Shocks Question....
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Shocks Question....
Guys,
I have an 89 that I drag quite often. It has the original bilstein shocks that the car launches like a ****.
I know my shocks are probably shot and would like to change them so the ride isn't so soft, but I am a little apprehensive about doing as I don't want to spend 400 dollars and less up the way the car currently comes out of the hole.
There are two ways I have been thinking about this. 1. The new shocks will have a tendancy to push apart, and may help lift the front and and hold it up high. If any of you look at my videos in my webpages you can actually see the front of the car bounce in the second run. This up and down action may be hurting me a little.
2. The new shocks will be too stiff and keep the front from lifting and the rear from squating.
I would like to see what some of you guys think about this. Thanks :cheers:
I have an 89 that I drag quite often. It has the original bilstein shocks that the car launches like a ****.
I know my shocks are probably shot and would like to change them so the ride isn't so soft, but I am a little apprehensive about doing as I don't want to spend 400 dollars and less up the way the car currently comes out of the hole.
There are two ways I have been thinking about this. 1. The new shocks will have a tendancy to push apart, and may help lift the front and and hold it up high. If any of you look at my videos in my webpages you can actually see the front of the car bounce in the second run. This up and down action may be hurting me a little.
2. The new shocks will be too stiff and keep the front from lifting and the rear from squating.
I would like to see what some of you guys think about this. Thanks :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 1
From: SouthBend IN
Re: Shocks Question.... (ski_dwn_it)
from my experience from other cars(as my vette is still slow....way slow compared to yours) when you start making more power, sometimes slowing the suspension down will give the tires a better chance to hook and get rid of the bounce
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 0
From: Stamford CT.
Re: Shocks Question.... (ski_dwn_it)
Ski, I had very good results(1.38 best) with koni on my 90. The fronts are easy to get the **** on to lossen them up for draging. I left the rears set @1/2 way because you had to drop the shock to get the **** on it, but they worked MUCH better than the stock shocks at the drags and on the street. I do understand your hesetance to mess with what working for you. Ric
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 0
From: Stamford CT.
Re: Shocks Question.... (Power Shifter)
By the way, looking at your sig, I see you have 3.07. Thay made 3.33 for stick cars in 90, 3.45 would be good also. spend the 400 on gear. Ric
[Modified by Power Shifter, 3:23 PM 5/16/2003]
[Modified by Power Shifter, 3:23 PM 5/16/2003]
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Shocks Question.... (Power Shifter)
POwer shifter,
Thanks for the insight, Iwill check on the shocks you describe.
I don't think changing gear would help and probably just send the unit into pieces, as I feel the 3.33 and 3.45 etc are weaker due to the more teeth per ring than the 3.07. Every tooth you add you are removing material, and making the setup weaker.
Also I think with this engine I would just spin more than I already am with more gears. Even with it pulling the 1.534 I still felt it getting a little squirley on me. So maybe a better tire plan with shocks would help. :cheers:
Thanks for the insight, Iwill check on the shocks you describe.
I don't think changing gear would help and probably just send the unit into pieces, as I feel the 3.33 and 3.45 etc are weaker due to the more teeth per ring than the 3.07. Every tooth you add you are removing material, and making the setup weaker.
Also I think with this engine I would just spin more than I already am with more gears. Even with it pulling the 1.534 I still felt it getting a little squirley on me. So maybe a better tire plan with shocks would help. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 8
From: Drag racing junkie Va.
Re: Shocks Question.... (Power Shifter)
Ski,
Consider the HAL/QA1s, 12 way adjustable for street or strip. Bounce & rebound adjust at the same time, from really loose to really stiff. Great drag shocks, super loose on the front for lots of rise & quick settle back down(better MPH). Set the rears for what you need, loose if traction is a problem, stiff if you have good bite. I ran them for two years street & strip then moved them over to the race car, 1.41 60' still spinning(tires pumped up to keep the rear in the car).
Good luck, Dave :thumbs:
Consider the HAL/QA1s, 12 way adjustable for street or strip. Bounce & rebound adjust at the same time, from really loose to really stiff. Great drag shocks, super loose on the front for lots of rise & quick settle back down(better MPH). Set the rears for what you need, loose if traction is a problem, stiff if you have good bite. I ran them for two years street & strip then moved them over to the race car, 1.41 60' still spinning(tires pumped up to keep the rear in the car).
Good luck, Dave :thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 0
From: Stamford CT.
Re: Shocks Question.... (ski_dwn_it)
POwer shifter,
Thanks for the insight, Iwill check on the shocks you describe.
I don't think changing gear would help and probably just send the unit into pieces, as I feel the 3.33 and 3.45 etc are weaker due to the more teeth per ring than the 3.07. Every tooth you add you are removing material, and making the setup weaker.
Also I think with this engine I would just spin more than I already am with more gears. Even with it pulling the 1.534 I still felt it getting a little squirley on me. So maybe a better tire plan with shocks would help. :cheers:
Thanks for the insight, Iwill check on the shocks you describe.
I don't think changing gear would help and probably just send the unit into pieces, as I feel the 3.33 and 3.45 etc are weaker due to the more teeth per ring than the 3.07. Every tooth you add you are removing material, and making the setup weaker.
Also I think with this engine I would just spin more than I already am with more gears. Even with it pulling the 1.534 I still felt it getting a little squirley on me. So maybe a better tire plan with shocks would help. :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: loughborough Leics ENGLAND
Re: Shocks Question.... (new92racer)
:iagree: I like mine. easy to adjust, my front comes up and stays up settling slowly back down as i go up the strip. i set the rears at 12 and the fronts at 1 at the track and 7r 5 f on the road. Takes about 3 mins and you dont have to raise the car. they are not cheap though i paid $500 for a set i think from summit. Did i go faster :confused: i did more than fit the shocks and i am still dialing in my set up but every run it gets better. best so far 12.51@111 with a 1.82 60ft ( still needs work but the track was poor )
:cheers:
:cheers:
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Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
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From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Shocks Question.... (ski_dwn_it)
HAL/QA1 That's what I've got :thumbs: