thanks for the advice guys. i was thinking of getting a cover, but wasn't
sure which one would be the best cover to get. i'll be getting a soft cover
(aluminum rails and soft fabric) eventually.
for this trip, i'm gonna leave the tailgate at home, along with the spare
tire, and all the loose crap i have laying around inside. i'm only gonna
have 1/8-1/4 tank of gas, along with my flashlight and camera. i'll be
having some serious fun, as the truck has really come alive with the
superchips and tuneup (plugs and wires). let's see how low in the 16's i
can reach (and it's gonna be cool, around 60-65deg., with little humidity).
Gabe Couriel
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net]On Behalf Of Tony
Cellana
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 12:37 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: DML: Re: RE: Re: race prep questions
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