Drag Racing Technique Improve your track times

Front alignment, bump steer kits, lowered front

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 10, 2008 | 07:59 PM
  #1  
mdacton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,970
From: Goochland, Va.
Front alignment, bump steer kits, lowered front

So comments on al this....along with front tires.

I was thinking about this http://www.spohn.net/?action=product&pid=1802 kit.

and going with a MT sportmans front designed for the heavier cars....

any thoughts, I also want to know where some of you guys are running for caster/camber and how much toe in your running if any.

I need to do mine again...the a-arms keep moving
Old Jun 10, 2008 | 08:39 PM
  #2  
The Engineer's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,388
From: Moore Oklahoma
Originally Posted by mdacton
So comments on al this....along with front tires.

I was thinking about this http://www.spohn.net/?action=product&pid=1802 kit.

and going with a MT sportmans front designed for the heavier cars....

any thoughts, I also want to know where some of you guys are running for caster/camber and how much toe in your running if any.

I need to do mine again...the a-arms keep moving
I'm not an expert on bump-steer, however, one of the Pro-Mod guys I know was having a big issue with bump-steer in the first 330. He was out-of-control with first being back on the wheelie-bars (light load on the front-end) and then the down track transition with the front loaded-up.

Here's the funny part. One of his Pro-Mod competitors is the local front-end and chassis alignment guru (David, the guy that did my alignment). And, he wouldn't talk with David to get some help (he fought the problem for months). David goes down the track straight every time and that is something to be said for a Pro-Mod car.

All I remember on my front-end alighment now is; the toe-in (left & right) is set to -.005. I could call David about the castor and camber setting on my car, he has a high-tech digital alignment system.

WD

Last edited by The Engineer; Jun 10, 2008 at 08:42 PM.
Old Jun 10, 2008 | 08:45 PM
  #3  
mdacton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,970
From: Goochland, Va.
Originally Posted by The Engineer
All I remember on my front-end alighment now is; the toe-in (left & right) is set to -.005. I could call David about the castor and camber setting on my car, he has a high-tech digital alignment system.

WD
I have the tools and a few shops with good alignment racks....and talked with a few chassis shops/ builders and everyone has a different opinion. I know about where I need to be......and the guy that did it last time showed me how to set it up. I just wanted opinions.

What do you think about that bup steer kit? I have a stock rack and spohn k-member. The tie rods are way out of line with the front fenders 26.5" to the ground.

I also want to keep the car a little les violent taking off. Maybe limiters are next
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 05:49 AM
  #4  
tomcowle's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 463
From: GENEVA, Ohio
Why are you switching to the heavy front tire? Do you street drive the car ever?

Top secret front alignment specs here, however you can plot your own bumpsteer with a laser (home depot)hung off your front hub and a piece of graphboard posted on a wall in front of your car. Its a little bit of work, but you'll learn a ton.

Bumpsteer kits are pretty cheap spend the dime if you need it.
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 09:51 AM
  #5  
OneFlyn95z28's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 1,431
From: Pacific North West
I am running the kit. Helped ALOT!

You can plot bump steer with a protractor and a jack
Old Jun 11, 2008 | 09:25 PM
  #6  
mdacton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,970
From: Goochland, Va.
I spent some loot at a circle track place today.

got the longacre stuff and adapters to do the alignmant. I have turn plates.


Tom...PM me somewhere to get close, I might pay you.

I'm going to order the bumpsteer kit. Just won't have it til nmext week.

I thought those tires would help.....They are for heavier cars and this car is right over 3k. The tires on it look like they are about to bust all the time with 50 psi in them
Old Jun 12, 2008 | 07:02 AM
  #7  
The Engineer's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,388
From: Moore Oklahoma
Originally Posted by mdacton
I thought those tires would help.....They are for heavier cars and this car is right over 3k. The tires on it look like they are about to bust all the time with 50 psi in them
I'm running the regular Goodyear front-runners (26" tall) and typically have about 46-48 PSI in them. They don't look too overloaded, and they are very light (less rotating mass).

WD

Old Jun 12, 2008 | 05:35 PM
  #8  
mdacton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,970
From: Goochland, Va.
Originally Posted by OneFlyn95z28
I am running the kit. Helped ALOT!

You can plot bump steer with a protractor and a jack
how did the car feels afterwards?

Mine feels like the steering gets really loose when you leave then gets tight after the tires come down. I'm thinking this kit should fix that
Old Jun 12, 2008 | 07:54 PM
  #9  
Z-RATED94's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,557
From: Carol Stream, Il.
So with a low 10 or 11 second car, how much reduction in et are we talking about? Less than a tenth, or a decent amount, which I would consider about 2 tenths.
Old Jun 12, 2008 | 10:25 PM
  #10  
mdacton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,970
From: Goochland, Va.
Originally Posted by Z-RATED94
So with a low 10 or 11 second car, how much reduction in et are we talking about? Less than a tenth, or a decent amount, which I would consider about 2 tenths.
no way your going to get 2 tenths.....

I would guess a few hundreths, witch is alot imo
Old Jun 12, 2008 | 10:32 PM
  #11  
Z-RATED94's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,557
From: Carol Stream, Il.
Originally Posted by mdacton
no way your going to get 2 tenths.....

I would guess a few hundreths, witch is alot imo
Your a die hard then, and I am not. But thanks for replying.
Old Jun 12, 2008 | 10:36 PM
  #12  
mdacton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,970
From: Goochland, Va.
Originally Posted by Z-RATED94
Your a die hard then, and I am not. But thanks for replying.
when you do an entire car and find 10 or 15 things it all starts to add up.

I will take what I can get.
Old Jun 13, 2008 | 08:28 AM
  #13  
The Engineer's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,388
From: Moore Oklahoma
Originally Posted by mdacton
when you do an entire car and find 10 or 15 things it all starts to add up.

I will take what I can get.
I lowered my ride-height by 1-1/2", took 60 pounds off the front and realigned the front-end and my trap MPH increased from 120 to 123+.

Several of those little things that add-up.

WD
Old Jun 13, 2008 | 10:17 AM
  #14  
Z-RATED94's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,557
From: Carol Stream, Il.
I understand the small details add up. But with limited time and money I might find a better route to go. One example would be, wait until I can buy an aftermarket k member, then worry about applying this added knowlegde.
Old Jun 13, 2008 | 11:39 AM
  #15  
mdacton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,970
From: Goochland, Va.
I ahve the k-member and every thing up front allready.....I'm just trying to get it all "tuned in"



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:47 AM.