BLASTING Down the Quarter Mile...

[7milesout]

Guys (and gals),

I've taken a few of my cars down the quarter mile. So much fun, for so cheap. I still take my ole 1972 Plymouth Scamp down the quarter mile from time to time, just for giggles.

Not that I would take the Blueberry down the quarter mile, but I've been wondering a couple things.

1. Considering bone stock mighty Mirages, which would win a full quarter mile drag race? A 5 speed or a CVT?
2. Has anyone here taken their Mirage down the quarter mile and is willing to admit it?

I'll be honest, I'd be interested in taking a washing machine down the quarter mile if it had wheels on it. I'm just goofy like that. It's just a fun thing to do, and yields very interesting information.

As for question 1: I think a 5 speed would beat the CVT at least through first and 2nd gear. But after that, with that CVT holding the engine steady at what, 5,500 rpm - 6,000 rpm, I think when letting off a 5 speed to switch to 3rd gear, that CVT car is going to be making inroads back at the 5 speed. And the 5 speed is going to be down on hp for a couple / few seconds at the beginning of 3rd gear.

So I don't know, maybe that CVT might WHOMP a 5 speed on the quarter mile.

What say you? Anyone? Questions? Comments? Concerns? Suggestions? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

[Subcompact Culture]

A 5MT is going to be the CVT all day every day. CVTs are not known for their performance. That being said, I don't know if I ever found an instrument-tested 0-60 or 1/4 mile time for a 5MT Mirage or Space Star with the 1.2.

The ability to allow for some wheelsping (e.g. "dumping the clutch") should be enough to allow for a holeshot in terms of drag racing. I never ran my Mirage down the drag strip, but I've run numerous other cars.

[Basic]

Having owned both, the CVT would never EVER catch up to the 5MT. Manual car would be so far out front it wouldn't be funny.

[7milesout]

Your reply follows my question pretty close. I think my "argument" still holds water. Like I said, off the line I have to believe the 5 speed wins. But there's value in holding one's foot to the floor and holding the engine near max torque/hp. I raced a CVT vehicle one time (a rental car versus a Kia 5 speed car) when I worked at the Kia plant.

I expected my Kia whatever it was 5 speed to win that race. But it was Ed Zachery as I splained. I beat him off the line, but once we got to 3rd gear and had some TIME to let them (sort of) dig, the bigger CVT vehicle with about an equivalent 4 banger eased on past me. I was surprised. Maybe it would be the same with the CVT Mirage.

I've been searching for hard data, versus just opinions, and haven't found it yet.

[Basic]

Totally different scenario imo and I think its because 74 horses just aint enough (coupled with the CVT programming perhaps).

I have thrashed plenty of CVT rentals and since they are seemingly always in the powerband (1-200 more than the Mirage) they are surprisingly quick, but the poor little Mirage just doesn't do that unless you put it in D1 or S or whatever and then it seems much quicker but almost wound out at 55ish.

IDK, my CVT is admittedly a dog, but I just don't see one ever besting the manual.

[7milesout]

... unless you put it in D1 or S or whatever and then it seems much quicker...

Gonna go bust out the manual and see what D1 or S does. I really don't know. But those selections if quicker, are totally legit to race against the 5 speed.

[Fummins]

I'm leaning towards the 5speed winning. It's considerably lighter so there's that. Mine wouldn't rev past 5000 rpm when floored in drive. It'd go to 5 and stay there as you accelerated. That was with an 8 year old engine with bearings on the way out and an iffy cvt though. I haven't tried that with the new setup yet.

[Top_Fuel]

...I think when letting off a 5 speed to switch to 3rd gear...

Who lifts off the gas between gears?!?


Motorweek ran 18.8 @ 75mph in a 2015 CVT...

[inuvik]

Gonna go bust out the manual and see what D1 or S does. I really don't know. But those selections if quicker, are totally legit to race against the 5 speed.

Yah, put it in "L or B" (2014-2015 "B", 2017+ "L") before mashing the throttle and LEAVE it in L or B and upshift into Ds or D at 60mph and don't let up off the throttle. You can do about 70mph / 110kmh in the low range.

[7milesout]

"Mash" the throttle ... hehehe. I have a friend who would have a conniption any time he heard the word mash being used outside of mashed potatoes. He was such a nerd (still is) about it.

I say we need some data. I don't think I could bring myself to go to the drag strip and test my Mirage ... at least not by myself. But if good ole Dirk Diggler (or anyone else local / somewhat local / or just plain wanted to) could be convinced to bring his mighty Mirage or G4 and go with me, then maybe it wouldn't be so embarrassing.