[yosefk]

Hey all,

Well, the time has come to track my stock and lame SLK. My friends all want to go to the drag strip tonight or tomorrow, to put my friends Camaro SS to the test. We're hoping for low 12s in the camaro.

To be honest, I really don't know what to expect from my SLK, but I'd like to know if anyone has any tips for today, on how to maximize my car's performance. Also, is the difference with the top up/down significant? I think i want to run it with the top down.

Anyway, any info and help you can provide will be great! I will try to get my g/f to video the event, and hopefully I can post up a pic or two also!

Thanks
YK

 

[BrisK230]

I ran my SLK last summer in Alabama with top up and down to see if there was a difference. There was exactly none. EXACT same times. I have a 2000 SLK230 Limited AT. No mods whatsoever except Eibach springs. The fastest of the day was 15.4. I ran that consistently. And of course I ran with the tranny is "S" and traction control off.

 

[Bazzle]

As above
If you get wheel spin drop rear tyre pressurea a few pounds. (pump back up for the drive home)

Have fun and post your results (and a Video or a Pic :thumbsup: )

Bazzle

 

[2000 SLK230 Copper]

Take everything out of your trunk, Spare tire, jack, etc. and only have 1/4 tank of gas when you race to reduce weight.

Have fun and post pics.

 

[yosefk]

Well, we're back from a couple hours at Grand Bend... it was SOOO much fun!

I took your advice and removed all items from the trunk, and i brought my motorcycle helmet just in case.

When we arrived, there were a lot of cool cars/bikes there, and everyone was just having a good time. Everyone was really helpful as well for us first timers.

First run, top up, ASR and all electronics were off. I was not watching the tree AT ALL so my response time went to shit. Regardless, i ran a 15.7 @ 88mph

Afterwards it was up and down, my best run being a 15.557 @ 89 mph

With the top down and the music blasting, I ran a 15.89

The Camaro ran a 16.5 to start and we worked it down to a 13.6. It has more go in it for sure, but until we get some good drag radials its 13.6.

Can't wait to go back with the pulley kit later this summer!

Pics and videos to come very soon

 

[430]

Personally I would not suggest running with the radio blasting. I much prefer to be able to listen to what my car and the environment are telling me.

 

[Bazzle]

Personally I would not suggest running with the radio blasting. I much prefer to be able to listen to what my car and the environment are telling me.

AND the radio, lights, fan whatever draw power from the Alternator. = power lost, only a small amount but it all counts

Bazzle

 

[yosefk]

AND the radio, lights, fan whatever draw power from the Alternator. = power lost, only a small amount but it all counts

Bazzle

You guys are both absolutely right.. Of the 6 runs I had tonight, one of them was top down and radio on. For the rest, I unplugged my lights, took the faceplate off the radio (and thereby didn't have the amp powered up) and turned off the heater/ac.

The one with the radio on and top down was my slowest run at 15.9

 

[rage2]

The alternator is always charging (no pulley clutch), regardless if the lights or radio's on so it's not gonna make any difference in horsepower. The only difference it may make is the strength of the spark to the spark plugs with all the accessories on, and even that is an insignificant difference.

 

[Bruce R.]

Hey, you're out here to have fun, not to set any records. If you want the radio on, go for it............ I often have the radio on while I run at the track, and only have the roof up if it's required, or it's raining.....

 

[yosefk]

Okay, so apparently my cameragirl didn't take any pics but I have a couple of cell-phone videos if someone will host them. You can't really see much but an SLK and a camaro, and you can hear some of the funny comments the announcer made.

I have since learned that with my intake setup, if I remove the passenger (right side) headlight, I get a basic ram-air effect because there are no obstructions behind the headlight before my custom intake. It feels more responsive, but i'll have to go back to the track next week to see if there are any real gains out of this. I don't think higher octane gas will do anything for my car, but they have 110 octane unleaded race gas there for $3 per litre... so depending on how rich i feel, i might try some out next time.

I wonder what can be done (other than a pulley kit and NOS) to improve these times in the quarter?

Many of the participants run open exhaust systems at the track, and while I would be willing to try it (maybe install an electric cutout) i'm wondering if anyone here has run a 230 with no cats/mufflers, and what their input might be. Bruce, IIRC you had some experience with this?

 

[Bruce R.]

You may get some gains from the high octane gas, but it take too long for the computer to see that and make adjustments.
Pulley kit will help, but most experiance here with NOS ended up with MAJOR problems, it is NOT recommended unless you have money to burn.
My track time has been on some road courses, not the strip, so I can't help you much there. But consider this: What do you think is more fun: a 20 second run through a quarter mile, or 20 minutes at a time on the road course? the SLK isn' a dragster, and never will be since it's far too heavy for that. Try a road course and see if that isn't more suited to the car and your enjoyment. It's a whole different thing, but it's more fun ..... longer.....

 

[Bazzle]

Be careful with Race fuel, some contains lead and will bugger your Cats and Lambda sensors. . 95 or 98 premium pumpgas is a better call

Bazzle

 

[430]

You won't see any gain from the race fuel. It is outside he parameters of the stock ECU.

I have run race gas oat the strip and there was no change.

 

[yosefk]

You won't see any gain from the race fuel. It is outside he parameters of the stock ECU.

I have run race gas oat the strip and there was no change.

This is what I have heard from others as well.. At $3 per litre it will just be an expense.

They have leaded and unleaded variants, but yes, I agree on the harshness of leaded gas..

I'm still curious as to whether or not there would be any benefit to running an exhaust cutout before or after the cats. Does anyone know what size the stock piping is? I might buy a cutout and try it out

This is what i'm considering, but I don't think there's even sufficient space ahead of the cats to fit one of these in. I know I could fit one behind the cats, though. eBay.ca: QTP 2.5" Electric Exhaust Valve & SS Cutout #QTEC25CPS (item 140116100910 end time 18-May-07 11:43:28 EDT)

 

[evillaundry]

You can upload your videos to YouTube, SendSpace, or send them to [email protected], and I'll host them.