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Re: Leaf spring vodoo, the black hole of information
[Re: ThermoQuad]
#311497
05/09/09 07:26 AM
05/09/09 07:26 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,180
upstate western ny
sogtx
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,180
upstate western ny
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how do you stand on top of the spring without it buckling over and getting a cocussion when your head hits the bench ...  i too am pondering this decision in choosing the right springs for the fast class car .. many techniques are being use to launch these cars .. guys with high dollar calculated arches/spring rates tuned for slicks guy with worn out 318 springs rearched original 7 leafs guys mocking up monoleafs to look stock . you think you got decisions ... today im taking the low buck approach the springs off the sunroof car are getting swapped onto the fast car .. espo 7 leafs .. then lowering them with firm feel brackets . or should i get espo springs dearched .. what does the book say about polyglas and 700 hp 
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Re: Leaf spring vodoo, the black hole of information
[Re: ThermoQuad]
#311498
05/09/09 09:13 AM
05/09/09 09:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,966
Greenville, PA
redraptor
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,966
Greenville, PA
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Quote:
I have been in need of rear springs for my road course/street driven AAR 'Cuda. When you run around corners at high speeds the rear spring rate is something to ponder because the better handling albeit slower cars always catch up in the tight turns, yet they get killed on the straightaways.
This first part sounds more like a power to weight ratio problem. I agree that any improvement you can make to the rear suspension will help you but the little guys will still catch you in the curves.
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Re: Leaf spring vodoo, the black hole of information
[Re: Lefty]
#311499
05/10/09 02:15 PM
05/10/09 02:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,395
Pikes Peak Country
TC@HP2
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,395
Pikes Peak Country
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Quote:
How are you guys weighing your cars on all four corners for weight distribution? The four corner scales are $1000+  I've heard there are people at our local fairgrounds dirt track (Watsonville Speedway) who do it for a fee on race night. I've been wanting to go watch the races and find out. 
http://www.oceanspeedway.com/
Certainly four corner scales are the best and most accurate way to do this. Look around your area and you can probably find places that offer this as a service. Like you said, at the local oval track, or check the phone book for performance cars, race cars, chassis shops or something along those lines. Any chassis shop worth its salt will have scales. Of course, depending on what they charge, if you going to weigh your car enough times, it might actually be worth while to buy a set. I've had quotes from $50 to $400 to scale a car in my area, so shop around.
Another alternative to four corner weights is at least front to rear weight bias. This can be accomplished anywhere that has a large scale; truck stops, moving companies, landscaping suppliers, the drag strip, etc. and can usually be done for free if you ask. Its not ideal but can at least give you an idea of the roll couple your car will require to remain neutural.Once you know this, then an inquiring here will certainly gain a response.
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Re: Leaf spring vodoo, the black hole of information
[Re: Lefty]
#311500
08/03/09 11:59 AM
08/03/09 11:59 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347
Today? Who Knows?
1_WILD_RT
Management Trainee
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Management Trainee
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347
Today? Who Knows?
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Quote:
How are you guys weighing your cars on all four corners for weight distribution? The four corner scales are $1000+ I've heard there are people at our local fairgrounds dirt track (Watsonville Speedway) who do it for a fee on race night. I've been wanting to go watch the races and find out.
http://www.oceanspeedway.com/
FWIW I know a low budget local racer that only uses one scale, he has three woodenpads the same height as the scale & sets the car up in the same level area every time he makes adjustments... One used industrial platform scale shouldn't be that hard to find...
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Re: Leaf spring vodoo, the black hole of information
[Re: 1_WILD_RT]
#311501
08/03/09 12:32 PM
08/03/09 12:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,516
Santa Cruz, California
Lefty
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,516
Santa Cruz, California
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Quote:
One used industrial platform scale shouldn't be that hard to find...
Great idea, I'll have to watch ebag... 
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Re: Leaf spring vodoo, the black hole of information
[Re: autoxcuda]
#311502
08/03/09 05:01 PM
08/03/09 05:01 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 102
Virginia
MACDiesel
member
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member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 102
Virginia
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Quote:
I have it, but I think the old Mike Martin "Mopar Suspensions" book is much much better for handling info.
Can you post the ISBN # for that book? I googled it buy couldn't find it.
Oh yeah, how do you subcribe to threads on this site?
Last edited by MACDiesel; 08/03/09 05:03 PM.
-1967 Belvedere II 440/4speed
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Re: Leaf spring vodoo, the black hole of information
[Re: autoxcuda]
#311508
08/04/09 12:59 PM
08/04/09 12:59 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,577
Long Island, NY USA
BergmanAutoCraft
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,577
Long Island, NY USA
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Quote:
Have you guys seen the new Hotchkis rear leaf spring for Mopars?
Seem a little different looking leaf than what else is offered. They have a real thick front segment and not much in the rear segment. Claiming to weigh less that stock.
I've heard of making the front really stout to make behave like a solid link.
The engineer at Hotchkis said when they moved the front spring hanger up it reduced roll steer geometery. So another benefit on top of lowering the car.
Good point Steve, but this changes the pinion angle in a negative way, so I can't see how this can be beneficial. I also can't understand how Hotchkiss recomends using stock torsion bars?
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Re: Leaf spring vodoo, the black hole of information
[Re: ThermoQuad]
#311510
08/04/09 05:29 PM
08/04/09 05:29 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,526
Tenn.
jrwoodjoe
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,526
Tenn.
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Hey Tom,
Interesting thread. I am going to upgrade my Challenger to the T/A spec springs since I'm building a T/A replica. I was curious. What Torsion Bars you are currently running? The stock ones or upgraded?
Joe
65 Barracuda
70 Challenger
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