I've heard for years to always start your automatic burnouts on first gear, then quickly switch over to 2nd from there on for the rest of the burnout.
I just started doing 2nd gear burnouts and every thing seems well, But........
Now my transmission builder, who is probably the best in the North East as far as 27's and 04's has scolded me for starting out in 2nd gear.
He said that it puts unnecessary strain on the 2nd gear bands aside from other parts in the box, so I should go back to my 1st gear burnouts immediately. What gives on others opinions?

Chrysler/Amer. Mtrs. “727”, “904”, “998” & “999” Transmissions
All water burnouts should be started in second gear and shift to third if necessary. If you should
start burnout in first, shift immediately to second before tires come out of water. No matter whether
it be second or third gear you are in as you come out of the water, you should start to deaccelerate
engine or do a power burnout directly to the staging line being sure tires never grab dry pavement.

from Turbo Action website...

Lee,I have been told by many to start in 2nd and go into high.With the HP your producing,after goin' through the water box,2nd will spin em no problem.

2nd NEVER 1st with a 3 speed.

Lee I would always start in 1st, 2,3, and never til this day had a problem

For years, I use to start in 1st and then quickly switch over to 2nd.
Now as I said, I've tried the 2nd into 3rd and no problems so far. I got scolded and warned.
Felt confused. Don't wanna hurt the box.

The last three years or so I've just been doing high gear burnouts, works great for me, no problem at all getting them going, just whack the throttle and tire speed jumps right up.

Lately I use a Glide nda Valiant, but my other cars have 727, I guess its debatable, Curtis, also starts out in 1st.

Who's on 1st? what's on 2nd? 3rd is there! LOL.

The ONLY reason to use 1rst gear is if you have a big tire and low HP and are just unable to spin the tires using second or third.

And, then you need to shift to second as soon as practical.

I do my burnout in second and never shift. Just boot the throttle in second. Don't be timid!

Recently starting in 2nd gear has not been a problem for me. The tires break with ease and buzz up fast from there.

Do you have a LBA valve body?

If you don't, Start in 2nd gear.

I've always started in second. I can't believe the too much strain on the band arguement.

The tires are wet, and break loose with virtually no throttle. WAY more strain on the band when it bangs it into second on the one/two shift at 5800rpm

FWIW, it wa a tranny guy who told me to always start in second

Gotta Line-Loc?? Like Dave says....then you wouldn't need hardly any throttle to bust the tires loose in 2nd gear.
I've been staying in 2nd gear alot more lately thru the whole burnout. With the 6Pak, if I shift into high gear at the wrong time, the engine will try to start bogging down, so I give it some more throttle and the tac heads for the moon when the end carbs slam open. Thank God for Rev-Limiters!!

depends on the valve body.
If using a stock valve body, start in manual low (first) because this will apply the rear (low/reverse) band, then shift to second.
Any other gear selection with a stock valve body will have the transmission start in low/breakaway (first gear with out rear band apply.)

With a true manual valve body, use second gear.

But what if you shift from 2 to 3:d gear with to little power.
And you try it over and over again, will you burn the transmission.

I have a friend thats killing his tranny this way.

Or is he hurting it??
The oil smells burnt.

racing 32 years 2nd to high set line lock crack the throttle to 6000 shift to 3rd .
However i do drive mine out hard like pro stocks up to the line in 3rd .That was with 904s and 727s.
don

most drum explosions happen during the burnout. if you are using a stock drum, it is a must to start in 2nd gear. if that stock drum lets go in 1st gear or in the burnout box, your going to have a serious mess and maybe 1 less leg or foot.that drum with come right through the floorboard.