Competition 1st time at the track

[GatorRam]

I need to request a little info from the "Big Dawgs". I'm thinkin' about going out to the track to run tonight and I was wondering if there are any "tips" you could give me to get me headed in the right direction. This would me my first time running on a track and I know there is no substitute for practice but I'd to show up there with as much advantage as possible. I've been out there to watch a few times and besides the non-street legal cars there doesn't seem to be too much to worry about. Oh, and no diesels to be seen . There is like a 86 chevy van that runs high 10's though . But all of that aside, I am mainly concerned this time in seeing what kind of time I can turn.



Thanks,



Adam

 

[XcumminsX]

looking at you mods i cant wait to see what you run..... just be quick on the reaction time, lauch boosted!

 

[kaptn]

I move in to set the first staging light and wait for the other guy to at least get his first light. I build 5-10 lbs of boost let off the brake a little and bump into the next light. Now the tree comes on and I take off after the second yellow goes off. My truck is kinda heavy so you might foul and if so wait till the third yellow comes on and go, dont wait for the green.

Make sure to come back and tell us how you do

Oh I also launch in 4x4 and take it out after 2nd gear. I ran all season with no problems. My output shaft is on order as I plan to raise my launch boost pressure to 15-20 psi

 

[c-hawk]

I too launch in 4wd. I have been going to about 14psi boost. This is probably risking my output shaft, but so far so good. Your results may vary. The hardest thing seems to be getting the boost up to where i want it, without going too high, and holding it there, all the while trying to get staged and watching the tree. I haven't perfected it yet. It was a whole lot easier when i had the hy. Like kaptn said, i go on the second light. If you wait till you see green, your rt's will be terrible.



Have fun, and try not to break an output shaft.



I'm interested to see what you run. Please let us know.



Later,

Chris

 

[XcumminsX]

c-hawk your truck has awesome runs. do you know how much your truck weighs? must be light to have that amount of hp and 13's

 

[Rhondasway]

I don't know if it's too late for "tonight", but here's what I do:

While in 2WD, drive around the water box, then back into it , wait for the signal, and do a burnoff.

Put it in 4WDH, making sure it engages even if you have to go forward, reverse, then forward again (just don't cross through the light).

Upon being signaled to move forward, bump forward just until the first light is on. Wait for your opponent to light his first light.

Fairly quickly build boost (15-20lbs with a billet output shaft, maybe 10 without) by power braking*; you can be "timed out" if you take too long to fully stage, which gives you a red light.

When at desired boost, bump forward just enough to light the second light, and wait for the tree to come down.

I try to launch when the 3rd light is coming on. Put it to the floor while yanking your brake foot off the pedal.

If you have a lockup switch, hit it before 2nd gear.

After the 1-2 shift, push transfer case out of 4WD, but stay on throttle.

Don't let up until you are past the traps (end of 1/4 mile).

If you have a L/U switch, turn it off now!



Report back here and let us know how you did!!Oo.

*Disclaimer: I am NOT responsible if something brakes while implementing this strategy!!

 

[c-hawk]

Originally posted by XcumminsX

c-hawk your truck has awesome runs. do you know how much your truck weighs? must be light to have that amount of hp and 13's

XcumminsX,



I don't know exactly how much my truck weighs, but it's somewhere around 6700lbs with me in it, according to the local landfill. Probably a little more if the fuel tank is full. It shouldn't be any lighter than any other 2nd gen, 4x4, quad cab, swb truck.



When I dynoed the 414 and 880, i still had the stock hy35 turbo, fuel system and standard comp. My best 1/4 with this configuration was 13. 96 @ 96mph. Since the last time i dynoed, i added the DDHX40 turbo, FASS fuel system and Drag Comp. With this setup, I ran a 13. 20 @ 101. 55mph. The truck was at full weight for this, i. e. , spare tire in place, tailgate in place, pintle hook in hitch, etc. Took nothing out of the truck. But i did only have a 1/4 tank of fuel. My next trip to the track, I had a topped off tank, and it was a little warmer. Best run that night was 13. 24 @ 101. 35.



My truck has always run stronger than it "should" for the mods that are done to it. I'm lucky i guess. Would like to dyno again now, to see what kind of power i picked up with those latest mods.



Take care,

Chris

 

[MCummings]

Good luck Adam!



I'm curious to what you will run.



If you are breaking loose at 7PSI on the street, then you might be able to launch a little higher at the track. Really depends on the track.



Try some 4wd, and 2wd Launches. Some trucks really hate 4wd runs, while others have gone years with 4x4 down the 1/4.



Just build your boost, and then finish staging, and be sure not to build too much boost. It really does take some practice/experiance to learn how to hold your boost at a cetain PSI while staging.



I leave on the 2nd yellow.



Merrick

 

[HoleshotHolset]

FYI: Some tracks will not allow you to drive around the waterbox.....



Most of them specify that your vehicle should undergo 'forward motion' only (unless you break the beams too early... ) once you are out of the waterbox / done with the burnout.



I've been yelled at before... .



Matt

 

[Rhondasway]

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

Most of them specify that your vehicle should undergo 'forward motion' only... once you are out of the waterbox / done with the burnout.



I've been yelled at before... .



Matt

Thanks Matt. Maybe that's one lesson I won't have to learn the hard way...

 

[Bob Wagner]

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

FYI:



I've been yelled at before... .



Matt

yeah but didn't you have a drink in your hand

 

[kaptn]

I usually go through the water as I dont seem to spin at all with 6 tires on the track. I do see it a lot and I think it should be up to the driver. Maybe we should get the DHRA to get in touch with the tracks that have a problem with this to maybe work it out. :-{}

 

[MCummings]

How'd it go Adam?



Make it out to the track?



Merrick

 

[HoleshotHolset]

No way - I don't mix drag racing with booze. Unless I'm a spectator. Actually, the last time we tried bringing beer to Englishtown... . they confiscated it!



Luckily we got it back when we left, but the mere sight of all that cold beer being thrown into trashbags brought tears to my eyes.



Back to the drag racing.....



I know a guy who got yelled at for 'trying to take out the tree'. His car goes wheels up... big time... and the starter thought he was going to nail the tree and ruin it. :-laf



Matt

 

[GatorRam]

Well, didn't make it out there for a few reasons. First I want to wait for my KSB-1 to get here... . I'm swapping it for my 40 and with my luck I'd get out there and something would get tore up. I don't want to have to pay for two turbos (even though I'll end up having to buy a much bigger one down the road). Secondly, I finally got ahold of Joe at SunCoast and it seems that he thinks that my converter is slipping... he told me I was the first . So... ... I've got to make another trip up there and have them sort this out among the other problems I'm having with it. I really appriciate all of the feedback from all of you. Keep it coming!!! As for me, as soon as I get this transmission thing worked out I'll go out to the track and I'll let you know.



Thanks again,



Adam