Front End Suspension, NHRA Rule Question

[Andy Friar]

Thanks 1320racer, I run the prototype machine shop at work so I could modify parts too, or just buy them. I will do some research on Alf as well. If our car could leave like the one on the video, i would be happy!

Nice video, it bounced to much off the wheel stand.

[1320racer]

Had single adjustable gas charged Koni shocks upfront. With the then new engine/power, it needed and I would have installed AFCO BNC DA had I not sold it.

Andy getting a GM A body to leave like my former car with 59% of its 3880 lbs. on the front wheels is about everything being right. BTW, that is footbraked launched at 2500 RPM and Todd witnessed it carry the front wheels much much farther.

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by Andy

Thanks 1320racer, I run the prototype machine shop at work so I could modify parts too, or just buy them. I will do some research on Alf as well. If our car could leave like the one on the video, i would be happy!

Then build yourself some needle bearing a-arm bushing replacements!

[Chipper Chapman]

I installed global west kit with factory cross shafts in mine, since i was unsure of the aftermarket shaft, Easy as pie. It also has upper ball joint spacers, aluminum, about 1/2". 350/255 combo leaves pretty hard, But not like the above crazy hp big block bracket car that should stop commenting on the class racers board.

Chris Chapman

[Andy Friar]

Originally Posted by Chipper Chapman

I installed global west kit with factory cross shafts in mine, since i was unsure of the aftermarket shaft, Easy as pie. It also has upper ball joint spacers, aluminum, about 1/2". 350/255 combo leaves pretty hard, But not like the above crazy hp big block bracket car that should stop commenting on the class racers board.

Chris Chapman

Good to know Chris, thanks. We are have the same combo as you, so hearing it from you validates what I thought about the kits. Global West makes good stuff from what I have seen in person and installed. Were you unsure of the cross being legal, was that the concern? Or strength?

[1320racer]

Andy, those cross shafts aren't any better than stock and more important they will do nothing as it relates to making this car work.

That said, there is no one posting on the net that knows better how to make these cars with small tires and stock/aftermarket/bolt on suspension work better than I. Further, there are only 2 other Chevelles and 1 Buick GS in the country last I knew or cared that are on par with my former car and they belong to Kevin Borgstrom '69 Chevelle B/SA , Ralph Landolfi '71 Chevelle B/SA(if he hasn't sold the chevelle yet) and Jason Line '71 Buick C/SA and what do they all have in common...they all run front and rear suspension kits designed, built and sold by Alf Wiebe and only one, the heaviest and least geared had 60 footed 1.28.

IF you want your car to work like mine and theirs, he's the guy you need to speak to. Do it right the first time. There is no bolt on suspension kit/parts on par, no mind better.

Be advised, that even with the best, the end user still needs to tune the suspension and chassis to achieve the results I have which becomes evident once you know that the chevelle in the other lane in my video below also has the same suspension components as my car, going down the track with his front wheels on the ground at 10 seconds in while my car which btw weighed ~ 180 lbs. more IIRC is still carrying the wheels.

[FLEMING]

I did buy stock upper control arm bushings and machine the "teeth" off the ends of them, then took brake cylinder hone and honed the inside of the bushing so that it slid on and off the shaft easily, then greased them really good, I used the moog kit with the offset upper shafts.. It was really free moving after I tightened everything up and saves you a ton of money.. if you look on alot of the good working stockers alot of them are this way..

[Andy Friar]

Originally Posted by FLEMING

I did buy stock upper control arm bushings and machine the "teeth" off the ends of them, then took brake cylinder hone and honed the inside of the bushing so that it slid on and off the shaft easily, then greased them really good, I used the moog kit with the offset upper shafts.. It was really free moving after I tightened everything up and saves you a ton of money.. if you look on alot of the good working stockers alot of them are this way..

Thanks Fleming. I found the 'teeth' you are talking about. (Thanks Google) At the very least I am going to hone fit the parts together. We are going to rip the whole front end of the car in the coming weeks, to put new solid body mounts it, while keeping rubber under the radiator support. Then start the process of building it up from there.

[Andy Friar]

Originally Posted by 1320racer

Andy, those cross shafts aren't any better than stock and more important they will do nothing as it relates to making this car work.

That said, there is no one posting on the net that knows better how to make these cars with small tires and stock/aftermarket/bolt on suspension work better than I. Further, there are only 2 other Chevelles and 1 Buick GS in the country last I knew or cared that are on par with my former car and they belong to Kevin Borgstrom '69 Chevelle B/SA , Ralph Landolfi '71 Chevelle B/SA(if he hasn't sold the chevelle yet) and Jason Line '71 Buick C/SA and what do they all have in common...they all run front and rear suspension kits designed, built and sold by Alf Wiebe and only one, the heaviest and least geared had 60 footed 1.28.

IF you want your car to work like mine and theirs, he's the guy you need to speak to. Do it right the first time. There is no bolt on suspension kit/parts on par, no mind better.

Be advised, that even with the best, the end user still needs to tune the suspension and chassis to achieve the results I have which becomes evident once you know that the chevelle in the other lane in my video below also has the same suspension components as my car, going down the track with his front wheels on the ground at 10 seconds in while my car which btw weighed ~ 180 lbs. more IIRC is still carrying the wheels.

Thanks for input. I have only heard good things about his setup and will give it the due diligence in researching it. I plan right now to eventually design and make my own (2, 3 years down the road). Maybe it will work good, maybe it may even work great, but it also may suck eggs, big ones. I thrive on the challenge and I am driven to optimize all of the systems in the race car. I also have no problem admitting that I everyday I am keep learning how much I don't know. My Dad is the engine guy, and he can hold his own, and I am diving into the fabrication side of the deal. I have lots of respect out there walking the walk...and I want to walk that walk too. But I don't want to follow in anyone's footsteps either...