I launch at 160º (after making sure the oil is up to temp) and that seems to work pretty well. A buddy of mine lauches at 120º and says any warmer or colder slows him down. I've tried lower than 160 but slowed down. I can go to about 165 and still be OK. I was wondering what others launch at and if you have tried other temps.

My 355 with 14.2-1 comp, alcohol fuel, AFR heads, Lunati (pre-Holley) roller, likes 160-165 after an itnital thorough warmup and cooldown cycle. I pull the leanout in the water box, get her up to 150 immediately, do the burnout and stage. It's at 160 in the beams. It crosses the finish at 180, gets to 185 at the timeslip booth and is back down to 150 by the time I idle back to the trailer. Runs 9.20's @ 146.

Randy

We were just talking about that the other day...One friend in his Super Gas...soon to be Pro Gas BBC cant leave with anything less than 180.....His friend with an X Pro Stock Truck SBC cant leave with anything over 125 in it...This dialed on kill SBC is real sensitive and only has about a 10 deg window to leave at....The BBC is a typical Super Gas combo but will work well anywhere from 180 to 215 or so... A much wider window....

Pat,
My 355 I had in my Camaro would fall flat on its face if it was any less than 180. Left on the converter at about 5800 and stayed at 180 for ten seconds smile.gif Was usually back down to 160 by the time I got to the trailer.

150 in the water box
160-170 staged... check out below graemlins/thumbsup.gif

160 Pat..

Just a guess. Alum. heads may play a role, exhaust crossover in intake, phenolic spacer under carb, intake air location (temp). So many variables in setups.

As Dale points out, a lot of variables. Interestingly, my buddy has the same heads, intake, and cam as I do, yet 120 is his sweet spot. Like Bill, my car stumbles at less than 160. I'm usually at 180 when I get back to the pit. Thanks all, just curiosity more than anything else.

I have no way to cool mine down,,,no electric fan or water pump,,,I just get back in the pits,raise the hood and let it cool au-natural til they call us back to the lanes, my car doesnt seem to be affected by the heat that much,,,it usually around 170-180* when I stage, 195* when I get back to the pits.