Deeper into 11's with the Explorer ST

[ridered74]

Last year in my SHO I ran this event and my times were two tenths slower than they had been at other tracks, so I was not competitive. I was expecting the ST to struggle to run 12.0, so I pulled the rear captains chairs and spare tire (60lbs each seat and probably 35 for tire/jack).


This was first qualifying run launching at 2500 rpm. My next three qualifying passes, I tried 1700, 1900 and 2100 rpm launches.


The goal is to average 12.0 across three runs without averaging under 12.0 per run.


My total times were 35.989, missed out on winning the event by .011


Winning time averaged 12.03, so I had almost an extra tenth to play with after the initial .011 I missed by. So close yet so far! Was happy with how quick it ran, can't wait for their next event in July in Martin Michigan.


My class was one explorer, one capri, one edge, and every single other vehicle was a mustang. LOL!



*edit* Tiniest URL link in the world is immediately below this.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Ep5R76e8A&feature=youtu.be

[Macgyver]

Still a heck of a showing. The 3.0 must be so much better than the 3.5 ?

[ridered74]

Still a heck of a showing. The 3.0 must be so much better than the 3.5 ?

Stock 3.0 fuel pump seems beefier than on the 3.5, but I think the biggest improvement is the 10 speed transmission.


3.5 motor was pretty darn good, it just seemed to be held back by the other parts of the car.


That said, after having two different SHO's and loving them for 7 plus years, I do not miss either of them one bit. Highly recommend the Explorer ST!


As it sits now, even the 60-130 in the explorer is noticeably quicker than my SHO was, almost a full second in bad ambient temps vs perfect temps in the SHO.