In an earlier part, we discussed reaction time, and indicated that it is measured from the green light switch closure until the front tires leave the starting line. That is technically correct. However, if your local track’s clocks indicate a perfect light as .500, the reaction time is measured from the closing of the switch for the last yellow light until the front tires leave the starting line. If your track measures a perfect light as .000, it’s timers are measuring from the green light activation until your front tires leave the starting line. Both measurements tell you the same information, and your task is to obtain the quickest and most consistent R.T. possible. Read more

…….. this session will be dedicated to the following letter from John Mino.

TO: DRAG RACING WITH JIM HAND

Dear Jim,

I always enjoy reading your articles and usually agree with your views, particularly since your info is backed by “at the track” results and not some “pie in the sky” theory backed by umpteen hours of dyno time. I was elated to read your article about ignition systems, and couldn’t agree more. Actually, it made me think about the last time I went to Super Shops to buy a cam key to advance the cam in my L/Stock ’74 Firebird. While waiting for my part, this 20something year old “expert performance advisor” directed my attention to the Mallory Hy-Fire ignition display boasting a blue spark about 1-1/2″ long arcing away while exclaiming “That’s worth about 25 horses over stock…would you be interested in a set-up like that for your drag car?…the whole system runs about 300 bucks.” I looked him square in the eye while responding, “…naw, I only spend money on things that will help lower my E.T….I have a good ignition system.” Read more

Improving the Elapsed Time, or ET, is the primary reason for the changes that most of us make to our vehicles. The quicker (lower) the ET, the stronger our vehicles feel. An improvement of one second in ET to a relatively slow car capable of running 16.5 seconds is just as important and just as noticeable as a one second gain on a 14 second car. Although a very low ET is not necessarily a determining factor in winning bracket races, it certainly is important when bench racing with our friends! Read more

Fred Cal from Batavia, Illinois, recently submitted a great list of subjects for possible discussion. Several of those will be covered in this column.

How about those claims for increased airflow through the newer performance mufflers? Does airflow relate directly to performance? As with all factory components, the stock mufflers and pipes were a compromise, with noise, cost, warranty, and space limitations all being considered. The stock type mufflers did cause some back-pressure, which adversely affected performance. The pipe configurations andlor size also caused back-pressure in many applications. Read more