Here's my thought (haven't tried it out yet), in an effort for more consistant 60' times (not faster, just more consistant) launch with tranny in 3rd (which I believe actually uses 2nd) and avoid excessive wheel spin which causes inconsistant 60' times.

Even with DR's on, my 60' time can vary by up to .05 seconds.

Track is an 1/8 mile, so I wouldn't need to even move the shift lever up to D since I finish out in 3rd.

I lost my last race by red lighting and then breaking out by .03, which was directly related to my 60' being .03 quicker.

Just a thought, I might try it out tomorrow night if I go out, don't know if I'll have the time to mess with it Saturday (race day).

Thoughts?

 

Even if the auto is in third when you stop it goes to first.

 

I'm not sure that's true. Here's why.

After I installed the 4.10s last year, I started doing burnouts in 2nd gear. After the burnout, I would click the shifter up to "D" for the run. Well, on more than one occasion, my wife has forgotten to move the shifter after her burnout. So she staged in 2nd gear. When she left the line, it started in 2nd and stayed there. I'm just assuming 3rd would do the same.

As far as racing in 3rd alone, my gut feeling is that your 60' times might not be as consistent as you think. The engine will be much more susceptible to bogging, and I think that might have your 60' times all over the place. But, WTH... give it a try and see what happens.

BTW... your 60' times can vary for many reasons, like engine temp (heat soak will slow it down), and how deep/shallow you stage, etc.

 

Put it in 3rd and take off, you will see its in at least 2nd or 3rd. It is definitely not first gear. Way slower to take off.

 

actually, it is in third gear. If you look at this chart, it should explain it.

 

yes with these auto trannies if you put it in 3rd it starts in 3rd, put it in 2nd it starts in second.

However I would not launch in 3rd for racing.

 

I think it might work in bracket racing. He is hoping that it will give him the same time each run because of no shifting.

 

Not only because of no shifting, but hoping that the launch would maybe be more consistant due to no wheel spin. Probably wouldn't, was just a thought.

 

But your time would be so slow....

 

There are much better (and more fun) ways to eliminate wheel spin. Going slow would not be an option for me.

 

I am sure I don't know what I am talking about but here goes. I also have an auto and tried this just a little while ago out in front of the house. Lordy, I took forever to get going. Definitely stayed in 3rd on take off. But the load I was putting on the trans seemed to me that it might be creating alot of internal heat in the trans. Might want to ask someone that knows auto trans better before you make it a habit. Did not seem healthy to me.
Scott

 

I actually tried it Friday night. Had a 2.4 60' and I think a 10.5 run. Made the mid 90's cobra I was racing happy I'm sure This was all a "what if", and I won't be doing it. Just thinking out loud.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.