I am currently running a second gear start tune in my truck with 3.42s and 29" drag radials. Track prep was horrible yesterday but I made 7 or 8 passes and 60 footed 1.6-1.8 with no time spent setting up suspension other than cranking my shocks to full hard. I think with decent prep and some practice I would be in the 1.5-1.6 consistently and the truck launches so freaking smooth. I leave the line with one had on the wheel and one on my lockup switch. My truck always felt like 1st was a waste. I let off the brake and it was almost instantly shifting. 2nd gear lets me build boost easier, roll out smoother, and still net a better 60. Unless you are on big tall tires or bone stock I can't see why 2nd gear wouldn't work. I have also never seen my trans temps get hotter with 2nd gear and the converter seems to love it.
2nd gear start tcm tune
- Thread starter mike diesel
- Start date
That's great info Trojan366. I have 3.73 gears and 30.2" tall tires and weigh in at 6000# race weight . Do you have comparison 60' , 1/8 mile and 1/4!mile ETs and MPHs ?
My setup has changed quite a bit but I can tell you that with stock gears and 30x14 slicks my truck loved the second gear start tune. I don't make enough passes to make a good comparison but seat of the pants 2nd gear has always felt better with my setup.
I understand . Plus I would be getting into 3rd sooner which is what I'm after and truck should stay in the one gear (2nd) thru the whole 60' instead of having to shift within the 60'. I am going to run the new set of tunes this month with 1st gear launches . Once I know what it did there , I will change to 2nd gear launches and see if it helps 60', 1/8 mile et & mph , 1/4 mile et & mph . I will have a side by side comparison with time slips for all barring any issues . :thumb:
2nd gear definitely helps load the motor and spool the chargers harder. If you truck comes on hard in third the second gear start should help it spool earlier. Curious to see how it works out back to back!
Truck spools extremely quick , but it's like you said the higher the gear its in loads the Chargers harder to where it's propelling the truck harder . Your spot on
Here's the proof guys . Managed to get 1 run in tonight at Texas Motorplex in only Tune 3 . It started drizzling and they shut the the track down. Updated tunes from Mark since I ran the 10.32 in Tune 4, had my buddy Quinton load the new tunes plus set the TCM up for a 2nd gear start . Look at the differences from one end to the other . Crazy 60' plus awesome 1/8 and a 10.0 1/4. Truck left much smoother , brought the front end up but very gradually not violently like in 1st gear starts which was unloading the front tires .
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Here's the proof guys . Managed to get 1 run in tonight at Texas Motorplex in only Tune 3 . It started drizzling and they shut the the track down. Updated tunes from Mark since I ran the 10.32 in Tune 4, had my buddy Quinton load the new tunes plus set the TCM up for a 2nd gear start . Look at the differences from one end to the other . Crazy 60' plus awesome 1/8 and a 10.0 1/4. Truck left much smoother , brought the front end up but very gradually not violently like in 1st gear starts which was unloading the front tires . I'll post the video on the Drag and Brag Thread .
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That's insane. I never tried any 2nd gear start except for 1 or 2 right after I made the tune. My truck was violent with them, launch and all 4 would smoke and the truck was all over the road. I went back to 1st gear starts after about 2 launches.
My truck never 60' that good. I cut 1.78 consistantly. Never any better except for one time, it did a 1.68 and that was my 1st 10 second pass ever, which was also my slowest 10 second pass ever.
It showed big time in my truck with those terrible 60' times. I was trapping 105mph in the 1/8th and a 7.0, my best time ever was a 1.78 60', 7.0@105 1/8th with a 10.71@135 1/4. Now I wish I would have tried a 2nd gear start.
My truck never 60' that good. I cut 1.78 consistantly. Never any better except for one time, it did a 1.68 and that was my 1st 10 second pass ever, which was also my slowest 10 second pass ever.
It showed big time in my truck with those terrible 60' times. I was trapping 105mph in the 1/8th and a 7.0, my best time ever was a 1.78 60', 7.0@105 1/8th with a 10.71@135 1/4. Now I wish I would have tried a 2nd gear start.
Congrats Elvis! After seeing how that truck leaves I'll quit wasting my time leaving in first. That was a beautiful pass my friend! I may have to come down next weekend & throw down a few 2nd gear start passes with you. All the tracks around here are closed for the year but I have the bug now lol
I hear ya buddy . I believe next Friday is the last Fast Friday for Tx Motorplex. I plan on running Friday night then me and some family have to leave for Midland Saturday morning close to your neck of the woods . Lol. It would be great if you could make it for Fast Friday
If only the camera guy was there to get a rear view like before to compare the differences in launch that would have been neat. Wish I could have came out last night to watch!
It would have made for an awesome video although the proof is in the time slips . 60' was bad ass , 1/8 was bad ass, the 1/4 mile time for the mph tells me it was a super efficient pass
Most trucks really like a 2nd gear start. The 1-2 is a wasted shift and starting in 2nd really calms down the normally violent launch.
Your right on target Evan . Granny gear doesn't move the truck very far at all. I can barely tell any difference in street driving either with it starting in 2nd . My truck Loved it. I did notice that the more power I put to it , it liked it more !
Thanks Evan . Weather permitting this Friday at Tx Motorplex--- We'll put it in Tune 4 and let it rip . Should net a 9.
Violent is the right word! I have 3.42 gears & mine hit so hard in 1st it shocked the suspension enough to start hopping. Can't do that if you still have leaf springs.
I hope the weather's good. I blew up the intercooler on the Canyon today but I should have it back up in time to make a few passes with it as well. I'll be launching it in 2nd too. Cool thing is it'll leave in 2nd without changing the tune. Just bump it to 2nd in manual. After the launch just throw it in auto is the plan.