So my friend has challenged me to a 1/8th mile drag on dirt. He's got a 2015 F150 crew cab 4x4 with the twin turbo V6. I have a 1999 Chevy Z71 with the 5.3 V8. I have lower weight and low end torque advantage. He has higher HP advantage. I've already lined up some 30 inch tires to replace my 33s so that should help me. Any advice? Run in 4 hi? Ease into it to keep tire spin down? Can you start off in second on these Chevy's?
I mean this in the nicest way possible: the Ford is gonna win by several lengths.
Power is most likely going to be fairly irrelevant in this contest. Both trucks will probably be traction limited for a good portion of the run. Definitely run in 4hi, load up the torque converter a little against the brakes and try to adjust throttle to keep it just short of wheelspin.
Both will likely be in 4-High and Drive. At least that's how I'd start out.
I suppose 4-Low and Drive could work too but you run out of RPM's pretty quick.
You have 285hp? He's got what? 325?
Yeah...1/8th is about the launch. He will destroy you given equal launches.
On the Ford "The 2.7 hustles this truck to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 14.3. That’s 0.1 second slower to 60 and 0.1 second quicker in the quarter than the 365-hp 3.5-liter turbo V-6 that won the comparo."
The fastest of the Chevy trucks of the era is the 454SS. 1993 Chevrolet 454 SS 0-60 mph 7.1 | Quarter mile 15.6
By going to a small diameter tire you are effectively lowering the gear ratio. So starting off in second is probably the same as the 33" tire in 1st. Run what ever tire you have that will bite the dirt.
I would run it in 4 high and don't be surprised if you break something.
My recommendation, don't put any money on yourself.
Just for reference 1992 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 0-60 mph 5.6 | Quarter mile 13.9
As someone who owns the same truck as you, just give up because that ecoboost is going to drag your ass. He can even leave the ac on while doing it.
ebonyandivory wrote: I mean this in the nicest way possible: the Ford is gonna win by several lengths.
Just curious, why do you say that?
( I have no dog in this fight. My '89 isn't outrunning anything)
In reply to Recon1342:
Because that EcoBoost is running practically the same times as a 92 Vette LT1
The Ford also has a decent chance of having an LSD rear end or a locker. If he does, I'd say the Chevy stands no chance. Especially if it's not giant cab / tiny bed like the Ford, as that setup isn't quite as nose heavy as most pickups and should have better drive traction.
ebonyandivory wrote: You have 285hp? He's got what? 325?
Ford has more power everywhere. Not to mention the Z71 has 18 years of wear and tear vs the fords 2.
my advise is have someone take a video and post it on here... for science
Go to the small tires, lower your tire pressures, launch it in 4-high and 1st, you shouldn't have to hold back on the throttle much. Do some practice runs to work on your launch. Your truck isn't faster than his, but even in drag racing there's a chance you can beat him with skill.
Traction is going to be key. Time for lockers front and rear, and the gnarliest tires you can find. Your lighter weight might even work against you.
Tint your side windows nearly pitch black. Start on the left. Pretend to get in your truck but actually hop on a 450 suzuki dirt bike.
If you can't beat 'em, cheat 'em.
That's a lot of quick hooning advice. I figure it's going to come down to the launch. Plus there's really no way I can lose. Yes so your 16 year newer and 150,000 miles less wear beat me. But it'll be fun.
1999 Z71 4235 lbs
2015 F150 2.7l EcoBoost SuperCrew Lariat is 4942 lbs
Z71 14.86 lbs/hp
F150 15.2 lbs/hp
So there is an advantage to the Z71. Just hope the other driver is E36 M3.
Thinking about it, are we sure the Chevy is actually much lighter? Numbers I'm finding say 4600 - 4700 for the Chevy. The Ford is one of the newer beer cans, so it's 4800 - 4900 depending on which turbo V6 it has. Not a huge difference.
Stampie wrote: That's a lot of quick hooning advice. I figure it's going to come down to the launch. Plus there's really no way I can lose. Yes so your 16 year newer and 150,000 miles less wear beat me. But it'll be fun.
Good Luck.
I've driven 18-20 year old trucks with smallish V8's and high miles.
Even without hard numbers, I just see that much younger, tighter Ford winning by 40 feet at least.
I think a similar comparison would be my 2005 Yukon XL Denali up against a 2017 version of a Denali XL
Spray and pray. Nitrous is cheap until it breaks things.
Load your bed with weight, and air down those tires.
rslifkin wrote: Thinking about it, are we sure the Chevy is actually much lighter? Numbers I'm finding say 4600 - 4700 for the Chevy. The Ford is one of the newer beer cans, so it's 4800 - 4900 depending on which turbo V6 it has. Not a huge difference.
On a certified scale my 99 chevy 4×4 extended cab(3 door) with stock everything, a spray in bedliner and maybe 40lbs of tools weighs 4820
Dirt is all about traction.
You can win this thing, better tires will be key. Size will be much less important than tread design.
Also, get in his head. Talk about how you are gonna use 4 low for some important sounding reason, and that you plan to manually shift, maybe that you increased your tire air pressure for better traction, etc etc etc. You might win by getting him to overthink it.
Finally, somehow you must convince him to turn traction control off. In a 4wd truck it's like abs in reverse. If you can trick him into thinking it will be better then you are on the right path.
dropstep wrote:rslifkin wrote: Thinking about it, are we sure the Chevy is actually much lighter? Numbers I'm finding say 4600 - 4700 for the Chevy. The Ford is one of the newer beer cans, so it's 4800 - 4900 depending on which turbo V6 it has. Not a huge difference.On a certified scale my 99 chevy 4×4 extended cab(3 door) with stock everything, a spray in bedliner and maybe 40lbs of tools weighs 4820
Just dropped a load of scrap Sunday, 2005 f150 4x4 quadcab 4.6 V8 with 5.5 ft bed was 5820 with me in it, and maybe 100 lbs of misc stuff. This was after unloading the scrap.
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