wheelie bars? - Page 2

Mike Pearson · 09-30-2011, 02:38 PM

The way to control wheel standing is with the front shocks. I have double adjustable Santhuff shocks on my camaro. I can adjust from a 3ft wheelstand to almost nothing with a couple of turns of the shocks. The wheelie bars on my car are an old set of moroso bars.They are sprung but a little heavy. I keep them set high so the front will come up and just touch the wheelie bars. The shocks are what I use to get the balance. It really depends on your combo if the car will like the front high in the air. I had one engine that liked a big wheel stand. The one I have in the car now likes the front down. Good luck with your project

Patric Fox · 09-30-2011, 10:34 PM

I would also start with the front shocks, I modified a set of Koni adjustable shocks to fit the AMX I drive. I don't have any experence with wheelie bars on this AMX, because I have not needed them yet.

1320racer · 10-01-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

The way to control wheel standing is with the front shocks. I have double adjustable Santhuff shocks on my camaro. I can adjust from a 3ft wheelstand to almost nothing with a couple of turns of the shocks.

same here but my shocks are double adjustable Afco.

Richard Grant · 10-01-2011, 10:25 AM

Yes, you can adjust the front shocks to reduce the wheelstand however as the case with adjusting the bars it will reduce traction. Maybe your car won't mind the adjustments or it could cause you to spin the tires. I tried adjusting my front shocks and it caused tire spin. You'll just have to experiment with shock settings and bar setting to determine what the car likes. If your car is balanced correctly 1ft. to 3 ft. wheelstands won't be a problem, just ride them out. You may find that you can adjust for slight or no wheelstands and still hook consistently depending on the track, the tire and the gears that you run. Each car is different. LOL

Ed Wright · 10-01-2011, 12:25 PM

Adjustable front travel limiters help also.

1320racer · 10-01-2011, 12:58 PM

Botomline, the op's car with it's projected power and ET's don't need wheelie bars. IF the car's wheelie is too high for his liking, double adjustable shocks and adjustable travel limitiers will allow him to control or kill the wheelie.

pfordamx · 10-02-2011, 10:37 PM

thanks for the input, the bars are more piece of mind then anything, and the car has adjustable limiters on the front so we can strap it down if needed, do you guys usually start with a loose front and tame it down as needed or the other way?

Jeff Lee · 10-02-2011, 11:26 PM

Personally, I put it on kill and hope for the best! If you haven't done a big wheelie before, don't be concerned. You can gauge that your are going straight by looking straight ahead. I tend to look to the left a little, around the A-pillar. And of course if your really skewed up, you'll see a wall! You'll have more problems ironing out wheelie bar adjustments than you will learning to just ride it out. The problems arise when the driver suddenly lets off the gar and there goes all the nice parts in front of the firewall.
Just let it all hang out, dude! (see how old I am?).
My 3 favorite runs in my life are 1) my first big wheelie and 2&3) catching third gear still in the air and not touching the asphalt with the front tires until almost half way through third. Oh, what a ride!!!

Tom Goldman · 10-03-2011, 09:11 AM

Big wheelies from an AMX are not only expected,they are mandatory!!
AFCO can make shocks fit just about any application to control the wheelstand.
The Keir wheelie bar is great on an AMX as long as its not too low and has a fuel cell.
After 30+ years in 100" and under wheelbase cars, I have to agree with Jeff, nothing beats a "blue sky" ride !

pfordamx · 10-16-2011, 11:05 PM

ok after reading what you guys have said, and watching some 10.5 by 28 inch heads up racers this past weekend who didn't have problems running in the low 5s in the eighth mile and keeping the front end down with out wheelie bars. we are going with a good set of adjustable front shocks instead. anyone know who makes a good set for a 69 amx? i understand that some fabrication may be involved

09-30-2011, 02:38 PM	#11
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,328 Likes: 547 Liked 1,656 Times in 507 Posts	Re: wheelie bars? The way to control wheel standing is with the front shocks. I have double adjustable Santhuff shocks on my camaro. I can adjust from a 3ft wheelstand to almost nothing with a couple of turns of the shocks. The wheelie bars on my car are an old set of moroso bars.They are sprung but a little heavy. I keep them set high so the front will come up and just touch the wheelie bars. The shocks are what I use to get the balance. It really depends on your combo if the car will like the front high in the air. I had one engine that liked a big wheel stand. The one I have in the car now likes the front down. Good luck with your project __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

09-30-2011, 10:34 PM	#12
Patric Fox Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pottstown,Pa. Posts: 121 Likes: 24 Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts	Re: wheelie bars? I would also start with the front shocks, I modified a set of Koni adjustable shocks to fit the AMX I drive. I don't have any experence with wheelie bars on this AMX, because I have not needed them yet.

10-01-2011, 10:25 AM	#14
Richard Grant Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West Monroe, La. Posts: 301 Likes: 9 Liked 13 Times in 7 Posts	Re: wheelie bars? Yes, you can adjust the front shocks to reduce the wheelstand however as the case with adjusting the bars it will reduce traction. Maybe your car won't mind the adjustments or it could cause you to spin the tires. I tried adjusting my front shocks and it caused tire spin. You'll just have to experiment with shock settings and bar setting to determine what the car likes. If your car is balanced correctly 1ft. to 3 ft. wheelstands won't be a problem, just ride them out. You may find that you can adjust for slight or no wheelstands and still hook consistently depending on the track, the tire and the gears that you run. Each car is different. LOL __________________ Richard Grant 4988 STK

10-01-2011, 12:25 PM	#15
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 389 Times in 168 Posts	Re: wheelie bars? Adjustable front travel limiters help also. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

10-01-2011, 12:58 PM	#16
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,789 Likes: 71 Liked 415 Times in 200 Posts	Re: wheelie bars? Botomline, the op's car with it's projected power and ET's don't need wheelie bars. IF the car's wheelie is too high for his liking, double adjustable shocks and adjustable travel limitiers will allow him to control or kill the wheelie.

10-02-2011, 10:37 PM	#17
pfordamx Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 214 Likes: 3 Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Re: wheelie bars? thanks for the input, the bars are more piece of mind then anything, and the car has adjustable limiters on the front so we can strap it down if needed, do you guys usually start with a loose front and tame it down as needed or the other way?

10-02-2011, 11:26 PM	#18
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: wheelie bars? Personally, I put it on kill and hope for the best! If you haven't done a big wheelie before, don't be concerned. You can gauge that your are going straight by looking straight ahead. I tend to look to the left a little, around the A-pillar. And of course if your really skewed up, you'll see a wall! You'll have more problems ironing out wheelie bar adjustments than you will learning to just ride it out. The problems arise when the driver suddenly lets off the gar and there goes all the nice parts in front of the firewall. Just let it all hang out, dude! (see how old I am?). My 3 favorite runs in my life are 1) my first big wheelie and 2&3) catching third gear still in the air and not touching the asphalt with the front tires until almost half way through third. Oh, what a ride!!! __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

10-03-2011, 09:11 AM	#19
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,438 Likes: 780 Liked 703 Times in 206 Posts	Re: wheelie bars? Big wheelies from an AMX are not only expected,they are mandatory!! AFCO can make shocks fit just about any application to control the wheelstand. The Keir wheelie bar is great on an AMX as long as its not too low and has a fuel cell. After 30+ years in 100" and under wheelbase cars, I have to agree with Jeff, nothing beats a "blue sky" ride ! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

10-16-2011, 11:05 PM	#20
pfordamx Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 214 Likes: 3 Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Re: wheelie bars? ok after reading what you guys have said, and watching some 10.5 by 28 inch heads up racers this past weekend who didn't have problems running in the low 5s in the eighth mile and keeping the front end down with out wheelie bars. we are going with a good set of adjustable front shocks instead. anyone know who makes a good set for a 69 amx? i understand that some fabrication may be involved