Just got my Ram 1500 Sport 4x4 CC with an 8 speed and 3.92 gear. I have done a search but did not come up with any real good info on launch technique (I may visit the local eighth mile drag strip). Most of the info I found was for the 6 speeds.
-Should I launch in 4WD auto? It does roast the tires in 2WD
-Should I manually put it in first gear via the steering wheel button? I have a Charger R/T that you can manually put it in first then go WOT and let it shift itself. It WILL change gears even if you "forget" to. I was curious if the truck worked the same way?
Not too many of those out there racing yet, you will have to try a few different things to figure out what works best. I always go WOT off idle, at the track it will hook, on the street it will spin for 50' or more. If you can't get it to hook, use 4x4 auto, some have had success with the manual shift, some with letting it shift on its own, try both. Keep us posted on how it does, I'm sure I'm not the only one interested to see how that trans and gear work together.
I think the trick will be just ease into the throttle, don't powerbrake. The trick will be how fast you go from like 1,100 rpms to wot. You have to match throttle with tire traction. I can run about 2.0 60' times with my 5,900 lb Ram on stock 20" tires. My Magnum RT on DR's and running a 2800 stall has run a best of 1.68 sec. Some drag radials would help your Ram. I don't think you'll do as well in 4wd.
My 09 truck won't shift itself if I use the shift button. It's only manual and won't go past the gear I selected unless I shift it up myself. Not sure about the eight speeds but I wouldn't chance it. You have a pretty low first gear ratio with the added 3.92 so I would use drive and let it shift itself. How much could you gain otherwise? I mean geezem, it ought to jump like a frog out the hole. Just use your 4X4 if it's loosing traction, BlackRamHemi does (and let it shift itself in auto/D).