Big wheelies?
 

If you guys tied down the front ends and ran a bigger slick to hook, how much do you think the cars would pick up in the 60' and ET? Just curious, everybody says going up and not out is loosing time and waisting hp. Wondering how true it is. Any back to back tests?

Re: Big wheelies?
 

My car runs faster in 60' and also 1/4 mile et when it gets up in the air.

Re: Big wheelies?
 

There ya go. Blows that myth out the window.

Re: Big wheelies?
 

Mine is .02 - .05 faster tied down.. but mine comes up higher than most.
I also run a greater risk of spinning the tire with it tied down so I keep in loose most of time.

Re: Big wheelies?
 

Lots of variables. But if you can make it hook with smaller tires, it will be faster.

Re: Big wheelies?
 

When I was a kid just getting started with my then-index-runner Front Wheel Drive Turismo, I witnessed an argument between Billy Nees and a guy who was shoeing Sweitzer's old car, who said "My car didn't wheelstand, so it didn't ET.", to which Billy finger-waggled, "If your car has to wheelstand to ET, there's something wrong."

I chimed in with a smirk, "My car didn't wheelstand, and it didn't ET either!"

In unison, they turned on me, "SHADDAP!"

Re: Big wheelies?
 

Mine is a few hun quicker with the front end tied down. If it actually scrapes the rear on the ground and shifts in the air (did it twice at Memphis) it'll costs me a full tenth. If I can make it dead hook and keep the tires less than a foot off the ground it normally runs quickest. It's a very narrow window, however, between spinning the tires and doing that. I've gotten in trouble trying to run it that way. A little change in the track and it can easily blow the tires off next round. It's safer to let it get up a couple of feet. I run 10.5" wide Hoosier radials.

Re: Big wheelies?
 

My old Cutlass ran the fastest when it drug the bumper for 80 foot

Re: Big wheelies?
 

Mike. My car don't wheelstand neither. LOL

Re: Big wheelies?
 

What I found with my Monte Carlo was the rear suspension dictated how I had to launch the car. With the ladder bars the car was quickest when it did a big wheelie and was shifted in the air.
Once I changed to the 4 link rear suspension it was quicker when I kept it from doing too big a wheelie and drove it out more.

My conclusion was the ladder bar setup didn't keep the rear tires planted as well as the 4 link so it was necessary to keep more weight on the rear tires to limit the spin.

It sure was fun doing the big wheelies though!!