Launching - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Peregrine · 01-12-2005, 11:44 PM

When our local 1/8 mile opens again in the spring (Ohio Valley Dragway) I'd like to take my truck down there and see what it'll do. I only know maybe 3 people that have been to a strip and are trying to do it right, and they drive stick shift imports. What is the proper way to get going with a 350/400 turbo? I've heard some say just drop it into first from neutral, but that seems a little harsh to me.

Maybe because I don't like breaking things. And also, jsut to expand my knowledge base, has anyone figured out how many ponies a two piece stock driveshaft can take?

FirstGen · 01-13-2005, 12:00 AM

Definatly don't do a nuetral drop! The idea way to launch a setup like yours would be to do a slight burn out to clean the tires off if they are street tires and to hold the brake while stalling the converter slightly and releasing the brake while increasing throttle when the lights drop. You may be able to mash the throttle all the way off the line but I doubt it. Most likly you will need to ease the throttle untill you get the thing rolling. Now if you have a good set of drag radials, just mash the pedal...

Peregrine · 01-13-2005, 12:04 AM

I cannot get my tires loose for anything. Going around corners I can, but straight, there is no way. They are 275/60/15 Road Huggers. I've never heard of the things, but I kinda like em. Moving to BFG Radial TAs when I drop it right. And waht's the best way to do a burnout? Just hold the breaks and nail it? I don't have a parking break.

Longhorn Man · 01-13-2005, 12:10 AM

Do the short dry hop...no john force burn outs, and go around the bleach puddle.
Line up do the pre stage and stage thing, then with the tranny in first, bring your RPMs up to 1200 or so, and as soon as the last yellow lights up, floor it and let the brake go.

On the BFG tires, you'll probably want to go a bit wider than the 275/60's, I had them and was very disapointed on the width. Never seen 275's so friggen skinny.

Longhorn Man · 01-13-2005, 12:13 AM

Oh, I knew a cat in Tx that had a 67 LWB with a 400/TH400, 4.10 open diff, a single slick that would spin for 5 feet out of the hole and did the 1/4 in 12.8's all day long. (3800 stall) this was also a daily driver and his only vehicle.
2 piece drive shaft would last 5 or so years, then he'd swap out the bearing/u-joints just to make him feel better.

Peregrine · 01-13-2005, 12:24 AM

So 195s on mid-80s vette rims is a better idea? (never found any info on the rims even though I really tried) Too bad they don't make 185's..... Any suggestions on radials that cost about the same that are nice?

Longhorn Man · 01-13-2005, 06:33 AM

195 is a skinny minivan tire.
I'd go with a 285/60 if I were to go that route again.

Longhorn Man · 01-13-2005, 06:34 AM

and a vette rim won't fit without redrilling the axles and replacing the front hubs with car hubs.

sactoC10 · 01-13-2005, 03:47 PM

I have 295/50/15's on the rear of mine... a beefy chunk of tire. Yet it is a "drag" (pun intended) how the size of the truck makes them look small. I see these tires on other vehicles and they look big, juts look kinda normal on mine.

As for the launching, when I get mine suitable for a trip to the strip, I'll report back on how it goes.

Peregrine · 01-13-2005, 05:04 PM

I went out and looked at how much space I have to the bed wall and as of now it's about 2-3 inches. So, 25 mm is an inch? So, a 195 is just about a half inch wider on each side, so if my fuzzy math is right, I should be fine. And I look forward to your report. :P

01-12-2005, 11:44 PM	#1
Peregrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 329	Launching When our local 1/8 mile opens again in the spring (Ohio Valley Dragway) I'd like to take my truck down there and see what it'll do. I only know maybe 3 people that have been to a strip and are trying to do it right, and they drive stick shift imports. What is the proper way to get going with a 350/400 turbo? I've heard some say just drop it into first from neutral, but that seems a little harsh to me. Maybe because I don't like breaking things. And also, jsut to expand my knowledge base, has anyone figured out how many ponies a two piece stock driveshaft can take? __________________ Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world.

01-13-2005, 12:00 AM	#2
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	Definatly don't do a nuetral drop! The idea way to launch a setup like yours would be to do a slight burn out to clean the tires off if they are street tires and to hold the brake while stalling the converter slightly and releasing the brake while increasing throttle when the lights drop. You may be able to mash the throttle all the way off the line but I doubt it. Most likly you will need to ease the throttle untill you get the thing rolling. Now if you have a good set of drag radials, just mash the pedal... __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

01-13-2005, 12:04 AM	#3
Peregrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 329	I cannot get my tires loose for anything. Going around corners I can, but straight, there is no way. They are 275/60/15 Road Huggers. I've never heard of the things, but I kinda like em. Moving to BFG Radial TAs when I drop it right. And waht's the best way to do a burnout? Just hold the breaks and nail it? I don't have a parking break. __________________ Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world. Last edited by Peregrine; 01-13-2005 at 12:08 AM.

01-13-2005, 12:24 AM	#6
Peregrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 329	So 195s on mid-80s vette rims is a better idea? (never found any info on the rims even though I really tried) Too bad they don't make 185's..... Any suggestions on radials that cost about the same that are nice? __________________ Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world.

01-13-2005, 03:47 PM	#9
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	I have 295/50/15's on the rear of mine... a beefy chunk of tire. Yet it is a "drag" (pun intended) how the size of the truck makes them look small. I see these tires on other vehicles and they look big, juts look kinda normal on mine. As for the launching, when I get mine suitable for a trip to the strip, I'll report back on how it goes. __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

01-13-2005, 12:10 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Do the short dry hop...no john force burn outs, and go around the bleach puddle. Line up do the pre stage and stage thing, then with the tranny in first, bring your RPMs up to 1200 or so, and as soon as the last yellow lights up, floor it and let the brake go. On the BFG tires, you'll probably want to go a bit wider than the 275/60's, I had them and was very disapointed on the width. Never seen 275's so friggen skinny.

01-13-2005, 12:13 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Oh, I knew a cat in Tx that had a 67 LWB with a 400/TH400, 4.10 open diff, a single slick that would spin for 5 feet out of the hole and did the 1/4 in 12.8's all day long. (3800 stall) this was also a daily driver and his only vehicle. 2 piece drive shaft would last 5 or so years, then he'd swap out the bearing/u-joints just to make him feel better.

01-13-2005, 06:33 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	195 is a skinny minivan tire. I'd go with a 285/60 if I were to go that route again.

01-13-2005, 06:34 AM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	and a vette rim won't fit without redrilling the axles and replacing the front hubs with car hubs.

01-13-2005, 05:04 PM	#10
Peregrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 329	I went out and looked at how much space I have to the bed wall and as of now it's about 2-3 inches. So, 25 mm is an inch? So, a 195 is just about a half inch wider on each side, so if my fuzzy math is right, I should be fine. And I look forward to your report. :P __________________ Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world.



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