How to launch a TKO 500
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: KS
How to launch a TKO 500
I went to the drag strip with my ZZ4 powered Stingray. It is backed by a Keisler TKO 500 with 3.36 gears. I can't figure out how to launch the car without alot of wheel spin with the crazy 3.27 1st gear in the TKO 500. Anyone have any ideas?
My best 60-foot time was 2.419 with a 14.288 at 101.95 mph. I hope the car is able to at least run high 13s. Maybe others with the TKO 500 can give your secrets for a successful launch!
My best 60-foot time was 2.419 with a 14.288 at 101.95 mph. I hope the car is able to at least run high 13s. Maybe others with the TKO 500 can give your secrets for a successful launch!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
I am in your camp. This is what I do: Find the lowest rpm you can launch at that causes a mild bog on launch. (In my case, 3,000). Then as soon as it bogs (this point is probably just below your engines torque peak), feed throttle in as fast as it will take it. The bog allows the vehicle to move enough to minimize wheel-spin. Obviously, your running street tires. Drag radials or M/T E-T streets will help. BTW, I am running 3.08 rear gears, your 3:36's are a bit much, IMO.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: North Port, FL
I am running the TKO 600 with a 3.70 rear end which gives me about the same overall 1st gear ratio as you (10.62 vs 10.99). I get 1.8 to 1.9 60' times on street BFG radial TA's by launching close to the method described by big_G. I launch at an rpm that causes a mild bog (in my case 1200 to 1500) and slip the clutch a little as I rapidly apply power. With a little practice you can keep it right on the verge of wheel spin.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
You could buy my BFG Drag T/A set-up on a set of 15X8" Vette Rally wheels for $435 delivered to any of the 48 States. They only have about 6 runs on them and I can Email you photos of them. Never street driven but, I know people that do drive em to the track, race and then drive back home on them. My Email is: zeohsix2002@yahoo.com for photos.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Originally Posted by Itza66
I went to the drag strip with my ZZ4 powered Stingray. It is backed by a Keisler TKO 500 with 3.36 gears. I can't figure out how to launch the car without alot of wheel spin with the crazy 3.27 1st gear in the TKO 500. Anyone have any ideas?
My best 60-foot time was 2.419 with a 14.288 at 101.95 mph. I hope the car is able to at least run high 13s. Maybe others with the TKO 500 can give your secrets for a successful launch!
My best 60-foot time was 2.419 with a 14.288 at 101.95 mph. I hope the car is able to at least run high 13s. Maybe others with the TKO 500 can give your secrets for a successful launch!
Just out of curiousity, as I have no drag racing experience, what RPM are you launching at? I have the same setup as you it sounds like. 3.36 and Keisler tranny.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
I have the same problem. I've managed a 1.9, but that's with the idle feather meathod. It not what everyone like to do at the line, but it works. I also took air out of the tires.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
My best 60' time when I still had the TKO was 1.591 (with the 465 HP 383)...
I launched at about 3500 - 3800 RPM, slipping the clutch..
That time was on Drag Radials.. My best 60' time on regular radials was 1.83 (launching at about 2000 RPM)
BTW - my rear gears with the TKO were 3.73's
I launched at about 3500 - 3800 RPM, slipping the clutch..
That time was on Drag Radials.. My best 60' time on regular radials was 1.83 (launching at about 2000 RPM)
BTW - my rear gears with the TKO were 3.73's
Last edited by GrandSportC3; Nov 25, 2005 at 11:18 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
i run tko 600 and a 383, and i had the best luck when i bogged the motor. launching at high rpm's gave me monster wheel hop, but i have spring issues as well. i tried lowering air pressure, but im sure thats was a bad choice with radial street tires. cant recall 60 ft. time but its best run was 11.40 1/4 mile
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by redc3
i run tko 600 and a 383, and i had the best luck when i bogged the motor. launching at high rpm's gave me monster wheel hop, but i have spring issues as well. i tried lowering air pressure, but im sure thats was a bad choice with radial street tires. cant recall 60 ft. time but its best run was 11.40 1/4 mile
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: pr, frederick md.
yea, you helped me before on my spring delima. just cant get the $$ up right now with x-mas and all. and i cant just replace a spring. i gotta replace everything or i wont be able to sleep at night 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,537
Likes: 280
From: Egg Harbor Township NJ
2015 C2 of Year
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10, '14-'15
I have the TKO500 with a 502 and a 3:36 diff... tires..215x70Rx15's...Michilen X-1's street tire.
My tires are my saftey valves... I let them slip a little so I don't end up at the Proctologist having a driveshaft removed from my Butt..!!
To me the trick is to find the slip point just below lockup ..a little spin to relive some torque..then a lock up. I'm still hunting for the correct RPM to leave at.
It's fun experimenting....
My tires are my saftey valves... I let them slip a little so I don't end up at the Proctologist having a driveshaft removed from my Butt..!!
To me the trick is to find the slip point just below lockup ..a little spin to relive some torque..then a lock up. I'm still hunting for the correct RPM to leave at.
It's fun experimenting....
