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1/4 mile shifting to 5th or riding out 4th post reflash

1462 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  digger10t
I've been looking around at some of the older threads concerning riding out fourth in the end of the quarter. There were a couple of posts smattered around however, that cited a pretty prounced decrease in ET when shifting to 5th.

Since most people have the reflash now and it seems as though there is a bit more juice up top, riding out 4th seems the way to go. But, I'd like to hear input from some different perspectives if they're out there (especially from those who saw the big difference by using 5th). I've made a bunch of runs and have been running 4th to redline, but would like to get a little discussion going again.

Thanks for the input.
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Why don't you try shifting to 5th on one of your runs and you will answer your own ques.
I have only gone to the track after the flash, and I rode out 4th for a 14.2.

Next time I plan to try out 5th just to see.

-Ryan
Why don't you try shifting to 5th on one of your runs and you will answer your own ques. [/b]
the reason i didnt just do this is because i am not consistent enough as a driver. my 60's have been varying between 1.9 and 2.2 and my traps between 99 and 101.5. once i get some more consistent runs (which may not be until spring) i will certainly try it out for myself.

also, it's monday and the track isnt open until friday. with how crowded it will be at the end of the season, i dont want to waste a run or two and a hour of waiting to find out something myself that can be answered simply by someone here. and i think discussion is always better than simple trial and error.

on a separate note, ive been running 14.2 with missed third gear shifts and 2.0+ 60's...i'm starting to think that my car would dyno relatively high. i'd love to see what ATL or P5 would run in it, lol
have you tried doing a simple track prep for your runs, empty out the contents of the trunk stuff like that. once you get your launch technique down and your shifts consistent you should be able to pull out a 13.9 or so.
have you tried doing a simple track prep for your runs, empty out the contents of the trunk stuff like that. once you get your launch technique down and your shifts consistent you should be able to pull out a 13.9 or so. [/b]
nope...havent done that yet because i know the weak links in the equation are still me and my launch (not too many drivers will admit that, lol). im not too worried about the magic 14.0 barrier because i think my car has plenty of potential. im trapping so high that i know the power is there, i just need to get it down to the ground more quickly and smoothly.

i certainly will be taking out the spare and some other crap once i start dialing in, for now im just learning.
Does it really matter if you don't go to the track? My point is that if you aren't at the track, riding out 4th gear is pointless, because 5th has more acceleration which is what you want as you pass through the 1/4 mile on your way to whatever you are racing.

At the track (went two weeks ago), I ran 13.84 @ 99.0, and I always shift into 5th. Can't stand the lack of acceleration and the 96-97mph trap, but that is stock. I've run a couple 1/4's in an MPS with a CAI, and 3" Catback, in which riding out 1/4 gear is fine.
Does it really matter if you don't go to the track? My point is that if you aren't at the track, riding out 4th gear is pointless, because 5th has more acceleration which is what you want as you pass through the 1/4 mile on your way to whatever you are racing.

[/b]


i guess i don't really get what youre saying here. 5th certainly has more acceleration once 4th starts running out of steam over 5900, but is it worth the time to shift?
All I'm saying is that it's worth the time to shift if you are trying to determine how fast the car is when you are not at the track.

I go to the track with the car, with no modifications, so I know how fast it is as if I drove it on the street. If I was merging on an on-ramp, I wouldn't ride out 4th gear, even though it might be 1/4mile onramp, the only time you would ever ride out 4th gear is at the track. So, instead I practice switching into 5th and still get the same times, and even if you loss a tenth, you are better prepared for the road.
What he is saying is this: Wht is fastest at the track may not be fastest on the real world.

Consider instead of a 1320 a 1400 foot track,

If you ride out 4th till the 1320 then shift the idea is that even though you may get to the 1320 faster because of saving shift time that by the 1400 you would be behind a car that shifted into 5th prior ot the 1320 because 5th gear has time to makeup for the shift time with ebtter acceleration.

It is the same with alot of cars geared for good 0-60 and magazine numbers. The 1320 is an arbitrary mark. The fact that we discuss this topic so frequently tells me one thing; that out side fo the 1320 you should always shift to 5th in any contest of speed out side of the track (I don;t street race but oyu get my point).
weird, i replied to this an hour ago but it didnt post...darned intarweb.

anyway, what i am concerned with is strictly the quarter mile. i would never be at redline in 4th gear on the street...well, almost never lol.

so point being, i am just concerned with the quarter mile.
i should've added a poll...would have saved a lot of time i bet, lol.
the reason i didnt just do this is because i am not consistent enough as a driver. my 60's have been varying between 1.9 and 2.2 and my traps between 99 and 101.5. once i get some more consistent runs (which may not be until spring) i will certainly try it out for myself.

also, it's monday and the track isnt open until friday. with how crowded it will be at the end of the season, i dont want to waste a run or two and a hour of waiting to find out something myself that can be answered simply by someone here. and i think discussion is always better than simple trial and error.

on a separate note, ive been running 14.2 with missed third gear shifts and 2.0+ 60's...i'm starting to think that my car would dyno relatively high. i'd love to see what ATL or P5 would run in it, lol
[/b]
How are you trapping over 101?

What do you have done?
How are you trapping over 101?

What do you have done?
[/b]
all i have done was add a mazdaspeed cai listed in my sig. i havent done any other mods whatsoever.
i know it's not a strong tail wind at the track either, because ive been going to the track with another member and have been trapping about 4 mph higher.

most interesting is a run i made the other day where i gained 28 mph from the 1/8 to the 1/4, but it was probably just a really slow 1/8
weird, i replied to this an hour ago but it didnt post...darned intarweb.

anyway, what i am concerned with is strictly the quarter mile. i would never be at redline in 4th gear on the street...well, almost never lol.

so point being, i am just concerned with the quarter mile.
[/b]
Thats fair too because ti would be totally reckless to be doing 95 on public roads... anywhere!
Yeah, I can't afford to lose my license right now! lol

I'm hoping that I can get some decent launches this weekend at the imports vs. domestics meet at MIR. I really think this can can run 13.6 if not better if i could do a 1.8 60' and not miss the 3rd gear shift.
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