This evening I am planning to launch the L for our first time.

Lightningrod has given me a few pointers but I have a couple of more questions.

1. Do you leave the tailgate down? Does it matter?

2. Do you run with the A/C on. Some say it helps keep the engine from overheating. I know it uses valuable HP. Do you turn it off just before launch or what?

Thanks

 

Turn the air off and just remove the tailgate.

An old trick to help cool down(Mustangs) truck was/is to turn the heater on after your pass going back to pits on the return road.

Reasoning behind this.... one more cooling coil for the coolant to run through. Course it gets real hot in the cab.

 

Lowner: You better not have your a/c on in the pit lane but especially not in staging or at the line. Your L will be dripping water--just a few feet in front of your right rear tire. The track guys will let you know--don't--the vehicle next up might be affected too.

I fold the outside mirrors in ala Spiro! Windows must be up-track rule.

P.S. most important! Never stop and/or turn around if you think you've missed the 'turn-off' road. There are three(3) of them at this track. If you miss the first one(and I usually do on purpose-to save the brake pads), just roll on to the next one. You don't want a 7 second car runnin' up your backside.

Lookin' forward to meeting you and your son.

Dan

 

John,

You're right. It's the heater I was thinking about. Not the A/C.

 

Dan,

I am glad I asked about the A/C. I had that mixed up with the heater. Makes sense about the condensation.

The mirror trick makes sense too.

My son has had a sore throat since yesterday. He might not come.
I will still try and make it though.

The weather gods appear to be in a good mood.

 

Lowner: You have a cell phone message...

Dan

 

Lowner, take a big cooler full of ice (I doulble strap it to the tailgate for extra ballast) and some smaller bags to put the ice in. Between runs, ice everything you can reach around the blower intake tube, intake maniifold and blower casing.

When you are moving up through the staging lanes, do not idle the truck. Either push it (if you have lots of friends with you) or start it, move forward, then shut it off. I you do this, the truck will be very consistant.

Keep the engine, blower and intake as cool as possible. These trucks do not like heat.

You should be able to melt 20-30 lbs of ice in 4-5 runs. Just remember, do not add the beer until after your last run. The track officials frown on this.

I also loosen the front sway bar at the pivot points in front. this helps, but you will get more weight tansfer if you remove it altogether.

Have fun and good luck. Be sure to bring a helmet. You will need it to run 13's.