First off, run 93 or the highest octane you can get at a regular station. Your truck will retune itself with more aggressive timing, more boost, etc based on what it senses in its tank... if you haven't been running 93, figure you will have to run through an entire tank before its adjusted. Yes 93 costs more, but if you care about performance it's the cheapest "mod" you can do and it really makes no sense do go further if you aren't taking full advantage of the ecoboosts built in, stock capability.
That said, you'll get your quickest times from a complete stop in sand mode after a break boost. RPMs on the boost? It's a fine line between what you are comfortable with and what makes your truck wheel hop on the 1 - 2 shift. Somewhere between 1000 and 2500 RPMs should put a big smile on your face. Experiment, starting low so you know what's right for you.... If your going up against someone with big power, remember our advantage is off the line traction.
How to boost? Stop your truck, switch to sand mode. Push the break firmly, and slowly creep up on the gas till your at the target RPM. Hold it there and when your ready to go, simultaniously floor it and let off the break...
Be sure to get out of sand mode as soon as you are done, as it was not meant to be driven around on as a standard drive mode and as others will quickly point out, extended use of it can harm your drivetrain.
Paddle shifters? Yeah they are cool, but in this case forget about them for for straight line, 1/4 mile racing.
Please follow my advise at your own risk... Use only as directed. Race only on closed courses. Blah blah blah standard moron disclaimer.
Most of all, have fun!
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