Lets talk performance drag suspension conversions. Air ride a poss.?

[chevy72blu]

Ok, heres what I got.

72 SWB (Z'd the frame, converted from a 3/4 long box to a 5 lug 1/2ton SWB).

73-87 front member. 73-87 A arms up front ( to convert to disks), 73-87 12 bolt in the rear with about 2-3 original 73-87 leafs (pulled the over-loads out to drop the back and take care of the crazy rake it sat at.

Heres how she sat when I first finished the suspension work:

She stood like a damn cockroach.

And here with the over-loads pulled (like she is today)


(Sorry I dont have a side-only profile of it)

Meant to say... this is how much front travel I currently have (This was under about 360 (at launch) ft. lbs of torque supplied by an SBC)

As you can see, im only getting about 4" of front end pickup with the current set up, and zero drop in the rear (no weight in the back.. and their may have still been the over-load springs when the pic was taken)


Now, there is a fresh 500+ hp 496 between her fenders that has yet to be fired. Its a street strip truck which main purpose is on the track with some cruising. My main goal is safety and track performance on 14.50 inch DOT slicks. My driveline is stout, but im on stock suspension and stock brakes.

I have NO idea what to do with the rear. Convert it to a 4 link with coils? I have no idea how to build this, but a good buddy of mine did his own custom 4 link in his Jeep recently. Monoleafs and Cal-tracs a better option? Budget is a big issue here, but im taking my time and making it right. I want to put adjustable drag shocks on all 4 corners. Are air bags a possibility with this build? (Never used them... but Id love to have my truck sitting on air.) Im throwing a summit fuel cell in the bed (as well as a nitrous tank) to help with weight displacement. I want this thing to squat hard on the green light. Being able to open the nitrous bottle from the line and get a couple pictures picking some tire would be AWSOME (though infrequent.. as my TH350 is built tough, but its life span is limited at best).

Up front, I would like to go to tubular A arms and possibly one of those trick drop members. But, I dont have much of a desire to lay the frame in it, so that would most likely be a waste. I want to (at the very least) throw some 2" drop coils in up front to give it the stance I want. Can 90/10 or close drag shocks be used with drop coils? Any recommendations on both parts?


This much power needs big stopping power also. Right now shes all stock in the brake dept. Im convering it to hydroboost due to the 108* LSA cam isnt gonna make a ton of vaccuum, and Ive heard hydroboost is awsome. I'd like to put some good size cross drilled/slotted rotors up front with a solid 2 piston caliper. Any recommendations on (cheaply) obtaining these parts would be awsome. Eventually im going to convert the rear to disks, but the drums should be fine- tuned well with heavy duty equipment up front. (Or maybe not? you tell me.)

Im brand new to suspensions to a few lay terms would be nice (I have no idea what gusseting is, for instance.)


I appreciate any feedback! Thanks!

Let me know if more info is needed in any area

[AirMale]

Ca Chassis Works Has A Great 4 Link

[chevy72blu]

Thanks. Im gonna build one, I think.

How much power are you makin?

[AirMale]

Somewhere between 620-650hp

[revn67]

you can also go with coilovers on a dropmember i believe if you don't want to layframe...and you'll have upgraded steering while your at it

[chevy72blu]

Originally Posted by AirMale

Somewhere between 620-650hp

I should produce around 700 on nitrous... I was just hoping to go better than 12 and a half's. How hard were you slipping? what tire?

[SCOTI]

I have no personal knowledge of this but I've read that many tracks won't allow air ride equipped vehicles down the track (helper bags are ok). It would be worth it to verify @ the track where you plan to race.

[AirMale]

I haven't been to the track with the 4 link yet. The 12.50 was with the leaf springs and a hidious 2.02 60ft. time.

[jamis]

The position of that rod end on the panhard bar seems odd. I would think it should be turned 90 degs so to get full swivel of the joint. I would think it would bind in that position as the suspension moves up and down.

[AirMale]

Works for me. Chris Alston designed it for high HP pro street cars and trucks.

[Custom 68]

What type of pinion angle do you guys shoot for? I am stock with 4 inch lowering springs and seems like my rearend is pointing upward too much. I have the measurements but not here but it seems like it is upward about 7 -8 degrees?
Thanks
Dave

[chevy72blu]

4-5 degrees is what you want, if memory serves. Any driveline shop can roll the spring perches for you to correct this. Eventually you will ruin your gears