Tech thread - Suspension setup for optimal drag times

[dodgestang]

We spend a lot of time on this site talking about POWER....which is off-course my favorite topic. But as we all know, power without the ability to effectively transfer it to the ground is pointless. The easy solution is always to slap full slicks on a car, but lets get some discussion around tuning the suspension on a fox (or early model) for best performance using DR or street tires.

What items did you change in your suspension? What was the effect on the track?

For example, I built a road race suspension on my 65...terrible for drag. I run high spring rates both front and back (620 lbs springs in the front, 5 leaf pack in the back) and stiff shocks. The only item I added that would actually help and not hinder my 1/4 time is under rider style traction bars which eliminated virtually all my axle wrap on street tires. When I finally get around to going to the drag I expect to run in the 13-4s ;) with my 255 40s and inexpereince holding me back as I spin my tires all the way from start to finish :D

With a suspension setup like this, I assume my next logical choice to 'de-tune' from all out road race to more drag race would be to soften the shocks, which would be a relatively cheap ($2-300) way to experiment.

[frdfandc]

Here is a link for changing your rear suspension instant center.


http://www.inductionmotorsports.com/ic.html


and this one too.


http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/info/cg.htm


Here is a link for setting up rear diff pinion angle.


http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/info/pinionangle.htm


Here is one for launching a drag car


http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/info/Launching_A_Drag_Car.htm


Here is one for setting suspension pre-load


http://www.baselinesuspensions.com/info/preload.htm

[stang5093]

Thanks for thoes links very helpful.