Guys who run slicks, step in......

**Iron Indian** · 07-26-2009

I have a few questions for you guys.

What suspension parts do you mainly need to focus on when inpecting for wear? I'm guessing mainly the CV joints and A-arm bushings? Since i'm still on OEM GM CV joints with 170,000 miles on them, wondering if I should get some new ones.

What launch techniques do you use? How about burnouts?

Just trying to cover all bases. I want to drive to the track and drive home just fine. I've never ran slicks on a FWD car before so i'm trying to cover all the bases...

**dagger** · 07-27-2009

I have a feeling with 170,000 on you front drive train your asking for problems with slicks. I'd suggest you get a few back up parts so you can limp it home in case anything happens.

**FoSHO99** · 07-27-2009

I haven't got slicks for the car yet but...

Techniques for launching:

Pull up to the water box, spin the tires through to get them wet, roll past the water box. Set e brake on. While left foot on the brake, right foot on gas bring the rpms up and just slam the hammer down and maybe have someone spot you to see that both tires are spinning... Give the steering wheel a little shake back and forth while in burnout and then let the e brake go.

When at the line, may or may not apply for s/c cars but for turbo cars you want the brakes to hold the car back as much as you can. To do this some people have pulled up to the line and when staged put the car in nuetral, give it a quick rev, hold the brake as far down as you can, shift to drive and then you can build more boost after you have raised the brake pressure up. From there on out its tires/air pressure/track surface and getting a feel for the pedal.

170,000 miles, you may want to do a thorough inspection, or just find out at the track...lol

TDCRacing · 07-27-2009

QTP's here

I would not replace anything enless it has broken. I mean to a certain point the CV's can not wear out. As long as they have been properly maintained I don't see an issue with them braking.

And FWIW I have never seen any CV's break except MAYBE one. And that was on the forums somewhere. And we don't have anything above the stock CV's strength wise anyway. Except the bogus ''aftermarket'' ones.

Control arm bushings would be my first concern.

TDCRacing · 07-27-2009

Originally Posted by FoSHO99

Techniques for launching:

Pull up to the water box, spin the tires through to get them wet, roll past the water box. Set e brake on. While left foot on the brake, right foot on gas bring the rpms up and just slam the hammer down and maybe have someone spot you to see that both tires are spinning... Give the steering wheel a little shake back and forth while in burnout and then let the e brake go.

When at the line, may or may not apply for s/c cars but for turbo cars you want the brakes to hold the car back as much as you can. To do this some people have pulled up to the line and when staged put the car in nuetral, give it a quick rev, hold the brake as far down as you can, shift to drive and then you can build more boost after you have raised the brake pressure up. From there on out its tires/air pressure/track surface and getting a feel for the pedal.

I would have to agree on the launching 100%

Just dont floor it when you are at the line with the brakes held down. You would more than likley want to bring it up to around 1500RPM's Anything above that is going to be making a LOT of unwanted heat.

**Iron Indian** · 07-27-2009

Originally Posted by dagger

I have a feeling with 170,000 on you front drive train your asking for problems with slicks. I'd suggest you get a few back up parts so you can limp it home in case anything happens.

Well, I have a built tranny so that base should be covered, at least its better than stock anyway. My main concern are the CV joints honestly.

**Iron Indian** · 07-27-2009

TDC, when you say properly maintained on the CV joints, what do you mean? I wasn't aware of any maintaince other than inspecting the boots and making sure there fine.

BTW, i'm still on original boots. No tears, no green goo anywhere.

**FoSHO99** · 07-27-2009

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

Well, I have a built tranny so that base should be covered, at least its better than stock anyway. My main concern are the CV joints honestly.

If your car isn't lowered they should be fine.

**Iron Indian** · 07-27-2009

Originally Posted by TDCRacing

I would have to agree on the launching 100%

Just dont floor it when you are at the line with the brakes held down. You would more than likley want to bring it up to around 1500RPM's Anything above that is going to be making a LOT of unwanted heat.

Yeah I know to stall it up. I've raced on street tires which sucks, never again.

Hoping with some sticky slicks I can launch at a fairly decent RPM and get out of the hole. I'm thinking of trying 2,500-3,000 rpm launch. I do have 3.29s and a 3,000 stall so i'm sure this won't be easy. There used to be a guy out here years ago with a bolt on GTP/stock trans and on slicks he'd launch from 3,000 rpm, he'd litterally chirped and go, obviously not a high power GTP but enough to run into the mid-low 13s which was great for hardly any mods at all.

**Iron Indian** · 07-27-2009

Originally Posted by FoSHO99

If your car isn't lowered they should be fine.

Stock ride height thankfully...

TDCRacing · 07-27-2009

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

TDC, when you say properly maintained on the CV joints, what do you mean? I wasn't aware of any maintaince other than inspecting the boots and making sure there fine.

That's exactly what I mean

I am also on the stock boots and CV's