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Best suspension parts for street/strip car

9K views 18 replies 6 participants last post by  usnavyame70 
#1 · (Edited)
I am doing some engine/converter upgrades and also hoping to make it to the track much more than I have. (total of 0 times the last 2 years!) Here is a list of what I have:

Front: QA1 single adjustable coilovers, with the BBC springs - not sure if these are rated at 450 or 550 lbs. (I am sure back then I was convinced I needed the stiffest spring available.) 1 1/8" front sway bar, battery is in stock location.

Rear - Bilstein shocks, BMR 2" lowering springs, UMI tubular lowers, uppers will soon be Spohn adjustable uppers, currently using OEM units. Also running rear stock sway bar.

I have a bench seat and the roads are straight around here, so I am not too concerned about giving up some street handling characteristics for better 60' times.

I did just read the "Tips to Make your car perform better!" thread, and that is what got me thinking about a thread like this.
 
#2 ·
Jeremy

As far as a converter. You need to get a chassis dyno and find where you power is and get with a converter company. Let them know your tires and gears too.

Suspension wise. For the strip, get rid of the front sway bar. Im not familiar with your front shocks, but you need to have 6" of front end travel. Stock springs may can work if you have 6" of travel. If not Stanhuff springs and Moroso springs would be better. There are some tricks you can do there. Check with crazydavey and Bob West post on double nutting.

The rear you need 3 degrees of pinion angle. Your springs are ok. Loose the sway bar and get a bolt in anti roll bar like the BMR. Get a matching set of shocks that go with the front ones. You can again check with crazydavey and Bob West.

Both of the these guys post and success are well known and documented here.
 
#13 ·
Suspension wise. For the strip, get rid of the front sway bar. Im not familiar with your front shocks, but you need to have 6" of front end travel. Stock springs may can work if you have 6" of travel. If not Stanhuff springs and Moroso springs would be better. There are some tricks you can do there. Check with crazydavey and Bob West post on double nutting.
If I may hijack ;)

Since the qa1 shocks are already adjustable, I was thinking of just going to a lighter spring, say a 250-350 lb rate. (Have seen some BB guys using the 350 lb ones, hence my whim to use a 250)

Not even $40 a piece.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hal-10-250/overview/
 
#3 ·
I have nothing high tech. I have UMI adjustable uppers and boxed lowers with Varishock single adjustable shocks. Original rear springs that came installed on the car and a HR parts bolt in roll bar. Rear gear is 4.11. For the front nothing fancy KYB shocks no front sway bar and everything else is original to the car from the factory. Car 60 foot was 1.53 with a 3500 stall and 700r4 trans. Have since changed the converter to a PTC 4200 stall and now have a TH400. No times with the new setup. Best 1/8th mile is 7.35 at 91mph
 
#4 ·
So can I get the 2.5" ID Santhuff springs that will fit right over my existing QA1 coilover shock? (Doubt it since it would have to be tapered to meet the upper spring pocket correctly.) Or do I have to switch back to a full coil/shock setup.

Those anti roll bars look nice, but I was not prepared for the sticker price.
 
#8 ·
Aaron,


The converter would flash right 4k. I think it 60 so well do to the high first gear in the 700r4. Heading to the track on the 19th to see what the new th400. with a 4500 PTC converter does and still need to try out the 200 shot.
 
#10 ·
I will. With being in Florida maybe I can make the 1/8th mile list before the fast cars get a chance to run. hahah
 
#12 ·
AARON,
Matt was up here in Oak Harbor, WA. He is in Florida these days. Nobody is drag racing here in the Seattle-Tacoma area this time of year. We're rather dubious about TNTs scheduled at Pacific Raceways in FEB and MAR. Would love to actually have some early runs, weather is DOUBTFUL. Racing is even hit or miss in APR and MAY with showers or wet tracks that refuse to dry with 50-60 deg day high temps and overcast . JUN-SEP it is reliably pleasant
 
#16 ·
I was asking similar questions in my post (Viking coilovers 60 foot). Guys are running set ups cutting 1.3-1.4 range. But these type set ups are probably not going to give max travel. But I am willing to try it because like you I want an adjustable ride height and ease to get to adjustment knobs. But...if does not work I will keep the shocks and try the traditional long coils over them. I went with the 350 rates.
 
#17 ·
I don't think I'll ever be close to those 60' times with my "mouse" and 3.31 gears. May look at a gearing change once the GTO is driveable as the chevelle will become more of a track only car.
 
#19 ·
Yes I live in Pensacola Fl for now. Military is moving me again in 4 months. Bad thing is I will be heading to Atsugi Japan. So my baby will be sitting in storage at my parents house for the next 3 years.
 
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