The powerglide effect
The powerglide effect In an attempt to make my 4000 stall H/C car easier to launch on the street I've programmed the car to launch in second gear when I have the shifter in second. I then shift the car manually to OD at around 55 and let it shift into drive whenever it sees fit.
The launch is much more controllable and the car still leaves hard. I just thought I'd post this up as an idea to those with higher stall converters looking for a consistant way to hook on the street.
I'll try this method at the track to see how much it gives up in the sixty foot. My guess is that it isn't much.
Anyone else have any experience with this?
The launch is much more controllable and the car still leaves hard. I just thought I'd post this up as an idea to those with higher stall converters looking for a consistant way to hook on the street.
I'll try this method at the track to see how much it gives up in the sixty foot. My guess is that it isn't much.
Anyone else have any experience with this?
I don't see how launching in 2nd will provide any gains at the track.
Why don't you just work on trying to get more traction, tires, torque arm, LCA's, springs, etc.
1st gear it tough to hook for sure on the street, but if you set up your suspension right and have a good tire along with rolling the pedal to WOT (not flashing) it's manageable.
Why don't you just work on trying to get more traction, tires, torque arm, LCA's, springs, etc.
1st gear it tough to hook for sure on the street, but if you set up your suspension right and have a good tire along with rolling the pedal to WOT (not flashing) it's manageable.
Originally Posted by DannoWS6
I don't see how launching in 2nd will provide any gains at the track.
Why don't you just work on trying to get more traction, tires, torque arm, LCA's, springs, etc.
1st gear it tough to hook for sure on the street, but if you set up your suspension right and have a good tire along with rolling the pedal to WOT (not flashing) it's manageable.
Why don't you just work on trying to get more traction, tires, torque arm, LCA's, springs, etc.
1st gear it tough to hook for sure on the street, but if you set up your suspension right and have a good tire along with rolling the pedal to WOT (not flashing) it's manageable.
I'm not necessarily looking for gains, I'm looking to inexpensively minimize losses and improve consistancy. On the street, first gear with this setup is downright violent and difficult to manage. With the second gear launch, the wheelspin is predictable and less likely to totally blow the race. Obviously the second gear launch leaves a little bit on the table at a fully prepped track, my question is "How much?"
I'll try to get some video of some country road launches both ways.
Last edited by VORTECFCAR; May 10, 2007 at 08:19 AM.
On The Tree
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Mine will also start out in second if the shifter is there. I like it this way because I can launch in first, then when I bump the shifter to 2nd it shifts immediately.
Hell, if your car 60's better in 2nd, I say leave it there. Either that or get your self somemore grip.
I can remember when I had my turbocharged 4 cyl. pinto. The car had a 9 inch with a spool and only weighed 2100 lbs. Launching in 1st with a 3.90:1 T5 didn't load the engine enough to build boost. I started launching in second gear and dropped .13 off of my 60's.
Hell, if your car 60's better in 2nd, I say leave it there. Either that or get your self somemore grip.
I can remember when I had my turbocharged 4 cyl. pinto. The car had a 9 inch with a spool and only weighed 2100 lbs. Launching in 1st with a 3.90:1 T5 didn't load the engine enough to build boost. I started launching in second gear and dropped .13 off of my 60's.
Originally Posted by VORTECFCAR
For the record: I'm running ET streets and boxed LCA's. I don't really want to throw a bunch of money at suspension parts that may or may not help me hook on the street.
I'm not necessarily looking for gains, I'm looking to inexpensively minimize losses and improve consistancy. On the street, first gear with this setup is downright violent and difficult to manage. With the second gear launch, the wheelspin is predictable and less likely to totally blow the race. Obviously the second gear launch leaves a little bit on the table at a fully prepped track, my question is "How much?"
I'll try to get some video of some country road launches both ways.
I'm not necessarily looking for gains, I'm looking to inexpensively minimize losses and improve consistancy. On the street, first gear with this setup is downright violent and difficult to manage. With the second gear launch, the wheelspin is predictable and less likely to totally blow the race. Obviously the second gear launch leaves a little bit on the table at a fully prepped track, my question is "How much?"
I'll try to get some video of some country road launches both ways.
Beleive me I know 1st is a bitch, but I think you are leaving more on the table than you think by avoiding it.
