[cwebster]

New drag strip wheels and tires are on the way! (see below) Unfortunately, the monoblock aluminum wheels will take another month to get to me. Meantime, I had to get some new stock rubber on the rear.

[New Stock Rubber]

Had to get some new (stock) Goodyear rubber. The old ones might have had one more drag strip session in them but by now they had grown hard and slippery. They'd spin at the drop of a hat. I'm thinking that the properties of the rubber have changed after all the heat cycles they'd experienced. With 37 drag strip burnouts and over 20 practice sessions these tires have been heated and cooled quite a bit. Plus, without a garage I've had no choice but to expose these tires to sub-freezing temps from delivery to present. I noticed what appeared to be superficial cracks going across the tread (look close at the photo). That's why I didn't try to push them for those last few miles.

[Drag Wheels & Tires]

After ripping through my original rear tires, I took careful measurements, did a ton of research, and asked a bunch of questions. The questions I ended up having to answer myself. That's what I get for being first, right? Anyway, here's what I settled on. While pouring over choices I found this fitment calculator very useful.

Wheels: BC Forged (monoblock) RS40-14 18x12 w/ 43mm offset and high pad clearance. These are gloss black with 7 split-spoke design with matching lugs.

This was the only manufacturer that had sizes available that I needed (18x12) with high pad clearance. No one in the US offered anything this size without custom (expensive) builds.

Tires: Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S, P345/35-18, Radial, R2 Compound, Blackwall. I really wanted to get the ET Street R that most of the racers in this discussion group seem to be using. However, MT doesn't produce them in my size. Their closest (P325/35R18) is an inch narrower and 1" shorter than stock. Not only would this have thrown off my ODO, Speedo, and shift points; but I would not be putting maximum rubber to the road. Nor would it maximize sidewall height for flex off the line. The ET Street S/S tire uses the same rubber compound as the "R". It just has street treads instead of street-legal slick slots. Granted, this puts less rubber on the track but the contact patch is wider. Besides, the wider tires look bad-ass! Hoosier doesn't offer anything close either.

Ended up ordering these from Summit Racing and having them shipped to PK Auto Design for $307.02 ea (free shipping). MT ET Street S/S P345/35R18

[Ordering & Pricing]

Paul from PK Auto Design helped me find the BC Forged wheels. He was very helpful in arranging the order and very flexible in putting everything together. I had the tires and TPMS sensors shipped to them. They will install the sensors, mount and balance the tires, then ship the assembled wheels to me ready to install.

One word of caution: Know exactly what you need before ordering from PK Auto Design. My technical questions on wheel fitment, tire specs, and such were either ignored or answered incorrectly. Do your homework first. Then ask specifically for itemized costs.

To contact PK Auto Design, post in the below thread in the "Wheels | Tires" technical discussion group or PM Paul Alkhasian directly.

Official PK Auto Design Wheel Thread | Weights | New Releases | Questions & Answers

Here's what I paid for each item. It's more than I wanted to pay but options are limited for the new ZL1, mostly limited by the huge Brembo brakes.

Wheels:
-------
Qty:     2
Mfg:     BC Forged
Model:   RS40-14 (gloss black)
Size:    18x12"
Offset:  43mm
Lugs:    5x4.75
Pad ht:  high
Price:   $720.00 ea.
Knurl:   $50.00 ea.
Mnt/bal: $20.00 ea.
Ship:    $175.00 pair
Total:   $1755
-------

Tires:
------
Qty:     2
Mfg:     Mickey Thompson
Model:   ET Street S/S
Size:    P345/35R18
PN:      3483
Price:   $307.02 ea.
Ship:    free
Total:   $614.04

------

Wheels:            $1715
Tires:              $614
Final shipping:     $100
-----------------------------
Total Order:       $2369


TPMS Sensors:    $212.12

Ordered from Chev Parts and drop-shipped to PK Auto Design. They will
install in place of normal valve stems before mounting tires on the new rims.

Total cost of drag wheels & tires: $2581

[laynlo15]

Nice but I don't know if those 12's will clear and with a 13.5 section width you will be close and never be ever to order

[cwebster]

Originally Posted by laynlo15

Nice but I don't know if those 12's will clear and with a 13.5 section width you will be close and never be ever to order

That 13.5" section width is at the center of the sidewall. There should be plenty of clearance there. The inboard wall of the wheel well is 3" away from the stock tires. The closest it comes to any point is on the front, inboard corner at the inboard radius of the tread where there is 1" clearance for stock tires. Tread width and tire height are the same as stock so I don't see any clearance issues there. This is why I took my time do the research.

I double-checked using this Fitment Calculator.

Thanks for the concern, though. I'll post an update after I install them.

--Cal

[laynlo15]

Cool, I hope it works out and I think you will see an improvement for sure as those should hook really well.

[762CAT]

AWESOME!!!! Can't wait to see it my friend. Sucks you had a bad experience with PK Auto design. That is where I got my wheel and tire set up and they were great. The guy I dealt with was Jake though and apparently he left the company a little while back.

[cwebster]

Originally Posted by 762CAT

AWESOME!!!! Can't wait to see it my friend. Sucks you had a bad experience with PK Auto design. That is where I got my wheel and tire set up and they were great. The guy I dealt with was Jake though and apparently he left the company a little while back.

I wouldn't call it bad. He did help me find the wheels I needed and agreed to assemble everything, whether I got it from him or not. I was just disappointed that I couldn't rely on them for technical info/advice.

I can't wait either. So I'm going to burn the nubs off my new stock rubber Fri night at the drag strip. I've got baseline dyno runs scheduled for Fri @ 4PM at Majestic Motorsports in Hubert. If they start and finish on time I could still make it to Fayetteville by 7 PM. Otherwise, I'll probably just go to Coastal Plains Dragway.

Gotta scratch that itch before it turns into a rash!

--Cal

[RideZX6R]

Originally Posted by cwebster

No, not sure. That was a rough estimate based on 3600 lbs curb weight minus 3/4 tank of gas. A more accurate estimate would be:

Approx curb weight: 3795 lbs
1 Gal gasoline = 6.183 lbs
3/4 of 19 Gal tank = 14.25
14.25 x 6.183 = 88.10775

3795 - 88 = 3707

I'll let everyone know if I do get it on a scale, though.

--Cal

For the record, one of the 1LE owners, weighed his car with a half tank of gas and no driver and was 3703.

No way your car is under 3800 even with 1/4 tank... It's likely closer to 39xx

[cwebster]

Originally Posted by RideZX6R

For the record, one of the 1LE owners, weighed his car with a half tank of gas and no driver and was 3703.

No way your car is under 3800 even with 1/4 tank... It's likely closer to 39xx

Not that it matters even if it were true because the SS and ZL1 are different machines. Everything from the ftont pillars forward is different. When you say something like "for the record", though, you should include a reference to the verifiable "record" of the fact you are claiming.

--Cal

[cwebster]

Broke into 11.7's at Coastal Plains Dragway Sunday on my last run of the day. That was with a low-power start and wheel spin in 2nd gear so under 11.7 is doable. Details after I get the videos uploaded.

--Cal

[cwebster]

My quest for 11.7's on street rubber cited in my original post is over. On my last pass of the day from my most recent visit to the drag strip I managed 11.7929 at 121.68 MPH with a 1.9710 60 ft.

My euphoria was slightly diminished when I found that "mlee" had bettered my time in his A10 by 1/10 sec. I would have been content to wait for my new 18x12 wheels and DR's but they're still weeks away from delivery. Although I really don't want to wear out another pair of street tires, I'm tempted to see if I can improve on this time. After analyzing the videos and reviewing my notes, I'm sure that a little more practice and a little luck with weather and track conditions could make 11.6 or better a reality. This weekend was too hot, humid, and rife with rain chances. Next one looks better, though...

As is my custom, I've included all my time slips, videos, notes, and analysis below for those who crave details. This time the GoPro was helmet mounted inside the vehicle so you can see and hear what I'm doing. I only remembered to start the PDR for the 6th and 8th passes. I was getting a bit distracted, contributing to some bonehead rookie mistakes on a few passes (like shifting from 2nd to 5th once).

If you want to skip the details you can just view all the videos (Spectator, GoPro, and PDR) together in the order of each pass, or skip around, in this YouTube playlist: 20170409 Coastal Plains Dragway
Comments are welcome.

Enjoy!

--Cal



Time Slip Data:
(My 6th Gen ZL1 was #35)

2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH   
#683 14:20:35  0.1369 2.0920 11.9711 121.89  none
#692 14:28:05  0.3870 1.9570 12.0200 118.42  Grand Cherokee       0.5388 1.7052 12.0082 112.16
#699 14:33:50  0.3140 2.1169 11.8991 123.62  Dodge Datona         0.1229 1.8790 12.1611 119.08
#707 14:42:22  0.7319 2.1280 12.5639 115.11  Mustang GT           0.6501 1.7338 11.3510 128.55
#714 14:49:15  0.0350 2.1400 12.2939 120.98  Red Car              0.4291 2.4188 15.3948  91.65
#746 15:43:15  0.2608 2.2970 12.5801 118.76  none
#755 15:51:25  0.3398 2.0720 12.0491 120.94  none
#763 15:56:38  0.2180 1.9710 11.7929 121.68  none

Lessons Learned:

1. When talking to myself in the car, speak only about what I'm GOING to do, not what happened last or who/what is in the other lane. It's kind of like road racing... look ahead, focusing where you want to be and what you want to do; not on what you're worried about or what you've done wrong.

Given the "go" signal from the queue, think:

Window up
PDR Start
Line-lock burnout (only 1st run of hot-lapping)
Hold SC 5-sec (only 1st run of hot-lapping)
-or-
rolling burnout
Stage 1 lt - wait for other lane
Stage 2 lt
5000 RPM
one thousand one, one thou - GO
(....yel.....yel......yel..........grn)
feather clutch
WOT
Shift @ 6500-6600 RPM (shift lights turn red)

2. Determine the best lane for my car:
- Take some time on arrival to watch passes in both lanes
- Make first 2 passes in different lanes to confirm which hooks better

3. Keep focused on the task at hand by reciting mantra:
- window up, PDR On, heat tires, SC off, stage 1, wait, stage 2, 5500 RPM, count-down: one-thousand-one one thou, feather clutch, shift @ 6500-6600 RPM (shift-lights red)

4. Ride brakes on return road when hot-lapping.

5. Rolling burnout after tires warmed.

6. If track is slippery on little end, short shifting 2nd gear might keep me from spinning wheels.


Time Slips 1-4



Time Slips 5-8




[Videos]

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

20170409 Pass 1 of 8 - 2017 Camaro ZL1 Solo

20170409 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 73F, clear sky, wind NW 9, 43% humidity

Time Slip:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH
#683 14:20:35  0.1369 2.0920 11.9711 121.89  none

Notes:
1. Good line-lock burnout to heat tires.
2. Forgot to start PDR.
3. Had to ask for reset at the tree. Missed green waiting for someone to pull into left lane. A Corvette was lined up next to me in the queue but apparently didn't want to run next to me.
4. This run felt pretty good, even though I was spinning a the start.

Spectator Video


* No engine sounds *
YouTube made me remove audio track due to (barely discernible) copyrighted music playing in background.

GoPro Video



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

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

20170409 Pass 2 of 8 - 2017 Camaro ZL1 vs Grand Cherokee

20170409 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 73F, clear sky, wind NW 9, 43% humidity

Time Slip:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH
#692 14:28:05  0.3870 1.9570 12.0200 118.42  Grand Cherokee       0.5388 1.7052 12.0082 112.16

Notes:
1. Only rolling burnout to spin off water
2. Forgot to start PDR again.
3. Missed 3rd gear. Distracted trying to get video coverage on helmet mounted GoPro.
4. Rode brakes on return road to keep wheels hot for next run (hot lap).

Spectator Video



GoPro Video



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

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

20170409 Pass 3 of 8 - 2017 Camaro ZL1 vs Dodge Datona

20170409 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 73F, clear sky, wind NW 9, 43% humidity

Time Slip:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH
#699 14:33:50  0.3140 2.1169 11.8991 123.62  Dodge Datona         0.1229 1.8790 12.1611 119.08

Notes:
1. Forgot to start PDR again - too busy...
2. Good run. Wheel slip on launch. Shifted to early into 2nd and 3rd.
3. Didn't wait for stage 1 lt in left lane
4. Rode brakes on return road to keep wheels hot for next run (hot lap).

Spectator Video



GoPro Video



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


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

20170409 Pass 4 of 8 - 2017 Camaro ZL1 vs Mustang GT

20170409 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 73F, clear sky, wind NW 9, 43% humidity

Time Slip:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH
#707 14:42:22  0.7319 2.1280 12.5639 115.11  Mustang GT           0.6501 1.7338 11.3510 128.55

Notes:
1. Didn't wait for stage 1 lt in left lane
2. Lots of wheel spin on launch
3. Missed 3rd - shifted into 5th. Probably distracted by helmet-mounted GoPro again, not to mention that noisy Mustang GT.
4. Rode brakes on return road to keep wheels hot for next run (hot lap).
5. Owner of the green GT told me on a previous visit that he was going to be installing some power-adder mods. He was in low 12's at the time. Looks like his mods did the trick. He beat me cleanly on this run. I'll probably have to wait 'til I get my new rims & DR's to beat his time.

Spectator Video



GoPro Video



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


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

20170409 Pass 5 of 8 - 2017 Camaro ZL1 vs Red Car

20170409 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 73F, clear sky, wind NW 9, 43% humidity

Time Slip:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH
#714 14:49:15  0.0350 2.1400 12.2939 120.98  Red Car              0.4291 2.4188 15.3948  91.65

Notes:
1. Best R/T of the day. Released clutch 1/8 sec after 3rd yellow. (counting "one thousand one, one thou - GO)
2. Still either bogging or slipping at launch.
3. Rode brakes on return road to keep wheels hot for next run (hot lap).
4. Need to focus on timing the tree and feathering the clutch...

Spectator Video



GoPro Video



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


**** One Hour Cool Down Here ****

##!! A motorcycle crashed during the break, leaving an oil spill, so right lane was closed for the duration. The driver was unhurt, thanks to his leathers.

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

20170409 Pass 6 of 8 - 2017 Camaro ZL1 Solo

20170409 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 73F, clear sky, wind NW 9, 43% humidity

Time Slip:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH
#746 15:43:15  0.2608 2.2970 12.5801 118.76  none

Notes:
1. After 1 hr cool down, got a good line-lock burnout to heat tires. Might have been too long...
2. Right lane closed due to oil spill after motorcycle wipeout.
3. Left lane stickier on launch but has a bad slick spot where I shift to 2nd - lots of wheel spin.
4. Rode brakes on return road to keep wheels hot for next run (hot lap).
5. Remember to study condition of both lanes before lining up. Then try one pass in each lane to find best for my car.

Spectator Video



GoPro Video



PDR Video



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


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

20170409 Pass 7 of 8 - 2017 Camaro ZL1 Solo

20170409 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 73F, clear sky, wind NW 9, 43% humidity

Time Slip:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH
#755 15:51:25  0.3398 2.0720 12.0491 120.94  none

Notes:
1. No line lock - just rolling burnout to spin off water.
2. This lane feels faster!
3. Hooked pretty good on launch but wheel spin from about 30 ft, through 1st gear.
4. Had to pedal it on shift to 2nd - spinning wildly.
5. Rode brakes on return road to keep wheels hot for next run (hot lap).

Spectator Video



GoPro Video



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

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

20170409 Pass 8 of 8 - 2017 Camaro ZL1 Solo

20170409 Coastal Plains Dragway
Weather: Sunny, 73F, clear sky, wind NW 9, 43% humidity

Time Slip:
2017 6th Gen Camaro ZL1                      Opposing Lane
Seq  Time      R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH     Opposing Car         R/T    60 ft  ET      MPH
#763 15:56:38  0.2180 1.9710 11.7929 121.68  none

##!! Personal record 11.7 ET

Notes:
1. Just rolling burnout to spin off water.
2. Hooked good on launch - could have rev'd higher. Need higher RPM to improve 60 ft.
3. Still got some wheel spin on shift to 2nd but powered through this time.


Spectator Video



GoPro Video



PDR Video



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

[Shorty45]

Cal, thanks for the wealth of knowledge. I found myself making some of the same notes after my 1/8m practice session last week. Your "mantra" was basically my "checklist ." -used quite a bit of checklists in USAF, ha!
I agree that you have the ability of knocking a couple tenths more off. And as far as I know, you lead the M6 community with that 11.7!
As I try to get to a 1/4m track soon because of WX getting hotter, I'm keeping watch on your eventual move to drag radials. I'll be making that move next as well.
Anyways,, best of luck this weekend if you go!
-Shorty