One of the most common topics that comes up when a few Corvette owners start bench racing is what that dream machine or unfinished project Vette will run in the quarter-mile. We even hear that sort of question raised about stock Vettes of all ages. Production Corvettes are among the most regularly tested-by car magazines like Motor Trend, Automobile, and Road & Track-of all performance cars, so a lot of facts and figures are available for stockers. Until recently there have been too many variables at work on modified cars to make an accurate guess-timate. But that has changed with the introduction of the new DragSim software from ProRacing Sim. It's a valuable tool for racers, both real and "bench." Follow along and we'll show you why.
A good portion of the mail we receive here asks us to estimate what someone's unfinished project car or dream machine will run in the quarter-mile. While we do our best to guess accurately, there are so many variable factors at work, we simply cannot offer the level of accuracy we'd like. For those who are wondering how fast their car can cover the 1,320 or how to improve the performance of a car they're already campaigning, the new DragSim software from ProRacing Sim is a valuable tool.
Last month we took the time to review ProRacing Sim's new DynoSim software, and we were duly impressed with its in-depth functions and hard-working iterations. As we mentioned then, the ultimate engine you design in the DynoSim program can be loaded into the DragSim program to accurately represent your project vehicle. We feel this teaming of software is the hot ticket, since different engine combinations with varying power curves can be imported into your virtual chassis to test the overall combination. Using these tools in concert should save plenty of time and money, as an optimum combination can be developed prior to purchasing a single part. This helps enthusiasts start much closer to the best-possible setup, which is something we all want.
The DragSim program is much less extensive than DynoSim, but the variables affecting dragstrip acceleration have all been addressed. Take a look at some of the screens from the DragSim program, and if you're interested in researching the drag potential of the car in your dreams or in your garage, this computer program is an incredibly valuable asset.
The program begins with defining the car to be tested. DragSim has many common muscle cars pre-programmed, so many enthusiasts will not have to do much homework at all. There's import car info in there too, but we'll focus on the real cars. If your car is not listed, you can program in your own info. Weight, aerodynamics, and front/rear percentage all figure in. | 
Choosing your powerplant comes next. A good variety of domestic engines are covered in various states of tune, so even if your "exact" engine isn't listed, you should be able to find a motor with similar qualities. Naturally, we prefer to import the engine data from the powerplant we've designed and tested in the DynoSim program. | 
With your powerplant of choice determined, you can choose your transmission next. With manual transmissions, you can choose from one of many popular transmissions with factory gear ratios in place or you can type in your exact gear ratios. For those running an automatic transmission, you can choose your converter stall speed and transmission type. |
Rear-axle gear ratio is critical, of course, and you can choose your own ratio here. This feature also makes testing with different gear ratios easy, and by altering your shift points, it's possible to determine the optimum gearset to engineer the car to sing through the lights at the rpm of your choice. We like to be approaching redline in top gear as we break the beams, and experimenting with the gear ratio and tire size can make this happen before we actually have to lay down cash for parts. This program can save much time and money in this manner. | 
The tires you choose, both in size and compound, can be determined here. While the choices may seem limited, they do represent a good cross-section of available drag-flavored rubber, and you can type in specific sizes to match your rear tires. | 
Next, choose your driving style. We're not sure why they even offered "conservative" as an option, since we know our readers are hardly the passive types on the strip. We figured the programmers knew some Motor Trend test drivers would buy the software too. |
Track conditions figure in, and if you've got a favorite local haunt or will be traveling to an out-of-town strip, these options will help duplicate track conditions. If you're having issues trying to duplicate precise runs you've already made and the software keeps delivering better times than you've ever been capable of, it may be a matter of changing track conditions to better match your location. | 
Once all of your parameters are programmed in, you can begin seeing quarter-mile times, speeds, and incremental data. Aero drag, g-forces, and clutch slippage (where applicable) are all graphed out accordingly, and there's much to be learned from poring over this data. | 
The data is worthy of hard looks, as 60-foot times, 1/8-mile, and quarter-mile info is extensive and related. Seeing how your car is accelerating down the track is crucial when contemplating changes, and having all this information at your fingertips will assist you greatly when making decisions. |
Traction is about the most major issue drag racers face, and if you use this program to its full capability, developing an accurate traction co-efficient will allow you to see exactly how good your setup is. By increasing the efficiency of the suspension, you'll be able to calculate the elapsed-time difference per modification. If you're working backwards (meaning you have a drag car already and you're duplicating its parameters into the software), this is when you'll be able to find precisely how much traction loss you're experiencing. | 
Overall, we really like the DragSim software. It's easy to navigate and fun to use when developing ideas for a drag-flavored car. The pull-down menus make for easy navigation, and the option always exists to type in your own information to be accurate and precise. As we mentioned, there is much more hiding within the program (like rocket engines and import car data), so know we've only shared a slice of the pie here. If you're an avid drag racer who's considering some changes or wanting to fine-tune your combination, consider turning your computer into a toolbox and check out the DragSim program. | |