keeping front end too tight?
 

Would keeping the front end too tight slow your 60' down by not letting the front end lift and let the motor accelerate fast enough if it doesnt have enough power to shoot the car forward? I'm still working on getting my car to 60' better. best so far is a 1.42 but I think it should be easily in the mid high 1.30's. Car dead hooks with glide with 1.80 first gear and a 5500 stall converter. 4.56 rear gear and a 30" tire. It goes 10.00's @133 to 134mph. I have an I/C of 41 and 8.5 high. I'm thinking of pushing it out to about 47" long and 11" high and also loosening the front shocks. I thought it should be wheeling easily and I would be fighting to keep it on the ground but it only gets a little air under the tires. With a 98" wheel base and the engine set so far back in a corvette it should be going in the air. Any thoughts?? Here is how it leaves.

http://i35.tinypic.com/2ut0orp.jpg

Re: keeping front end too tight?
 

Too tight will keep the front end down. That is one way most control wheel stands, tightening the front shocks.

Re: keeping front end too tight?
 

You need more low gear in the tranny. Try a high 1.90's Like 1.98 or 1.96

Re: keeping front end too tight?
 

I understand that but I dont even have limiters on it. Just have the shocks a little firm, not much though.

Re: keeping front end too tight?
 

Is that a big difference from a 1.80 to a 1.98? I'm looking to knock off almost a .10 in the 60'

Re: keeping front end too tight?
 

Listen to Adger about the gears, If it is dead hooking you don't need more front end travel,
it's not going to 60' better if the front end moves more with no wheel spin.

Also, tight shocks are what I was talking about. I run mine full loose on extension unless it's getting too high. If you don't spin the tires, changnig the shock settings won't help a thing.

Re: keeping front end too tight?
 

Thanks Ed, i have mine on 4 clicks from softest setting. A straight cut gear set is around $1000. I would have to find a cheap used set if I decided to go that way. I'm only bracket racing it so I dont have to get it 60 better but knowing the potential it is capable of makes me try to get it there.

Re: keeping front end too tight?
 

This might be a cheaper way to go and give you spares. If the car is real heavy you might go with the 2.08
By the MPH you are running you should have the horsepower/torque to handle the long 1-2 ratio drop at the shift. The 1.98 will pull better off the shift due to the lower % drop.
Jack is a good guy to deal with,
off the forsale of this forum:
powerglide(s) for sale
Views: 549 Posted By Jack McCarthy
powerglide(s) for sale

208 low gear liteweight glide less than 40 runs since fresh, ready to put in $1100

198 low gear glide, never run since freshened $800

jack mccarthy
502-558-3450
Ed is right about the shocks/frontend. Look at the plant of your rear tire in the picture. Lifting the frontend higher with that combination is only going to add weight to a tire that is already hooked/planted. It could also waste time, lifting more.

Re: keeping front end too tight?
 

My car is 2900 lbs with me in it. I thought it was light enough for the 180 first gear. Would loosening the converter to 6000 help? I shift it at 7400 and run through the traps at 7100 to 7400 depending on the air. Its a pump gas motor and the hot humid air really cost me some power. I will think about the 198 tranny. Its a good price if its a straight cut gear.

Re: keeping front end too tight?
 

Put a lower gear in the rear and let her eat! You may be suprised, the mph may pick along with the 60' with a lower rearend gear. Its cheaper than a new trans low gear if you can afford a few more rpm's through the lights..