It's been several years since going to a drag strip and a buddy and I got to go to a Test n Tune run Saturday. He has a C5 Z06 and I took my wife's 300C SRT8, to see what it could do. We had a great time and met some new folks. Total cost was $15 to run as much as you want, full 1/4.

My goal was to be in the low 13's with the SRT8 and my buddy was working to get below 13. I wasn't working on reaction time at all, just trying to get the 5k lb rolling brick down the track. So here are my results.

First run: Set the tires to 35 PSI, pulled the number 11 fuse for a minute to clear the transmission program, put the helmet on, turned traction control off, and off I went. The air temperature was 51 degrees, good air, and elevation about 1300. Wasn't happy that I couldn't drive around the water box, but oh well, let’s see what happens. Warmed the tires up, with a bit too much tire smoke. Light went green and I eased into the throttle. MASSIVE tire spin in the first 60 feet, then it planted. I wasn't sure where the end of the 1/4 was and how long the braking area was, so I let up a bit too early. So, below are the details.

Reaction time: 1.9847
60 ft 2.4086
330 ft 6.4557
1/8 9.5392 @ 86.94
1/4 14.1474 @ 109.62

Second run: Set the tires to 32 PSI, turned traction control on, and staged. Temp was 56 degrees. I launched harder, but the computer said "oh no you don't". Motor bogged, brakes locked up, and by the 60 ft mark it had already decided to shift into 3rd. I found out the hard way that even in autostick, the trans will up shift with traction control on. I stayed in it all the way to the end of the 1/4 this time.

Reaction time: 1.8993
60 ft 2.8237
330 ft 6.8591
1/8 9.9031 @ 81.72
1/4 14.5188 @ 106.84

Third run: Set tires to 30 PSI, turned off traction control, and was a bit frustrated by this point. 3rd run was the best, but nothing to brag about. I did work on reaction time on this run. MASSIVE spinning in the first 60 ft again. I got a bit over zealous, so it was my fault...

Reaction time: .3090
60 ft 2.4665
330 ft 6.3456
1/8 9.4036 @ 86.58
1/4 14.0302 @ 112.72

Lessons learned; don't use 255 Hankook V12 tires at the drags. I was impressed with just how hard the car pulled after the first 60, especially after the first 330. It didn't stop pulling the entire 1/4. If I had some sort of drag radial on the car, it could have easily been low 13's without much work, maybe pushed into the very high 12's. The car is just too heavy to get going out of the hole. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and I hope to get out there with the Vette sometime this summer.

My buddy did get his goal of 12.91 at 110.xx. Good running Z!

Also, there was an '11 Mustang 5.0 there. Was very impressed with it. Right out of the box, no mods, with a great driver, it was consistant 12.8's. He put some MT ET's on it and got into the high 11's. I didn't realize they were that quick! Great running motor!!

So how do you like driving the 300 on the street? I kinda like the looks of them and it seems it would be a nice road cruiser for road trips and such. Being an SRT8 would be a bonus. (Not shopping now. Thinking about it for the future) Maybe when I get to BillH's age.

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Ah, next year then?

I agree, on the 300 looks.
I've never owned a 4 door car though (that wasn't company provided).

NHRA Finals were rained out yesterday, supposed to be run this morning.

Very nice car. I've owned a 300C and the 300C SRT8. They are apples and oranges. The C is very cushy and soft ride. The motor is wonderful, pulls hard, and got up to 25 mpg. Regular oil change pricing, can run 87. Much better cruiser than the SRT8.

The SRT8 is definitely stiffer, corners very well for a car that size, and the big hemi is an animal compared to the 5.7. Oil changes are expensive (0W40 @ ~8 qts = ~$90 per oil change), must run at least 91, and the best it gets is 22 on the highway with a very light foot. The torque of the motor is massive and never ending, all the way to 6500 rpm. The Brembo brakes will pull the skin off your face if needed. The bad is the car is big and heavy. It is just nasty from a roll, but can't seem to get moving off the line very well. It would need ET streets to launch.

The pricing is also pretty good on the cars. I see them around here with ~30k miles on them for just under $20k. The interiors are nice, but on the cheaper side with all of the plastic.

I can tell you that as long as my family count stays at 4, I'll only purchase the SRT8 (either gens at this point).

Pictures of the 300C and SRT8.

Looks like good MPH for your runs!

I've seen those 5.0s in action. 12.8 with no mods is insane. DRs, cold air, exhaust, chip, those things are monsters.

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Yea, too bad I couldn't get the thing moving in the first 60 ft!!