FWD Wheelie Bars - Discussion

[95SleeperAcheiva]

first, NHRA/IHRA rules require .5" suspension travel per wheel.
2nd, no suspension movement would be....dangerous.

FWD ladder bars. I tried to take a look at the "prodrag" cavalier GM had a few years ago, to see their 4-link setup in the front, I couldn't get a good look. Anyone have a pic of that?

as for suspension mod in rear....

I have yet to install them, but I bought 2 4" diameter 12" long pieces of heavy nylon. I plan on cutting them to within 1/2" of the bottoming bumper inside the rear coil spring, and installing these nylon "spacers" there. That will effectively keep the rear of the car from dropping more then 1/2" at launch.

I've recorded my launch and even with the eibach springs I get a good 1-2 inchs of lift on the front suspension. and I get spin. which sucks!

As for the wheelie bars, NHRA/IHRA rules state the wheels must free spool. So they can be as close to the ground as possible just as long as you can spin the wheelie bars and they not hit the ground. This is of course when the car is level on level ground, stationary.

What i want to know is, are the wheelie bars on FWD attached to the rear suspension like a RWD car or the frame?

I have also considered jacking up the rear end and going "redneck" but I considered the after effects on loss of aerodynamics and stability at higher speeds. Granted with a trap speed of 90+MPH that currently isn't an issue but...one can dream of future possibilities.

[bszopi]

http://www.kenskustomchassis.com/FWD_Wheelie_Bars.htm

[Superdave]

digging this back up again..

After seeing some videos and shots of my car launching i can see the back tucking down 1-2".. i bought some bump stops from Autozone and plan on installing them similar to how 95SleeperAcheiva was saying. Will post pics of the install in a couple days.

I haven't decided if i'm going to set the back end right on them or give some travel room, they have long studs so shims would solve that...

Thoughts?


the stops are similar to these:

[95SleeperAcheiva]

BRAD! Ladder bars, not wheelie bars! lol but ya that answered how the wheelie bars are mounted on FWD.

I love the bump stops! On my Achieva there already is a factory bump stop inside the coil spring, rears. They do feel mushy. But if I yank them out will those bump stops you found reach high enough? You got a measurement on them?

[Mars]

I've always though that wheelie bars would be more of a strictly drag car only thing. I consider my car about 3 seconds too slow to have them. heh.

I have Belltech (susp. techniques) springs in mine with gas-a-justs out back along with Airlift 1000 bags. Stock front struts

I've cut some 1.75 60' and average about 1.85's on a good track with hot slicks launching at 3000.

Here is a pic at stand still with the bags aired up :


And launching :





Stock second gen with 140 HP and likely worn out suspension, LOL :

[95SleeperAcheiva]

LMAO WOW what a difference in stance from the stocker and you! Yours looks like she launches level! Just like my '70 Cutlass would do in pro-stock. Ass all up in the air but when she launched she went level.

Air bags huh?

I've considered clamping a few of the front springs coils so they could spread too....


I went looking for the Air-lift bags. Under $90! I can't even afford that right now, but.... I'll steal it out of the wifes purse! :P

[Superdave]

here is mine staged (hard to see but it's raked)


and coming off the line..

[Mars]

Your car sits low.

I'd like to see how you make out with the bump stop idea though...

[Superdave]

I took apart the rear end tonight, came up with some ideas for the bump stops but as it sits there is only a 3/4" gap between the stock stops and the top of the spring seat. That ends up being a little under 2" at the wheel.

I'm thinking about leaving it alone and either picking up some bags or a pair of air shocks. The problem with air shocks is that i don't want to jack the back end up 6" off the tires at 120 PSI..

[robertisaar]

the Elky has air shocks rated for 250PSI.... that a lot of lift for a car/truck that sits 4-6" off the ground...

[Superdave]

air bags fully inflated..




I let it back down, it's sitting at stock height right now, looks like Mars's pic but the front is a little lower..

[robertisaar]

i say drive around like that to fuck with all the ricers

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

i think wheelie bars = good.

[Mars]

Unrelated, sorry, but Dave are those stock 15's or are they the GTU 16's ? They look just wicked on there !

[Superdave]

they're GTU/Indy 16's. I keep them on most of the time, the chrome 17's rub in the front and are heavy as hell. I have the centercaps on them now.


Thanks, lol