Solid axle and autocrossing?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 440
Likes: 6
From: aumsville oregon
Solid axle and autocrossing?
Has anyone out there that has a solid axle in there car ever tryed to autocross it? I just broke Another ujoint and it took out the batwing and the new spring again. I just replaced these and am getting tired of fixing this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
Everyone that autocross with a C4 uses the dana 44 or dana 36.
Solid Axle could work.
That will open up an entire can of worms here on C4 tech.
The old Penske Camaros' that ran the SCCA Trans Am circuits in the 1960's & 1970's all had solid/ live axle 12-bolt rear diffs.
Dan Gurney won a ton of races driving those Penske DZ 302 Z28 Camaros.
BR
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 79
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
holy s**t, you've got way too much power to autox, if you have the engine and power in your signature. Not saying you can't, I think you have too much power to manage as well as the shock you are placing on those suspension and driveline components. As far as a solid axle for autox, you would loose a lot more in handling and suspension load than you would gain in duarability. I have heard of guys on here using a solid axle for drag racing, which sounds like what that car is built for.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 440
Likes: 6
From: aumsville oregon
holy s**t, you've got way too much power to autox, if you have the engine and power in your signature. Not saying you can't, I think you have too much power to manage as well as the shock you are placing on those suspension and driveline components. As far as a solid axle for autox, you would loose a lot more in handling and suspension load than you would gain in duarability. I have heard of guys on here using a solid axle for drag racing, which sounds like what that car is built for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
I do have the power that my signature states and have been autocrossing the car for the last 12 years with lots of power. It really does make the car harder to control but the look on people's face when I give the a ride while autocrossing is priceless. The rush I get when driving it makes it worth it. Since I added 150 Rwhp I only get about 4 events before something in the rear breaks . I have a local shop that thinks a 3 link system with a solid rear end would be the ticket to stop all the breakage. I'm concerned about if I don't like it you can't go back after it's been done.
R.J. Gotlieb's very bad *** 1969 540ci BBC V8 Winston Cup Chassis Big Tires on all 4 corners.
Unique ford 9" inch rear setup.
Wishbone style rear axle location setup on coilover shocks.
He ran the Silver State Classic in 1989 and averaged 180+ MPH over 90 miles on that 2 lane highway closed off for the race yearly.
His top speed that year was over 223.0 MPH.
Finished the race in 20 or 22 minutes running flat out 90% driving.
RJ was only 18 years old at the time.
He was an Indy car driver from the Los Angelous, CA area.
A magazine reporter rode shotgun.
There is a vintage video clip from a helicopter TV reporter you can watch of RJ driving BIG RED at over 180 MPH , slowing down to 140 MPH through a mountain canyon sweeping "S" section in the highway over 2 miles long.
You can here RJ on the gas hard running flat out too.
Cool Stuff.
Watch that video clip............solid axle can & will work for high speed driving or auto crossing.
I am losing my independent rear C4 setup too.
Going Live axle setup too.
Street/ Strip setup for me here.
1957 Pontiac Rear.
I just have to be different & have the 57 Pontiac Rear already too.
BR
Last edited by 87 vette 81 big girl; May 25, 2011 at 12:41 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Just curious, why a solid axle for auto-xing? Not a good choice for S2.
Busting u-joints could mean: too much HP, too much grip, hollow u-joints or too much body roll.
I've seen many C4's auto-X and breaking U-joints wasn't a big problem.
Busting u-joints could mean: too much HP, too much grip, hollow u-joints or too much body roll.
I've seen many C4's auto-X and breaking U-joints wasn't a big problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
He has a 461 CI sbc.
makes 650 rear wheel horsepower.
That means close to 800 HP at the flywheel.
Breaking U-joints is going to happen to him at those power levels.
I would not be able to keep my foot out of the gas likewise on a closed racetrack course too with his car/ engine.
BR
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver,Wa.
Here is a video of the car on the dyno. TJWONG was going for his 8 second ride and never got bucked off 
Yes the car makes 650 at the wheels.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BSLmJ-2Zt8
Yes the car makes 650 at the wheels. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BSLmJ-2Zt8
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Make sure you check what class you'll be in with a solid axle (if that matters to you).
The 90s Camaros and Corvettes ran the same engine (LT1), same wheels and tires (275/40-17), and about the same weight (3300). On a rough course, the Camaros rear got a little looser than the Vettes; they would have to lift while the Vettes just kept the hammer down. On a smooth course, they were very close.
The 90s Camaros and Corvettes ran the same engine (LT1), same wheels and tires (275/40-17), and about the same weight (3300). On a rough course, the Camaros rear got a little looser than the Vettes; they would have to lift while the Vettes just kept the hammer down. On a smooth course, they were very close.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
if hes worried about brute strength then straight axle is the way to go.
Only 2 ujoints to worry about and no spindles etc that usually go.
Bet Moser could put together somethign stout for you.
Only 2 ujoints to worry about and no spindles etc that usually go.
Bet Moser could put together somethign stout for you.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
SCCA Trans Am cars must run a live rear axel and they are some very good handling road racers.
All the cars I've see use a 3 link with a (very long) panhard bar, but the rules say 4 links and use of a watts link are also legal. I'm positive they are running cambered housings like the NASCAR road racing chassis use.
You can buy a new cambered 9" housing from Quick Performance or (if the width works out for you) a really good deal would be a used NASCAR housing from Muscle Motor Parts.
Oval track and NASCAR housings are full floaters and that is a really good idea for you to follow. Stripped drive hunbs and broken/bent axels do happen from various accidents or whatever and floater stuff is very cheap and easy to replace....
Will
All the cars I've see use a 3 link with a (very long) panhard bar, but the rules say 4 links and use of a watts link are also legal. I'm positive they are running cambered housings like the NASCAR road racing chassis use.
You can buy a new cambered 9" housing from Quick Performance or (if the width works out for you) a really good deal would be a used NASCAR housing from Muscle Motor Parts.
Oval track and NASCAR housings are full floaters and that is a really good idea for you to follow. Stripped drive hunbs and broken/bent axels do happen from various accidents or whatever and floater stuff is very cheap and easy to replace....
Will
I have a 3 link with a spool, skinnies, slicks, no swaybars, drag shocks, etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
Your Rear tires are doing the steering for You Willie off the line on a hard launch.
No Autocross tracks here in IL except for Rt 66 if they allow you on the NASCAR track there.
I have the drag race bug again thanks in large part to You Willie.
Your photos of Your 84 C4 launching over & over.
No Autocross tracks here in IL except for Rt 66 if they allow you on the NASCAR track there.
I have the drag race bug again thanks in large part to You Willie.
Your photos of Your 84 C4 launching over & over.
