Drag Strip, Actual Numbers

[LurchII]

Vehicle; 3.0L ST. First three runs were stock configuration, last two were with Livernois Motorsport 91-93 tune

Maryland International Raceway; Elevation 80’

Weather; Temp, 47-57Deg: RH, 58: Bar, 30.46: Wind, 2-4mph

Constant; 93 octane: sport mode: traction control off: no burnout: did not worry about reaction time

60’ 330 1/8 1000 1/4 MPH

• 2.290 6.109 9.245 11.943 14.218 99.11
• 2.419 6.311 9.501 12.255 14.577 97.31
• 2.373 6.302 9.511 12.273 14.595 97.32
• 2.274 5.933 9.000 11.532 13.764 103.30
• 2.235 5.897 8.896 11.462 13.625 104.11

Run 5, was with a 45min cool down after run 4. I was able to pull a good amount of heat out of the engine and turbo by just opening the hood. Run coolant temperature at time of launch was 184deg, showing on “FORScan Lite”.

Jeff

 

[Legacy]

Thanks for providing your results, very informative. I just ordered a livernois tune as well. Did you run the 93 octane tune or 91? I wonder if a non-street pack car would be quicker with the smaller wheels.

 

[evilgeek]

I put your best times before and after into a drag calculator.

Assuming the total weight of the vehicle, including you and all fluids in it is 4950 lbs, and we are getting 15% drive line loss, then the 14.2 second time seems about right for stock. Maybe you are lighter, and maybe the awd is less efficient, but it's a good starting point.

Getting down to 13.6 would then take 48 more horsepower at the wheels, or 57 more at the crank, which is pretty close to what people have been saying they've dyno'd on premium tunes.

For reference:

Engine Horsepower Calculator From Elapsed Time

Estimate engine horsepower using elapsed time or quarter mile drag race time and vehicle weight.

www.ajdesigner.com

 

[metroplex]

Those 60' times need to drop, you should be in the 1.7-1.8 range. That'd put you around the mid or low 12s. Looks like a fairly mild tune.

 

[boominXplorer]

^ I agree there is room for improvement on the 60'. Are you launching at idle or brake standing it to get the boost up?

 

[LurchII]

Livernis tune comes as a 91-93 octane tune. I’m not sure the details, but the computer in the vehicle can tell which fuel you’re running. Just like when you’re changing from 87 to 91. There is a PID in the computer system, “see my other thread” I just have not found it yet.

I agree the 60’ times were atrocious!!! This time I was comparing apples to apples; meaning I wanted the most consistent runs to compare against each other. I did not “power break”, or “slip the break”, I started at idle and just floored the gas pedal. I could feel from 850-3,000rpm was horrible building speed, once I hit 3,500rpm it came to life!!! All the way to 6,500rpm it was a beast, shifting in the sweet spot, pulled extremely hard. The tune did its job, by changing the engine, and adding HP, but more importantly matching the shift points. With everything going on, I was able to pick-up it was shifting from 5-6 gear about 90’ from the finish, and was still pulling extremely hard.

This week I have been researching the stall speed of the torque converter. If I am able to get my RPM’s up on launch there is no reason that low 13sec should not be obtainable. I have not been able to find any reliable data on the interweb. So it may just come down to me going to an empty parking lot and running some experiments myself. Sometimes old school is the best!!!

I’ll keep you all posted

Jeff

 

[metroplex]

Livernis tune comes as a 91-93 octane tune. I’m not sure the details, but the computer in the vehicle can tell which fuel you’re running. Just like when you’re changing from 87 to 91. There is a PID in the computer system, “see my other thread” I just have not found it yet.

I agree the 60’ times were atrocious!!! This time I was comparing apples to apples; meaning I wanted the most consistent runs to compare against each other. I did not “power break”, or “slip the break”, I started at idle and just floored the gas pedal. I could feel from 850-3,000rpm was horrible building speed, once I hit 3,500rpm it came to life!!! All the way to 6,500rpm it was a beast, shifting in the sweet spot, pulled extremely hard. The tune did its job, by changing the engine, and adding HP, but more importantly matching the shift points. With everything going on, I was able to pick-up it was shifting from 5-6 gear about 90’ from the finish, and was still pulling extremely hard.

This week I have been researching the stall speed of the torque converter. If I am able to get my RPM’s up on launch there is no reason that low 13sec should not be obtainable. I have not been able to find any reliable data on the interweb. So it may just come down to me going to an empty parking lot and running some experiments myself. Sometimes old school is the best!!!

I’ll keep you all posted

Jeff

You absolutely need to powerbrake the EcoBoost engines if you want to post decent times. Your 60' should be in the 1.7-1.8 range. Take advantage of the AWD system. What you described sounds just like my 2.7 EcoBoost in the Fusion, it only wakes up above 3500 RPM. The 3.5 EcoBoost in the SHO was a bit better with far more low end grunt, but I still powerbraked the SHO at the drag strip.

You should be in the mid 12's with your current tune once you powerbrake launch. Don't worry about the exact stall speed of the converter. Must of us powerbrake to 2200-2400 RPM. I once launched at 3000 RPM with the SHO and all hell broke lose with the PCM, it put me into some kind of limp home mode so I was stuck doing 20 mph down the track until I restarted the engine mid-way through the run.

I've seen tune-only 2020 ST's running 12.0x in the 1/4 mile.

 

[lscrx]

60’ 330 1/8 1000 1/4 MPH

• 2.290 6.109 9.245 11.943 14.218 99.11
• 2.419 6.311 9.501 12.255 14.577 97.31
• 2.373 6.302 9.511 12.273 14.595 97.32

Sweet! I ran my 2WD XLT (with the Torque app and OBD2 Bluetooth connection) and wasn't too far behind you at the 1/8th (9.7) but you beat me to the 1/4 by almost a full second

I was "launching" mine a little harder from what it sounds like, although the Torque app doesn't give you a 60' time to compare against. I think what you did, launching from idle, was smart for generating consistent numbers though. When I used to drag race my 1991 Honda CRX (with an Integra LS motor swap) I could bang off 1.9-2.0 60' times with moderately sticky street tires, but FWD cars are kind of handicapped when it comes to hard launches.

 

[metroplex]

It's fairly easy to consistently powerbrake launch on these AWD vehicles. I was getting 1.8x all day long for 60's on my SHO. It was so consistent that I did 6 back to back runs that were all 12.4x @ 110.x mph. The only thing holding that car back was the rather small intercooler that tended to suffer from heat soak. These EcoBoost engines and N/A V6 engines are very tightly wound and need the revs to get moving, so if you're on the street and want to duke it out with a Charger SRT or Durango SRT, you need to launch it properly. There's not much torque on tap from a stop/standstill. The 3.5 EcoBoost has far more grunt off the line but powerbrake launches were still needed.

 

[lscrx]

It's fairly easy to consistently powerbrake launch on these AWD vehicles. I was getting 1.8x all day long for 60's on my SHO. It was so consistent that I did 6 back to back runs that were all 12.4x @ 110.x mph. The only thing holding that car back was the rather small intercooler that tended to suffer from heat soak. These EcoBoost engines and N/A V6 engines are very tightly wound and need the revs to get moving, so if you're on the street and want to duke it out with a Charger SRT or Durango SRT, you need to launch it properly. There's not much torque on tap from a stop/standstill. The 3.5 EcoBoost has far more grunt off the line but powerbrake launches were still needed.

My 2.3t feels night-and-day different between launching w/boost and without. That said, if I give it too much boost pre-launch it will do a wicked burnout (2WD).

 

[metroplex]

My 2.3t feels night-and-day different between launching w/boost and without. That said, if I give it too much boost pre-launch it will do a wicked burnout (2WD).

Stickier tires!

Traction is one of the advantages of AWD, so you need to powerbrake launch them to maximize acceleration. I remember back in the day that you could get 1.6-1.8 60' times on RWD cars with drag radials, and now we're doing it with worn out Badyear RS-A street tires thanks to AWD.

 

[lscrx]

Stickier tires!

Traction is one of the advantages of AWD, so you need to powerbrake launch them to maximize acceleration. I remember back in the day that you could get 1.6-1.8 60' times on RWD cars with drag radials, and now we're doing it with worn out Badyear RS-A street tires thanks to AWD.

I think part of my problem was tire pressure, I didn't realize the dealership had that at 46psi when I bought it... probably wasn't helping my launch.

 

[LurchII]

When the track opens back up, I look forward to more timed runs... The nice things about this platform is traction is not an issue... There is a sweet spot in the RPM launch range, it's just a matter of finding it??? I will be the first to admit I'm new to this. I grew up racing in the late 70, when hp cost money, and traction cost tires!!!

 

[metroplex]

Apply as much power as you have and launch at as high of an RPM possible. I've never had a problem with wheel/axle hop on Ford's AWD EcoBoost platforms on street tires. At least on the SHO, drag radials or sticky tires can be worth at most 0.1 seconds in the 60'

I can do that in the rain, snow, or icy slush on any of the tuned EcoBoost AWD cars. This isn't some hyped up RWD torque beast garage queen that can only race on dry clean pavement with summer tires or on a prepped track.

 

[Livernois]

Vehicle; 3.0L ST. First three runs were stock configuration, last two were with Livernois Motorsport 91-93 tune

Maryland International Raceway; Elevation 80’

Weather; Temp, 47-57Deg: RH, 58: Bar, 30.46: Wind, 2-4mph

Constant; 93 octane: sport mode: traction control off: no burnout: did not worry about reaction time

60’ 330 1/8 1000 1/4 MPH

• 2.290 6.109 9.245 11.943 14.218 99.11
• 2.419 6.311 9.501 12.255 14.577 97.31
• 2.373 6.302 9.511 12.273 14.595 97.32
• 2.274 5.933 9.000 11.532 13.764 103.30
• 2.235 5.897 8.896 11.462 13.625 104.11

Run 5, was with a 45min cool down after run 4. I was able to pull a good amount of heat out of the engine and turbo by just opening the hood. Run coolant temperature at time of launch was 184deg, showing on “FORScan Lite”.

Jeff

Thanks for sharing Jeff!

Looks like some great passes for a tune only vehicle especially. Not sure if you have E85 available in your area but we do also ave a slightly more powerful tune for E30 that we could send over if you ever wanted to give that a shot as well. We are still waiting for the dragstrip to re-open in our area unfortunately, we usually close down our local dragstrip in the spring and fall for a customer appreciation track rental day also that I'm hoping will still happen in the fall at least. It's a bit of a drive from MD to MI but we've had customers that drove further to come run at the customer appreciation days!

 

[QuietStorm17]

Vehicle; 3.0L ST. First three runs were stock configuration, last two were with Livernois Motorsport 91-93 tune

Maryland International Raceway; Elevation 80’

Weather; Temp, 47-57Deg: RH, 58: Bar, 30.46: Wind, 2-4mph

Constant; 93 octane: sport mode: traction control off: no burnout: did not worry about reaction time

60’ 330 1/8 1000 1/4 MPH

• 2.290 6.109 9.245 11.943 14.218 99.11
• 2.419 6.311 9.501 12.255 14.577 97.31
• 2.373 6.302 9.511 12.273 14.595 97.32
• 2.274 5.933 9.000 11.532 13.764 103.30
• 2.235 5.897 8.896 11.462 13.625 104.11

Run 5, was with a 45min cool down after run 4. I was able to pull a good amount of heat out of the engine and turbo by just opening the hood. Run coolant temperature at time of launch was 184deg, showing on “FORScan Lite”.

Jeff

I enjoyed seeing this post, I spent alot of time at MIR and occasionally next door at Potomac Speedway in the late 70’s and the 80’s. I was looking forward to getting backdown there these season. We’ll probably have to wait a long time. Enjoy your ride in the meantime!

 

[LurchII]

I have a couple of issues running E85 in my 2020 Explorer

1. I don’t have a reliable source in Southern MD. The closest consistent point is DC, which is not close enough for me. There have been promises of stations installing pumps, but so far a no-go.

2. The 2020 Explorer is “NOT” setup to run E85. If you check the owner’s manual, electronic version page 179, you will see the below references to look for to verify your vehicle is compatible with E85. My 2020 ST has none of those markings, having the extended warranty I’m not willing to risk expensive engine costs.

On an up note I was able to do some launch testing; 2k, RPM slipping the break, the first pass had no lag, instant power. Unfortunately the camera guy with me was not able to keep up with the footage. The second run, he kept the camera on the speedometer. Launching at 2k, RPM it pulled hard, was able to hit 75mph in 7.2 sec, and the trans was just shifting into 4th gear. I don’t have a distance traveled, too much going on!!! I hope when the track open up I can put this new found knowledge to use.

I hope this helps others in there pursuit of happiness

Jeff

FUEL QUALITY - E85
Choosing the Right Fuel - Flex Fuel Vehicles
Flex fuel vehicles have one of the following identifiers:
• Yellow fuel filler cap.
• Yellow bezel around the fuel filler inlet.
• Yellow fuel filler housing.
• Yellow E85 label on the fuel tank filler door.

 

[LurchII]

Actual Numbers, Round 2

Vehicle; 3.0L ST. with Livernois Motorsport 91-93 tune. Was only able to complete two runs due to the track being full.

Maryland International Raceway; Elevation 80’

Weather; Temp, 70Deg: RH, 42: Bar, 30.14: Wind, 2-4mph: Tire Temp, Cold 37 Warm 39

Constant; 93 octane: sport mode: traction control off: no burnout: did not worry about reaction time

60’ 330 1/8 1000 1/4 MPH

• 2.065 5.702 8.752 11.378 13.593 101.88
• 1.996 5.526 8.476 11.035 13.198 104.24

Run 1, was a 1500rpm launch. Run 2, was a 2000rpm launch. According to “FORScan Lite”, both launches coolant was at 185-190deg, trans temp 200deg.

I wished there was time for two more runs, (2500 and 3000). I really believe 12sec is obtainable!!!

Jeff

 

[Livernois]

Vehicle; 3.0L ST. with Livernois Motorsport 91-93 tune. Was only able to complete two runs due to the track being full.

Maryland International Raceway; Elevation 80’

Weather; Temp, 70Deg: RH, 42: Bar, 30.14: Wind, 2-4mph: Tire Temp, Cold 37 Warm 39

Constant; 93 octane: sport mode: traction control off: no burnout: did not worry about reaction time

60’ 330 1/8 1000 1/4 MPH

• 2.065 5.702 8.752 11.378 13.593 101.88
• 1.996 5.526 8.476 11.035 13.198 104.24

Run 1, was a 1500rpm launch. Run 2, was a 2000rpm launch. According to “FORScan Lite”, both launches coolant was at 185-190deg, trans temp 200deg.

I wished there was time for two more runs, (2500 and 3000). I really believe 12sec is obtainable!!!

Jeff

Thanks for sharing, that sounds like you had a fun trip to the dragstrip!

Unfortunately a lot of the drag strips are still not fully open yet to see more customers time slips to compare yet. But definitely look like some great passes , especially for your first two trips down the track with it tuned. It usually takes a handful of passes to really figure out the best launch techniques and things of that nature. So I could definitely see you making some 12 second passes next time! If you have any 100+ octane unleaded race fuel or E85 available in your area the extra octane helps to squeeze a bit more of the Ecoboost vehicles at the track. You can add a few gallons of unleaded race fuel to ensure your 91-93 tune is getting all the octane it could possibly want and the truck can add slightly more power on the existing tune as the better fuels allow. Then if you wanted to run a blend of E85 and premium to get around E30 we could always set you up with that slightly more aggressive tune for E30 as well. Thanks again for sharing and glad to see the truck's running strong for you!