Racing Tips...I NEED HELP!!!
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Joined: Nov 2006
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Racing Tips...I NEED HELP!!!
I have a 2002 Explorer V6 Eddie Bauer and I am going up against a 1996 Explorer V8 XLT. We have the same hp but he has 34 more lb/ft of tq. and my truck outways his by 200 lbs. Now i will be starting w/ gas and brake and O/D off while he wil be just gas w/ O/D on. I was thinking about rolling all my windows down and opening my tailgate window to make my car more aerodynamic. what do you think. and any other tips will help. thanks
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Leesburg GA
rolling yor windows down will definatley make you slower due to the drag that you are causing in your backseat, keep your windows and tailgate up, not going to make a difference, maybe fill up with some premium lol, gut your whole vehicle except drivers seat, you will get him, prob take your power steering pump out, turn ac off.****j/k about the power steering and gutting truck, but it would work if you did it
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I've raced on the drag strip quite a bit, one of which allowed us to run with the windows down. It really slows you down, keep'em up.
Keep the A/C off. Remove the spare tire if you have it. That'll lighten you up about 100-120. Power brake it for the launch. Hold the brake down hard and give it some gas to get the engine wound up. If you're 4wd, then I'd put it in 4wd and power brake it as hard as it'll let you. Doing that will allow you to get the engine up to the higher torque area quicker and will launch it much harder.
Keep the A/C off. Remove the spare tire if you have it. That'll lighten you up about 100-120. Power brake it for the launch. Hold the brake down hard and give it some gas to get the engine wound up. If you're 4wd, then I'd put it in 4wd and power brake it as hard as it'll let you. Doing that will allow you to get the engine up to the higher torque area quicker and will launch it much harder.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Eau Claire, WI
Accually, pulling the power steering belt will ad almost 10hp... Is it a serpintine belt setup? I dont own one of theese, so I have no idea.
Take off all un-needed accesory belts, take as much crap out of it, and use 2WD ONLY. U will get a better launch in 4wd, but I wouldnt want to be doing 90mph in 4wd. In addition to killing your 4wd system, you'll be adding significant drag on the driveline... Keep the windows up, keep the gate up... Mabey put a tonno cover ala-tarp on the bed? Leave OD on, it doesnt effect anything except for weather or not u shift into 4th? gear
How hard is it to take out the seats? Definetly ditch the spare, jack, floor matts, loose junk, empty the windshield washer fluid resivour...
Good luck
~Nate
Take off all un-needed accesory belts, take as much crap out of it, and use 2WD ONLY. U will get a better launch in 4wd, but I wouldnt want to be doing 90mph in 4wd. In addition to killing your 4wd system, you'll be adding significant drag on the driveline... Keep the windows up, keep the gate up... Mabey put a tonno cover ala-tarp on the bed? Leave OD on, it doesnt effect anything except for weather or not u shift into 4th? gear
How hard is it to take out the seats? Definetly ditch the spare, jack, floor matts, loose junk, empty the windshield washer fluid resivour...
Good luck
~Nate
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Originally Posted by Nathane
use 2WD ONLY. U will get a better launch in 4wd, but I wouldnt want to be doing 90mph in 4wd. In addition to killing your 4wd system, you'll be adding significant drag on the driveline
Nathane does have a good point on the accessory belts though. Strip the system of as much horsepower robbing accessories as possible.
PSD also has a good point. There has been a couple of warnings posted in this forum as it is. This is a DIESEL competition forum.
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From: Melbourne, Aus
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From: Maine
Originally Posted by 6L PWR
Nathane does have a good point on the accessory belts though. Strip the system of as much horsepower robbing accessories as possible.
I'm sure this race will take place in a controlled setting such as a drag strip or at least on private property, right?
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From: northwest,sc
Take the cooling fan off and install an electric cooling fan. It will get you about 15 more H.P. Leave the surp. belt running around the water pump.
Yoy could also remove the Surp. belt and put an electric motor with a belt drive to the water pump. I got a friend that has a 302 set up like that for dragging.
Yoy could also remove the Surp. belt and put an electric motor with a belt drive to the water pump. I got a friend that has a 302 set up like that for dragging.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: charlotte nc
Let share an old racin secret with you. You need to put some bigger wheels on the rear so the truck is sorta slanting downhill......This will let you pick up speed quicker.also remove any extra weight such as the jack and spare tire,also only have a couple of gallons of fuel in it when you race
Posting Guru
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From: central TX
I kinda doubt finding traction will be too much of a problem for you either way. As for free things, can you take out the back seat easily? Take off the spare and jack as mentioned above. Increase you front tires pressure to max PSI for less rolling resistance (and decrease his 
J/K). Clean your car out, make sure the air filter is clean.
Try to time the race so that your engine temp has just reached normal when you start. Warm engine, cool intake.
J/K). Clean your car out, make sure the air filter is clean.Try to time the race so that your engine temp has just reached normal when you start. Warm engine, cool intake.
Posting Guru
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From: the beaches of florida
When he pulls off, wait a half second then go, take a hard turn, and hit his rear tire. This will cause him to spin out, then punch it. If you cant win the race then thats not much incentive to race fair now is it?
