I went with dual 2.5" to avoid a loud exhaust as well. I know I’m sacrificing some performance but I think I can deal with it. If not, I can always make changes later.
Time you lost can add up quick
Launch too low rpms - this can cost you 3-4 tenths and on a b5 lots of momentum goes down the drain on a bad launch
Deep stage rather than shallow stage - et wise this can cost you 2 tenths by giving up the 12" or so running start you get from a shallow stage. Read up on staging to see exactly why. Or go read our dragstrip tips thread
Weight - I reckon because of the long drive you didn’t exwctly arrive low on fuel since s tough to predict a 170 mile drive. Next time do your best to arrive with 1/8 of a tank. You may have also had the spare and some other random shit in the car. Get it out if you can. The spare plus an extra 4 gallons of fuel is 100 lbs and that’s a tenth on a car at this level.
Octane - we have seen that on your 91 gas the tune is protecting the car and pulling loads of timing. Try to mix in a gallon of race gas with the 2-3 gallons of 91 you have in the tank. This will get you to around an effective 93-94 octane and should help the car even on the 91 tune.
Other things include getting there early, cooling the car down, driving straight (sounds funny but people often waste et by going crooked.
Stock dp’s currently?
No, 2.5 techtonics tuning
If you’re looking at pipe area (ID) dual 2.5" is relatively the same as a single 3.5", actually a hair larger. If you’re going OD then it’s slightly the other way.
And ya, most of what you mention up there I did! While I am a rookie, not a 100% uneducated one. I brushed up on all the incidentals. Car was empty of all unnecessary crap ie spare, emptied glove box, doors, center console, etc. Nothing in the trunk but my cargo net. I arrived an hour early with a 1/4 tank…will arrive with less next time.
What I did get flipflopped (bad pun) was the staging. Next time I will shallow stage. Makes sense now and I did read it, just got it incorrect at the track. Lots in my head not wanting to look too much a fool or break some sorta track etiquette.
Sorry, but with regard to adding race fuel, I really wanted to see just where the car stood in all its daily driven form. chrisk got me thinking more about this in other 1/4 mile discussion.
well shooting for 10s is not feesable with 2.5" down pipes
The downpipes are 3" and I plan on doing electric exhaust cutouts. I just want the car sounding decent unless I really need the extra power.
good deal
Bumping up to 3’ DP’s will help, the 2.5 vs 3’ as others have stated is a wash for the exhaust portion. My 3.5’ exhaust fits much better than my 2.5 did. The exhaust note is quite healthy but possibly a little loud for some.
Ya, to clarify I never was looking to go 3" single, rather 3.5" single mated to 3" dps.
Sorry Haps, I meant 2.5 to 3.5 exhaust.
First ever uploaded video to go along with first ever track day. This was my last run of day, not “best”. Sloppy 2-3 shift. Barely needed 4th to cross the line 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMdbMpDc4UI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Hopefully it worked. Funniest thing about this is you can hear the beginning of the fight that day. They were right below our spot in bleachers and next to where I was parking to cool down.
CAN’T WAIT to hear the fight lol
It actually sounded like you missed 3rd
Fair enough. Very well may have. Eventually found it though. But that makes sense. Most of it is a blur but I do remember over revving. You can hear it in video too huh?
Was so trying to break into 12’s on my last run of day. After that run I said f it. I’m shutting her down and going home before I do something stupid and break my car.
After your 1st run when you picked up the slip were your hands shaking?
Heart was racing a bit…
Mine used to. Over the rounds I got used to it, but for some reason I enjoyed watching others’ first time jitters from the adrenaline. Every time I took a buddy to the track for their first time I could almost relive that thrill. Glad you went, looking forward to additional videos.