Dating back to the days of flathead Fords on dry lakebeds, quarter-mile acceleration is still a benchmark of performance. However, a vehicle properly set up for straight-line quarter-mile fun doesn't have to worry about turns like our roadgoing tuner cars; their tighter suspension and less weight transfer equates to reduced straight-line traction. Not that you can hook up 1000-plus horsepower with normal radial tires, even with the best suspension. With wildly overpowered vehicles, acceleration times aren't as quick as you might expect (due to excessive rear tirespin), but terminal velocity is shockingly fast. Such was the case with our group.
All too often, magazine stories include phrasing such as "If we only had more traction," so for fun we offered up a challenge to the tuners: three runs on Michelin PS2 radials and three runs on BFGoodrich DOT-approved Drag Radials. While not as grippy as true wrinkle-wall drag slicks, Drag Radials offer a glimpse of what a vehicle can do with added adhesion. Two tuners took us up on our challenge.
As the benchmark, the Z06 ran first. With not much drama the 505-horsepower car logged a 12.0-second e.t. at 123.5 mph. With a stout number as a target, the Livernois Mustang stepped up to the plate for its best swing. Despite the car's hurt engine, the Livernois crew insisted that testing progress. As expected, copious wheelspin, a defunct cam sensor, and an oily undercarriage don't make the best recipe for quick times, as evidenced by a 12.9-second elapsed time.
Facebook
Twitter