first time racing a truck
 

well i've been to the track with this truck ('01 7.3 psd) 2x now. one pass each time because people kept blowing up on the track:-banghead... Anyway, my best time is 17.773 @80.58 (thought these got like mid 16's stock)

i had some questions to maybe get some better stock times before i start getting mods done. first, i kinda feel like i should be almost a second faster for what the truck is, it's only 6500lbs because it's 2wd, reg cab long bed with no options except the diesel. my 60' is pretty bad at 2.8+ i feel like thats most of my problem. should i try and launch in second gear, (not first as opposed to low, but true second) and launch it under boost? Should i launch in first off off idle, or a little over? i get some pretty bad wheel spin off the line if im to agressive. tires are almost new, stock size.

i might end up getting traction bars and fatter back tires first before i do anything, any hints, tips, advise?

17.7 isn't too far off for a stock 7.3. You should be able to improve your 60' by airing down your tires.

Automatic trans or manual?

Manual trans. I'm at 45 on the back and 50 in the front (i run 50 in my box vans front tires) maybe ill take it down some more. Any advise on a 2ed gear launch? Or is that a no no? I've heard it from a few older guys with gas cars but don't know how bad it is for my truck.

3 more passes,

i tried lowering the air pressure in the back to 35 and raising the front to 60, got my best pass of 17.622 @ 80.18 and what seems like my "best i can do 60' of 2.8xx"

as for launching i've tried just above idle (about 1,000rpm) and launching at idle. my best times and 60' 's are launching at idle and rolling into the throttle, shifting at about 2,900rpm. i'll continue this post when i go back to the track after i get something to fix my traction problems. i'd like to get better times with the engine and turbo still stock.

anybody running some kinda heavy duty drag radial or just some fat rear tires? sizes? im thinking 32x11.50s or something close. o, and a set of caltracs

With a 2wd the huge limiting factor is traction. Do you have an open diff or limited slip? If you're serious about it get a locker in the rear, and get traction bars. Airing down the tires will help, as will getting a wider tire out back like a 285/75 (32x11.5) or even a 305/70 (33x12.5)

If you have a stock clutch you'll eat it up quick with boosted launches. Might look into a Valair full ceramic or kevlar/ceramic clutch, or even a dual-disc if you want to upgrade a lot and keep racing for a long time.

It's a limited slip, I can drift in the rain lol... Anyway, I'm building traction bars now. Pix soon to come, and tires are in the works. I should have some more time slips next week as soon as I shake this cold and weld up my traction bars.

Cool. Keep us updated. I have an open diff right now, hoping to get a good limited slip of locker for the rear. Also trying to get traction bars built before August when our local strip has the Truck Drags.

I havn't taken mine down the track yet, but I'm hoping for some sweet 4x4 launch runs this summer!

as a former ford tech im always leary of 4x4 launches, or 80mph+ trap speeds in 4wheel... i know everyone does it and nothing has happened lol, but in the back of my head i know that transfer case wasnt designed for that.

anyway, traction bars are built, for half the price of the caltracs. i was going to the track today but it got rained out... bright side, i got my EGT gauge installed :-X06

pix to come!

Sweet. I wanna see pics.

I've never heard of anyone having issues with running 4x4 down the track, as long as everything is in good shape and full on fluids.

couldnt agree more... I thought the stock 7.3 psd was more like 17.00s but maybe most of the ones ive seen do have some sort of adder or just autos. Makes me feel better (no offense) my 79 pulled off a 17.22 last weekend, also horrid sixty footers. Been slippin the clutch a little in first with 35-12.50s and 3.55s @ 30lbs, alot of effective gear for a 6500# truck 2nd to 3rd is almost miserable.

Have you been able to be consistent? I cant for the life of me in this thing, to big, underpowered and clutch is soft.

Im not being negative but why do people race diesels they make max torque before 2000 rpm ill never understand

1) If it's got a motor, people are gonna race it.

2) It's fun.

So its kinda like racing a honda lol except you can pull a house with it

And because it is pretty easy to get a lot of power out of a diesel, and they are much more durable than a gas engine, plus the drivetrain is stronger.

Plus if you have 4 wheel drive you can get much better traction and it's not too hard to beat the pants off of a more expensive sports car...

More durable than a gas engine not to your wallet in the long run