pressing down on the front end of my car to get the low side measurment then picking it up (by hand) and letting it settle down on its own for the high side and splitting the difference i get 26.75 through the spindal to the bottom of the well opening. placing a floor jack under the crossmember and raising the car till it feels like i run out of suspension travel, there is a rise of about 3". raising the car untill the front tires just get light under them there is a rise of 4.5". does this about sound right? if not, what needs to be changed? and what are the numbers that i need? thanks Dave

remeasured at the front bumper (instead of the wheel opening) as this showes more of a rise. It looks like the is about 5.5" of rise in the front end at the bumper. Ideas? thanks Dave

Along with keeping your thread up here for an answer - I am curious - Why does this measurement matter outside of hitting the bump stops or scraping headers? Is there a performance aspect to it or what? What are you taking these measurements for - can you elaborate? Just for the uninformed such as myself.

Just have never heard (I am certain it is due to my own ignorance) of the usefulleness of these measurements or what good they are.

TIA

I can't speak for him but I would assume he is concerned about weight transfer upon launch and making sure his suspension isn't binding costing him 60' performance.

Just a guess,

Troy.

Front what I have learned...the tighter the suspension the quicker your et will be...however the tighter the suspension the greater the chance of losing traction..so there is a tradeoff, you have to know the tracks in order to sustain a good et.

Always remember if the torque from the engine is being used to raise the front of the car, that torque is not being used to move the car forward.

Originally posted by Troy70SS:
I can't speak for him but I would assume he is concerned about weight transfer upon launch and making sure his suspension isn't binding costing him 60' performance.

Just a guess,

Troy. Thanks Troy, thats kind of what I was thinking but isnt this tested at the track and adjusted with shock nut tricks, adjustable shocks, spring rates, etc? Wondering how one can effectively adjust suspension travel without knowing how the car will behave in its current configuration. Dont you need to establish a baseline and adjust from there depending on actual 60 ft times reflected before and after change?

Is there is a base / standard number for suspension travel? It seems it would really vary from car to car and combo to combo only to be dialed in by the owner referencing time slips, 60 ft, etc and making necessary adjustments for that specific car. Just inquiring as this is new to me.

MM - I think your assumptions are correct. It's mostly trial and error with a little educated guessing.

I would disagree a certain amount with Mike a little by saying if you don't have some lifting in the front end you probably are not getting good weight trasnfer. The trick is to find the best compromise.

Troy.

Do a search on my username and you'll find some information on this subject. Basically all that have posted thus far are correct. You need a minimum amount of front end travel to get adequate weigh transfer. Weight transfer is crucial to traction. Too much weight transfer = wasted motion. I've found (as others before me) that atleast 5"-6" of front end travel is needed to get a decent launch. Front travel and the rate the front end rises needs to be controlled with shock valving and possibly travel limiters depending on power, weight distribution, traction and any other number of variables. My 60' tiems aren't great but there not bad when you factor in the weight of the car, tire size, gearing and fact that's it's NA. A few years ago I thought all you need was tons of power to pull the front wheels/get good short times. Man was I wrong :rolleyes:

yes guys, the purpose of this post is to try and get a feel for what is needed for good 60' times. i relize track time is needed and adjustments need to be made, but some one may have some information that could save me time and money, and most of all, KEEP IT SAFE. it looks like i have the reguired amount of free travel at this point so if it is to much its just a matter of limiting the travel. thanks Dave