Went a new best 60' lastnight. I decided to leave the timing where it was for lastnight and play with the airbags to see what I could figure out. They were doing doorslammer qualifying so we had awesome track prep for a test n tune.

With the air bags the best 60' I could do was a 1.59 smile.gif and an ET of 11.82. I don't have the timeslip b/c I'm at work, I'll post it later. That was with 9 lbs in the bag. Still not my best ET I was better all the way to the eight mile but I believe I shifted a little late(need a playback tach).

I decided to see what it would act like without the airbags so I pulled them back out and the best 60 I could get was a 1.61 and it launches a whole lot straighter with the airbags. I really am hoping that the SSM lift bars help now as the airbags will be going back in.

Thanks for all your help, I'm still amazed it pulled that kind of 60 with original old shocks and control arms. Is there anything better to add besides the SSM Bars?

maybe Hotchkiss lowers and adjustable uppers,my best to date with SSM and air bags is 1.64 on drag radials.

Robert, it's impossible to run Hotchiss lowers and SSM bars at the same time. smile.gif They go in the same place.

The SSM bars are already installed?

A sway bar will help tie both side together. When the right tires tries to lift, the bar will let the left tire force it back down.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I just graduated college so looking for a good job using the degree so I can afford all of these go-fast parts!! :D


Pat, No the SSM bars are not installed yet, I still need to order them. I guess I'll get the Jegster bars. This was on stock control arms with the original bushings and original shocks to the car. Just the airbags were the only modification.

Matt

I knew that Pat smile.gif I thought he was asking if there was anything better than SSM bars...I love mine graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Robert, I figured you did but was concerned that others might misunderstand.

You need to set the pinion angle when you install the SSM/Jegs bars. Also, I found, along with some others, that the sway bar holes in the SSM bars are slightly forward of the stock holes. I had to grind a bit on the bar for it to fit. Not a big deal. You're getting excellent 60' times already considering what you have. I'll bet that by the time you get good springs and shocks in the front and good shocks and new bushings in the back, with the SSM bars and a sway bar, you'll be in the very low 1.50's or better.

1.59 with a stock suspension..very impressive graemlins/thumbsup.gif :cool:

Big motor,low gears, hooks damn good for stock set up. I'd be happy to get back in the 1.6x range, don't think it will happen til I get some softer Hoosiers back on there. All the more reason to melt these M/T's down next time at the track :D

Thanks guys, I'm saving my $$ so I can hopefully get some better shocks and control arms.

Pat, what springs should I get? With the shocks, I don't see myself being able to afford the Koni's or anything for a long while, is there anything else that I should maybe try? Summit, or Competition Engineering. I know a lot of guys say they are junk, but considering mine are 30 years old??

Thanks Chris for the compliment, hopefully the car has a lot left in it when I learn how to tune!! graemlins/clonk.gif I'm going to order a jet kit so I can try to jet it soon.

Matt

Thanks Robert, I've got the M/T but I don't have anything to compare them too, but they seem to be hooking good, they are the 28x10.50 Stiff sidewall, I believe the M5 compound. Thanks for the compliment.

Matt

Rather than go through and list all the various combos, run a search. I'm using CE shocks front and rear but don't hook as well as you do. However, they are an improvement over stock shocks. Some guys like a gas shock in the front, and I can see how that would work pretty well. If you are planning on going with "Good" shocks in the future, CE, or Summit or gas shocks will hold you for a while. You might find the worn out front shocks are as good as anything you can buy. Years ago, guys use to drill a hole and drain out the fluid so they would extend easily smile.gif .

Front springs are another area of controversy. I've had very good luck with Moroso's springs but many don't like them. Rear springs are much less of an issue. Stock springs should be fine.

I would tread easily, though, you already have excellent 60" times and it will be easy to make them worse.

On my Cutlass I have Edelbrock adjustable uppers, SSM lowers, QA1 12 way shocks (big difference), and stock springs and air bags, 5 and 17.

I am only getting a 1.70 60 ft but it dead hooks every time even on a pretty slick track.

28x11.5 Hoosier QTP, 4.10, T400

Thanks everybody!
Pat, I know what you mean, I think I'll make one change at a time. I might try drilling a whole in the fronts, I've heard of people doing that. As for the back I think the next change will be to the lift bars! Does that sound like a decent plan?

Thanks,

Matt

Originally posted by TwoLane Racer:
QA1 12 way shocks (big difference)
Please explain the big difference with the QA1's

Have you tried the "Shock Nut Change" using $29 gas shocks?

SSM Bars will help maintain what you have when traction is marginal, or if you add more power, looser converter, etc. it will help plant the tires to get that quicker 60 ft, But don't expect any improvement just by adding the bars if you are already hooking the car. I feel they are a worth while investment all day long.

Use the air bags and a spotter in the stands to get the car to launch without any twisting, that will surely get you quicker 60 ft times for some "Free Air" and maybe a burger and a beer.

Thanks again everyone for the help!

Tom, I tried the shock nut trick on a extremely hot day when the track was marginal. I made one pass with it, but like I say it was an inconsistent track all day. I plan on trying it again next test n tune. Lastnight was the best test n tune a guy could hope for, they were qualifying doorslammers for the weekend so the track was awesome to say the least.

Do you possibly see me losing anything by going to the SSM bars? If it probably won't help, I can atleast expect the same out of the car hopefully??

Thanks again!

Matt

Matt,

I don't see you loosing anything at all, With near perfect track conditions it is hard to miss a best 60 ft situation or oppurtunity.

BUT as we all know these conditions can be few and far between so the SSM's will help you have the ability to put more power to the wheels, help maintain traction if the track is not optimal like your most recent outing, and most important provide a higher level of consistency.

A True Tuning procedure usually starts with the 60 ft in a street/strip ride and without a consistent 60 ft over a variety of track conditions, tuning experiments have very little if any merit or conclusions at all.

Put them on Matt, they are well worth it.

Hope this helps....

Originally posted by mc71454:


A True Tuning procedure usually starts with the 60 ft in a street/strip ride and without a consistent 60 ft over a variety of track conditions, tuning experiments have very little if any merit or conclusions at all.
Very True, the Smart racer will tune his burnout, staging and launching procedures before tuning the engine.

Thanks Tom that helps, I'll get a set hopefully before the 13th. The heads up class I've been racing in is going to Heartland Park Topeka, I've never ran at a big track like that before, should be fun.

Thanks everybody,

Matt