(this would be a good start)
Drag suspension
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Drag suspension
I took my car to the 1/4 mile for the first time since doing a few mods. Last time out at the track I had exhaust and a Superchips tune. I ran a 13.30.
Since then, I've added a Blackwing CAI, Vararam air bridge, ARH 1-7/8 inch LT's, 3 inch X-pipe with high flow cats, Borla Stingers, Yank 3800 stall, and 3.42 diff. Here's my new time slip.
I was extremely disappointed with my 60ft. I spun like crazy off the line, even when I babied it out under 2k. I was on 17 inch ET streets with 15psi in them. I don't think my tires are my problem, I believe it's my suspension. My stock suspension is as low as possible. Front bolts are removed, and rear bolts have 2 threads showing up top. So my question is, what kind of coilovers or shocks are the best for drag racing, but will still let me keep my car low?
Since then, I've added a Blackwing CAI, Vararam air bridge, ARH 1-7/8 inch LT's, 3 inch X-pipe with high flow cats, Borla Stingers, Yank 3800 stall, and 3.42 diff. Here's my new time slip.
I was extremely disappointed with my 60ft. I spun like crazy off the line, even when I babied it out under 2k. I was on 17 inch ET streets with 15psi in them. I don't think my tires are my problem, I believe it's my suspension. My stock suspension is as low as possible. Front bolts are removed, and rear bolts have 2 threads showing up top. So my question is, what kind of coilovers or shocks are the best for drag racing, but will still let me keep my car low?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 190
From: Indiana PA
Like in road racing/auto-x weight transfer is important. IF the car is too low then little or no weight transfer. Which means no traction under braking, acceleration, turning. Take it back to stock ride height and see if that helps. It is technically more complex than this but for all intents and purposes, I'm willing to bet stock ride height would help you more than just a bit.
Maybe I'm totally wrong on this but for what its worth that is my 2 cents.
IF the rear cannot squat under acceleration how do you expect to get traction?
Maybe I'm totally wrong on this but for what its worth that is my 2 cents.
IF the rear cannot squat under acceleration how do you expect to get traction?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
I took my car to the 1/4 mile for the first time since doing a few mods. Last time out at the track I had exhaust and a Superchips tune. I ran a 13.30.
Since then, I've added a Blackwing CAI, Vararam air bridge, ARH 1-7/8 inch LT's, 3 inch X-pipe with high flow cats, Borla Stingers, Yank 3800 stall, and 3.42 diff. Here's my new time slip.
I was extremely disappointed with my 60ft. I spun like crazy off the line, even when I babied it out under 2k. I was on 17 inch ET streets with 15psi in them. I don't think my tires are my problem, I believe it's my suspension. My stock suspension is as low as possible. Front bolts are removed, and rear bolts have 2 threads showing up top. So my question is, what kind of coilovers or shocks are the best for drag racing, but will still let me keep my car low?
Since then, I've added a Blackwing CAI, Vararam air bridge, ARH 1-7/8 inch LT's, 3 inch X-pipe with high flow cats, Borla Stingers, Yank 3800 stall, and 3.42 diff. Here's my new time slip.
I was extremely disappointed with my 60ft. I spun like crazy off the line, even when I babied it out under 2k. I was on 17 inch ET streets with 15psi in them. I don't think my tires are my problem, I believe it's my suspension. My stock suspension is as low as possible. Front bolts are removed, and rear bolts have 2 threads showing up top. So my question is, what kind of coilovers or shocks are the best for drag racing, but will still let me keep my car low?
Robert
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
ttt
If this is all you have done to the car not that bad really with that slow of 60ft time. I see you are friends with Bret if you are close to him get him to look at the car and help you man. Bret is a great guy and know his stuff in these cars...... Robert
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
That 60ft is horrible. There have been Many cars with nearly identical setups cutting 1.5 60fts. And when I can feel and hear my tires spinning like crazy off the line, obviously a big adjustment needs to be made lol.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Like in road racing/auto-x weight transfer is important. IF the car is too low then little or no weight transfer. Which means no traction under braking, acceleration, turning. Take it back to stock ride height and see if that helps. It is technically more complex than this but for all intents and purposes, I'm willing to bet stock ride height would help you more than just a bit.
Maybe I'm totally wrong on this but for what its worth that is my 2 cents.
IF the rear cannot squat under acceleration how do you expect to get traction?
Maybe I'm totally wrong on this but for what its worth that is my 2 cents.
IF the rear cannot squat under acceleration how do you expect to get traction?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Hmmm....
Reading the post , I think with that setup you should be running faster and Suspension work is not really required. Do you have a Tuning program also a Drag pack will help out greatly and Finally Just plain seat time Getting used to the car is more important than add on's. In your coupe do you have ride selection?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 8
From: Still the Fastest (still running) Stock Bottom End Blown LS1/ 2010 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Hamilton, NJ
Im still running stock f55 suspension with 17 inch drag radials. 1.42 is my best 60, normal are in the 1.5-1.6 range.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,254
Likes: 136
From: Short Hills, NJ
Depends on track prep and power level. Back in the day running 10-12psi (I've even seen as low as 9 1/2 
) wasn't unheard of in a manual C5 but with the wide array of better clutches out today and the smarter launch techniques perfected by the well known late model Corvette stick drivers out there I don't think 15 is too high anymore, especially with a 17" ET Street and an automatic trans. 
I'd even consider going a little higher in pressure or even to a drag radial.
) wasn't unheard of in a manual C5 but with the wide array of better clutches out today and the smarter launch techniques perfected by the well known late model Corvette stick drivers out there I don't think 15 is too high anymore, especially with a 17" ET Street and an automatic trans. I'd even consider going a little higher in pressure or even to a drag radial.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,029
Likes: 85
From: Palm Coast, FL
I'm gonna raise the 
lol
Here's a couple more (60 ') examples - stock suspension:
1.344 - paint it black vette
1.378 - myself
[I don't think any of our cars sit like a 4X4s ]
lolHere's a couple more (60 ') examples - stock suspension:
1.344 - paint it black vette
1.378 - myself
[I don't think any of our cars sit like a 4X4s
]
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,446
Likes: 1
From: 10.70 @ 124mph, Stock Bottom End @ 3620lbs, ECS Racing Team Member. The 1st NMCA LSX Index Rumble World Champion. 2011,12,13 Champion
*I run 19 to 19.5 in MT Drag Radials. I have gone 10.70's without any issues.
*I suggest stock ride height.
Remove front sway bar.
*At you ET I would not suggest coil overs, adjustable shocks........ I am using the original shocks (35,000 miles 98 model). I removed my sway bar. I do drive my car on the street. I do notice a difference but for me it is not that bad. I know some other people that have noticed a huge difference driving on the street w/o the sway bar.
*Take baby steps, make one change at a time, this way you will see if you are going in the right direction.
Track conditions play a huge part in this. Was it humid? This will cause the track to go away.
Your MPH is not far off the ET. Normally with wheel spin you will see a strange numbers.
What was the weather conditions for this run?
Good Luck.
*I suggest stock ride height.
Remove front sway bar.
*At you ET I would not suggest coil overs, adjustable shocks........ I am using the original shocks (35,000 miles 98 model). I removed my sway bar. I do drive my car on the street. I do notice a difference but for me it is not that bad. I know some other people that have noticed a huge difference driving on the street w/o the sway bar.
*Take baby steps, make one change at a time, this way you will see if you are going in the right direction.
Track conditions play a huge part in this. Was it humid? This will cause the track to go away.
Your MPH is not far off the ET. Normally with wheel spin you will see a strange numbers.
What was the weather conditions for this run?
Good Luck.
or do ya wanna cut some better short times?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
At stock ride height I have so much wheel gap it's sickening. That's why I was looking for a product recommendation. I ran the ETs at 15psi because that's what I read was appropriate for my car's weight on the Mickey Thompson website. I'll try removing the front sway bar, but I'm extremely hesitant about raising the car back up.
As for the track conditions, it was in the low 70s and seemed pretty dry.
(It's at stock ride height in my default pic)
Here it is now.
As for the track conditions, it was in the low 70s and seemed pretty dry.
(It's at stock ride height in my default pic)
Here it is now.
Last edited by Sick C5; Nov 1, 2011 at 10:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 8
From: Still the Fastest (still running) Stock Bottom End Blown LS1/ 2010 ECS CC 10.50 CHAMP Hamilton, NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
The 60ft here may not be that bad with how you have the car set up at the time... Alot of the guys in here dont tell you what all is in the car and how it is set up. But lowered to the ground with the bolts is not good for the 1/4 mile as you know... Robert
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Thanks for the kind words guys. I may go after a drag pack here soon. My goal is to run 11s with bolt ons. I think with a little more traction and a good dyno tune it's completely possible.