godlike rogue

Tonight, I'm going to be up against my buddy in a little drag competition. He'll be in a '98 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am (6-sp) and I'll be in my (still) stock S4 (6-sp). The competition is a 0-60 run on a level street. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for ensuring my victory? I'll be resetting my ECU prior to the run, and will be running on about a quarter of a tank of gas. Shold i use an octane booster? What engine speed should I launch at? I am a much better driver than him, and I am hoping to take him based on a better start (he's only had the car for a few days and doens't drive stick that often). Any ideas?? We'll have some spectators, and I would really like to win!!<p>Adam
'00 Brilliant Black S4

Ned Cejaj

No 1. Do not dump the clutch.
At about 4000 rpms, let out the clutch slowly until u feel the clutch touching the pressure plate. back down 1/2 inch. From that point, release the clutch in a quick/normal manner and simultaneously floor the accelerator. That should pull a smooth launch, but it takes practice.

No 2. When shifting, make sure you are back on the gas early. If you catch the clutch with no throttle it will snag the pressure plate and drop your rpms too quick, causing the car to stutter between shifts. Shift quickly but empasize smoothness and make sure you are back on the gas before lifting that clutch pedal.

And No 3. Be safe, make sure you do it out of harms way.

Ned

Eric Van Sciver

I had a 96 Trans Am, 6spd.
I did not have to shift out of first gear to hit 60mph. The '98 is incredibly fast and I assume the gearing is just as tall. It will hit 60 in 5.0 to 5.5 depending on his launch.
Good luck though.

The R

I hope its not a Ram Air.

LCP

In a true 0-60 run, he's probably going to beat you, but you will probably still be ahead of him at the time he reaches 60, even if you're only going 58 at that time because you will launch out of the hole faster than him. Once you hit 30, he's going to probably slightly out-accelerate you and start to catch you (meaning he is going more MPH than you), but you will still be ahead of his car for a short period of time even though he's going faster than you.

Oh, and PRACTICE your 1-2 shift...they get a lot easier to mess up when you're racing.

Better idea, get someone around you to let you use their chip w/o him knowing and blow him away for the shock effect, but confess to the chip afterward.