How to drag a diesel
Diesel Fan
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
Love the information here. Now for my additional questions. I have an f250 4wd powerstroke sct extreme race straight pipe, I've got the 4wd launch (it is awesome), I have seen most trucks at the track trip the first light and then get on the brake and start boosting and then just let off enough to let it roll forward and trip the second light after boosting and after your opponent has tripped their second light. My question is if anyone with a tuner has experimented with the shift points at the track, I have been thinking that the way my truck feels if it shifted sooner say at about 3500rpm wot it would build speed faster and be quicker? I am only going by seat of the pants it just seems that at about 2000rpm the truck is pulling harder (building speed) then at 4000rpm at wot. Just curious if anyone has track experience with numbers? Seems like it would also be easier on the truck keeping the rpm lower, would be the best of both worlds. Plan on hitting the local track in the spring after I replace my oil cooler and delete the egr.
Diesel Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 12
From: San Antonio, Texas
Your truck is pullin harder at 2k then 4k, its a diesel. Are you runnin canned tunes on your SCT or custom. If you dont have custom tunes, get some and dont worry about the shift points. As far as hittin the track, I'd recommend doing headstuds first.
Diesel Fan
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Washington State
Custom tunes from Innovative, So I get that a diesel pulls harder in lower rpm because of the torque, my question is since it is a diesel would your timeslips be better if the truck shifted at 3500 rpm and dropped to 2000 rpm rather than shifting at 4000 and dropping to 2500 rpm? Just curious if anyone has played with this at all.
Diesel Fan
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
im only 17 so obviously i havent been racin for too long. but i have a 6 speed 04 cummins 3500 and when i race i win but im worried aout my transmission.when i shift in a race i shift really quick and when i slip the lcuth after a shift it it a real hard jerk. any tips?tryin to save the transmission
Diesel Fan
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
For manual tranny guys!!!!!!!! and 2wd guys!!!
i have learned a few things. if you dont have a locked rear axle or traction bars like me, get off the line nice and easy to avoid the rear axle wrapping up all the way to the 1/8th mile.
once you get off the line you can pin it as long as you can keep it from spinning.
Now, manual 4x4 guys. use your 4hi and if you have a clutch that will hold up to a 3rd gear launch this is your best bet!! however if your clutch is like mine it's not recommended to do 3rd gear launches so launch in 2nd. now since we have handshakers just get your rpms up to around 2500 or so and as soon as you see that last yellow light pop up drop that clutch and pin it!!!
Now, if you want to set your truck up to be able to launch get a line lock and a dual disk clutch so you can slip the clutch to build boost and make sure you have a locked rear axle and traction bars!! haha
i have learned a few things. if you dont have a locked rear axle or traction bars like me, get off the line nice and easy to avoid the rear axle wrapping up all the way to the 1/8th mile.
once you get off the line you can pin it as long as you can keep it from spinning.
Now, manual 4x4 guys. use your 4hi and if you have a clutch that will hold up to a 3rd gear launch this is your best bet!! however if your clutch is like mine it's not recommended to do 3rd gear launches so launch in 2nd. now since we have handshakers just get your rpms up to around 2500 or so and as soon as you see that last yellow light pop up drop that clutch and pin it!!!
Now, if you want to set your truck up to be able to launch get a line lock and a dual disk clutch so you can slip the clutch to build boost and make sure you have a locked rear axle and traction bars!! haha
Diesel Fan
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Corpus Christi Tx
i really want to take my truck to the track but i know i will get laughed at. my truck weighs more than most duallys. im thinking after the EFI and a few other mild upgrades i will just take it and see hopefully i line up agains someone slower. like a moped
Diesel Fan
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 83
Likes: 2
From: Maricopa, Az
Will the Dodge transfer case handle 4hi launches? The truck is all stock right now but have wondered how they drag race these monsters! Mine also has the stick for the xfer case (not push button) would it be safe to switch to 2 hi after I get outta the hole or just leave it in 4hi? Thanks for any info!
