Competition Transmissions for pulling

[lcaad1249]

It seems like most people that do sled pulls have a manual transmission. Is there a reason that an automatic isn't used? It seem to me that an automatic would keep you in the powerband and allow more wheel speed than a manual. Just curious.

 

[Smokin Dodge]

There are alot of guys running automatics and doing well with them but all of the BIG DOGS are usally manual.

 

[JoshPeters]

Well Automatics are becomming more and more popular. The top 2 at TiM in 04, I believe Street class (correct me if I'm wrong) were Automatics.



The Auto does make alot more sense, it can actually start out lower, shift up and down without it being a problem. I'm sure given time, they will slowly work their way up the ladder to being within the top contenders. The True "BIG DOGS" like in the drag racing world are running specialized transmissions for pulling.



I'm sure even Sleddy has had an auto or 2 sneaking up on him!



Josh

 

[Got Smoke?]

Oh you can pull any auto transmission'd truck.



You just gotta spend somewhere between $3K & $6K to get it to hold up to the abuse and still drive home.

 

[Smokin Ram]

Im running an auto right now with 650 hp , its is usable, but you can not aquire the rpms with it, ive even got a full manual valve body and lock every gear, with a 4000 rpm govenor kit, i only see 2900 to 3100 rpm under full load. ive got over $10000 cdn into my transmission, and i still need a ats output shaft. every thing else imagined is done, (slowly due to breaking each part) an automatic is a very costly route, im now switching to a 5 spd standard and super heavy clutch, that way i can reach much higher rpms on the track, i can also bring the power on much smoother (my class does not allow twins yet so im running an experimental PDR turbo equivalent to a b1) but the big turbo requires boost build up, which is harder on the drive line you can also ease the clutch off slowly at the end to avoid excess loss of traction and maintain a stronger grip on the track which equals a further pull. so i agree an auto is nice, but it can only take you so far.

 

[Texasrattler]

MY son hauls full time with an auto 4. 5 with Edge Juide. Has about 70K miles of hard pulling, often with a 48 footer with two cars in it. He is hard on it and no problems. But, I do think he is pushing his luck with the Edge.



He also uses an 05 with a 6-speed (NV5600) and says the auto (set to stock) pulls hills better. Fuel milage about equal. The 05 blew the plastic charge air cooler recently.



Pete

 

[TReed]

I have an auto and I pull with it and my rpm's going down the track after I hit 2nd gear is 3700-4000rpm depending on track conditions. I do have a problem building boost off the line because of crappy converter but I have no problem getting rpm's up to speed once turbo lights.





Travis

 

[csevers]

Sled pulling with an auto you can be very competitive if you look at the 12v's you have George Peterson and Terry Coppess they both do very well 24v Chris Harness is also very competitive these guys have got there trucks running good and know how to drive them. I think driver Experience is very important in how the truck performs. If you look at the Duramax alli combo I think it will out pull a manual of the same caliber almost every time.



Josh: Most classes have rules for drive train so if it is not a "open" or "mod" class we still use oem trans and axles.



Craig

 

[JoshPeters]

Josh: Most classes have rules for drive train so if it is not a "open" or "mod" class we still use oem trans and axles.



Craig

I think when he was talking BIG DOGS, those are the truck he was referring to... . I may be wrong.



Josh