Drag racing my 2001 Proton (also: VX weight)

[Leon R]

This weekend I attended import drag race with my other car club (New England Club DSM), since my race car wasn't quite ready yet, I decided to bracket race my VX! I knew this wasn't a rocket ship and did it just for fun. Plus, I searched on line and fund that VX are pretty rare at drag strips .

I am was a bit apprehensive about racing 167k miles VX, with original engine/transmission, but if it broke, that would just give me an excuse to modify it . I have to report that no such luck!

The VX performed flawlessly, be it very slow! My 3 runs were 17.10, 17.08 and 17.05, at 80mph, 60' time was all in 2.5. Transmission shifted well, right at the redline and if I was any good at the sportsman tree, I could have done well. But I red lighted in the first round and was out (usually, I race heads-up, using a ProTree)

I could really feel my 285/60/18 Zeons slowing me down! Between of reduced gear ratio (taller tire), higher weight, and literally being glued to the track (dragstrip is treated with glue-like substance to promote better traction for traction limited cars - NOT applicable to a stock VX ). I believe that stock tires would have reduced the ET by .2-.3 sec and added 2-3mph. Not bad for a tired truck!

http://youtu.be/CGXZzwHsHIU

Has anyone else tried their VX at the track?

Racing my VX at the track, also allowed me to weigh it! My stock VX, with hitch, heavier tires and 1/4 tank of fuel was 4025lbs (4245lbs with me in it, race weight).

[EVO]

Thats been calling me too!!! I was thinking of taking my VX to the Track just for ****s and giggles!! Glad your sharing, thinking of having mine dyno'd and baseline ET's and maybe Nittrious for a few more ponies!

[Leon R]

I also have a video on my kid's phone, I will post it later. I never been N20 fan, but this got me thinking... VX is a PERFECT candidate for a "rear turbo" application! If we put it in place of the muffler, it will be only half as far from the engine, when compared to some of the typical "rear turbo kits".

Installing a turbo and plumbing intercooler piping should be pretty easy (under $1000 parts cost). But engine management is another story... Perhaps I should check with our RX8 friend on tuning options .

[Y33TREKker]

Now for the obvious question.

Did you use POWER mode?

[EVO]

Tremendous Lag and Leak liability from a rear turbo setup. My buddies twin turbo C7 is a monster under boost when it isn't leaking. We 4G63's get him right up to a 100mph then he starts catching up! He passes me when I reach 147mph! Just don't do 80mph roll-ons as his Vette shreds tires up to 160!!!! Kinda freaky to see tires chunkin at over 100!!! His rear twin turbo is always leaking somewhere from all that piping so I can't reccommend it unless of course your motors back there!! Your going to have to pay someone to retune on a standalone ECU. I don't see many post on how much boost these motors take before they vent the BLOCK!!! Ouch!! So Supercharging or Turbo's are going to be a very expensive option for what 50 - 100awdhp? NOS for me on this plateform would be much more practical, but I'll let you know in a month or so. I got to check with my Tuner at Full Function, maybe they have some other idea's for me to spend my money!!!

[Leon R]

Leaking is all about execution .

As I said, I can do hardware for under $1000. The RX7 guy suggested AEM FIC, which looks promising at around $350 (extra). I spent a few years tuning with AEM EMS, so I can't imagine this being much harder. This just might work...

My VX was in "power" mode ever since I discovered it, a few months ago

[ABDragonVX]

Aem fic + gauges to monitor will cost more then just the fic unit. Just sayin lol. Not trying to thread jack but if all goes well this summer ill be running a 25-100 shot depending on how its handling premium gas, knock and afr of course.

[Leon R]

OK, NOZ boys, we shall see . The cost of good engine management is worth every penny! And I do not mind paying for it! BTW, the same principle applies to peoperly using N2O...

Unfortunately, due to my project commitments, you might beat me to the extra power, but in the end, turbos are SO much better!

[EVO]

Oh I whole heartedly agree!! I love turbo's!!! The problem is there does not seem to be too much data on how much boost these puppies can take. And then there are all the wonderful supporting mods. to support the extra boost$$$$$$ I'm just starting with the simplest power adders and not shooting for stupid fast!! Just a little something, something, for us adrenaline Junkies!

[ABDragonVX]

My only perks for nitrous is that a) you can run regular everyday and not worry about turbo issues b) flick a switch and its still a good kick in the pants. Your right though ill be hooking up my aem wideband and fuel/oil as well as a window switch and nitrous pressure gauge, it adds up but I enjoy it, no spool etc. Also on my old hemi you could slam a 200 shot on it with a nitrous tune then switch to an 87 tune for daily driving. 650hp daily driver is sweet....haha....even if it's only 450ish on the streets.

[EVO]

450ish on the Street is all SMILES! Turbos's and Superchargers are awesome power adders for stupid quick toys!! For me NOS is just for playing around because I'm just looking for 50-100awdhp on this plateform. I have my EVO for track days and just plain retarded stupid fast days!!

[WormGod]

I 1/4'd my VX way WAY back when before I went with larger wheels/tires and supercharged it. Pretty much bone stock. So long ago I cant even recall what the slip read, heh.

Would love to try again now that it has been supercharged and granted some other "bolt on" engine management TLC. Sadly, tuning these rigs isn't much of an option and the trannies aren't very pleasant with added power anyways. I guess I save THAT part of my adrenaline lifestyle for my STi.

[EVO]

OOOOOhhh! Another adrenaline junky!! I feel ya on the STI! Different Lifestyle for sure! Funny thing is I don't miss driving my EVO at all?! Would love to hear from your supercharger runs though! Yeah, these VX's are fun the way they are but I can't stop thinking of just a little bit more!!!!!

[Leon R]

I would LOVE to see your current results from the track! What is your blower using for engine management?

[Leon R]

Added video (my 13 year old is playing with his editing app )