However, critics of 60-130MPH testing point out that a vehicle’s 60-130MPH time is not an indicator of how a vehicle would perform in a stoplight confrontation. Supporters point out that wheel spin is less likely when a vehicle is already traveling near 60MPH and that you avoid the driveline shock delivered when launching from a dead stop. Some people believe that measuring a vehicle’s 60-130MPH times is the best measurement of acceleration performance. So is there a way to accurately measure the acceleration performance of your vehicle on the street?Ĭlick here to order yours today > 60-130MPH Acceleration When the wheels are spinning, you ain’t winning the race. If a car is setup to take advantage of the traction available at the dragstrip, it would likely overpower the asphalt found on the street and wheelspin would result. The difference arises because dragstrips use a traction-enhancing compound on the racing surface to improve traction. Unfortunately, the performance that can be realized on the dragstrip doesn’t exactly parallel the performance of a vehicle on the street. With this data, a vehicle can be tuned to improve its traction and acceleration. Additionally, the dragstrip timing system will also provide the vehicle’s speed at the 1/8-mile and ¼-mile marks. The majority of the dragstrips around the country will provide your vehicle’s times to the 60-foot, 330-foot, 1/8-mile, 1000-foot and ¼ mile marks. You can find at least one in all 50 states and they all have the same course layout, a straight line. Many believe that the ultimate real-world test for a vehicle’s true acceleration potential is the ¼-mile drag strip. Text by Michael Ferrara // Photos by Michael Ferrara and Staff The bottom line is that if you’re not measuring, you’re guessing. And just because your car makes 600whp and weighs 3,200 pounds, it doesn’t mean that your car runs 9.95-second quarter mile times.

Guess what, your car probably doesn’t run that quick. If your car is modified maybe you tell them that the Stage 3 package with the e-tune that you did for your car is supposed to run low-12s. If your car is unmodified maybe you respond with the best times recorded by an automotive magazine for your platform. H ow fast is your car? If you own a performance vehicle that has or hasn’t been modified, chances are you’ve been asked this question dozens of times.

1 8 mile calculator