I installed a line lock on my Camaro that has a 700R4 trans. I was wondering what the procedure was to use the line lock for these transmissions. Is it best to just leave it in drive (not od) and run it, or should I shift manually, starting in first? If I shift it manually, what gear or what MPH should I hit when doing the burnout?? Also, how high above the stall speed should I keep the motor?? Thanks in advance.

 

Typically, the thing to avoid is having the transmission shift up automatically too high so that the tires slow down too much (converter bogs). Manual valve body - not an issue.

But, it also depends upon exactly how warm you really need to get the tires. Most people over-do it (I only know of one guy who doesn't warm them enough, he's got a 4-spd car & no LL). With the '57 and the Drag ETs, I drop it into first, run the RPMs up to 4000 and hold it for about 5 secs - let the button loose and back off when it bites. Some of the big boys with taller gears and looser converters will get the tires spinning in first then drop it into 2nd. Others just start in 2nd and let 'em spin up hard.

This probably belonged on the racing forum, but...

 

I usually go through all 3 gears. High gear at 5000 rpm gets lots of wheel speed

First of all you don't have a manual valve body so you'll always be starting in first gear. Use first gear to just get the tires turning. Quickly shift to second to build up some wheel speed. When you let off the line lock, shift to third gear as you come out of the water box. You don't want to be in second gear when you lift off the throttle or hit dry pavement.

 

You're running some pretty tall rear end gears and loose converter, though - right?

I haven't done it on purpose, but once I only had it down to 2nd and it bogged down pretty bad. The box wasn't very wet, either.

 

Can I just put it in drive, run it, turn the lock off, then ease my way off of the gas until I pull out of it?? Thanks again.

 

4.56 gears, 29" tire, 5700 stall converter.

You could just put in in D and go for it. As long as you have a good working posi, both wheels should spin. Watch the speedo and try to keep it above 40 mph for a few seconds. If you have an open diff with one wheel spinning, 40 mph will mean that one wheel will be doing 80 mph.

I don't have a line lock in my truck. I usually just do a burnout in D. When I come out of the water box and step on the brake to slow down, the ABS chatters the rear wheels and I feel it in the brake pedel.