1/4 Mile Math: How much is too much?

I've been doing some thinking on how best to approach the acceleration of a 10r80 car. It has a very low 1st gear, giving it an advantage before the race starts. Making matters worse for those that row their own gears, it has a spread of 7 gears until it gets to the 1:1 gear. The magnum has a spread of 4, with 2 overdrives.

That being said, from a purely theoretical standpoint, the 1st gen MT-82 may be a better transmission for the 1/4 mile racer. Why? the spread to 1:1 is 5 gears. The name of the game is average power over the distance being covered. I will build some datasets using spreadsheets to determine which what combination of manual transmissions (Mt-82 1st and 2nd gen, Magnum XL 2.97 and 2.67) and rear end (3.55, 3.73, 3.90 and 4.10) will yield the highest average Horsepower. I know 4.30 and lower gears are available, but this is a street car, so limits must be set.

Are any of you aware of a number, in particular torque, that is considered too much for a street application? I want to avoid too much torque to the tires of a 29XX pound Fox Coupe. I will use the multiplication properties of the gears to target this value, if it exist. For the sake of this question, assume the car will run Nitto 555R tires on the street and strip

KingBlack said:

Are any of you aware of a number, in particular torque, that is considered too much for a street application?

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Surely there is no single number or digit that defines this? I look at it as less numerical and more as it fits a particular situation. I imagine most people would agree that on the street you will know that you have applied too much torque the moment the police become involved.

Anyway, that's my guess.

The biggest thing that makes the 10R80 a beast is how fast it shifts. Faster than a Porsche PDK.

I want it for my '13 so bad I can taste transmission fluid.

MT82 better than a Magnum or 10r80? Question is not clear.

At what RPM do you plan to achieve peak torque? Is this an NA car or FI?

Too many unknowns.

KingBlack said:

Are any of you aware of a number, in particular torque, that is considered too much for a street application? I want to avoid too much torque to the tires of a 29XX pound Fox Coupe. I will use the multiplication properties of the gears to target this value, if it exist. For the sake of this question, assume the car will run Nitto 555R tires on the street and strip

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torque is irrelevant, its the amount of traction you have. if youre running 555Rs, youre already limiting yourself regardless of gearing.

either transmission would work, you would use the rear end to gear to fine tune within reason.

KingBlack said:

Are any of you aware of a number, in particular torque, that is considered too much for a street application?

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Add torque until you smash into a wall, then subtract 10.

FJohnny said:

Surely there is no single number or digit that defines this? I look at it as less numerical and more as it fits a particular situation. I imagine most people would agree that on the street you will know that you have applied too much torque the moment the police become involved.

Anyway, that's my guess to this riddle.

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I may be wording it incorrectly. While every set up can and may differ, I believe there is a number that defines "perfection" for a given situation. Almost the same concept of adjusting dyno numbers for temp humidity etc

Road surfaces vary so much, it's impossible to define. Haven't you ever watched Street Outlaws?

I'm not sure I follow your logic on the transmissions. The 'ideal' transmission would be one that holds the engine at peak torque for the entire run. I would think a 10 speed (assuming instant shifts) would be more capable at holding an engine at a certain rpm vs a transmission with less gears.

08mojo said:

Road surfaces vary so much, it's impossible to define. Haven't you ever watched Street Outlaws?

I'm not sure I follow your logic on the transmissions. The 'ideal' transmission would be one that holds the engine at peak torque for the entire run. I would think a 10 speed (assuming instant shifts) would be more capable at holding an engine at a certain rpm vs a transmission with less gears.

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This.

found the value i was looking for! thanks guys, ill keep you posted

KingBlack said:

found the value i was looking for! thanks guys, ill keep you posted

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87% of statistics are made up

_Snake_ said:

87% of statistics are made up

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Same value as OP's knowledge on performance...