Track Results - a bit of a disappointment / mystery

Greetings all.. I got in 7 runs tonight at our local 1/8th mile track. This is an AWD TB LT/SS model with about a quarter of a tank of premium gas, 800+ miles on the odometer, air temp around 67 degrees, wheel pressures around 34psi. I haven't modified the SS at all. I didn't attempt any burn-outs (AWD). Unfortunately, the track doesn't provide much non-waterbox space to drive through, so had to basically drive through the box every time (ugh). Driver weight = a husky 250lbs :P

Summary: I couldn't cut a 60 foot lower than 2.217 secs no mather what technique / combination I used. Best 1/8th ET / MPH was 9.576 @ 74.8 MPH. I was hoping for low 9s, maybe a high 8. The runs were fairly consistent considering all the alterations I was making. No tire spin was heard / felt.

Below are the results of each run and the technique / configuration used:

Run #1

Traction Control Off
4th Gear
1 K RPM preload
60 ft = 2.224
330ft = 6.342
1/8ET = 9.716
MPH = 73.30Run #2

Traction Control Off
3rd Gear
0 preload, went WOT at green
60ft = 2.267
330ft = 6.369
1/8ET = 9.724
MPH = 73.87Run #3

Traction Control ON
3rd Gear
1 K RPM preload
60ft = 2.256
330ft = 6.352
1/8ET = 9.696
MPH = 74.07Run #4

Traction Control ON
3rd Gear
1.8K RPM preload
60ft = 2.222
330ft = 6.281
1/8ET = 9.610
MPH = 74.49Run #5 (best run)

StabiliTrack OFF
Traction Control OFF
3rd Gear
1.8K RPM preload
60ft = 2.217
330ft = 6.261
1/8ET = 9.576
MPH = 74.80Run #6

Traction Control OFF
3rd Gear
1.8K RPM preload
60ft = 2.243
330ft = 6.326
1/8ET = 9.676
MPH = 73.99Run #7 (ugh, time to call it quits)

Traction Control OFF
3rd Gear
1.8K RPM load
60ft = 2.355
330ft = 6.554
1/8ET = 9.969
MPH = 72.49BTW, drag experience level here is moderate. I've got a boat load of mid-13 second (1/4 mile) runs under my belt in my 4th Gen Monte SS (runs 8.5ish in the 1/8th).

Anyway.. I'm a bit underwhelmed at the moment, but realize if the 60 foot could be improved, the ET should follow. Could Torque Management be the reason the 60 ft's never dropped? Looking for input on what to try next.

On a side note, I got a lot of positive comments and thumbs up on the SS. Many were surprised to see it. I think it's one of the first and only TB SS's in So Cal. I haven't seen another one yet. I even surprised a LS2 GTO owner I was staged next to (he was running 8.2's). He had no idea they were dropping LS2's in the TB. :D

PaulC in SoCal

Cool, thanks for the results, but I agree it is a little dissapointing.

But, I tell everybody that I want to get the new TrailBlazer SS, and every single one goes "SS?:undecided, what the SS for?" I tell them, available AWD, race track tuned suspension in Nurenburg (sp? btw, too lazy to use umlauts), 20" rims, (pause)...and for the engine a Corvette/GTO inspired LS2 making 395hp and 391tq!!!!!!:o :D

Every single person has looked at me, and gone "Wha?????? Chevy puts an LS2 in the TB now??" [for the car savvy folk] or "dang, thats a lot of hp!!)

No one can get over the LS2 specs, plus the AWD and race tuned suspension help too.:D

im not an expert but those 60 foot times and pretty bad for a awd vehicle

My only experience with an AWD and this kind of torque (400ft-lb, give or take) was with my ex-Syclone.

My first run *ever* at the track netted a 1.76sec 60' time, with a ~6lb boost launch. My subsequent runs that day also were all sub 1.77 seconds. My point is that launching with an AWD is downright easy, given I was 100% inexperienced and was still able to rack-off those times. Hence, I will quickly rule-out "driver error" as being the culprit here.

Thus, although I do give you the nod (praise) for taking the SS to the track, I too am disappointed in seeing these #'s.

I don't expect to see ~1.7sec 60' times in the AWD-SS, but I do believe they should hit sub 2.0's with relative ease. 1.9's should be the norm...... TM may really be causing that much loss upon initial launch / shifts.....

Chris' (GTPprix) tune should answer that question for us, once track data is available. I don't think he will get any track-data anytime soon, though; here in MI our tracks are shut-down 'till Spring.

On a side note, I got a lot of positive comments and thumbs up on the SS. Many were surprised to see it. I think it's one of the first and only TB SS's in So Cal. I haven't seen another one yet. I even surprised a LS2 GTO owner I was staged next to (he was running 8.2's). He had no idea they were dropping LS2's in the TB. :D

PaulC in SoCal

Hey Paul, were is El Camino Village, what track did you go to?

i try to see how high i can preload before the tires break loose and launch from there. imo

T-Blaze: El Camino Village is in the South Bay next to Torrance. I went to Irwindale. Next week (Thursday) is their final test-n-tune of the season. They'll open back up in February I think. Come on by sometime.. we can compare TB SS notes. :D Also, would be interesting to get a side by side 2WD vs AWD track comparison sometime.

h0tr0d: I use that technique on my Monte SS and tried that last night. It seemed to want to break free between 1800 and 2000 RPM. I'm not sure what stall level the stock converter is, but that seems about right for a "typical" factory model.

Torque management sucks, my 05 Rainier:
60ft=2.36
1/8=10.13
mph=72.1
1/4-15.51
mph=88.2

I had a jeep cherokee w/4.0L, 3.08 gears that would 2.0-2.1 60ft all day long, but it only weight 3200lbs. w/170hp

Has anyone else run their's yet?? I'm not happy to see those numbers..I'm seriously considering this vehicle to replace my Envoy in August (pull ahead maybe earlier) but I hope it's just the fact that theres almost no mileage on it.
W/2k on my GXP I ran 13.6 @ 102+mph Stock..2.1 60'
1/8 8.83 @80.36mph and I rattled off a dozen passes at 13.7 over 101-102 with horrible traction. car weighed in @3805 w/driver only 303 hp 323lb ft, 2.93 axle

When's that modded T/B gonna get some runs on it?

Track was rained out last night :( :duh:

T-Blaze: El Camino Village is in the South Bay next to Torrance. I went to Irwindale. Next week (Thursday) is their final test-n-tune of the season. They'll open back up in February I think. Come on by sometime.. we can compare TB SS notes. :D Also, would be interesting to get a side by side 2WD vs AWD track comparison sometime.

h0tr0d: I use that technique on my Monte SS and tried that last night. It seemed to want to break free between 1800 and 2000 RPM. I'm not sure what stall level the stock converter is, but that seems about right for a "typical" factory model.

I wish...there is no way I could make it out there on a weekday though, way too much going on at work right now. Guess I'll have to wait until next year. :(