C3 Drag Racing
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
C3 Drag Racing
I was wondering if any of you drag race you C3s and can actually get it to hook with the stock suspension set up, or if you just wheel-hop your way into a broken rearend?
I was thinking about going with a 6-link draglink suspension to get my car to hook better. I would appreciate any of you drag racers to tell me what suspension setup works best for you and what kind of times (mainly concerned about 60' times) you are running on it. If you have any 60' times on stock rear suspension, I'd like to hear them too. Thanks alot!
-Chase
1999 Trans Am
1976 Corvette (6.0L LQ4/TH400, NX Wet Kit )
I was thinking about going with a 6-link draglink suspension to get my car to hook better. I would appreciate any of you drag racers to tell me what suspension setup works best for you and what kind of times (mainly concerned about 60' times) you are running on it. If you have any 60' times on stock rear suspension, I'd like to hear them too. Thanks alot!
-Chase
1999 Trans Am
1976 Corvette (6.0L LQ4/TH400, NX Wet Kit )
Last edited by aggie-chase; Jul 3, 2008 at 12:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
I have a 77 that I drag race occasionally. It has a mild 383 in it. My best 60 ft is 1.74, on drag radials - 3 runs so far. ET on that run was 12.80. On street tires it was erratic, but best 60 ft times were 1.8 with best ET of 12.90. Other times it would go 2.0, 13.3. No wheelhop at all with either tire. I have a stock replacement 9 leaf spring with stock type shocks in the back. Stock up front too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 7
From: Katy (Houston) TX
CI 7-8 Veteran
Unless you're talking big power you can get some decent traction with relatively minor adjustments/investment. Main things are stiffening the rear spring, limiting squat, and good shocks. What kind of power are you talking and what's your plans/goals?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Right now, the car makes around 350rwhp N/A, and it has a 150(rwhp) wet shot. So figure around 500rwhp with spray and just shy of 600hp at the flywheel. 3500 stall speed (TH400). No trans brake. The car weighs about 2900lbs.
I haven't had chance to run it at the track yet, but with a decent launch, I dont see low 11s being a problem. I have a Gymkhana rear spring and I also have a base model corvette spring. Do you think the Gymkhana would be better or would that be too stiff for drag racing? I have never used IRS in a drag car, just straight axles. What shocks would be good choice? Thanks for yall's input.
-Chase
1999 Trans Am
1976 Corvette (6.0L LQ4/TH400, NX Wet Kit)
I haven't had chance to run it at the track yet, but with a decent launch, I dont see low 11s being a problem. I have a Gymkhana rear spring and I also have a base model corvette spring. Do you think the Gymkhana would be better or would that be too stiff for drag racing? I have never used IRS in a drag car, just straight axles. What shocks would be good choice? Thanks for yall's input.
-Chase
1999 Trans Am
1976 Corvette (6.0L LQ4/TH400, NX Wet Kit)
Last edited by aggie-chase; Jul 3, 2008 at 01:38 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 816
Likes: 107
I think you are pushing the rear end too hard with the squeeze but you will be ok on the motor. You have an auto trans so that helps out greatly. I have a stock replacement 9 leaf on my car and new Bilstiens, I am running a 325/50/15 Mickey T Drrag radial. I do not have a problem nor have I ever had a problem with wheel hop but my big problem is traction....Too much of it
I am running an decently built small block with a 4 speed and I have been through two sets of spindles. Either a 5000 rpm launch and a 3000 rpm launch snapped the spindels like tooth pics and on the street
I have not even made it to the track yet. I also have a 250 spray kit but have not bother with it yet because I am breaking stuff on the engine.
Get you some good tires and come out off the bottle, as soon as you get the car settled spray away and I think you will be fine. I would definitely recomment the Mickey DR's theyt bite hard
I am running an decently built small block with a 4 speed and I have been through two sets of spindles. Either a 5000 rpm launch and a 3000 rpm launch snapped the spindels like tooth pics and on the street I have not even made it to the track yet. I also have a 250 spray kit but have not bother with it yet because I am breaking stuff on the engine.Get you some good tires and come out off the bottle, as soon as you get the car settled spray away and I think you will be fine. I would definitely recomment the Mickey DR's theyt bite hard
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Yeah, I know that its kind of pushing the limits of the rearend, but its actually an upgrade from the crappy 7.625" rear that I have in my trans am. I have managed to not break it yet even with a T56/drag radials/race clutch launching at 4k.
I just can't justify spending $5K on a full rearend and suspension build for this car until I reach a certain point of frustration with breaking the existing setup. The TH400 wont be nearly as brutal as a 4 speed is (which was what was in it), so hope fully it will last.
Would there be a huge advantage at the drag strip going with Bilstein/QA1's or some other adjustable shock over just a fresh replacement set of shocks? What about beefing up/replacing some of the existing suspension links?
I just can't justify spending $5K on a full rearend and suspension build for this car until I reach a certain point of frustration with breaking the existing setup. The TH400 wont be nearly as brutal as a 4 speed is (which was what was in it), so hope fully it will last.
Would there be a huge advantage at the drag strip going with Bilstein/QA1's or some other adjustable shock over just a fresh replacement set of shocks? What about beefing up/replacing some of the existing suspension links?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 816
Likes: 107
I hear you on that one....I need that beefy 12 bolt IRS set up but dont have the $5k for it at the moment. I am already frustrated with breaking it so right now no spray and just putt putt on the street.
As far as shock I can not make a good suggestion because I have only used the Bilsteins and I have been happy, however I am using poly bushing and as I mentione the car hooks very very hard. I would use the Bilsteins and eveyone here ravs about the Q1a so thats what I would use.
What tires are you using?
As far as shock I can not make a good suggestion because I have only used the Bilsteins and I have been happy, however I am using poly bushing and as I mentione the car hooks very very hard. I would use the Bilsteins and eveyone here ravs about the Q1a so thats what I would use.
What tires are you using?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
MT ET Street Radials. I did a body off restoration, so everything has brand new poly bushings. Do those 325's fit in the stock wheel wells?
Anyone else, feel free to chime in.
Anyone else, feel free to chime in.
Last edited by aggie-chase; Jul 3, 2008 at 03:40 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I bet that car runs better then low 11s with 500rwhp and only 2900lbs with an auto and decent stall..... Hell I bet it runs mid 11s on motor....probably mid 10s on spray if it hooks......Let us know how it comes out....
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Yeah, I wouldn't be too shocked if it made a 10 second pass, but I don't want to set the bar too high right off the bat. It has the power, just not sure about the launch.
So is the consensus a set of good shocks and a regular 9 leaf spring? I do have a stiffer spring if that would be better.
Any more 60' times?
So is the consensus a set of good shocks and a regular 9 leaf spring? I do have a stiffer spring if that would be better.
Any more 60' times?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 735
From: Youngstown Ohio
I was wondering if any of you drag race you C3s and can actually get it to hook with the stock suspension set up, or if you just wheel-hop your way into a broken rearend?
I was thinking about going with a 6-link draglink suspension to get my car to hook better. I would appreciate any of you drag racers to tell me what suspension setup works best for you and what kind of times (mainly concerned about 60' times) you are running on it. If you have any 60' times on stock rear suspension, I'd like to hear them too. Thanks alot!
-Chase
1999 Trans Am
1976 Corvette (6.0L LQ4/TH400, NX Wet Kit )
I was thinking about going with a 6-link draglink suspension to get my car to hook better. I would appreciate any of you drag racers to tell me what suspension setup works best for you and what kind of times (mainly concerned about 60' times) you are running on it. If you have any 60' times on stock rear suspension, I'd like to hear them too. Thanks alot!
-Chase
1999 Trans Am
1976 Corvette (6.0L LQ4/TH400, NX Wet Kit )
Footbraking the converter at 2000 rpm on MT ET Street Radials, 60' times so far are in the 1.6 range. With more practice I'm sure I can go quicker, as this combo works well for me.
Note time slip....
Note holeshot in video...
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
use poly bushing in the rear end snubber and i hear that vbp sells alluminum disks that stiffen the rubber bushings that hold the rear crossmember to the frame, the tech guy told me it stops wheel hop? Any body try these things?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 7
From: Katy (Houston) TX
CI 7-8 Veteran
Yeah, you're really going to pushing the limits of the parts in and around the rear end. I would definitely go with the stiffer spring and some quality shocks. I personally wasn't satisfied until I finally stepped up to QA1's. As far as replacing stock parts, I would replace the outer stub axles first to the beefier Tom's axles. Better u-joints (Spicer) too. After that you're looking at better half shafts and built rear end.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
With 500 RWHP you better start saving your $ for a Tom's setup or back half the car. Even with an automatic with sticky tires and that much power you will grenade that stock rear end quick.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: North Bend Ohio