Ladder bar tuning / adjusting

[Dragsinger]

some more information to consider;

*this Monte Carlo is 3155 pounds with driver
*408 CI SBC
*powerglide
*footbrake
*31 x 13 radial tire

*The ladder bar is 32" center of rear axle to center of the front rod end. It is 2 degrees down in relation to the ground in this photo.The right ladder bar has one-half flat pre-load

It also has an anti-roll bar that is set neutral.

This car is excellent, consistent, and predictable. It runs 6.0's 1/8 mile

[Mike Pearson]

I have been racing a ladder bar car for over 35 years. This is how I set my car up
The bottom bar of the ladder bar is set to2 degrees down angle from the rocker panel. Then 2 degrees pinion angle. Do not go beyond parallel to the rocker or frame or the car will not plant the tire. You can make small adjustments to the angle by adjusting the ride height. Bad track loosen the shocks front and rear. Good track tighten the shocks. If you have double adjustable front shocks set the compression near as tight as you can on the front to keep the from slamming down hard and unloading the back tires or bouncing
My car will 60 ft in the high 1.20s and 330 in the 3.96 range when conditions are good and the engine is making power. I have a powerglife trans in my car. 3160 lbs.

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

I have been racing a ladder bar car for over 35 years. This is how I set my car up
The bottom bar of the ladder bar is set to2 degrees down angle from the rocker panel. Then 2 degrees pinion angle. Do not go beyond parallel to the rocker or frame or the car will not plant the tire. You can make small adjustments to the angle by adjusting the ride height. Bad track loosen the shocks front and rear. Good track tighten the shocks. If you have double adjustable front shocks set the compression near as tight as you can on the front to keep the from slamming down hard and unloading the back tires or bouncing
My car will 60 ft in the high 1.20s and 330 in the 3.96 range when conditions are good and the engine is making power. I have a powerglife trans in my car. 3160 lbs.

How quick do you run when you get the 1.2? 60fts? You do run a 350 right?

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by joespanova

how quick do you run when you get the 1.2? 60fts? You do run a 350 right?

9.90. Yes actually about 365 cu in as the engine is about .075 over

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

9.90. Yes actually about 365 cu in as the engine is about .075 over

Geezus...........
see this is what this is really all about.......better 60s ,launch etc etc.........
I'm consistent in the 9.40s and I've NEVER had a 1.20 ANYTHING 1.30s YES..........1.32-1.34ish......

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by joespanova

Geezus...........
see this is what this is really all about.......better 60s ,launch etc etc.........
I'm consistent in the 9.40s and I've NEVER had a 1.20 ANYTHING 1.30s YES..........1.32-1.34ish......

I have a 1.96 low in the glide and a 5.86 in the rear with a 100 inch roll out radial tire. The glide is handicapping me a bit in comparison to the 3 speed cars I suspect I could pick up about .015 with a good 3 speed trans. I have the power but cant run the short times of some of the really fast cars in my class. I have run next to those guys and their short times blew my mind.

[Hacksaw]

I always thought the Santhuff's fronts big difference was their compression valving, controlling the car after it comes down from a large wheel stand. Are their rebound qualities equally unique?

[Ed Carpenter]

Originally Posted by joespanova

Geezus...........
see this is what this is really all about.......better 60s ,launch etc etc.........
I'm consistent in the 9.40s and I've NEVER had a 1.20 ANYTHING 1.30s YES..........1.32-1.34ish......

Sorry I never asked what combo and class do you run? Ed

[joespanova]

Originally Posted by Ed Carpenter

Sorry I never asked what combo and class do you run? Ed

I run nostalgia SS and FX stuff........not current traditional stuff like you're doing but fun none the less......still a lot of work though , mainly because I do everything myself , engines , trans , rear end etc etc........and the body aint what it used to be and is very sore at the end of the day.
A 377 is in the car now but I've been a 9.41@ 141 with the ol' 355......but that engine would vary from that best to a low .60 high .50. 23 degree std runner head.
The 377 is the same engine basically , just the 4.155 bore and more compression. Same heads , cam , intake etc etc.
This is an old video..........I've posted here before , but here it is ..this was with the 355......9.51, 139ish. Launch RPM was realtively low this day IIRC

I expect the 377 to get me in the 9.30s in good conditions.