[cwebster]

Hello fellow speed junkies! I'm finally getting my last drag strip visit documented. It was so much fun! I hope you all got in a few good passes before the year ended too.

I was shooting for 11.5 or better on this trip with the forecast calling for negative DAs all day. As we all know, things don't always go as we expect. My best time on this trip was pass #2 with 11.6950 ET @ 122.35 MPH. After analyzing my videos and going over my notes, I believe I overcompensated on my fuel load for one thing. Another was that I kept short-shifting when I should have been going as close to red-line as possible. Some of my shifts weren't that quick either.

[Dec 17 Track Visit]

Below is my analysis and videos from my last track visit on 17 Dec. Still working on videos from my Summer track visits. I'm trying out a different video format; combining my helmet-mounted GoPro with the PDR and roof-mounted, rear-facing GoPro. I'm not real happy with the quality of the PDR inset clip - can't read the text. I'll try improving that next time. Let me know what you think of the new format.


Car Setup:

Stock rubber (cold)
21 PSI rear
36 PSI front
93 octane E10 pump gas - 1st pass with +3/4 tank

[Summary]

I was fairly consistent this time with most of my passes in 11's and around 2.0 sec 60 ft. A few bonehead moves got me 12.0/12.1 but I if I review this before next time I should do better.

I blew the first pass when I misjudged the green after the 3rd yellow failed to light. When I got my slip there was no 60 ft time either. Apparently, the timing gate broke. They fixed both things by my 4th pass, though. Although I did end up winning against the Nissan, it was only because he slowed to let me go. Not sure why he did that 'cause he was on track for a 10-sec pass with 7.1490 1/8 mile ET @ 86.03.

The 2nd pass was my best but could have been better if (1) I'd started with a lighter fuel load, (2) wound out every gear to 6600 RPM, and (3) had just a touch more wheel slip on the launch to hook at 2500 RPM or better.

Next few passes were a combination of less than optimum launch, short-shifts, and excessive fuel load.

Last pass I should have beat that Boss 302 by a handy margin but I wasted over 1 sec spinning my wheels at the launch. After the 60 I was walkin' around him but he edged me out by 100th sec or so at the finish. Oh well, there's always next time... 14 Jan looks like the next weather window if the track operator decides to open. I got a strange misfire after shifting into 4th on this last pass too. Not sure what that was about. Last time I felt that was when I was running that rich 107 octane Torco fuel. I think I'm going to change my plugs and look into some detergent fuel additive before my next trip in case I've got deposits building up.

Below are all the details for each pass, including links to the new combined videos. As always, I welcome constructive criticism and helpful comments.

Ths YouTube playlist contains all the passes: 20171217 CPD Last Track Day of the Year

[Questions]

1. Could a dirty intercooler reduce performance? If so, how should it be cleaned? This is my first car with a supercharger so I'm not sure how to keep it running smooth.
2. Besides changing the plugs, what else can I do to remove deposits that may have built up over the past year? Recommended detergent fuel additives?


May this new year bring you happiness and prosperity!

Let 'er rip!

--Cal


Time Slip Data:
(My 6th Gen ZL1 was #15)

2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH   
  16 14:52:27  0.3121 ------ 11.8579 122.25  GoldNissanZ         -0.0131 ------ 12.8189  73.68 foul
  23 14:59:49  0.1748 ------ 11.6950 122.35  GreenMitsubishiTalon 0.5378 ------ 12.1280 123.73
  38 15:27:31 -0.0731 ------ 12.0653 120.61  BlackTaurus          0.1841 ------ 12.7680 105.13 foul
 123 17:01:45  0.1239 2.0932 11.9972 119.30  BlackCorvette       -0.0472 2.0961 12.4752 115.66 foul
 148 17:24:13  0.1960 2.0261 11.8691 119.66  PurpleScatCat        0.3000 1.8471 12.3599 112.55
 165 17:42:58  0.0830 2.2600 12.1451 119.95  GreenBoss302         0.0798 1.6099 12.1390 113.42

[Lessons Learned]

1. Start with just over 1/2 tank of fuel for temps below 60F, then add if I'm getting too much wheel spin.
2. Idle at 3800-3900 RPM waiting to launch - remember what that sounds like! Do it every time!
3. Get out and feel rear tires before each pass - if too cool do a longer burnout. Light to moderate wheel spin at launch is essential.
4. Wind out all gears to 6600 RPM - every time. Only short-shift if getting excessive high-end wheel spin.
5. Before next track visit change spark plugs and clean inlet air pathway - possibly clean intercooler if necessary.
6. Try flipping the polarizer filter on the helmet-mounted GoPro. If that doesn't help, try the graduated ND filter.


Time Slips 1-4



Time Slips 5-6



=============================================

20171217 CPD Pass 01 of 06 6th Gen ZL1 vs Gold Nissan Z

20171217 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Ptly cloudy, 56°F, wind SW 5 mph, 53% humidity, barometer 30.21 in

Time Slip Data:

2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH   
  16 14:52:27  0.3121 ------ 11.8579 122.25  GoldNissanZ         -0.0131 ------ 12.8189 73.68 foul

Notes:

Stock Rubber
Right Lane
13-sec Line-Lock burnout
Idle @ 3800 RPM
Launch @ 3800 RPM - Bogged
Slight wheel slip 3800-1200
Dropped to 1200 RPM
Shift 2nd @ 6400 RPM
Shift 3rd @ 6400 RPM
Shift 4th @ 6600 RPM
Finish @ 6000 RPM, 129 MPH

3rd yellow bulb is out on the tree - threw off launch timing
60 ft timing gate broken
Nissan clearly had me but slowed way down to finish 1 sec behind me
- He had 7.1490 @ 86.03 for 1/8 mile, on track for low 11 or high 10-sec pass

Combined Video:



=============================================

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20171217 CPD Pass 02 of 06 6th Gen ZL1 vs Green Mitsubishi Talon

20171217 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Ptly cloudy, 56°F, wind SW 5 mph, 53% humidity, barometer 30.21 in

Time Slip Data:

2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH   
  23 14:59:49  0.1748 ------ 11.6950 122.35  GreenMitsubishiTalon 0.5378 ------ 12.1280 123.73

Notes:

Stock Rubber
Left Lane
Rolling burnout
Idle @ 3000 RPM
Launch @ 3500 RPM
Slight wheel slip 3500-2800
Hooked 2800 RPM @ 8 MPH
Dropped to 1800 RPM @ 17 MPH
Shift 2nd @ 6500 RPM, 61 MPH
Shift 3rd @ 6400 RPM, 86 MPH
Shift 4th @ 6500 RPM, 115 MPH
Finish @ 6000 RPM, 128 MPH

Combined Video:



=============================================
=============================================

20171217 CPD Pass 03 of 06 6th Gen ZL1 vs Black Taurus

20171217 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Ptly cloudy, 56°F, wind SW 5 mph, 53% humidity, barometer 30.21 in

Time Slip Data:

2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH   
  38 15:27:31 -0.0731 ------ 12.0653 120.61  BlackTaurus          0.1841 ------ 12.7680 105.13 foul

Notes:

Stock Rubber
Left Lane
7-sec Line-Lock burnout
Idle @ 2500 RPM
Red Light
Launch @ 3500 RPM
Slight wheel slip 2200->800->1400 RPM
Hooked at 1400 RPM 12 MPH
Sbort-shift 2nd @ 6200 RPM, 57 MPH
- took too long to shift too
Shift 3rd @ 6400 RPM, 85 MPH
Shift 4th @ 6500 RPM, 115 MPH
Finish @ 5900 RPM, 126 MPH

Combined Video:



=============================================

## Cool Down between hot-laps

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20171217 CPD Pass 04 of 06 6th Gen ZL1 vs Black Corvette

20171217 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Ptly cloudy, 51°F, wind SSW 1 mph, 71% humidity, barometer 30.22 in

Time Slip Data:

2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH   
 123 17:01:45  0.1239 2.0932 11.9972 119.30  BlackCorvette       -0.0472 2.0961 12.4752 115.66 foul

Notes:

Stock Rubber
Right Lane
10-sec Line-Lock burnout
Idle @ 2500 RPM
Launch @ 3100 RPM
Slight wheel slip 2600->1100 RPM
Hooked @ 1100 RPM, 11 MPH
Shift 2nd @ 6500 RPM, 59 MPH
Shift 3rd @ 6400 RPM, 85 MPH
Shift 4th @ 6500 RPM, 115 MPH
Finish @ 5800 RPM, 125 MPH

3rd yellow bulb & 60 ft timing gate fixed

Combined Video:



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=============================================

20171217 CPD Pass 05 of 06 6th Gen ZL1 vs Purple Scat Cat

20171217 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Ptly cloudy, 51°F, wind SSW 1 mph, 71% humidity, barometer 30.22 in

Time Slip Data:

2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH   
 148 17:24:13  0.1960 2.0261 11.8691 119.66  PurpleScatCat        0.3000 1.8471 12.3599 112.55

Notes:

Stock Rubber
Right Lane
9-sec Line-Lock burnout
Idle @ 3000 RPM
Launch @ 3700 RPM
No wheel slip
Hooked @ 1200 RPM, 12 MPH
Shift 2nd @ 6400 RPM, 60 MPH
Shift 3rd @ 6600 RPM, 88 MPH
Shift 4th @ 6600 RPM, 116 MPH
Finish @ 5900 RPM, 126 MPH

Combined Video:



=============================================
=============================================

20171217 CPD Pass 06 of 06 6th Gen ZL1 vs Green Boss 302

20171217 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Ptly cloudy, 51°F, wind SSW 1 mph, 71% humidity, barometer 30.22 in

Time Slip Data:

2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH   
 165 17:42:58  0.0830 2.2600 12.1451 119.95  GreenBoss302         0.0798 1.6099 12.1390 113.42

Notes:

Stock Rubber
Left Lane
Rolling burnout
Idle @ 3500 RPM
Launch @ 3800 RPM
Wheel spin badly >1 sec
Hooked @ 3200 RPM, 32 MPH
Shift 2nd @ 6300 RPM, 59 MPH
Shift 3rd @ 6500 RPM, 85 MPH
Shift 4th @ 6500 RPM, 116 MPH
Finish @ 5800 RPM, 126 MPH

Engine misfire after shift to 4th

Combined Video:



=============================================

[Eyefixstuff]

Good job and great post. Very detailed and informative.

[DFW1LE]

Enjoy your write-ups. When are you going to switch to DRs or slicks?

[Yellow6thGen]

Great write up...

If you switch to,DR’s you will do better... I plan on it for this coming year to play around for sure.

[cwebster]

Originally Posted by DFW1LE

Enjoy your write-ups. When are you going to switch to DRs or slicks?

Already did and they didn't help the launch. They do dead-hook if warmed up well but I found that to be counter-productive because of the built-in ECM booby-trap. Even with nannies off it bogs badly, ruining the 60 ft time. So far, I've done much better on the factory rubber. I'm going to try and improve my bone stock times before going back to DRs. Then I'll try to match or exceed the stock times.

This thread contains a summary of my experience with the DRs after running them off and on all Summer: Back To The ZL1 Bone Stock Basics

This thread describes how I went about deciding what rims and tires to buy. This was just after the 6th Gen came out, before anyone started using DRs on non-stock rims. 6th Gen ZL1 Drag Strip Wheel & Tire Options

This one is a full analysis of the first trip to the track after getting the DR's: First Track Day on DRs

--Cal

[cwebster]

Originally Posted by Yellow6thGen

Great write up...

If you switch to,DR’s you will do better... I plan on it for this coming year to play around for sure.

You would think so, but not with the 6th Gen ZL1. You're assuming that it's suffering from too much wheel spin and a dead-hook will help. See my response above and links to my other threads.

--Cal

[big dave]

As always, incredible write up Cal! Though you may not be running the times you know you can run consistently, it sure looks like fun rowing the gears as you're blasting down the strip . I do question your mph, though. It just isn't adding up to me. I would be curious to see what your mph would be at another track. My guess would be at least 125.

[cwebster]

Originally Posted by big dave

As always, incredible write up Cal! Though you may not be running the times you know you can run consistently, it sure looks like fun rowing the gears as you're blasting down the strip . I do question your mph, though. It just isn't adding up to me. I would be curious to see what your mph would be at another track. My guess would be at least 125.

Thanks Dave! Yeah, I always have fun pushing this car to the limits. I just gotta focus more on what I know gets me faster - follow my own advice. I believe you're right about the trap speed. It shouldn't be as far off from my speedometer as it's been. I think I'll try out the Fayetteville Dragway next time they're open. Everyone I've talked to likes it. It's just a lot of miles to put on the car - no trailer you know.