Would adding beadlocks change my launch?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 575
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From: Oskaloosa Iowa
Would adding beadlocks change my launch?
Its a bit of an over kill i know but last year i was having some issues with tire/rim spinning & i didn't want to put screws into the face of it so i got with CW & they hooked me up with the CW1 anodized blue (to match my car) beadlocks.
Anyway, My 60's used to be 1.45-1.48 range with the same tire & rim combo & the only change this year was adding the beadlocks & new tires (the same as last year size & brand) Hoosier QTP 28x11.5x16 - I used to run 16lbs in them & it would hook great but this past weekend it was spinning every pass with so i lowered the air pressure to 15 & it helped but still spins. I watched the video & it looks like the tire doesn't wrinkle near like the old tires did. Could this be from them just being new or did the beadlocks stiffin up the sidewall...???
I've got QA1's single 12 way adjustables on all 4 corners, fronts are set at 2 & rears at 6. Any thoughts on changes?
Anyway, My 60's used to be 1.45-1.48 range with the same tire & rim combo & the only change this year was adding the beadlocks & new tires (the same as last year size & brand) Hoosier QTP 28x11.5x16 - I used to run 16lbs in them & it would hook great but this past weekend it was spinning every pass with so i lowered the air pressure to 15 & it helped but still spins. I watched the video & it looks like the tire doesn't wrinkle near like the old tires did. Could this be from them just being new or did the beadlocks stiffin up the sidewall...???
I've got QA1's single 12 way adjustables on all 4 corners, fronts are set at 2 & rears at 6. Any thoughts on changes?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
Its a bit of an over kill i know but last year i was having some issues with tire/rim spinning & i didn't want to put screws into the face of it so i got with CW & they hooked me up with the CW1 anodized blue (to match my car) beadlocks.
Anyway, My 60's used to be 1.45-1.48 range with the same tire & rim combo & the only change this year was adding the beadlocks & new tires (the same as last year size & brand) Hoosier QTP 28x11.5x16 - I used to run 16lbs in them & it would hook great but this past weekend it was spinning every pass with so i lowered the air pressure to 15 & it helped but still spins. I watched the video & it looks like the tire doesn't wrinkle near like the old tires did. Could this be from them just being new or did the beadlocks stiffin up the sidewall...???
I've got QA1's single 12 way adjustables on all 4 corners, fronts are set at 2 & rears at 6. Any thoughts on changes?
Anyway, My 60's used to be 1.45-1.48 range with the same tire & rim combo & the only change this year was adding the beadlocks & new tires (the same as last year size & brand) Hoosier QTP 28x11.5x16 - I used to run 16lbs in them & it would hook great but this past weekend it was spinning every pass with so i lowered the air pressure to 15 & it helped but still spins. I watched the video & it looks like the tire doesn't wrinkle near like the old tires did. Could this be from them just being new or did the beadlocks stiffin up the sidewall...???
I've got QA1's single 12 way adjustables on all 4 corners, fronts are set at 2 & rears at 6. Any thoughts on changes?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Lithia FL
Cruise-In II & IV Veteran
CI VI Drag Champ!
I have not seen 16" with beadlocks. Post a pic when you can.
I little spin is not horrible. I take it you have not hooked at all yet? You had my shocks rebuilt every couple of years as they do wear are robz said.
I little spin is not horrible. I take it you have not hooked at all yet? You had my shocks rebuilt every couple of years as they do wear are robz said.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Oskaloosa Iowa
yeah I'm just trying to figure out what i'm needing to adjust to help fix the spin, without going down the wrong road & screwing something else up. i can always dial back the N20 off the line but i know it hooked before so i'm trying to get back to that point then go from there.
These shocks were new at the beginning of last year
I'll post pics of the new looks asap - No it hasn't hooked on the juice yet, BUT this was the first race of the season on a green track & it was cold (50deg) so that may of had something to do with it as well. I've got my first heads up race saturday night at a different track so i'll let you know what i find out.
These shocks were new at the beginning of last year
I'll post pics of the new looks asap - No it hasn't hooked on the juice yet, BUT this was the first race of the season on a green track & it was cold (50deg) so that may of had something to do with it as well. I've got my first heads up race saturday night at a different track so i'll let you know what i find out.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Oskaloosa Iowa
i don't think so but to tell you the truth i'm not sure, the shocks are obviously what would bottom out on it, there is a little o-ring to see how much suspension travel there is/was but its hard to check on the return road before the drive back to the pits... but i'll see what i can do.
Here is a pic
Here is a pic
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Crossville TN
I haven't messed with many of these at the drag strip. A couple of years ago a guy came to our local track and even on slicks he was still spinning. The car had Qa1's on it and had a ton of travel. He ended up figuring out the suspension was hitting something, or the shock was bottoming out or something of that nature.
I love the look of your car. What did it take to make the front wheels fit?
I love the look of your car. What did it take to make the front wheels fit?
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
I would attribute it to different track conditions or different track prep between your last outing and the previous outings. As you know track bite can vary greatly on different days. Your beadlocks shouldn't have an effect on sidewall stiffness.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Short Hills, NJ
Air temps and moisture play some roles there as well. 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Oskaloosa Iowa
Well i ended up with the quickest pass yet out of it with 10.40 @ 130.23 with a 1.44 60' - As you can see in the video, it jerks the fronts just a little bit & it does this rocking type thing or porpus off the line, that is surely shocks but not sure.... what you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxqQiCb71So
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxqQiCb71So
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 241
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From: Axton va
Well i ended up with the quickest pass yet out of it with 10.40 @ 130.23 with a 1.44 60' - As you can see in the video, it jerks the fronts just a little bit & it does this rocking type thing or porpus off the line, that is surely shocks but not sure.... what you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxqQiCb71So
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxqQiCb71So
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 575
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From: Oskaloosa Iowa
i would believe that, so how is that fixed? They are stock length shocks that QA1 sells.
I don't want to raise the back end up, the yellow stock bump stop is installed on the top of the rear shocks, could i remove it or trim it? Its like 1.5" thick.
Redgar, I'm running the same shock setup as your car, did you have any problems with the rears bottoming out?
Any ideas?
I don't want to raise the back end up, the yellow stock bump stop is installed on the top of the rear shocks, could i remove it or trim it? Its like 1.5" thick.
Redgar, I'm running the same shock setup as your car, did you have any problems with the rears bottoming out?
Any ideas?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: Axton va
i don't think it the shock length that's hurting you ,it your shock rate. QA1 sells an adjustable shock for tuning in your suspension.but its not just rear shocks that cause the problem the front is just as important for a good launch.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
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From: crossville tn
FWIW
Bead locks will certainly stiffen the sidewall of the tire, they also add rotating weight to the wheel, yours look great on the car, and the video shows the car needs more suspension work than anything. The varying track conditions from then until now are also part of the equation. Spring rate and shock valving is gonna be the key to getting it right. I am a newbie to the site, but have a little knowledge in the small tire big power world.
The rear shocks for sure need more compression and the front could use a touch slower rebound.
Bead locks will certainly stiffen the sidewall of the tire, they also add rotating weight to the wheel, yours look great on the car, and the video shows the car needs more suspension work than anything. The varying track conditions from then until now are also part of the equation. Spring rate and shock valving is gonna be the key to getting it right. I am a newbie to the site, but have a little knowledge in the small tire big power world.
The rear shocks for sure need more compression and the front could use a touch slower rebound.
Last edited by outlaw68; May 21, 2012 at 09:13 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,205
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From: port monmouth nj
i run stock 04 vette shocks original when bought car new with a 16 rear hoosier d/r on bogart wheel. i,m auto and hook well with 1.35 60fters also hook when turn on the juice in 1st gear providing turned on at rightrpms concerning conditions and how big a shot. the d/rs do wrinkle a little no spin on wheel for me
Race Director
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From: moraga ca