Stance? Is lower better?

[9secRR]

What’s the general rule about how low a car should be?
is it better being on the lower side? Or is there no benefit?

 

[toolmanmike]

What’s the general rule about how low a car should be?
is it better being on the lower side? Or is there no benefit?

View attachment 1716388450

Aerodynamically, yes. If you wheelie, it can be a bad thing. ET racing, doesn't matter as long as you are consistent.

 

[furrystump]

Like stated, aero yes, but if you need to delay the front topping out and your shock can’t do it. Lower stance will help. In the rear it depends on what rear suspension. With leaf springs it changes a bunch of things. Very important on leaf spring car, because of where the instant center is.

 

[ValiantS]

What’s the general rule about how low a car should be?
is it better being on the lower side? Or is there no benefit?

View attachment 1716388450

"It depends" When I built my Valiant, I wanted 'rake' in it for appearance. Probably the biggest concern should be to get the car to work within the limits of clearances and suspension travel. (Trans tunnel etc) Sometimes that will establish where the car is for height. There probably is some lower hanging fruit besides lowering your car to improve it aerodynamically. Also it's worthwhile to make it easier to load and unload.

 

[ValiantS]

Aerodynamically, yes. If you wheelie, it can be a bad thing. ET racing, doesn't matter as long as you are consistent.

View attachment 1716388457

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Nice! Is this your car? Care to share some details? driveline etc? PM to not derail this thread.

 

[toolmanmike]

Nice! Is this your car? Care to share some details? driveline etc? PM to not derail this thread.

It belongs to @TomMoparMan , a friend of mine.

 

[9secRR]

thanks for the replies,

i should wait and see what this new combo will do before i make any changes. that would be the smart thing to do. i don't know how the suspension is going to react since i changed the spring weights on all four corners as well as new shocks.

 

[TomMoparMan]

Nice! Is this your car? Care to share some details? driveline etc? PM to not derail this thread.

 

[TomMoparMan]

Those are a couple of older pictures. It now has full tube chassis strut front 4 link rear. Drive train is BBM 572 440-1 heads A&A torqueflight 4.30 fab9 rear tunnel ram 2 1000 cfm C&S carbs. Currently runs 5.40 in the1/8th at 127mph. Before trans improvements went 8.65 at 159 in 1/4. should run 8.50's at over 160 with the improvements. No secrets just ask.

 

[TomMoparMan]

What’s the general rule about how low a car should be?
is it better being on the lower side? Or is there no benefit?

View attachment 1716388450

 

[TomMoparMan]

Forgot to answer your question. Lower is better

 

[440outlawdart]

nhra say 3 inches off the ground if your can wheelis better have bars.lower does has a advantage

 

[9secRR]

Those are a couple of older pictures. It now has full tube chassis strut front 4 link rear. Drive train is BBM 572 440-1 heads A&A torqueflight 4.30 fab9 rear tunnel ram 2 1000 cfm C&S carbs. Currently runs 5.40 in the1/8th at 127mph. Before trans improvements went 8.65 at 159 in 1/4. should run 8.50's at over 160 with the improvements. No secrets just ask.

nice car, hauling ***!

nhra say 3 inches off the ground if your can wheelis better have bars.lower does has a advantage

no wheelie bars, going to try without first.

 

[33IMP]

It kinda depends on what lowering (or raising) does to the suspension geometry.
Lower has advantages, IF the suspension can be made to work.
New shocks and springs? I'd FOR SURE run it before making any changes/adjustments. Including lowering.

 

[9secRR]

It kinda depends on what lowering (or raising) does to the suspension geometry.
Lower has advantages, IF the suspension can be made to work.
New shocks and springs? I'd FOR SURE run it before making any changes/adjustments. Including lowering.

Yes, new shocks and springs. I’ll run it first before making any adjustments.

 

[TomMoparMan]

A friend of mine runs 9.20's with a 440 small block in a duster and no wheelie bars.

 

[9secRR]

A friend of mine runs 9.20's with a 440 small block in a duster and no wheelie bars.

i should be in the 9.0-9.10 range with the new engine. i don't want to put wheelie bars on.....another $1000.

 

[9secRR]

Easier to see the stance in the garage compared to the picture in the grass.

 

[Ottmundr]

Depends...