I'm hoping to take the truck out to the track this Wed for the first time. Got a lot of stuff to get done b4 wednesday so I have time to go though... lol

What are some tips for launching these new trucks? I've seen posts where people are saying not to powerbrake the truck up and just to let it sit at idle, stomp it, and let the convertor flash on its own.

And anyone have any clue what my truck should run? I've been predicting around a 16.0. Truck is stock performance wise. I'm getting a baseline at the track before I do any mods. (I already have UD pulleys waiting and I'm going to start looking into putting together some E-fans).

It's got the 5.4L engine w/ 3.55LS. It's a Reg Cab, Flareside.

 

Im pretty sure you can brake it and give it a little gas to bring it up to about 900 RPMs and you'll be safe. It will take the play out of the driveline and it DOES help a lot.

 

thats something u will have to learn on your own i launch at 2000 rpm but i have a s/c its all about tire spin and how you manage it. never launch from idle u will break something. when u see the the last light come on floor it never wait for the green light. if you are on street tires dont heat them up to much just enough to get the water off and clean them. it will take a bit of practice to get your rts and ets down. good luck lets us know how it goes.

 

I'm not expecting to get tire spin.

My old truck could spin em good on the street but would hook up nice at the track. The new truck can't spin them on the street at all.

I'm just wondering about powerbraking it up because I think it was actually Mike T that said not to on these new trucks. Something about it causing the tranny fluid to heat up so the computer cut back power so it didn't pull as hard in 2nd and 3rd gear. Just wondering if anyone could confirm and how people are launching the new 04+ trucks.

All the Pre-03 guy's I know, including my 00', would get the best ETs and 60fts when I powerbraked it up some.

 

Have you done anything to it yet? Programmer, exhaust, filter, etc?

If totally stock with 3.55 gears I bet you'll get between 15.8 and 16.1.

Just got back from the track tonight and ran a best 14.6.... these trucks can move with the right mods! Impressive times on your past truck.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

Also.....

I agree with everyone else on stalling. Stall up just enough to take the slack out. Seems when I stalled it up at the line (waiting for the light to turn green) my mph's dropped and felt like it shifted softer.

When I see the second light come on I bring up the RPM's slightly and left off the gas (kinda hard to get this down... but once I got the hang of it my ET's dropped about 1-2 tenths).

These trucks are programmed extremely conervative from the factory. GET A TUNE. It's a pricey mod but you will love it. I was running a 15.5 w/ the xcal only in 95 degree heat at almost 100% humidity.

 

power braking is not something u would do at the stop light or all the time. at the drag strip you are only doing it for a few seconds way less than 10 seconds then after your pass u park it open the hood let it cool down before u make your next pass 30mins or more

 

Sounds good. I'll try to see if I can get the hang of your method

I plan on getting an Xcal from Mike but want to get a baseline for the truck stock before I start dropping any mods on. Without the Xcal how fast did your truck run?

 

Nope. It's stock for now. Going to get a baseline run in plus I haven't had time and money to do anything as of yet.

I already have UD pulleys sitting at my house. I'm going to try to start looking into rigging up some e-fans and doing them both at the same time. I may have to wait until December until I have time to do that work though.

I also have the 18" lariat wheels sitting at my house and need to save up to get some new tires for them though. They feel a lot lighter than the stock wheels I got with my XLT. I'll also probably be getting shorter tires on them too.

Got to take it slow because extra money is hard to come by right now b/c I haven't been able to do extra detailing work since Katrina.

 

I had the stock cast aluminium 17" wheels on my xlt... I then bought some Lariat wheels..

The lariat wheels weigh more for sure... Not much... but still more.

 

Never ran the truck totally stock. I got the Xcal before I ever ran for the first time.

Wheels would help out tremendously. In fact I would get your tires before your Xcal. That way when you change the diameter of your tires Mike can program the xcal to correct your speedo. If you have the same chrome steel wheels..... those things are heavy steel compared to the aluminum ones (I hear they make great boat anchors ). Rotating weight is always nice to drop..... makes you faster from start to finish. I'm looking into getting an aluminum drivshaft right now. Check out Hellbound..... he put on the 18" lariat wheels and some lower profile tires (really helped his gear ratio). He also installed some Camero E-fans on his truck. Looks like it came out really well.

 

I am trying to find a track around Sacramento California, I want to run my truck stock, it feels pretty quick, not a slug like the similarly loaded 05 I test drove (I have an 04). I want to run before I get the mods going.

 

U must have gotten upgraded wheels on your XLT then because mine are steel.

 

What are the lariat wheels made out of? Alluminum?

 

Think so. Look like machine aluminum.