Well, I've drag raced and road raced my SRT Ram at least once this year...putting 120 miles of hard road racing on it this past weekend. With that said, I've been thinking about what I'd like to improve for future events of both types of racing. If I plan to keep the truck these relatively simple improvements should make it that much more fun to drive in all race applications. I've come up with a rather simple (and not terribly expensive) list of future mods:
1) wheels/tires - less weight is always better in this regard. Trouble is finding an all around set that will work. Also, some type of slick...especially the rear would help greatly in both road and drag race applications.
2) suspension - I'd like to lower the truck. This would lower the center of gravity a bit more stock and increase the grip. Add some aftermarket wheels and tires and its all that much better.
3) brakes/brake pads/brake fluid - the SRT brakes were great at the road coarse I went to but there was only one maybe two hard braking areas across the 2.1 mile track. If I were to run at a track that required more braking the results would obviously be a bit worse. Lighten the load on the brakes (removal of a few things inside the truck) and find a different wheel/tire combo would help as well.
4) hp/tq - my current hp/tq are more then sufficient on the road coarse I ran last weekend. Any more speed would require better brakes. For street/drag race applications more is better but overall is sufficient.
5) cooling - SRT brakes already have brake ducts in the front but perhaps could be made to be a bit bigger. As for the engine/supercharger...I never got close to 200 degrees (temps were pushing 90 on sunday) thanks mostly do DC Performance thermostat. The blower inlet system also pushes cooler air directly into the Paxton and likely helps keep the intercooler temps down.
6) tow/retrieval hook - this is a must for all 3 applications. Right now there is no way (that I know of) for a retrieval vehicle to safely push/pull the SRT Ram should it break down or crash in any type of race. Someone could make a pretty penny designing a tow hook for both the front and back (reg cab application). This is something I'm thinking about trying to solve.
7) gauges - its not easy to see the gauges while running a road coarse. Sometimes the steering wheel is in the way.
So, heres my list of future mods before race season next year:
1) shifter - mostly for drag race applications. Plenty of power/torque to somewhat limit the need of shifting in road race applications
2) suspension - lower the truck. Anyone use Boomers lowering kit on a reg cab and do any road racing with it? The stock suspension will lean to a point then stop. I'm suprised as to how well it does, I dont want to lose that if possible but would like to lower the center of gravity. I also like the look of the lowered trucks with his kit
3) brakes - whats available aftermarket-wise for both front and rear. Will they fit the stock rims/tires?
4) hp/tq - no changes expected at this time. More would be nice for drag/street applications.
5) cooling - adding Boomers larger cooler to help in preventing heat soak
6) safety - somehow add some 4 or 5 or whatever point harnesses. Would require a secure point to latch to such as a harness or roll bar which to my knowledge isnt easily achievable. I do have a fire extinguisher mounted to the passenger seat bolts during the road races (optional) and its easily removable for any other application.
7) gauges - a few more gauges would be nice but not sure how viewable they would be while keeping your eyes on the road and other vehicles.
I've also come across various setups for video camera mounts. Some are taking angle iron or something of the sort and adding some u-bolts. The u-bolts attach to the headrest posts on either one or both. Pretty inexpensive and effective for all applications. I plan to do this first since its rather simple and inexpensive.
Anyway, thought I'd through out my thoughts since I've recently done both types of racing this year. Anything I'm missing thats simple/practical and effective?
1) wheels/tires - less weight is always better in this regard. Trouble is finding an all around set that will work. Also, some type of slick...especially the rear would help greatly in both road and drag race applications.
2) suspension - I'd like to lower the truck. This would lower the center of gravity a bit more stock and increase the grip. Add some aftermarket wheels and tires and its all that much better.
3) brakes/brake pads/brake fluid - the SRT brakes were great at the road coarse I went to but there was only one maybe two hard braking areas across the 2.1 mile track. If I were to run at a track that required more braking the results would obviously be a bit worse. Lighten the load on the brakes (removal of a few things inside the truck) and find a different wheel/tire combo would help as well.
4) hp/tq - my current hp/tq are more then sufficient on the road coarse I ran last weekend. Any more speed would require better brakes. For street/drag race applications more is better but overall is sufficient.
5) cooling - SRT brakes already have brake ducts in the front but perhaps could be made to be a bit bigger. As for the engine/supercharger...I never got close to 200 degrees (temps were pushing 90 on sunday) thanks mostly do DC Performance thermostat. The blower inlet system also pushes cooler air directly into the Paxton and likely helps keep the intercooler temps down.
6) tow/retrieval hook - this is a must for all 3 applications. Right now there is no way (that I know of) for a retrieval vehicle to safely push/pull the SRT Ram should it break down or crash in any type of race. Someone could make a pretty penny designing a tow hook for both the front and back (reg cab application). This is something I'm thinking about trying to solve.
7) gauges - its not easy to see the gauges while running a road coarse. Sometimes the steering wheel is in the way.
So, heres my list of future mods before race season next year:
1) shifter - mostly for drag race applications. Plenty of power/torque to somewhat limit the need of shifting in road race applications
2) suspension - lower the truck. Anyone use Boomers lowering kit on a reg cab and do any road racing with it? The stock suspension will lean to a point then stop. I'm suprised as to how well it does, I dont want to lose that if possible but would like to lower the center of gravity. I also like the look of the lowered trucks with his kit
3) brakes - whats available aftermarket-wise for both front and rear. Will they fit the stock rims/tires?
4) hp/tq - no changes expected at this time. More would be nice for drag/street applications.
5) cooling - adding Boomers larger cooler to help in preventing heat soak
6) safety - somehow add some 4 or 5 or whatever point harnesses. Would require a secure point to latch to such as a harness or roll bar which to my knowledge isnt easily achievable. I do have a fire extinguisher mounted to the passenger seat bolts during the road races (optional) and its easily removable for any other application.
7) gauges - a few more gauges would be nice but not sure how viewable they would be while keeping your eyes on the road and other vehicles.
I've also come across various setups for video camera mounts. Some are taking angle iron or something of the sort and adding some u-bolts. The u-bolts attach to the headrest posts on either one or both. Pretty inexpensive and effective for all applications. I plan to do this first since its rather simple and inexpensive.
Anyway, thought I'd through out my thoughts since I've recently done both types of racing this year. Anything I'm missing thats simple/practical and effective?
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