(Dec 3 Track Day Details Below)
I'm finally starting to get more consistent ETs now that it's cooler and I've gone back to factory everything. I was hoping to break my bone stock record of 11.64 @ 122 last weekend (Dec 3) but forecast low temps jumped almost 10 degrees. After analyzing my videos and data (see below), I can see where I missed a few opportunities (see below). Hopefully, with low temps & humidity and high barometric pressure forecast for tomorrow I can get a new personal best and beat my old record without getting sideways. I'll be filling up with fuel before heading out - should arrive with over 3/4 tank. That should give me enough extra traction to compensate for the 45-55 degree temps.
All Summer long I've been trying various things to improve my ETs and 60 foot times. One by one these strategies failed. I've been mostly in low 12s and high 11s.
[Drag Radials]
First, of course, were the MT DRs. When I first ordered them I thought I'd see at least a few 10ths improvement right away. The softer "R" compound did let me hook well at launch and virtually eliminated tire spin on the shift to 2nd. Unfortunately, a dead-hook on the 2017 ZL1 M6 triggers the "Manual Transmission Protection" feature, aka torque management, even if you don't slip the clutch. It immediately pulls timing and the car takes a nose dive. After a few weeks of practice I learned to do minimal burnouts. The trick is to heat the tires just enough to allow minimal wheel spin on launch to get the car rolling, then hook when there's enough momentum to get into the power band (about 2500 RPM). The sticky rubber really helps keep the wheels planted with high-torque up-shifts. It was extremely difficult to get consistent 11s, though. Because of the launch issues I can seldom get better than 2.0 sec 60 ft times. Switching back and forth between the DRs and stock rubber on the same trip showed me I was getting about the same ETs and usually got better times with the stock rubber. The car handles completely different with the high-sidewall, under-inflated DR's - sometimes a bit scary in the wind. For the past 2 track days I've been strictly on stock tires - mainly because I can't get anyone to drive my truck to carry my DRs, fuel, tools, and air.
[Ethanol-free Gasoline]
I've written about this before so I won't go into great detail but the reasoning was that the E10 pump gas was being diluted with enthanol. Without higher compression and special metering most engines can't take advantage of the higher octane available in the alcohol. I was hoping that the ECM would adjust for the higher octane. After a few track visits it became apparent that it wasn't helping. In fact, I was probably getting less power. Apparently, the engine is happiest with E10 93 octane pump gas. If I'm going to change fuel formula dramatically I'll need an ECM tune.
[Torco Racing Fuel additive]
I even tried adding some Torco Racing Fuel additive to bump the octane up to 107. Nope! In fact, I started to experience engine misfire and hesitation on the high-end. I decided to go back to E10 Pump gas and it's been faster and more consistent. Haven't seen a repeat of the performance problems so the 107 octane probably resulted in too rich of a mixture. Apparently, the ECM won't adjust for higher octane fuel. I have to conclude from this that these LT4 engines are tuned specifically for the E10 93 octane fuel. Any significant deviation without a corresponding tune results in decreased performance. I'm sure I could get more power if I was willing to void the warranty with an ECM tune but I'm not ready to go there yet.
[Vary Fuel Load for traction]
Up to now I've been minimizing the fuel load to lighten the car and improve times. I'd arrive at the track with just about 1/4 tank and run it to near empty. Because of the multiple pickups in the tank, I've had no fuel starvation issues. Problem is that the rear end is often too light. Even on warm days I'd have trouble with tire spin on launch and at gear shifts. Even with the DRs I'd sometimes get wheel spin in 2nd and 3rd gear. As the weather gets cooler it's more of a problem. For the past few track days I've been increasing the fuel load and my times are getting better and more consistent. Last Sunday I arrived with 5/8 tank. Tomorrow I'll top off the tank before I go to arrive with over 3/4 tank.
[Dec 3 Track Visit]
Below is my analysis and videos from my last track visit on 3 Dec. Due to some health issues and lack of motivation from poor track performance, there are several Summer track visits I've yet to document. This next track day may be my last 'til Spring if temps don't come back up some. The track I usually go to won't open if temps drop below 45 F.
Car Setup:
Stock rubber
22 PSI rear
36 PSI front
93 octane E10 pump gas - 1st pass with 5/8 tank
[Summary]
This was the most consistent track visit I've had in a long time with majority of passes coming in at 11.8 ET. I missed 3rd gear once which ruined that pass. Many of these passes I short-shifted 2nd and sometimes 3rd. On some passes it was unavoidable due to tire spin at top-end. On others I missed an opportunity for a mid to low 11 pass.
I raced a Grand Cherokee in back-to-back passes. He won the 1st pass after I had a lot of wheel spin on launch and short-shifted 2nd and 3rd. Got him on the 2nd pass, though. He likes to brag a lot so it was nice to shut him up for a while.
My last 2 passes were against a 5th Gen (2012) ZL1 M6. This was the first time I'd had an opportunity to do that. The owner has only had it for 3 months and this was only his 2nd time at the drag strip so it wasn't really a fair comparison but it was still fun. I made a few suggestions to help him get faster. We were both stoked to have something comparable to race with. We agreed to take up where we left off next time - hopefully next week (17 Dec) since he has obligations tomorrow. I was thinking I'd swap cars with him for 1 or 2 passes. I'd like to see if the 5th Gen has the same annoying torque management/Manual Trans Prot feature. I know my 5th Gen SS 1LE did not.
Below are all the details for each pass, including links to videos and notes. I'd welcome constructive criticism and helpful comments.
If you just want to watch the videos in chronological order or skip around. They're all in this YouTube playlist. Under each video is a full description of the pass.
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway - Fast and Cool!
Hope everyone else is having fun with their Camaros.
Let 'er rip!
--Cal
Time Slip Data:
(My 6th Gen ZL1 was #16)
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
198 15:06:08 0.1649 2.0110 11.8320 120.29 Black Pontiac 0.1129 1.6740 12.2879 91.87
205 15:13:04 0.1380 2.0750 12.0499 119.07 Gray Subaru Hatch 0.5581 2.2321 14.5849 89.49
281 16:26:30 0.0240 2.0550 11.8970 119.96 Wht Chevy Avalanche 0.5009 2.3939 14.6901 100.93
289 16:32:08 0.0820 2.0929 11.8620 121.65 Red Mustang 5.0 0.4711 3.9358 14.5711 103.84
330 17:12:28 0.0870 2.0087 12.4061 113.59 Little Gray Car 0.2910 2.1420 13.8011 101.76
335 17:21:28 -0.0229 1.9488 11.8497 119.40 Grand Cherokee -0.0052 1.6661 11.6282 114.77 foul
341 17:26:28 0.0020 1.9900 11.7588 121.35 Grand Cherokee -0.0690 1.9508 12.1090 100.89 foul
347 17:33:31 0.0699 2.1102 12.0240 121.02 5th Gen ZL1 0.0990 1.9919 12.1579 116.31
353 17:38:47 0.0030 2.0318 11.8239 121.02 5th Gen ZL1 0.0750 2.1809 12.2830 115.98
[Lessons Learned]
1. Line-lock burnout only on 1st hot-lap pass, then rolling burnout. Too much heat will prevent the minimal spin I need to get into the power band.
2. Ride brakes on the return road for hot-lap passes. Helps to retain tire heat. Need less of a burnout.
3. Break tires free on launch to spin slightly then hook @ 2500 RPM or more. Idle at 2500 RPM then WOT on 3rd yellow, releasing clutch at 3500 RPM. Adjust throttle to minimize wheel spin.
4. Wind out all gears to redline if possible. Only back off if getting excessive high-end wheel spin.
5. Leave visor down to keep bright sky from washing out GoPro videos. Buy graduated ND filter.
Time Slips 1-4
Time Slips 5-8
Time Slip 9
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20171203 CPD Pass 01 of 09 6th Gen ZL1 vs Black Pontiac
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 64F, clear, wind N 9 mph, 65% humidity, barometer 30.12 in
Time Slip Data:
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
198 15:06:08 0.1649 2.0110 11.8320 120.29 Black Pontiac 0.1129 1.6740 12.2879 91.87
Notes:
Stock rubber
Left lane
9-sec Line Lock burnout
All nannies off
2500 idle RPM
Launch @ 3500 RPM
Dropped to 2500 RPM with slight spin at 2500-1500 RPM (5-19 MPH)
Hooked @ 1500 RPM, 15 MPH
Slight wheel spin @ 5000 RPM, 46 MPH
Shifted 2nd @ 6500 RPM, 59 MPH
3rd @ 6500 RPM, 86 MPH
4th @ 6600 RPM, 116 MPH
Crossed finish @ 5900 RPM, 127 MPH, 11.8 sec
PDR Video:
GoPro Video:
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20171203 CPD Pass 02 of 09 6th Gen ZL1 vs Gray Subaru Hatch
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 64F, clear, wind N 9 mph, 65% humidity, barometer 30.12 in
Time Slip Data:
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
205 15:13:04 0.1380 2.0750 12.0499 119.07 Gray Subaru Hatch 0.5581 2.2321 14.5849 89.49
Notes:
Stock rubber
Right lane
8-sec Line Lock burnout
All nannies off
2000 idle RPM
Launch @ 3100 RPM
Bogged, dropping to 800 RPM with ZERO spin
Hooked @ 800 RPM, 9 MPH
Moderate, continuous wheel spin @ 4300-6200 RPM, 43-56 MPH
Short-shifted 2nd @ 6200 RPM, 56 MPH
3rd @ 6400 RPM, 85 MPH
4th @ 6500 RPM, 115 MPH
Crossed finish @ 5900 RPM, 125 MPH, 11.9 sec
PDR Video:
GoPro Video:
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## Cool Down between hot-laps
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20171203 CPD Pass 03 of 09 6th Gen ZL1 vs White Chevy Avalanche
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 63F, clear, wind N 8 mph, 67% humidity, barometer 30.13 in
Time Slip Data:
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
281 16:26:30 0.0240 2.0550 11.8970 119.96 Wht Chevy Avalanche 0.5009 2.3939 14.6901 100.93
Notes:
Stock rubber
Left lane
9-sec Line Lock burnout
All nannies off
2800 idle RPM
Launch @ 2800 RPM
Dropped to 1200 RPM with slight spin at 2500-1300 RPM (3-14 MPH)
Hooked (sort of) @ 1200 RPM, 14 MPH
Slight wheel spin @ 1200-5100 RPM, 14-48 MPH
Shifted 2nd @ 6500 RPM, 59 MPH
3rd @ 6500 RPM, 89 MPH
4th @ 6600 RPM, 117 MPH
Crossed finish @ 5900 RPM, 125 MPH, 12.0 sec
PDR Video:
GoPro Video:
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20171203 CPD Pass 04 of 09 6th Gen ZL1 vs Red Mustang 5.0
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 63F, clear, wind N 8 mph, 67% humidity, barometer 30.13 in
Time Slip Data:
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
289 16:32:08 0.0820 2.0929 11.8620 121.65 Red Mustang 5.0 0.4711 3.9358 14.5711 103.84
Notes:
Stock rubber
Right lane
Rolling burnout, reverse to reallign groove
All nannies off
1600 idle RPM
Launch @ 3100 RPM
Dropped to 800 RPM with momentary wheel slip @ 2800, No spin 3100-800 RPM (1-9 MPH)
Hooked @ 800 RPM, 9 MPH
Slight contiuous wheel spin @ 3200-6200 RPM, 30-58 MPH
Shifted 2nd @ 6200 RPM, 58 MPH
3rd @ 6400 RPM, 85 MPH
4th @ 6500 RPM, 116 MPH
Crossed finish @ 6000 RPM, 128 MPH, 11.7 sec
PDR Video:
GoPro Video:
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## Cool Down between hot-laps
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20171203 CPD Pass 05 of 09 6th Gen ZL1 vs Little Gray Car
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 60F, clear, wind N 6 mph, 69% humidity, barometer 30.15 in
Time Slip Data:
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
330 17:12:28 0.0870 2.0087 12.4061 113.59 Little Gray Car 0.2910 2.1420 13.8011 101.76
Notes:
Stock rubber
Left lane
9-sec Line Lock burnout
All nannies off
1800 idle RPM
Launch @ 2500 RPM
Dropped to 2000 RPM with ZERO spin, with continuous spin 2400-3500 RPM (9-28 MPH)
Hooked @ 2800 RPM, 29 MPH
No wheel spin 2800-6000 RPM, 29-55 MPH
Short-shifted 2nd @ 6000 RPM, 55 MPH
Missed 3rd gear @ 6500 RPM, 85 MPH - SC kicked in
3rd @ 5000 RPM, 80 MPH
4th @ 6500 RPM, 114 MPH
Crossed finish @ 5700 RPM, 120 MPH, 12.5 sec
PDR Video:
GoPro Video:
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## Extended wait in staging lanes
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20171203 CPD Pass 06 of 09 6th Gen ZL1 vs Grand Cherokee Round #1
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 60F, clear, wind N 6 mph, 69% humidity, barometer 30.15 in
Time Slip Data:
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
335 17:21:28 -0.0229 1.9488 11.8497 119.40 Grand Cherokee -0.0052 1.6661 11.6282 114.77 foul
Notes:
Stock rubber
Right lane
Rolling burnout, reverse to reallign groove
All nannies off
2400 idle RPM
Launch @ 3500 RPM
Dropped to 2400 RPM with slight spin at 2400-4200 RPM (4-41 MPH)
Full wheel spin at 4300 RPM - go half throttle
- this is where DRs would help
Re-engage full traction @ 3200 RPM, 32 MPH
No wheel spin @ 3200-6300 RPM, 43-59 MPH
Shifted 2nd @ 6500 RPM, 59 MPH
3rd @ 6400 RPM, 85 MPH
4th @ 6600 RPM, 117 MPH
Crossed finish @ 5800 RPM, 126 MPH, 11.8 sec
PDR Video:
GoPro Video:
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20171203 CPD Pass 07 of 09 6th Gen ZL1 vs Grand Cherokee Round #2
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 60F, clear, wind N 6 mph, 69% humidity, barometer 30.15 in
Time Slip Data:
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
341 17:26:28 0.0020 1.9900 11.7588 121.35 Grand Cherokee -0.0690 1.9508 12.1090 100.89 foul
Notes:
Stock rubber
Left lane
Rolling burnout, reverse to reallign groove
All nannies off
2500 idle RPM
Launch @ 3100 RPM
Dropped to 2500 RPM with slight spin at 2500-1500 RPM (5-19 MPH)
Hooked @ 1000 RPM, 11 MPH
Bogged - No wheel spin 1000-6500 RPM, 11-61 MPH
Shifted 2nd @ 6100 RPM, 61 MPH
3rd @ 6500 RPM, 86 MPH
4th @ 6500 RPM, 116 MPH
Crossed finish @ 5900 RPM, 126 MPH, 11.8 sec
PDR Video:
GoPro Video:
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20171203 CPD Pass 08 of 09 6th Gen ZL1 vs 5th Gen ZL1 Round #1
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 60F, clear, wind N 6 mph, 69% humidity, barometer 30.15 in
Time Slip Data:
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
347 17:33:31 0.0699 2.1102 12.0240 121.02 5th Gen ZL1 0.0990 1.9919 12.1579 116.31
Notes:
Stock rubber
Left lane
Rolling burnout, reverse to reallign groove
All nannies off
2100 idle RPM
Launch @ 3000 RPM
Dropped to 700 RPM with slight spin at 3000-700 RPM (3-7 MPH)
Hooked @ 700 RPM, 7 MPH
Slight wheel spin @ 4700 RPM, 46 MPH
Short-shifted 2nd @ 6400 RPM, 58 MPH
3rd @ 6400 RPM, 84 MPH
4th @ 6500 RPM, 116 MPH
Crossed finish @ 5800 RPM, 125 MPH, 12.0 sec
PDR Video:
GoPro Video:
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20171203 CPD Pass 09 of 09 6th Gen ZL1 vs 5th Gen ZL1 Round #2
20171203 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 60F, clear, wind N 6 mph, 69% humidity, barometer 30.15 in
Time Slip Data:
Code:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 Opposing Lane
Seq Time R/T 60 ft ET MPH Opposing Car R/T 60 ft ET MPH
353 17:38:47 0.0030 2.0318 11.8239 121.02 5th Gen ZL1 0.0750 2.1809 12.2830 115.98
Notes:
Stock rubber
Left lane
Rolling burnout, reverse to reallign groove
All nannies off
2200 idle RPM
Launch @ 3800 RPM
Dropped to 2600 RPM with slight spin at 2600-3500 RPM (15-30 MPH) and 3300 (31 MPH)
Hooked @ 4300 RPM, 32 MPH
Shifted 2nd @ 6300 RPM, 60 MPH
3rd @ 6400 RPM, 84 MPH
4th @ 6600 RPM, 117 MPH
Crossed finish @ 5900 RPM, 126 MPH, 11.8 sec
PDR Video:
GoPro Video:
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