Level out front end on Takeoff

Zach Reynolds · 10-08-2007, 04:56 PM

I have a 1980 El Camino with a small block and stock suspension. When the car takes off, it torques the left wheel off the ground and the right stays on the ground. I have 90/10 shocks on the front and lightweight springs. What can I do to the suspension or chassis that will level out the car when I take off? Shocks, midplate, etc.???

Woodro Josey · 10-08-2007, 05:30 PM

Zach, the cheapest, easiest fix is an Air Bag in the right rear!

Tom Goldman · 10-08-2007, 06:21 PM

Zach, Exactly what WJ said. .... It's amazing that a lot of racers have forgoten about using air bags for preload and spend considerably more money on other cures ... If you look at some of the best coilspring rear cars in stock elim. you'd be amazed at how many use air bags. .....Tom

Dave Goob Cook · 10-08-2007, 09:06 PM

Tight or solid bushings in mounting locations that are not "wallered out" will go a long way also...When I put enough air in my bag to really help cover up those other little details it would lose some traction consistency.
I didn't have many issues until the transbrake went in the car and 60' times got into the 1.4x's
I also use a cargo coil in the passenger rear and a broke down stock spring in the driver side, the bag is just riding these days.

Not sure how much power you are putting to it and how you're launching it. ?

It has NOTHING to do with any actual "frame flex", it's the nature of a coil sprung, 4 arm system to do that, and all the action like that initiates at the rear mounting arms, bushings, and locations, I mention that because front suspension, motor plates, mid-mounts, etc., etc, will do nothing for your problem.

I went from this.....

To this....

Back to this only by fixing the rear mount holes that were wallowed out.

Jeff Goss · 10-08-2007, 10:08 PM

Anti-roll bar. I had a 64 Malibu A-Body that would yank the left tire 3 ft off the ground-while the right side stayed down. I had an airbag in the right rear spring. and with 30lbs in it would still roll over. Frustrating!

I had a Morrison/Gazan kit in the rear with adjustable upper control arms. Even with a ton of preload it would still do it.

The cars leaving level have the anti-roll bar installed. The hot ticket would be a setup from Alf Wiebe, but I hear they are impossible to come by nowadays.

Good Luck!

Jeff Goss
6990 SS/MA

Dave Goob Cook · 11-08-2007, 09:49 AM

...

Lyn Smith · 11-09-2007, 12:43 AM

H and R Parts and Stuff makes a rear sway bar that most A body racers swear by. It will eliminate the squating that most coil spring cars have.Im sure they make one for the g bodies also.

10-08-2007, 04:56 PM	#1
Zach Reynolds Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Level out front end on Takeoff I have a 1980 El Camino with a small block and stock suspension. When the car takes off, it torques the left wheel off the ground and the right stays on the ground. I have 90/10 shocks on the front and lightweight springs. What can I do to the suspension or chassis that will level out the car when I take off? Shocks, midplate, etc.???

10-08-2007, 05:30 PM	#2
Woodro Josey Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 805 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Level out front end on Takeoff Zach, the cheapest, easiest fix is an Air Bag in the right rear! __________________ Woodro Josey 2002 STK

10-08-2007, 06:21 PM	#3
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,468 Likes: 875 Liked 838 Times in 232 Posts	Re: Level out front end on Takeoff Zach, Exactly what WJ said. .... It's amazing that a lot of racers have forgoten about using air bags for preload and spend considerably more money on other cures ... If you look at some of the best coilspring rear cars in stock elim. you'd be amazed at how many use air bags. .....Tom __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

10-08-2007, 09:06 PM	#4
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Level out front end on Takeoff Tight or solid bushings in mounting locations that are not "wallered out" will go a long way also...When I put enough air in my bag to really help cover up those other little details it would lose some traction consistency. I didn't have many issues until the transbrake went in the car and 60' times got into the 1.4x's I also use a cargo coil in the passenger rear and a broke down stock spring in the driver side, the bag is just riding these days. Not sure how much power you are putting to it and how you're launching it. ? It has NOTHING to do with any actual "frame flex", it's the nature of a coil sprung, 4 arm system to do that, and all the action like that initiates at the rear mounting arms, bushings, and locations, I mention that because front suspension, motor plates, mid-mounts, etc., etc, will do nothing for your problem. I went from this..... To this.... Back to this only by fixing the rear mount holes that were wallowed out. Last edited by Dave Goob Cook; 11-09-2007 at 11:10 AM. Reason: add photos

10-08-2007, 10:08 PM	#5
Jeff Goss Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Burlington, WA Posts: 361 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Level out front end on Takeoff Anti-roll bar. I had a 64 Malibu A-Body that would yank the left tire 3 ft off the ground-while the right side stayed down. I had an airbag in the right rear spring. and with 30lbs in it would still roll over. Frustrating! I had a Morrison/Gazan kit in the rear with adjustable upper control arms. Even with a ton of preload it would still do it. The cars leaving level have the anti-roll bar installed. The hot ticket would be a setup from Alf Wiebe, but I hear they are impossible to come by nowadays. Good Luck! Jeff Goss 6990 SS/MA

11-08-2007, 09:49 AM	#6
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Level out front end on Takeoff ...

11-09-2007, 12:43 AM	#7
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,183 Likes: 269 Liked 935 Times in 185 Posts	Re: Level out front end on Takeoff H and R Parts and Stuff makes a rear sway bar that most A body racers swear by. It will eliminate the squating that most coil spring cars have.Im sure they make one for the g bodies also.