Does Suspension have a lot to do with 1/4 times?

[Qualitywires.com]

I was wondering if the lowered springs would affect my 1/4 times. My times seem to have dropped quite a bit.

 

[Marv S]

Well, since driver skill is not a factor that must be it.

<FONT size="-2">(Set-Spike. Sorry, Couldn't resist)

</FONT s>

 

[Qualitywires.com]

ha! after I posted that..I was wondering if someone was going to stick it to me. Yes..my skills ****, but I did a 12.2 at a 116mph...that was stock set up...after I lowered my car...12.9-13.0 auurgghh!

 

[Joseph Dell]

I'm not so sure that the act of lowering it has anything to do with it... but changing the springs [if you did that] definitely would.

Back in my old mustang days, you'd lose a few tenths for using the "cooler" Eibach springs. But unless you used the "DRAG" springs [which transfered weight differently], then you were screwed in the 1/4.

If you _really_ want a fast drag car, you gotta set it up that way. Ask some die-hard drag racers about what happenes when you adjust the toe and camber of a car for a drag racing... makes it pretty miserable on the street... especially in the rain.

Can it be a road racer and a 1/4 mile car? Sure, but there are gonna be compromises...

JD

 

[Eddie N]

your cut springs have totally thrown the spring compression balance off.. harder springs make for harder launches.. you will need to "relearn" the way the car behaves during the launch..

- eddie -

 

[ceieio]

<FONT COLOR="Black">Do your new springs have a higher rate than the old? Anything that would make weight transfer to the rear wheels more difficult would likely effect your time.

While at the drags take a look at the old gassers (aka highboys)and any of the old AFX cars (the origin of the phrase funny car due to their modified wheel base) that show up at the drags, you will see some off the different theories that have existed over time on getting weight on the rears. They actually plant the tires pretty good when dialed in.

I crewed a AA fuel rail when younger and was amazed at what suspension would do for these guys. (Yes, we gawked between raced just like everyone else!) I watched a guy pick up a full second in a 55 Chevy over the course of a few weeks, all by tweaking his suspension.

In drag racing there is lots of gold in the suspension setup, but the optimal drag setup is lousy for the road.

Man did I ramble on... I guess the short version is "yes, it is possible that your springs could effect your times". Look more to the 60 foot time I would think for clues on this.</FONT c>

 

[Vic]

I ramble on much farther, with much less knowledge!

So don't worry!

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Well, I guess my springs are part of the cause. I will have to relearn my car, or put back the stock springs.

 

[TOOOFST]

ab,you have to respect those who haven't lowered their viper,they can also enter the mud drag events.

 

[GTS Dean]

For dragging - you want the tires perpendicular to the track at all times, zero toe change from bump to droop in the front, soft springs, high ride height, soft shocks in one direction, stiff in the other.