Observations from a Mopar Guy

[Mopar1]

Been downloading all the vids I can that show street/strip mustangs in the initial launch off the line. Notice a lot of wheel spin even from ones that have only a few mods. Is this just the suspension system that they have or is it that people are not paying proper attention to a very critical area.

Example: Once I had the HP package,the drivetrain, and HP to weight ratio(i.e lightining up the chassis) done on the Duster, I spent most of the time tuning the carb (i.e. no lag off the line etc.) and getting the horsepower to the pavement (i.e. rear leaf spring suspension). Granted it took some time and frustration, but it paid off big time. I beat cars with more HP because they only paid attention to the motor. I'm talking about street/strip cars here not dedicated strip cars.

Just a curiosity and I'm not bashing anyone. When I read or hear on this forum, ls1.com, and others telling people "to pedal it off the line", I raise an eyebrow and wonder if enough attention is being paid to the suspension. If you got to pedal it to get it to hook, that tells me you are neglecting that all important area.

Are the observations correct or am I out dated. lol

cheers all

BTW if you havent seen that vid " LS1 kill " in the street racers thread, go watch it. from what i could see he hooked up rather well. from what i could see

[PKRWUD]

Ahhhh, you have found one of the biggest problems, IMO, with the Mustang. It is no Plymouth Duster. One of my very favorite features of the Duster/Demon's was the narrow rear axle/huge fenderwells. You could tuck L-60's in there without any modifications. Mustangs are not the same, and require a little bit more effort to get the tires to grab. I'm afraid other then welding the subs together, I can't be of much help to you, as I am primarly an engine guy, but there are several here who could guide you in the right direction, including the big man himself, Dan.

Take care,
-Chris

[Mopar1]

Thanx for the replies to my e-mails on the 91 LX. Once I get the HP package I want for this LX I will work on the suspension. I am learning and relearning things everyday.

[Dark Knight]

actually, the mustang suspension works very well...thats why people are running 9's on drag radials.. all it really takes is some good control arms and losing the front sway bar... it's basically the same as a 4-link.. adjustable control arms will let you set it up to launch hard.. 1.50 60ft times are pretty easy to get with some decent power :-)

[Stroked408]

Yeah it is a lot of things it takes to get the short-wheelbase Mustang to hook.

You bring up valid points but also there are Mustangs with 10 inch wide tires doing "4 In-The-Air-Bumperdrags".

Some tracks hook better than others and you have to adjust the suspension just right.

There are a number of good companies out there that make good lower control arms like Maximum Motorsports with their Mega-Bite Jr's,Mac,BBK and Southsides.

I totally agree with you there,seems a lot of Mustangers pay more attention under the hood than the whole package.

[ultraflo]

I managed a 1.401 60ft. with a little bit of tire spin off the line using a TRZ rear suspension setup... Anti-roll bar, solid lowers, adj. uppers... my point being that if you address the problems with the factory rear suspension then you can get the hook with a small tire (I run a 28x10 Goodyear slick on an 8" rim). I need to work on doing a better burnout thought... I might see a 1.3xx ...only got 10 passes in this year so far and hadn't been to the track in over a year before July 3rd (I'm a little rusty)

Like mentioned with the drag radial guys... look at SSO, most run in the low eights with Job Spetter Jr. running a 7.80 or 7.90 something a couple years ago on a true 10.5 tire and stock type suspension like I run (no ladder bars)

As far as the street goes... just borrow from the hardcore dragracers. I run the anti-roll bar on the street at times and hooked pretty good with 28x12.5 ET streets (10.5" tread width)

You shouldn't have too much of a problem hooking if you get some aftermarket pieces for the rear, IMHO ...without having to feather the throttle

One thing I noticed about the anti-roll bar setup is the more power you put to it, the more pre-load you need in the passenger side link to get a good, straight launch (otherwise it goes to the right a little... with the wheels up it can be a little scary )

You'll get it!!! (and so will I)

Good Luck

[tarmon8r]

ryan,

i am interested in getting an anti-roll bar for my combo. any suggestions and did you install the anti-roll bar in the frame under the car, cause i saw a guy at the track have his installed to the roll cage in the trunk, and extending down through his floorpan to his rear. just wondering you thoughts about them and anuy info would be helpful. which kind did you get? how hard were they to install, and do you have full exhaust over the axles and did you have any problems clearing the exhaust with your anti-roll bar. cause i heard it will clear " stock exhaust". i have a 3" exhaust over the axle. just trying to get the 411 on tthis ,

thanxs

[red82gt]

When most of us are talking about feathering it off the line it is because we are running 235/45 17's or something silly like that at the track. No matter how good the suspension is these things aren't going to hook. Most of us "feathering" it off the line need to buck up and buy a real set of tires for the track.

[ultraflo]

tarmon ...I run a TRZ suspension (all rear components mentioned in previous post). I did the install... wasn't too bad really. You need a mig, a buble level, a tape measure, etc. etc.

Any rollbar that mounts to the framerails and has roller bearings is a good setup IMHO... HPM, Wolfe Racecraft, to name a couple. The TRZ anti-roll bar I use attaches to the floor pan and works pretty good so far.

As for exhaust... I do not run tailpipes and I'm not sure what anti-roll bar allows for 3" tp's if any even do. I'm going to run open headers next time I go to the dragstrip. I run the time in my sig through 2 1/2" Magnaflow mufflers with turn downs... gonna see what kinda difference it makes.

I recommend you do more internet research and what not to learn more about them, see some good pics of different brands and do a search on every major mustang forum on the 'net to see what you come up with for good/bad product reviews.

Good Luck!

red I hear ya! Once I finally made the move from street tires to slicks at the strip, I wondered why I even wasted my time on regular radial tires

Later