Competition gear selection for sled pulling

[cjohnson]

I know people have asked this question in the past, but I was wondering what you guys thought would be the best gear for me to pull in with my setup. I'm specifically looking toward Tulare out here in California in October, the track is pretty loose I would say for what that is worth. My truck has 285/75/16 Nitto all terrains, 4. 10 rear end, stock suspension with Rancho 9000's, DDIII injectors, comp box, and a Mitchell clutch. Last time I pulled there with a lot less power and a stock clutch, with 255/85/16 - I used 3rd low, I honestly seemed to run out of gear in a hurry. With the stock clutch, I I really had to ease in to it, but was easily able to get the clutch to grab and keep the RPM's up. With my new setup and clutch, I know things will be very different - I plan to leave the line with a good head of steam, I'm just not sure which hear to use - maybe 2nd hi or 4th low? Also, being that my turbo is still stock, will I be safe to just let it burn down the track and not worry about the EGT's or should I monitor that. I know many say for such a short period of time to just let it go and don't worry about EGT's. Thanks for the help.



Craig

 

[DSteinel]

4th low is your only option, that is the gear I use with a similar setup only I have a 40 The boost is what will kill your turbo going down the track, the heat is not there long enough, just let it cool down good after you pull.

 

[cjohnson]

Thanks for the reply DSteinel. I figure 4th low would probably be the gear to use. That is still lower than 2 hi, correct? Also, do you launch at WOT and slip the clutch out to maintain max RPM? Thanks.



Craig

 

[DSteinel]

thats exactly what I do, hold it to the floor and slip the clutch a little

 

[csevers]

Other things to consider? Like hitch height. Launching at WOT is pretty cool even better if you can get the tires to break free right away. I haven't been successful with that yet. Three trys and three strikes. Good Luck



Craig

 

[DSteinel]

spinning 4 tires is alot easier than 6

 

[cjohnson]

Thanks for the replies. Since both of you have Mitchell clutches, I have a question for you or anyone else with the Mitchell pulling clutch. I installed mine last weekend and it works really well. The action is consistent and positive. Shifting isn't always quite as quick, but I expected that with the added mass this clutch has. Now, I know that the little rattle or "buzzing" sound the clutch makes with the pedal depressed is normal as the center plate clanks around. But I have also noticed that there seems to be a bit more noise with this clutch just while driving with the clutch let all the way out. For example, lets say I'm cruising down the highway in top gear at a mild pace, no aggressive acceleration or anything. If I listen close, I can hear a slight rattle or tinging. It isn't offensive, I just want to make sure it is normal. My feeling is that even though all the plates are "locked" up together at this point, I figure the sound I am hearing is probably the steel center disc sort of vibrating against the pins on the flywheel. If I accelerate, I dont' really notice it. If I put the truck in neautral and take the load off the drivetrain and let the rpm's drop, it goes away. It doesn't do it while parked and idling, but I hear the clanking when I shut it down as the motor stops and all the parts kind of "rattle around".



Again, this isn't a loud destructive sound, but I do notice it. Does this sound familiar to anyone else? There are only so many things it could be, and I can't think of anything else. If its normal, It doesn't bother me at all, I just want to make sure everything is working right. By the way, this thing is awesome, I love the 75' patches I can leave with 3rd gear launches. It just feels strong.



Thanks -



Craig

 

[BrandonF]

sounds like someone just needs to get ya set up

 

[Rob Thomas]

Craig, the noise your hearing sounds normal, since this is a unsprung hub disk, there is nothing to absorb the vibrations with-in the trans, I notice it most in direct drive, I don't worry about it.



Rob

 

[csevers]

That sounds like the noise that I have also, mine is probably a little worse than the norm but my trans is not the healthiest to start with. I do like the firmer feel and after burnin it a couple of times it engages smoother than at first. I wish I had gone to this clutch from stock.



Craig

 

[Rob Thomas]

Originally posted by csevers

I wish I had gone to this clutch from stock.



Craig

If I had a nickel every time I heard that.

 

[DSteinel]

Craig, you should try a 4th gear launch :--)

 

[csevers]

I have done a 4th high launch on wet road with very little wheel spin and have tried 4th low hooked to sled and couldn't do it and even 3rd low was hard and got under the turbo but the sound is awsome as the clutch comes up and the engine starts geting loaded.



Craig