hmmm...do the numbers add up??

[ChiTownSolara]

i guess i just dont get it. This has been buggin' me for quite a while now and i just decided to get it off my chest now. a lot of people have been stating some snail slow times for the auto solara v-6. a stock camry sedan LE with the V-6, 192 hp and torque at 207, ran 0-60 in 7.8 seconds and the ¼ mile in 15.9 seconds at 86.1 miles per hour in the 02/98 issue of motortrend. ok, so the sle v-6 solara has 6 more hp and 5 more torque, the solara might weigh a little more than the sedan so just negate the extra power. and i am aware that all tests are relative to the testing conditions and such and that different cars might post different times on different days. but lets be realistic here, there might be a few tenths of a second difference in the performance times but certainly not a ½ - 1 second difference as some people have mentioned on this forum before. that would be like testing a car with 2 or 3 extra passengers maybe. also, i am not saying that everyones stock solara sle v-6 can run a 7.8 0-60 and a 15.9 ¼ mile every single time what i am saying is that, everyones car is different and the numbers all depend on the conditions and the car. on a side note, even just adding a few mods like exhaust, intake, and tires (for a better launch) has the potential of bringing those times down another tenth or two! Finally, (sorry i know this is long) i am not trying to be hostile to any other members on this forum, so don't take my rambling for anything but face value. i am just stating some of my thoughts and opinions after reading some threads and links of other conversations about this topic. ight, Peace Out (if you have had the time to actually read all this!)

[20SoLaRa02]

i got kinda confused on the whole point of ur post, but i think i get it. n e ways, don't forget that driver...not only driving conditions make a huge difference. times u read about in big articles are done by pro drivers which usually will run much better than a lot of us drivers. For instance, in my own experience i have shaven off .5 seconds off of driving due to bad starts and then good starts. sorrie for my long post now.

[Peter]

yeah, taht is especially true when driving stick. depending on the driver, you can shave off like a whole second with bad launches and bad shifting, thats why i need to go practice at a track... anyone wanna make a solara trip to the tracks?

[ChiTownSolara]

i know with stick, experience means alot. but i was mostly referring to those of us with autos. u can be a pro stock car racer and pretty much any joe off the street could match your times with an auto. i mean how much is there to do, turn off traction (if sle!), maybe brake torque it, then just floor the crap out of the car, its a "no experience necessary" kinda deal when u get an automatic tranny!

[Flipside909]

i know with stick, experience means alot. but i was mostly referring to those of us with autos. u can be a pro stock car racer and pretty much any joe off the street could match your times with an auto. i mean how much is there to do, turn off traction (if sle!), maybe brake torque it, then just floor the shoot out of the car, its a "no experience necessary" kinda deal when u get an automatic tranny!

But torque braking is just a kind of a shortcut to get the car to go fast. You're actually trying to max out the torque converter to it's stall point so you can launch better. In all real world situations, you wouldn't do such a thing because 1) you will burn out your auto tranny quickly (and believe me, i've seen alot of stupid people do this on the track) and 2) your engine mounts were only designed to only hold so much. But it all does come down to driver skill which is correct.

[20SoLaRa02]

also don't forget about the tuning involved at the track......gas, tires, traction, deflating tires, oil change, and what u already mentioned weather conditions.

hey peter i'm down to go to the tracks.....i'm already planning to go on may 10 to california speedway as long as the county approves them for the night event. also they are having one on the 22nd and 23rd so if u r interested in going i am down to go meet u there.....not sure if i will run yet.

[Yanks0114]

Going to englishtown next weekend to run my car

[Peter]

also don't forget about the tuning involved at the track......gas, tires, traction, deflating tires, oil change, and what u already mentioned weather conditions.

hey peter i'm down to go to the tracks.....i'm already planning to go on may 10 to california speedway as long as the county approves them for the night event. also they are having one on the 22nd and 23rd so if u r interested in going i am down to go meet u there.....not sure if i will run yet.

do u know how much its gonna be? its gonna be packed isnt it? maybe ill go w/ my brothers or something and meet you up. its not coming up for a while, so we'll see. keep me notified

[CrazyCraig]

There maybe a difference in the gear ratios in the tranny or transaxle between the Solara and the sedan to create the difference in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. You'd have to check with Flipside ............ that's his department.

[Flipside909]

There maybe a difference in the gear ratios in the tranny or transaxle between the Solara and the sedan to create the difference in 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. You'd have to check with Flipside ............ that's his department.

Nope, exact same gear ratios. The Solara is that much heavier and weight distribution is not like the Gen4 Camry. This explains why 1) the Gen4 times are quicker than the Solara, 2) handling numbers (slalom, skidpad g's, emergency handling, braking distance) and such are much poorer with the Solara than the Gen4. This has always been a true fact.

[mattacosta]

Hey Yanks, when does Englishtown open up? Maybe i'll see you there sometime....
maybe we can even run together.... that would be fun[/quote]

[canuck]

i mean how much is there to do, turn off traction (if sle!), maybe brake torque it, then just floor the shoot out of the car, its a "no experience necessary" kinda deal when u get an automatic tranny!

i agree, that's why i searched for a se 5speed but no luck
but, you gotta understand that ride your speaking of is not meant to floor the shoot out of - you gotta learn your revs and go for the mid-range and the experience part is to know when you'll get your ass kicked
- especially on the 1/4 mile

'99 SLE V6
black w/dark charcoal
stock - just purchased -

[Flipside909]

you gotta understand that ride your speaking of is not meant to floor the shoot out of - you gotta learn your revs and go for the mid-range and the experience part is to know when you'll get your butt kicked)

Exactly!