Why did I spin?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: Massachusetts
Why did I spin? Does anyone know why I spun so bad on this run? My car barely squats and I'm wondering if suspension is binding.
http://photosbyjim.smugmug.com/Other...8601&k=sgpszkj
http://photosbyjim.smugmug.com/Other...8601&k=sgpszkj
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: Massachusetts
Before I added the drag bar, tunnel mount TA, and LCA relo brackets the front end would lift both wheels off the ground and rear would squat about half the travel distance in the wheel well. Now it lifts the whole car. The front end consists of stock shocks and springs. It used to dead hook no matter what, now it's a crap shoot.
Before I added the drag bar, tunnel mount TA, and LCA relo brackets the front end would lift both wheels off the ground and rear would squat about half the travel distance in the wheel well. Now it lifts the whole car. The front end consists of stock shocks and springs. It used to dead hook no matter what, now it's a crap shoot.
QA1s will run as fast as anything, but I could not stop mine from bobbing up and down when landing with them, or AFCOs. If you don't do big wheel stands that won't be an issue. Loosen up the control arm bushings. No poly stuff needed for drag racing either. Stronger torque arm if your car leaves real hard. The stock one will bend. Mine finally (after many 1.3X 60's) bowed the torque arm enough to run the side of the tunnel. Didn't slow the car, just sounded like crap. Made me nervous, so I replaced it.
I keep reading about guys on here putting that stuff on their cars, and just assumed they were road racing. Guess not.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: Massachusetts
I only put all that stuff on because it came on a parts car I bought. The drag bar has rod end links. I figured I needed that because my car started to launch pulling the left front a bit higher than the right, twisting like. I didn't think my car would really benefit from all the heavy duty suspension, just don't feel like my car puts down enough power to need it.
Ed, another thing I noticed is setting the pinion angle with the adjustable TA makes almost no difference at all. I actually set it to positive 3 by accident the first time I set, then changed to -3 and no difference at all.
Ed, another thing I noticed is setting the pinion angle with the adjustable TA makes almost no difference at all. I actually set it to positive 3 by accident the first time I set, then changed to -3 and no difference at all.
You don't want the u-joint to bind at launch. -2 is usually in the ball park.
When I was running stock rear suspension I removed the anti-roll bar, and just used that air bag. If you use an air bag, just put enough air in it to keep the car from heeling over at launch. With coil springs, you want them just stiff enough to hold the car up. "lowering springs " are wrong also. Shorten a spring and you raise the spring rate. If you want to lower it just use softer springs. Stiffer rear springs, just like stiffer front springs, hurt traction.
Wolf Racecraft make nice weld-in upper spring mounts that fit coil-over springs, which also fit the lower spring seats on a Moser 12 bolt rear, which I still use. That gives you an almost endless selection of spring lengths and spring rates. Helped my car, I ran it that way until I had it back-halved. Worked very well.
When I was running stock rear suspension I removed the anti-roll bar, and just used that air bag. If you use an air bag, just put enough air in it to keep the car from heeling over at launch. With coil springs, you want them just stiff enough to hold the car up. "lowering springs " are wrong also. Shorten a spring and you raise the spring rate. If you want to lower it just use softer springs. Stiffer rear springs, just like stiffer front springs, hurt traction.
Wolf Racecraft make nice weld-in upper spring mounts that fit coil-over springs, which also fit the lower spring seats on a Moser 12 bolt rear, which I still use. That gives you an almost endless selection of spring lengths and spring rates. Helped my car, I ran it that way until I had it back-halved. Worked very well.
Last edited by Ed Wright; Oct 22, 2013 at 01:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: Massachusetts
I wish the season wasn't over. I want to try a few things now. It wont hurt my feelings to get rid of that drag bar, makes too much noise driving on the street anyway.
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what hole do you have the lca brackets in? Is the TA front mount adjustible? Unless your car is lowered, which it doesn't look like it, the lca mounts don't help much. I keep mine in the middle hole.
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When I was still driving mine on the street I removed the front anti-roll bar, put QA1 R series single adjustable front shocks with 275lb springs. Extension is adjustable. Compression was fixed. Set them full loose at the track, tightened them to half way tight to drive home. Don't remember how many clicks that was. Too many years ago. LOL
Its weird how it randomly spun but i wouldnt think too much about it could of been track prep also its not getting any warmer around here.........Try going up again this weekend to see if it does it again.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: Massachusetts
Front sway bar has been gone for years. I have surgery on Thurs so if I even felt better there's no way I could go alone. If I can talk my brother into going I might run it a few times. I removed the LCA relo brackets last night to see if it makes a difference. If anything I removed another 6lbs. If I can get it to hook, the temps are supposed to be in the 40's, I think that might bring me my 10.9 slip that I was looking for.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: Massachusetts
So I went to the track without the LCA relo brackets and the car responded much better. The front end was lifting better and rear spinning less. Also, the 60 ft on average did not change at all. So the LCA relo brackets were definitely not needed in my combo.
Good move. I have never seen a fast Stock Eliminator F body with those either.
I keep seeing kids put them on their cars. smh
I saw somebody on here once post something like "girls squat, race cars don't", well go to an NHRA national event, sit close to the starting line and watch the faster Super Stock, Comp Eliminator door cars, and the Pro Stock cars. The back ends set down, or squat, when they leave.
I keep seeing kids put them on their cars. smh
I saw somebody on here once post something like "girls squat, race cars don't", well go to an NHRA national event, sit close to the starting line and watch the faster Super Stock, Comp Eliminator door cars, and the Pro Stock cars. The back ends set down, or squat, when they leave.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: Massachusetts
Yeah I agree. My tires were coming up off the ground evenly a few inches without the brackets and spinning less. I was still spinning here and there but it was cold and track wasn't best prep. Actually go a new PB, 11.01 @ 121.9. Thanks again for the help.