Old school slapper bars and stick shift

rustang · 05-13-2017, 12:12 PM

Helping a buddy with his 67 mustang at the track. We have the slapper bars and springs from my 68 which worked well with an automatic (mid 1.40's and mid 10's on a BF Goodrich drag radial, 347 sbf).

However this stick shift with a 445 cube FE motor is a whole other animal. Last night we were 11.35 with a 1.60 60 foot and spinning like crazy and 122mph. The car was literally fishtailing lol. Tires are MH Racemaster "Cheater Slick" 26 x 10 or somewhere around there.

Right now this thing body separates too much and too fast, I think, and losing traction. I'm open for any suggestions (no...caltracs aren't in the budget until next year lol) but I would like for him to invest in some good rear shocks with very stiff rebound. Been out of the loop on stuff for awhile...what would be a good shock choice?

4284spd · 05-13-2017, 03:15 PM

Taller tire for one.

GTX JOHN · 05-13-2017, 03:23 PM

Rancho 9000 are a good cheap choice. Start around #5

Sounds like time for new tires if track was well prepped !

T Ames · 05-13-2017, 07:42 PM

Calvert 9 way adjustables (might be similar to the Rancho shocks John mentioned) are very reasonably priced. You can save a few extra bucks if they have blemished units available. 7 might be a good setting to start with for a stick car on a decent track.

rustang · 05-13-2017, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

Rancho 9000 are a good cheap choice. Start around #5

Sounds like time for new tires if track was well prepped !

Is it this one?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/r...9274/overview/

Dana Fitzpatrick · 05-13-2017, 10:46 PM

I recommend you buy them directly from Calvert Racing,cheaper and you get their first-rate tech service.

GTX JOHN · 05-14-2017, 04:00 AM

I agree with Dana. Calvert is outstanding!

I forgot he sold them (Senior Moment)

Make sure length is correct for you application.

Larry Hill · 05-14-2017, 07:59 AM

If length of shock is too short it will pull the wheel off the ground as it reaches full extension.

Bill Diehl · 05-14-2017, 08:00 AM

visualize the body separation....in your brain , take a picture, record it..whatever, now, disconnect both shocks, jack the car up to that point you saw on the hit and measure the mounting points then measure the shocks, ad 1" or 2" for the tire (does the rim hit the pavement) ect... and as the guy above said....make sure you have the correct application.... shock "extenders" were sold in the slapper bar era for a reason.

after all that now you can get the correct size, with adjustable extension so you can control it.....its that simple

SGSST109E · 05-14-2017, 08:08 AM

In the late 70's I had a 68 Camaro in C supermodified. 10 inch tire 28" tall. Has slapper bars when everyone had ladder bars. A 302 SBC with stock heads and a 750. Car went 10.90 @ 124mph with low 1.30 60'. I had a simple 50/50 shock. They need to be long enough as well.

05-13-2017, 12:12 PM	#1
rustang Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 19 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Old school slapper bars and stick shift Helping a buddy with his 67 mustang at the track. We have the slapper bars and springs from my 68 which worked well with an automatic (mid 1.40's and mid 10's on a BF Goodrich drag radial, 347 sbf). However this stick shift with a 445 cube FE motor is a whole other animal. Last night we were 11.35 with a 1.60 60 foot and spinning like crazy and 122mph. The car was literally fishtailing lol. Tires are MH Racemaster "Cheater Slick" 26 x 10 or somewhere around there. Right now this thing body separates too much and too fast, I think, and losing traction. I'm open for any suggestions (no...caltracs aren't in the budget until next year lol) but I would like for him to invest in some good rear shocks with very stiff rebound. Been out of the loop on stuff for awhile...what would be a good shock choice?

05-13-2017, 03:15 PM	#2
4284spd VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Longmont Colorado Posts: 1,708 Likes: 846 Liked 4,135 Times in 950 Posts	Re: Old school slapper bars and stick shift Taller tire for one. __________________ Bob Smith

05-13-2017, 03:23 PM	#3
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,708 Likes: 2,737 Liked 2,399 Times in 679 Posts	Re: Old school slapper bars and stick shift Rancho 9000 are a good cheap choice. Start around #5 Sounds like time for new tires if track was well prepped ! __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock

05-13-2017, 07:42 PM	#4
T Ames Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: the Brazos Valley of TX Posts: 114 Likes: 158 Liked 125 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Old school slapper bars and stick shift Calvert 9 way adjustables (might be similar to the Rancho shocks John mentioned) are very reasonably priced. You can save a few extra bucks if they have blemished units available. 7 might be a good setting to start with for a stick car on a decent track.

05-13-2017, 10:46 PM	#6
Dana Fitzpatrick Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 148 Likes: 4 Liked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Old school slapper bars and stick shift I recommend you buy them directly from Calvert Racing,cheaper and you get their first-rate tech service.

05-14-2017, 04:00 AM	#7
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,708 Likes: 2,737 Liked 2,399 Times in 679 Posts	Re: Old school slapper bars and stick shift I agree with Dana. Calvert is outstanding! I forgot he sold them (Senior Moment) Make sure length is correct for you application. __________________ John Irving 741 Stock 741 Super Stock

05-14-2017, 07:59 AM	#8
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,584 Likes: 1,869 Liked 10,584 Times in 2,187 Posts	Re: Old school slapper bars and stick shift If length of shock is too short it will pull the wheel off the ground as it reaches full extension. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

05-14-2017, 08:00 AM	#9
Bill Diehl Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 311 Likes: 2 Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Old school slapper bars and stick shift visualize the body separation....in your brain , take a picture, record it..whatever, now, disconnect both shocks, jack the car up to that point you saw on the hit and measure the mounting points then measure the shocks, ad 1" or 2" for the tire (does the rim hit the pavement) ect... and as the guy above said....make sure you have the correct application.... shock "extenders" were sold in the slapper bar era for a reason. after all that now you can get the correct size, with adjustable extension so you can control it.....its that simple __________________ __________________ Bill Diehl B200 C/D STK

05-14-2017, 08:08 AM	#10
SGSST109E Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 350 Likes: 62 Liked 126 Times in 61 Posts	Re: Old school slapper bars and stick shift In the late 70's I had a 68 Camaro in C supermodified. 10 inch tire 28" tall. Has slapper bars when everyone had ladder bars. A 302 SBC with stock heads and a 750. Car went 10.90 @ 124mph with low 1.30 60'. I had a simple 50/50 shock. They need to be long enough as well.