Is it even worth it? I was wondering about it for my 2000 Dakota R/T.

Would a shiftkit/torque converter with 275/40/17 tires give me more grip on a dig.

Im running close to 270/340 RWHP/RWTorque. Looking for a bit more control/stick on digs.

Im going to get the 275/40/17 in the rear and stock in front 255/55/17 or i might drop it to 255/50/45/17.

Whats the best way to get more traction from a dead stop?

 

What do you mean adding traction control? Most traction control systems work in conjunction with drive by wire throttles or ABS, or both. Neither is good for drag racing as they either reduce throttle or hit the brakes to limit wheel spin.

I thought that the R/T's had a limited slip diff from the factory, and if that's the case then it's just a matter of learning how to really drive the thing. Big sticky tires will help though. I'm running 275/40r17 on my 5.0 and those really made a difference over the 245/45 that I had been running.

 

Even if i feather the gas on a launch, and get going about 20-40 i still get loose and go sideways. I just want better traction, and i guess the only way to do that is with wider tires. I was racing a Ford Mach 1 at the races the other night and i got my tires sticky with a small burnout to the line, and i still got sideways off the line and laid down some rubber. None the less if i had a good launch i would have hung with the Mach 1 easy.

EDIT: I also didnt know that those damn cars weigh more then my truck does... thats pretty bad.

 

May wanna invest in some drag shocks (if they even are available for Dakotas) or a set of adjustable valved ones like Rancho RS9000 style where you can change the settings with a dial. THe adjustable shocks may be best since you can soften them at teh strip and put them back to street when you leave.

 

Hmm, sounds like a plan. Ill check into that.

 

Another thing to look into at the strip is drop the PSI a few pounds. Not crazy though.

 

Ya i already did that. I have 35psi front 32 rear. It helped about this much || lol.. na it actually helped. I think when i get my new tires ill feel a big diffrence.

 

Ok the other question is what kind of tire are you running? Compound DOES make a huge difference. My switch on the 5.0 I went from an all season ultra high performance to a Summer tire as well as going wider. Now if I pop the clutch my rearview mirror flies off the windshield, whereas before it didn't.

If you're seriously drag racing at the strip, get yourself a set of drag slicks or at least drag radials.

 

Na im mostly street. Im going to get some summer tires.

Drag tires will come later when i have money to blow at the strip. and can afford to work on my truck when things go wrong, this is also my everyday truck so i have to be careful.

Right now i have some 255/55/17 Kuhmo Exstas Not that great of tires but good handling around the corners.

Im def going with something more sticky and wider along with more tred to the ground. For better traction.

It doesnt rain that much here in texas where i live so im going to get some summer tires, or drag radials, but if i have those on when it "does" rain im screwed. lol.

 

Yeah forget about Kumho Ecsta Supra 712's, they're ok for AWD or low HP but for anything with ***** they suck. I bought the Ecsta MX for the rear of my 5.0 and I love them. For the price they're awesome. Tread blocks the size of my wallet.