1/4 mile, traction on, and letting it shift at red line (just more consistent). When you shift at red line your RPMs drop back to 4100-4200 right in the power band.
Here are all my races:
R/T .824 16.272 @86.33 mph11:56 am(with videoman)
R/T .749 16.376 @86.70 mph 1:20 pm
R/T .827 16.430 @85.74 mph 2:38 pm
R/T .694 @85.86 mph 3:47 pm (eliminations. Other driver red lighted. no time)
R/T .671 16.452 @86.40 mph 4:17 pm
R/T .718 16.365 @85.04 mph 4:44 pm
Very consistent even in the heat. Thought I would get more out of the Borla but only on for 700-800 miles so we will see in another 2-3 weeks.
Had an excellent time hanging out with Mike and racing. When we do it again hopefully some other "M" owners can make it. Oh by the way, we looked really good going down the strip!!
As for the shifting - it actually shifts just before redline I believe (like 6200-6300? someone know for sure?) and that should be best, because as was mentioned, in the next higher gear you'd be about 41-4200, which is great. If you shift at 5500 you'd be lower, maybe 3300 or so, which I think would loose you some power.
Actually, with those speeds, did you actually shift to third? Redline in 2nd is about 85-88 as it is
What is the difference turning off the traction control at 2500? I know I get very little tire when I leave the line (that is until I get the PP gears)as I am power braking and the RPMs are sitting about 1800-2000.
Will be running again in a few weeks when I get the ASE chip and the K&N Aircharger installed.
Will post again.
Dan's 1/4 mile was 16.272 at 86.33 mph
Wow those are slow times! I took my CL-S to the track, & was getting 14.8 & 14.9 with only an intake, & better tires. Don't get me wrong the 300M is a great car, but 1/4 mile tracks are not where the car shines.
True, it's got some heavy issues off the line (3600lb is a big part of it - pun intended But it really shines when it's already rolling (and you know that). If I'm already at 40-60 it's pretty darned fast if you punch it.
I've liked and always will like the acuras. Had a 91 integra that was great, wished they still made the legend (since I'd have gotten one - the rl is not a replacement). I strongly considered the tl-s, but I need a family sedan and it just won't cut it w/no backseat
If Acura ever decides to make a full size car that has appealing looks(which is where the M beats the TL and every other Honda), then I would definiately check one out. Right now, Infiniti is winning that category. Just look at the G35. True, it's not a full size car either, but it looks a heck of a lot better than a TL.
My 2 cents...........
99_300m_ric_va - Yeah I'm pretty happy with the tires. What pressure do you put in yours? Mine currently have 32psi and they feel pretty good but I haven't driven it that much yet.
We got to get 300Michael on that track or hunt down Avalanches old car with the true duals!
or the member installing the turbo and prowler gears--now that setup should bring it into the high 14's...
I'm proud of Dan coming in 3rd place out of about 50 cars. It's a tough thing to do. I was hoping he'd bring home a trophy. That would have been cool.
As for putting the video on the 300M Enthusiasts site, I can create the streams and email them to you to put there, or I could just put them on my site and you can link to them. Whatever is best for you. Also, I used Real Media cause it was the easiest and I think gives the best quality. If you want them as something else like Windows Media, let me know. I'm not a big fan of Quicktime. I can never get it to look or stream good.
Easyrider, I would also love to see 300Michael's M do a 1/4 mile run. See if that hood scoop actually does something. Also, there's Mach300 over in the Enthusiasts forums who already added the ASE chip, Air Charger, Dual Exhaust, +4 plugs and soon to be Prowler Pro gears. He lives close to me and maybe we can convince him to run at Keystone too. I'd love to see him smoke a Mustang.
Also, I think only one of my 3 runs I actually made it to 3rd gear.
-vman
I'm assuming it was an older person's car (just like the fake cloth roofs), but it really dones't look too bad, almost like it could be a Limited edition from the factory. Kind of like a Mazda Millenia comes with 2-tone paint.
Look!:
As for the hood scoop since half the race is under 45 mph the scoop shouldn't play too much of a part. No if the race was from 60 to 150 (or 118mph in my case) then it would help. I would want to try it out here first. That way if I shatter an axle it is a short 2 miles to the shop to fix it.
-vman
http://www.treptech.com
-vman
http://www.cgsmotorsports.com/intakes.htm
Or you can call them at (909)444-5536 and talk to Casey.
Curious about this intake; does it fit into the existing air box, or does it sit exposed in the engine compartment?
This looks pretty smooth, and their claim of up to 18 hp is certainly impressive, but I would think you'd get the best results if it were isolated from the engine compartment, and fed only with cool outside air..
Your results/opinion will be interesting.
Out of warranty repairs: a) Speed sensor for transmission 3rd time. Lasted 30,000 miles this time. So not covered by Dealership standard 1 year or 12,000 mile warranty. b) fuel pump module due to failure. Did you know that it cost $300 just for this device. Labor and tax extra.
Please note that the mileage is 80% highway and I have all service done by the owner's manual schedule. Usually 4 to 5K miles between oil changes.
This is supposed to be Chryslers best. Its good to read that others have had no problems with their cars. Unfortunately, DC has lost this customer.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291581075&code=3202720&mode=invite
Hey, anyone hear from drpixel? Is he ok? He hasn't posted in a long time.
fastdriver
cmiles-- I understand your pain. We of the "first year build" have all kept our fingers crossed as we moved down the road. Some have faired better than others. But it is hard to fault a mfg for defective parts. Now, they could cut off the supplier, ala the Badyears, after a period of realizing they got screwed on the parts production or reliability, but that takes some time, and unfortuately a lot of people get frustrated in the process. I got that way with the Badyears, and the light switch that would not go down to parking lights when on, and the window switch and lock switch. And, I just ordered some tranny input and output speed sensors to keep in the glove box should that problem come up, so yes, some patience is required. But you've got over 30K more on your 99 than I do, and I agree with Glennbp that the track record on your's isn't that bad. And if you read my post awhile back on the Corvette Z06 test report after a year by Automobile mag, they had an alternator go out in the first year, I think at around 7.5K miles, and they came off the line with bad piston rings that had to be replaced to stop it gulping oil, so part failure can happen even to the high priced performance models from which we expect perfection. I'm itching to go for a 2003 M Special in Graphite, but want to see one first. The 04 designs I've seen look "Buick-ize" and not attractive to me, so I may opt for a short run 03 model. But for my first DC product I am relatively happy with the reliability, have a good dealer where I live, and of course the appearance is a knockout. Just my .02.