SHOCKS - Opinions requested please

[Glennster]

 The main thing I am looking for if I go to new shocks, is more bite off the line. I'm having a hard time getting off the line at the strip without spinning the tires.

  Here's my current set up -  1970 Challenger - 9.5'' Hoosier slicks - I have stock suspension except for adding a leaf to lift a sagging rear. My shocks are old Monroe's.
  I was getting off the line without spin when I had a 2800 stall. I went to a 3500 stall, now it's hard to launch without spinning. My best 60 foot is 1.75
  My question kind of goes like this. If I stay with my current leaf springs but add something like QA1 shocks, will it make a significant difference on initial bite / traction? 

[nqkjw]

What's your ET and mph?
Need that info to assess how far off your 1.75 60ft is.

IF the car was working well a 1.75 60ft should be roughly .say 13.5@97mph

[highberg]

Caltracs are great. I use them with the top hole and zero preload for great bite. They get me into the 9's and put about .4 of a second faster than without them. Good value for $340 bucks. I am using hemi springs in my cuda.

[Glennster]

I'm going 12.30 at 109mph.

[mr_340]

you might want to try clamps on the front segment of the springs before you spend the $$$ on the Caltrac's.

[nqkjw]

you might want to try clamps on the front segment of the springs before you spend the $$$ on the Caltrac's.

Agreed.
At 109 you've got the potential to turn a 12.1 so you're not missing out on much.
You don't need caltracs at this level.
Do you have a pinion snubber?
Around a 1.66 60ft is about what you're aiming for.

FWIW mine has gone 11.9@111 with a best 60ft of 1.62. Reguarlarly 60ft at 1.65-1.69.
All I have is superstock springs,pinion snubber and cheap 3way shocks.

[Glennster]

 Yes... I have a pinion snubber.  A lot of this is new to me, how exactly would I clamp the leaf springs?
And, do I only clamp the leaf springs forward of the reart axle?
THANK you for your time and advice!

[Chryco Psycho]

Yes , use a square top U bolt over the front section of the leaf approx 1/2 way between the diff & spring eye , adding another forward leaf or too will help also .
 My experience with Caltracs has been bad , we used the stock leafs & just added caltracs the 60' time went from 1.72 without to 1.72 with no matter how they were adjusted .
  I have had much better results using ladderbars & floaters , My Duster ran 1.42 60 ' , average 1.46 , running 11.7s @ 118 mph with the front wheels hanging 

[nqkjw]

Still not a good set of numbers Chryco.
118 shows the potential for an 11.2
60ft is good.Too good.
Maybe wasting time going up instead of forward?
Sounds like it'd be an exciting , wild launch!!!

[Chryco Psycho]

4 spd car so a little lost in the shifts , definatly had potential to run faster & was fun to launch , it would even pull the front wheels on the street with street tires !!

[Glennster]

 I've changed this thread a bit, I will clamp the front of the leaf springs as suggested. But I wonder if some shocks that help hold the squat as I launch might help.....

[jhaag]

yes a good set of adjustable shocks would help. play with the snubber settings also. make 1 change a time and evaluate. Do you leave at an idle or above? starting line rpm makes a difference. you are hitting the rear tires harder with the higher stall convertor. don't forget the front of the car. weight transfer is always helpful. adjustable front shocks will help there as well. or if a race only car, 90/10 shocks and 6 cylinder torsion bars

[Glennster]

I'm brake torquing off the line at about 2,500 RPM's.
I just have the stock snubber, I didn't know there was an adjustment. The ears that it mounts to the rear end with were bent when I got it, so I just beat them back to flat.
 I have not payed any attention to it, maybe it's bent and doing me no good at all. I really don't understand what the snubber does. How about a quick explanation?
THANK YOU!

[barracuda7199]

there is a great selection of adjustable snubbers here http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/adpinsnib.html
i have one on my car i think it does help some. clamping the front of leaves is a great idea it stiffens the leaves and acts like a traction bar thats why the stock mopar springs have a short front section and a long rear section. its also the reason why the mopar performance super stock springs are 2 inches shorter than stock e body springs. i also have an set of adlustable rear qa1 shocks on the way but it will be 2 weeks before i can make it to the track to test them out.

[spamtank]

Interesting discussion.