Competition some newby questions to sled pulling ........

[JHardwick]

I've off roaded trucks and raced dirt sprint cars for over 20 years, but I'm gonna make my first hook at the county fair in Aug.



I'm thinkin about leaving the hole in 4th LO at about 2,000 rpm. I think I should be able to bring the R's on up after the clutch is fully engaged and the sled is moving without completely hazing the tires. Does this sound doable? Racing sprints on dirt is a fine line of roasting the tires and being slow. In other words, your SOP told you where the throttle should be. You could literally turn the tires loose at any point in time by feature time, but your seat told you where the edge of smoking tires and maximum traction was ... ... ... ... . throttle feathering. Is this similar in sled pulling? All the throttle it'll take without over reving the tires?



Hitching. I'm gonna weld up a horizontal clevice deal, but was wondering about height. The higher it is, the more downforce on the rear tires, but also the more the sled nose is pulled up putting the same weight on less surface area of the plate. What do most guys use as a hooking height? I'm thinking lower is better, but if I'm not mistaken, most rules have a maximun height.



BTW, I'm '03, HO, 6spd, dually, 410's, modded intake and exhaust with an EZ. I'm mainly concerded with my buddy who has an '03, SO, dually, 48RE, 410's, modded intake and exhaust with Banks 6 gun and speedloader. I've already taken him from 30MPH to 100MPH a couple of times ... ... ..... now it's time to do him at 300'

 

[Scrappy]

I think the hitch has to be 26" or less off the ground.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

If you have a stock clutch I doubt it'll handle a 4th low launch, it would even be questionable how many 3rd lows it would handle. My 5 speed took the 2nd low just fine, 3rd low killed it and from everything I've heard the 5 speed clutches were better than the 6's.

 

[JHardwick]

I'm not real concerned with the clutch, if she blows I'll call AAA and have it towed home ... ... ... ... . give me an excuse to upgrade



Does my idea on a launch sound feasible?



I was messing around the other day, 3rd low produces ~ 11mph, does this sound about right?

 

[Smokin_Monster]

I would definately try it in 4th low. Myabe even a few more rpms if you can. You will get farther if you don't lug the engine down. The 6sp 4th is close to the 5sp 3rd. I pull in 3rd low with my 5sp. From my last 5 pulls, 3 have been beyond 300'. Make sure you get a good strong launch. Just my $. 02

 

[jwilliams3]

4th Lo worked again for me today.

259' (I think!)

 

[JHardwick]

Okay, so let me get this straight ... ... ... .



I hook in 4th LO, bring the R's up to 2,500 and start to feather the clutch while maintaining 2,500 RPM with the throttle. Once the clutch fully engages and the truck hooks, I stick my foot through the intake horn as long as the Courser C/T's will handle it?



40 PSI fronts ??

30 PSI rears ??



(kinda crazy, I ran as low as 4 PSI LR and 8 PSI RR in a sprinter)



Do I look for the packed dirt or the loose dirt? You keep your RR off the shiney stuff in a sprint car, it's hard packed and dry ... ... ... . unless it takes rubber! I'm thinkin the sled packs and shines some good dirt that can be broke through on a sled pull.



I imagine there is no dirt magic, only some basics and practice.

 

[jwilliams3]

Look for the packed dirt.

I dont know if your clutch will take the 2500.

Dont just drop the clutch, let it out until you feel it start to eat!!

 

[JHardwick]

Look for the packed dirt.

I dont know if your clutch will take the 2500.

Dont just drop the clutch, let it out until you feel it start to eat!!

let 'er eat we used to say that about our sprint motors too :-laf



800 HP in a 1200# car ... ... ... ... she was eatin!!!!

 

[Smokin_Monster]

Okay, so let me get this straight ... ... ... .



I hook in 4th LO, bring the R's up to 2,500 and start to feather the clutch while maintaining 2,500 RPM with the throttle. Once the clutch fully engages and the truck hooks, I stick my foot through the intake horn as long as the Courser C/T's will handle it?

GIT-R-DONE!!!





I've tried various tire pressures and never noticed a difference.

 

[sewman]

Most guys around here run around 20 lbs or less in the front,the back will have alot of weight on them so run a good 40lbs or so.

Don't get a Centerforce clutch,I smoked mine on the first pull,it was a clay track,tires wouldn't spin I was ijn 3rd low.

Bob

 

[JHardwick]

Most guys around here run around 20 lbs or less in the front,the back will have alot of weight on them so run a good 40lbs or so.

Don't get a Centerforce clutch,I smoked mine on the first pull,it was a clay track,tires wouldn't spin I was ijn 3rd low.

Bob

I've got duals, I'm figgerin less pressure for the dual factor. I'll try 30# all around.



I'll do a Haisley or SouthBend, I've never heard anything good about a CenterForce.



That was the good thing about sprint cars, no clutch ... ... ..... or transmission for that matter :-laf

 

[jwilliams3]

Used good pressure in the rear.

Run the front with a little less.

(I need to do that myself)