Mono leaf and multi leafs

joespanova · 06-30-2011, 08:48 AM

On my 71 Nova I have had mono leafs and ladder bars / floaters on there since day 1 ( early nineties ). Its set up like a SS / MP car. I have been using a Koni single adjustable shock but just purchased FINALLY after all these years , a set of 3860 Afco DAs . I havent had the chance to run them yet.

The problem is , the launch is unpredicatable, sometimes perfect , other times I couldn't get the "air" under the front tires to save my *** ( at least not enough air ). All I'm after is a "predictable" manageable launch . Not big wheelstands.

Are the original mono leafs the problem? Can I add a coil spring to the shocks as a "helper" spring using a real light rate spring?

WHAT springs SHOULD I be using? Multi leaf , split leaf ? Going full coil overs aint gonna happen. I have to find the best leaf setup.

Car weighs 3100 using a stock block ( 72 ) 23 degree head using a Nash 5 speed and has run high 9.60s best with a best of a 1.30 60ft ( however the sixties are usually in the mid to high 1.30s ).

Thanks

Bob Pagano · 06-30-2011, 09:01 AM

With that much tire you should not have a problem but I would get rid of the ladder bars and put cal-tracs and a split mono spring on the car and say good by to problems.

greg fulk · 07-01-2011, 02:53 AM

Cal-Tracks are the fix if ya have to run leaf springs!

greg fulk · 07-01-2011, 02:55 AM

Cal-Tracs are the fix if ya have to run leaf springs!

Mike Pearson · 07-01-2011, 09:56 AM

Stick with the monos and ladderbars. You need to check the geometry of your set up. Make sure you have some down angle on the ladder bars and nothing is binding. If everything is right that combo should work great. I would not add a coil over unless you are getting rid of the leaf spring. That would make the car too stiff in the rear.

joespanova · 07-01-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

Stick with the monos and ladderbars. You need to check the geometry of your set up. Make sure you have some down angle on the ladder bars and nothing is binding. If everything is right that combo should work great. I would not add a coil over unless you are getting rid of the leaf spring. That would make the car too stiff in the rear.

Ya' know they've worked great at times , if fact often enough that I gotta believe the RIGHT shocks alone will help a lot.......I still have faith this setup can become predictable with a little more effort .
Between clutch , tires , shocks..........the IC is low and forward. I dont think there is any "bind" as I keep everything loose and oiled.

New front springs may be a big help..............gonna look at that too , thanks to a suggestion .

Bob Mulry · 07-01-2011, 10:34 PM

Buy the book

06-30-2011, 08:48 AM	#1
joespanova Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ga. Posts: 521 Likes: 7 Liked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Mono leaf and multi leafs On my 71 Nova I have had mono leafs and ladder bars / floaters on there since day 1 ( early nineties ). Its set up like a SS / MP car. I have been using a Koni single adjustable shock but just purchased FINALLY after all these years , a set of 3860 Afco DAs . I havent had the chance to run them yet. The problem is , the launch is unpredicatable, sometimes perfect , other times I couldn't get the "air" under the front tires to save my *** ( at least not enough air ). All I'm after is a "predictable" manageable launch . Not big wheelstands. Are the original mono leafs the problem? Can I add a coil spring to the shocks as a "helper" spring using a real light rate spring? WHAT springs SHOULD I be using? Multi leaf , split leaf ? Going full coil overs aint gonna happen. I have to find the best leaf setup. Car weighs 3100 using a stock block ( 72 ) 23 degree head using a Nash 5 speed and has run high 9.60s best with a best of a 1.30 60ft ( however the sixties are usually in the mid to high 1.30s ). Thanks Last edited by joespanova; 06-30-2011 at 08:53 AM.

06-30-2011, 09:01 AM	#2
Bob Pagano VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Holland, PA Mooresville,NC Posts: 1,163 Likes: 240 Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Mono leaf and multi leafs With that much tire you should not have a problem but I would get rid of the ladder bars and put cal-tracs and a split mono spring on the car and say good by to problems. __________________ Bob Pagano A/SA

07-01-2011, 02:53 AM	#3
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Mono leaf and multi leafs Cal-Tracks are the fix if ya have to run leaf springs! __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

07-01-2011, 02:55 AM	#4
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Mono leaf and multi leafs Cal-Tracs are the fix if ya have to run leaf springs! __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

07-01-2011, 09:56 AM	#5
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,446 Likes: 614 Liked 1,919 Times in 576 Posts	Re: Mono leaf and multi leafs Stick with the monos and ladderbars. You need to check the geometry of your set up. Make sure you have some down angle on the ladder bars and nothing is binding. If everything is right that combo should work great. I would not add a coil over unless you are getting rid of the leaf spring. That would make the car too stiff in the rear. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

07-01-2011, 10:34 PM	#7
Bob Mulry VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Coarsegold, CA Posts: 1,016 Likes: 57 Liked 320 Times in 102 Posts	Re: Mono leaf and multi leafs Buy the book Attached Thumbnails __________________ Bob Mulry 7516 STK A & M Motorsports