1st or 2nd at launch?

[Hellcat Cuda]

Even running 305-18 MT Rs I’ve only run 10s (best of 10.60) a few times with my RE . I usually can’t get the car to hold off the line and have to let off. When I let off and get back on it, I get the dreaded hic-up before it will get going in 3rd. Net result is I’m usually in the 11’s when I go to the track and the whole experience is quite a debacle and very disappointing.

I’ve recently met someone who runs 9.0s and some high 8s with his Hellcat. I’ve checked it out and it’s legit. He said he launches in 2nd
with his 3.09 rear because 1st is useless. I’m thinking about trying some 2nd gear launches at the track in a couple days. I always assumed it would destroy an auto trans launching hard in 2nd. What say you guys? Isn’t it extremely hard on the tranny doing that?

I’ve watched a couple of his phone videos and it sounds good. It winds out a little longer than it would in 1st (of course) and just sounds like an old school 727 Torqueflite would. Also, it’s winding up a little slower and doesn’t hiccup going into 3rd.

Comments please...

 

[vortecd]

Not apples to apples between a stock Hellcat and a 9.0 Hellcat. 2nd gear launch will be slower

 

[SilverBillet]

A good 2nd gear launch will never be as good as a good 1st gear launch! You just have to work on it.

 

[Marc W]

A 9.0 Hellcat is making so much more hp than one that’s even close to stock, there is no comparison. Apples to watermelons. There are a lot of things you can do with suspension and wheel tire combinations to make first gear work at your power level and well beyond. The second gear launch is for 1000+whp cars.

 

[fumanchu182]

1st gear all the way.

 

[Hellcat Cuda]

So if there are higher hp cars using 2nd gear to launch, how hard is it on the transmission? Does it burn up the clutches or the steels ?

 

[Mean Cat]

Even running 305-18 MT Rs I’ve only run 10s (best of 10.60) a few times with my RE . I usually can’t get the car to hold off the line and have to let off. When I let off and get back on it, I get the dreaded hic-up before it will get going in 3rd. Net result is I’m usually in the 11’s when I go to the track and the whole experience is quite a debacle and very disappointing.

I’ve recently met someone who runs 9.0s and some high 8s with his Hellcat. I’ve checked it out and it’s legit. He said he launches in 2nd
with his 3.09 rear because 1st is useless. I’m thinking about trying some 2nd gear launches at the track in a couple days. I always assumed it would destroy an auto trans launching hard in 2nd. What say you guys? Isn’t it extremely hard on the tranny doing that?

I’ve watched a couple of his phone videos and it sounds good. It winds out a little longer than it would in 1st (of course) and just sounds like an old school 727 Torqueflite would. Also, it’s winding up a little slower and doesn’t hiccup going into 3rd.

Comments please...

You need a 17" wheel & Hoosier 29 x 10.5 x 17 or M/T ET street R 315 x 50 x17.
20 PSI , 3rd gear manual burnout & send it in 1st gear.

 

[fubar569]

You need a 17" wheel & Hoosier 29 x 10.5 x 17 or M/T ET street R 315 x 50 x17.
20 PSI , 3rd gear manual burnout & send it in 1st gear.

About 75% of that burnout with a less than full send in first off the foot brake at 1750rpm got me a 1.58 60ft and sent me down at 9.97@139. Corrected for DA that was a 9.7 run...and it will only get faster with a better launch.

This is pretty much the ticket right now. A real good starting point.

 

[EricG]

I feel like these car launch super easy, I have the Bravado 305/45r18 set up and 1.6 60 foots come pretty easy. I have gone high 1.5s too, and this is at over a mile high. You are loading the drive line and getting into the converter by having a foot on the brake and a foot on the gas at the same time right? Even soft launches that way result in 1.7 60s. I do have the 2.62s though and not the 3.09s.

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

2nd is a bandaid launch for stock cars. To answer your question though, 2nd will be fine. People have been using 2nd gear to launch since the beginning.

Spend more time playing with tire pressures and burnout duration and keep it in first at the lights.

 

[DavidKFla]

With mine being 100% stock with 3.09 and 305-18 Mickeys mine will do a 1.6 60'.
Trying a lower stall speed and see if you hook better.

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW using Tapatalk

 

[Hellcat Cuda]

Well, I’ve run 10.60 with a 1.47 60’ in earlier trips to the track. Tire pressure was at 18-19 lbs, leaving at 1,200 rpm on the brake. On that run, it dead hooked and felt like I was shot out of a canon all the way to the finish line. Next pass was 10.7X . That was the end of my night and I’ve never had anything like that in the next three times to the track.

 

[Linda's Hell Cat]

With mine being 100% stock with 3.09 and 305-18 Mickeys mine will do a 1.6 60'.
Trying a lower stall speed and see if you hook better.

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW using Tapatalk

That is exactly what you need to do. Just give it enough throttle to feel it. Then you have to Tap and smash. It's quick at the Tap but once you get use to it .....you will feel the hook and smash.
PSI should start at 18 and then you may want to go lower or higher 1 psi at a time. Stock you can eventually get 1.5's

Linda

 

[jonx96]

Well, I’ve run 10.60 with a 1.47 60’ in earlier trips to the track. Tire pressure was at 18-19 lbs, leaving at 1,200 rpm on the brake. On that run, it dead hooked and felt like I was shot out of a canon all the way to the finish line. Next pass was 10.7X . That was the end of my night and I’ve never had anything like that in the next three times to the track.

I'd think a 1.47 for a stock redeye on a 305 r18 is pretty good. You may get slightly better depending on track prep. I wouldn't expect to see much better than that 60 foot. If you are wanting faster times weather conditions will be a factor or temps of the car. You could try a splash of race fuel if you think you are getting power pulled. You could up the RPM on launch to 1500 to see if it helps. That's what I launch at.

 

[Hellcat Cuda]

Yes, I was quite happy with the 1.47 / 10.60. I just haven’t been able to duplicate anywhere near that again. The car was fairly new and it was my first time out with it, the third of four runs. Each run was better than the previous, and then the fourth run was slower. Since then, I’ve been plagued with traction problems, hiccups and generally 11.XX second runs.

 

[covidcommander]

2nd is a bandaid launch for stock cars. To answer your question though, 2nd will be fine. People have been using 2nd gear to launch since the beginning.

Spend more time playing with tire pressures and burnout duration and keep it in first at the lights.

heard thats bad for the trans to start in 2nd...

 

[Jack_Toepfer]

Hear it from anyone that’s done it though? Lots of guys have been doing it for a long time. After I upgraded to a 17” DR, I went back to 1st…
Because starting in 2nd is a bandaid.

 

[Hickster]

Yea and bad fore your ex wi fe to have a girl friend. And pea nut butter is bad fer youll health.

 

[fumanchu182]

1st gear all the way.

ill be trying second this coming test and tune, my comment aged s well?

You need a 17" wheel & Hoosier 29 x 10.5 x 17 or M/T ET street R 315 x 50 x17.
20 PSI , 3rd gear manual burnout & send it in 1st gear.

im at this level, blew the hoosiers right off, i might consider leaving at idle…