Launching with an auto

[roosterst]

I have a stock '05 zx3 w/a 2.0pzev, and auto trans. Had a 3/4 tank of gas, didn't touch tire pressure, and didn't manual shift. I had my left foot on the brake, and my right foot holding the gas down halfway(no tach). I left on the third yellow.

RT ... .001
60 ... 2.505
330 ... 7.144
1/8 ... 10.991
MPH ... 64.29
1000 ... 14.282
1/4 ... 17.089
MPH ... 79.88

I read that shifting the stock trans, isn't good for it. So, my questions are, how are you racing your auto? OD off, or on? Manual shifting? Holding the revs up before launch, or not? Thanks for your help.

[Sponsor]

[Dcl2049]

I wish I had my timeslips with me, they're in another town in my school apartment lol.

Is that stock? I'm pretty much stock and ran a 17.1something @ ~80 with not much gas but I think I left the spare tire and jack in. You probably have a little more power with the Duratec but I think I got a lucky Zetec. I don't know any of the important stuff like 60' etc.

Yes I would not try manual shifting. O/D off is worthless, all it does is keep you from shifting out of 3rd but it will override that if you rev too high in 3rd. I've always launched by powerbraking it like that. You want to find your balance between wheelspin and too little RPM/power (a tach is useful of course). I've noticed I can get stronger and quicker shifts if I let up on the gas at just the right time and get back on it, but if you don't do it perfectly you'll confuse the car and it will be an epic fail. It shifts back and forth all over the place or will skip gears. So play around with that if you want, but if you want consistency just punch it and leave your foot down.

I've only been drag racing 2 or 3 times by the way, but this is experience from those times + stuff I've noticed daily driving.

[2KZX3]

Sounds like your doing it right, I tried manually shifting once but it didn't run any faster. I would pick up a tac would probably make things better for you. I usually launch around 2500rpm( thats all my brakes can handle). Dcl2049 made a good point about letting off at the right times, I have had good results doing that. Also get yourself a good tune it will vastly improve your shifts, and times.

[djblackout]

auto trans are really weak. in my old zx3 i went thru 2 of them in less than 3 years total.

[roosterst]

Thanks for your replies, and help. I was trying to get the most out of a stock focus, but it seems that I've reached that point. Guess it's time for some modifications. Thanks again.

Has anyone installed a Lentec valvebody? And, since the PCM controls it, how much different can it be, compared to stock?

[daveyboy]

Nice RT. I just leave my car in Drive, give it a little gas at the line and go on the third yellow

[roosterst]

Originally Posted by daveyboy

Nice RT. I just leave my car in Drive, give it a little gas at the line and go on the third yellow

Thanks. That was my third pass. The first two were:

RT ... .847 / .104
60 ... 2.575 / 2.508
330 ... 7.227 / 7.147
1/8 ... 11.089 / 10.996
MPH ... 63.98 / 64.25
1000 ... 14.386 / 14.288
1/4 ... 17.199 / 17.095
MPH ... 79.64 / 79.91

So, it got a little better each time. But, I think that's about all it has in it. I'm going to go back again, before I add any parts. Maybe throw the steelies back on(ran with ST wheels), have less gas in the tank, and pick a cooler day.

[daveyboy]

I useually race with a half tank, but I am going to try a quarter tank in two weeks and see what happens. Also Check the weight on each set of wheels. Lighter ones will be the best, and bump the rear tire pressure up to about 40 PSI. Ive had good luck by doing this

[roosterst]

I didn't touch the tire pressure, I'll have to try that next time. 40psi for the rears, what about the fronts? I drove around the water box, and didn't spin at the line, just leave them alone?

[daveyboy]

I had my fronts at 32 PSI Didnt spin at the line at all. Might now with the exhaust I just put on.