Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
#2877006
01/20/21 02:29 AM
01/20/21 02:29 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,264 New York, USA
Chargerfan68
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A arms or Struts
What are the pros and cons to each on a dedicated drag car? B body 4 link (4-1/2” -5” frame height off ground) 9.0 - 9.30 et car. Maybe dip in the high 8’s in future. No street driving ever. Looking at front clips and need to decide. Just don’t want to make a mistake now for down the road if i decide to go faster than 9’s. Any info, experience you could share is appreciated.
Thanks.
1.50 60Ft. , 10.75@ 127MPH Hauling 3900 LBS.
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: dthemi]
#2877093
01/20/21 11:10 AM
01/20/21 11:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,355 Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
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Struts if you want the lightest option that provides the most room and generally a lower ride height and flat front frame section, also resale will be higher. A Arm works just fine, more moving parts still require a GOOD front shock and packaging and weight are worse. Strut would also allow for a spindle mount wheel to keep the weight down even more. Although for more money that can be done with a A Arm too.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: Al_Alguire]
#2877225
01/20/21 01:32 PM
01/20/21 01:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,102 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
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top fuel
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What Al said ^^^^^ an A arm front suspension can take more abuse than struts and when a strut needs rebuilding the whole suspension needs to be rebuilt/replaced un like an Arm you can just change out the shock as needed. Struts are the next level race car part.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: W.I.N. Racing]
#2877276
01/20/21 02:18 PM
01/20/21 02:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,475 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
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Look at the rules for any events where you might decide to participate in the future, like Drag week, NSS, etc. Some classes have restrictions on the front clip.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: Chargerfan68]
#2877453
01/20/21 06:15 PM
01/20/21 06:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,670 On the parachute mount
n20mstr
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,670
On the parachute mount
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A arms or Struts
What are the pros and cons to each on a dedicated drag car? B body 4 link (4-1/2” -5” frame height off ground) 9.0 - 9.30 et car. Maybe dip in the high 8’s in future. No street driving ever. Looking at front clips and need to decide. Just don’t want to make a mistake now for down the road if i decide to go faster than 9’s. Any info, experience you could share is appreciated.
Thanks. My car is all stock front suspension , it’s been faster than 9’s . As mentioned what are future plans ? Read rules as some classes don’t allow struts . If bracket racing it may not really matter
....BAD A$$ STREET CAR.....
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: n20mstr]
#2877594
01/20/21 11:14 PM
01/20/21 11:14 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,264 New York, USA
Chargerfan68
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Thank you fellas , for all the replies and advice. You have given me food for thought and i will keep researching and make a decision. I am leaning towards A-arm setup as of now and will let everyone know.
I am leaning towards the Chassisworks front clip and they have various options with regard to spindles. Any major dissadvantage to choosing the mustang Ii spindle vs the $$$ billet fabricated spindle on a car of this level (not super fast)? And what about a brake recomnendation? I will be moving the firewall back about 9”, and will be using a framerail mounted master cylinder/pedal assembly. Any one know if there is anything i should know to look out for when combining this design master? I will speak to wilwood about the components, but figured if anyone had any pitfalls to avoid?
Thx
1.50 60Ft. , 10.75@ 127MPH Hauling 3900 LBS.
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: AndyF]
#2877639
01/21/21 12:54 AM
01/21/21 12:54 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,264 New York, USA
Chargerfan68
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Are you planning to do the work yourself? Yes, Andy. I am doing the fabrication. The backhalf 4 link is installed and verified to be square within the body and the factory LCA points.
1.50 60Ft. , 10.75@ 127MPH Hauling 3900 LBS.
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: lancer493]
#2877799
01/21/21 12:22 PM
01/21/21 12:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,484 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
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Fulton County, PA
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Struts are lighter with fewer moving parts. Framerails are lower and out of the way. On a big block Mopar, the oil system needs to be considered.
Handling on a drag car is not much of an issue. High speed stability is. Proper caster is the main concern.
I wouldn't put spindle mounts on a heavy car for a number of reasons - strength, available brake kits being the main ones.
My car was built with a-arms years ago to try to save a few bucks. Basically an aftermarket Pinto style deal. I didn't have it long before I wished it had struts, but it's light and a bit smaller than a B-body.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: rebel]
#2877802
01/21/21 12:26 PM
01/21/21 12:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
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CMcAllister
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Mr. Helpful
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I have this one, no idea who makes it, but it works great for me & loads of room for headers etc... That's an Alston kit. They work well. They do (did?) a few variations of that including a fabricated upper a-arm that saved some weight and space as well.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: Chargerfan68]
#2877879
01/21/21 02:10 PM
01/21/21 02:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,989 Oregon
AndyF
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Are you planning to do the work yourself? Yes, Andy. I am doing the fabrication. The backhalf 4 link is installed and verified to be square within the body and the factory LCA points. If you're going to do the work yourself and have never done this kind of work before then I'd suggest buying a kit. Or hiring a chassis guy to help you with the project. Lots of stuff has to be put together correctly on the front suspension for the car to be safe at speed.
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: AndyF]
#2877975
01/21/21 05:16 PM
01/21/21 05:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,264 New York, USA
Chargerfan68
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Are you planning to do the work yourself? Yes, Andy. I am doing the fabrication. The backhalf 4 link is installed and verified to be square within the body and the factory LCA points. If you're going to do the work yourself and have never done this kind of work before then I'd suggest buying a kit. Or hiring a chassis guy to help you with the project. Lots of stuff has to be put together correctly on the front suspension for the car to be safe at speed. I am definitely getting the kit from Alston. They offer both types, which is why i was asking for pros and cons as well as which one is more suitable for my application. After reading everything and considering budget in future for upkeep and maintenance: i think i will be going the A-arm kit. Thank you.
1.50 60Ft. , 10.75@ 127MPH Hauling 3900 LBS.
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: Chargerfan68]
#2877977
01/21/21 05:20 PM
01/21/21 05:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Chargerfan68
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Thanks guys for the advice and all the pics. Those really help in putting this plan together. I also have a guy that i know that built a backhalf/front clip b body in the early 90’s that I can get some feedback from. I know that was a long time ago, and things have progressed, but his car ran in the 9.20’s back then and was nicely built.
1.50 60Ft. , 10.75@ 127MPH Hauling 3900 LBS.
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: Chargerfan68]
#2877983
01/21/21 05:44 PM
01/21/21 05:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,484 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
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Fulton County, PA
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I am definitely getting the kit from Alston. They offer both types, which is why i was asking for pros and cons as well as which one is more suitable for my application. After reading everything and considering budget in future for upkeep and maintenance: i think i will be going the A-arm kit.
Thank you.
Use the short shock like in the photo at the top. If the car is low, has a 4 link and the engine is moved back, you don't need or want 6 inches of travel.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: Drag front clip- A arms vs strut
[Re: CMcAllister]
#2877995
01/21/21 06:15 PM
01/21/21 06:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,233 fredericksburg,va
cudaman1969
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I have this one, no idea who makes it, but it works great for me & loads of room for headers etc... That's an Alston kit. They work well. They do (did?) a few variations of that including a fabricated upper a-arm that saved some weight and space as well. I used theirs 24 years ago fabed top and bottom with Koni shock and Airhart brakes. Once I got bump steer and rack right drove straight and TURNED right. ton of room for full length pan and headers over the rails, 3” frame height and 4 link-wishbone, hook on snot. 1.21 60 at 5.60. Almost no weight transfer with a strut, have to rely on HP to rotate the car. 1000 hp and up a strut, 5-600 a-arm.
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