Thought you guys might like this story...

A couple months ago a co-worker of mine purchased a 2009 Challenger R/T. He began boasting about it and as one thing often leads to another, a gauntlet was dropped. As his first time around an AutoX course proved, there is can be no comparison of the two cars there. So, we decided that when the weather gets nice, we'll head down to the strip(1/4mi) to settle the score.

The question is, who will win?

Before you say Duh, the Rexy you need some more info. His is stock, so is mine except I have a DP. His is brand new, mine is the Touring model and 17 years old (but does have a fresh rebuild on the engine). Now, here is the rub. Neither of us has any experience on the strip. And, if you are wondering who rows the gears better I will relieve you of that concern because they are both Automatics (boo, hisss, I know I know).

So, there it is. What do you think? If anyone is interested I will post the results from the Track when the event does occur. So, feel free to guess away and at what you think our Passes will be.

Oh, and I've been reading up on the drag threads to learn as much as I can but I welcome any advice/strategies you may have to help the FD stay on top.

 

Uh......? Sounds like anyones game. Good luck.

 

Ok so you made me do some research. Motor Trend says that the stock R/T will run a 13.6 with street tires. They also say that a stock auto FD will do a 14.5 on street tires. I am positive those were done by experienced drivers. So if you took both of your inexperience out of the picture......He would win. But since neither of you know what you are doing..you have a boxers chance.

 

First off, do not trust Motor Trend. Their test methods are not true to track. Also, they are experienced drivers, but do you really think they know more about the launching technique for an auto RX and the proper use for the hold button?

Second, I believe that number you quoted (13.6) was for the manual transmission.


I've done my share of searching the web, and looking through forums (ours and theirs), and calculating... trust me it's closer then you think.

 

You'll both probably be disappointed in your times. I've never seen a first time drag racer actually run what they thought they were going to. I'd put my money on the Challenger if i was betting on this race.

 

Zinx, I couldn't agree with you more. From what I have gathered I estimate both cars at being around 14.1 with great drivers. I expect we'll be much slower than that.

I guess what I am looking for is what the experienced people think a couple of rookies will do with these cars. There are a lot of differences between these cars and was wondering what you all think will help/hurt each of us and by how much. If you on the show 'Pass time' what would it be for each?

 

Going to have to disagree with you on that one Zinx Im currently only on my 12 pass on a drag strip got a 10.6 my very first try, was shooting for a 10.99

And they are automatic how hard can it be. I say practice your reaction time your going to need all the help you can get.

 

Run with only a couple gallons in the tank. Take everything out of your bins. Lose the spare. Etc etc.

 

Being your first time at the track, i predict whoever cuts the better light will win.

 

Time-wise, I'm betting the lights will definitely be our downfall. We went to check out the track before the season ended and they didn't seem easy (It even looked like they had different timing for different classes).

And, yes my car will be on an extreme diet that day, Who really needs carpet? The Bose might have to go too

Does anyone else feel it is unfair to use some ET Streets?


Getting back to the point. Any time predictions?

 

Does anyone else feel it is unfair to use some ET Streets?

Does a 6.0 liter looks fair compare to a 1.3 liter?


Getting back to the point. Any time predictions?[/QUOTE]


He would be in the high 14's on street tire
You with D/R or ET tires and a good R/T would win with a mid 14's

Good luck!!

 

Agree. I also predict you both to run low 14s.

 

sorry man, if you are that stock you are going to lose, especially since we don't know 100% that your sequential system is working right. automatic V8's are really easy to launch and have a lot of low end. the auto FD doesn't have the low end torque of a Challenger.

 

This is a good point. Aside from driving execution, there are a lot of little things that need to be working for a stock FD to run at it's potential. Most have a few things out of line if they haven't been checked out. It's only a close race if your FD is working perfectly.

BTW, put an icebag over your intake manifold until run time. Driving around and idling can quickly push IATs to the point that the ECU richens out and makes the car slower.

Dave

 

arghx, yeah with that big v8 he'll likely win at the launch. I heard the stall speed for the FD is around 3K? That should help a bit, although I don't know if he has traction control or not. Maybe I should force him to turn it off if he does.

Cool tip Dave, I'll have to do that when he's not looking. It looks like I'll have to pull out all the tricks. Will this work because it will make the air cooler and denser to take advantage of the extra fuel? or will it cause a sensor to read differently and not inject the extra fuel? I'd hate to be sending in a denser charge and not have enough fuel for it (as I understand that would be risking detonation?)

 

The trouble is that the intake air sensor gets heat soaked from engine temps and responds to air temperature very slowly. So the stock IAT sensor will usually read too high and the ECU will feed in too rich of a mixture. Autocross guys have used the ice bag trick to eliminate this problem between runs.

The best fix is a replacement fast-responding temperature sensor.

Dave

 

So you are saying that I spend $35 to this guy->

Install it in stock location, plug it in, and I am good to go? Do I need to upgrade my computer? The reason I ask is it still seems like they are testing these to make sure they'll work the same as stock.-> https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/testing-oe-iat-sensor-compared-fast-reacting-iat-sensor-882534/

 

What kind of tires are you running? This will make a much bigger difference than and intake temp sensor. Just funny the advice some people give. Get some decent rubber, and practice launches preferably with a g-tech. You should be able to get 14sec out of the car in bone stock form with good tires.

 

Wickedrx7, Right now I have some flats spotted 5 yr old goodyear all seasons. By then I will have bought some newer summer tires (probably ones well suited for AutoX but I haven't decided on which yet).

I also have the option of throwing on two 255/50/16 MT ET Streets, but I don't know if he'll call shenanigans on me for that.

 

The mts will be a huge help but that's definitely not standard equipment. Bits your call if you want to win or see which car is faster

Dave

 

Mod your car. Now.

 

^Rich thats a funny *** sig.......lol

 

Oh, and I agree with Steve. Funny sig.

 

Hehe, Oh I will, I will. I want to get this race out of the way first and then I'll begin. Plans right now are to shoot for 300whp on stock engine, stock twins, and AI(I have to worry about emissions around here). I'll also replace all the weaker parts of the system, upgrade the suspension, and maybe throw in some 4.3-4.77 gears.

As Dave says though, I think I'll have to go without the MT's on this run since I am genuinely interested in how fast a Stock Touring really is. But, I'll bring them anyway in case he blows me away on the first pass.


...All Hail Hovercat

 

Dude a stock fd is really as fast as mentioned in motor trend also i think if it where 1/8 mile you would take him but on the 1/4 i dont know you will diffinitely luanch on him out the hole