I've been racing at the track in various series and events for the past 4 years. In those 4 years I always raced a manual tranny. So I'm used to feathering the clutch while launching on street tires or doign high rpm launches on et streets(launching at 6000rpm with et streets in a mustang is fun ). So this will be my 1st time ever racing a automatic.

How do you all normally launch you trucks? Do you leave it in drive and stall as high as you can go? Do you stall it in 1st gear and launch and manaully shift it down the track? What do ya'll do?

Thanks

 

Well, I've never been to the track, but here's what I do on the street :

I will drop it down in first, engage tow/haul mode. Then I stand on the gas and the brake. I have a 4.8L with 18's, so I don't spin ! It will remain at about 2200 rpms until I release the brakes. Then I just manually shift .

Practice a little before hitting the strip and you should be fine.

Josh Hucks
NXS Customs

 

If you look at the band/clutch application chart a band and clutch hold the drum for first gear when in L1, opposed to only a clutch in D1 (drive). When I go to the drag strip I will use L1 and shift manually. And never do a neutral drop, i've heard storys of the "one way clutch" getting shot though the housing/body floor/drivers seat into a dudes ***.

 

We(Ls) leave it in Drive(o/d off) as the trans can shift better than I/we can. I brake-torque it up to about 900 rpms and then roll onto the the pedal and go WOT for the rest of the way.

Dan