Yes on the tonneau helping the aero. If you have a LIGHT weight one, leave
it on. In my case, my fiberglass hard tonneau weighs in a a fat 90 lbs.
If the tire pressure is too low, you will "roll" the tire. Basically this
is a buckling of the tread. In the past, running my RC 98 5.2 5spd Sport,
I found the following as a good numbers to start from. 28x9.5x15 Slicks
10-11psi, 26x10.5x15 ET Streets 12-14psi, 26x11.5x15 ET Streets 11-13psi,
28x12.5x15 ET Streets 11-12psi.
Yes those suggestions are based on launching my 99 R/T (auto). For a 5spd,
launch high enough that you don't bog the motor. If you have slicks or
such, AND an upgraded clutch, you can go quite a bit higher. I was running
28x9.5 Slicks and a Centerforce Duo-Friction, and launching at 4500. I
actually dragged the hitch receiver on the track. This ultimately ended up
as bent front segments on BOTH springs one night where the traction was
phenomenal. In the end, I added a leaf to each side to bridge the weak spot
on the top leaf, and added CalTracs.
Getting much below a 2.2 60' in a 5spd is near impossible as you are
shifting if you start in 1st.
Good luck.
TonyC
-----Original Message-----
From: Gabriel Couriel <gcouriel@bellsouth.net>
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Date: Friday, February 13, 2004 6:42 PM
Subject: DML: RE: Re: race prep questions
>
>i don't have a tonneau cover, but wouldn't a soft cover help prevent drag?
>
>i'm going to try running with different tire pressures to guage which
>pressure gives me the best launch. i would imagine that too little
pressure
>will cause the tire to warp inwards, and provide less traction.
>
>also, your instructions on accellerating? is that directed to an automatic
>transmission? i've got a 5-speed, and i rev the engine up to
2200-2400RPM's
>to launch. last time out, i put down 2.302 60' time, which i thought was
>pretty impressive (compared to 2.704 in my previous best). what do u
>recommend for a 5-speed, should i keep doing what i'm doing?
>
>Gabe Couriel
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
>[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net]On Behalf Of Tony
>Cellana
>Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 10:08 AM
>To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
>Subject: DML: Re: race prep questions
>
>
>
>Take the tonneau, spare, jack, floor mats out. Every 100 lbs is worth
about
>1/10th.
>
>On street tires, drop the pressure in the rar to about 18-22 psi. Air the
>fronts up to around 40 psi.
>
>AVOID the water box!!! Do a quick dry burnout to clean the surface of the
>tires. Too much heat will make them gummy, and actually lose traction.
>
>At the line, lean on the gas peddle JUST hard enough to raise the rpm.
When
>it goes green, press the peddle firmly towards the floor. An immediate
>flooring will usually end up with tire slippage. This will take time and
>practice to figure out. Let your gut lead you in this department.
>
>Good Luck
>TonyC
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Gabriel Couriel <gcouriel@bellsouth.net>
>To: DML <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
>Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 2:03 PM
>Subject: DML: race prep questions
>
>
>>
>>i'm gonna be heading to the track next week, and want to prep the truck
>>correctly to run as well as possible. i want to reduce the weight as much
>>as i reasonably can, but i'm not sure about some things.
>>
>>should i race with the tailgate up? tailgate down? tailgate gone???
>>should i race with my spare tire (to even the weight)? i didn't have
>>traction problems last time, but i don't want to start.
>>what pressure should i inflate the tires to? these are radials (Firestone
>>Indy 500), and last time i ran with them, i kept them at the recommended
>>level. however, the time before, i lowered tire pressure to 20psi. what
>is
>>the recommendation for street tires?
>>
>>thanks for the answers!
>>
>>Gabe Couriel
>>
>>
>
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Mar 01 2004 - 00:34:03 EST