Wheelie Bars?

Matt S · 05-22-2022, 12:34 PM

What does everyone like for wheelie bars on their leaf spring cars? I haven’t had much luck with a set from Calvert. It seems like as soon as the bars hit it wants to push the back of the car up and unload the rear tire. This is a Camaro on split mono leaves with a Ford 9” rear.

Dyno · 05-22-2022, 08:05 PM

You need a good set of front shocks to control the rate and height of the front end.

Larry Hill · 05-22-2022, 08:28 PM

May want to consider raising the the bars up a little at a time until the 60’ slow down. Just a thought.

ss3011 · 05-22-2022, 09:12 PM

I like a set with some springs on them to give a little cushion when they hit the surface. Competition Engineering has a decent set that I use on my 1973 Formula with leaf springs.

Matt S · 05-22-2022, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyno

You need a good set of front shocks to control the rate and height of the front end.

AFCO 3840BNC double adjustable shocks in the front, 3870BG in the rear. Honestly, both are probably still a little too loose on the extension. I do have some adjustment left where I can tighten the extension a little more. It's killing the sidewall in the rear, and the front rises rather quickly. I'm sure this is all part of the problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

May want to consider raising the the bars up a little at a time until the 60’ slow down. Just a thought.

Larry, I'm out of upward adjustment on the bars at about 3.5" between the bottom of the rear wheel and the ground. I've even gone so far as to cut the bars apart and fabricate new attachment points to gain a little more clearance, but I'm maxed out. Seems like a lot of folks set theirs much higher in this type of application.

SStockDart · 05-22-2022, 10:15 PM

Move weight forward, a little at a time and firm up the rear shocks.

J&S Racing · 05-23-2022, 06:16 PM

Ken Kier single

Matt S · 05-23-2022, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J&S Racing

Ken Kier single

Was in contact with the folks at Ken's shop today. Waiting on a call back, and hopefully we can make something happen there. There is a picture or two on their Facebook of the bars installed on a drop-out center section housing that looks like it would work for me. I don't expect any one part to be the miracle cure-all, but if changing the bars would help make an improvement, I'm all for it.

Matt S · 07-11-2022, 09:40 PM

Just to put a period on this, I ended up with a set of bars from Ken Keir. These things are a work of art, but more importantly, the customer service was outstanding. Both Ken and Ronnie Johnson patiently answered all the questions I had, and made me feel as if I was their only customer. I would highly recommend to anyone needing these types of products or services.

05-22-2022, 12:34 PM	#1
Matt S Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 98 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Wheelie Bars? What does everyone like for wheelie bars on their leaf spring cars? I haven’t had much luck with a set from Calvert. It seems like as soon as the bars hit it wants to push the back of the car up and unload the rear tire. This is a Camaro on split mono leaves with a Ford 9” rear.

05-22-2022, 08:05 PM	#2
Dyno Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 916 Likes: 1,139 Liked 685 Times in 204 Posts	Re: Wheelie Bars? You need a good set of front shocks to control the rate and height of the front end.

05-22-2022, 08:28 PM	#3
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,640 Likes: 1,939 Liked 10,714 Times in 2,230 Posts	Re: Wheelie Bars? May want to consider raising the the bars up a little at a time until the 60’ slow down. Just a thought. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

05-22-2022, 09:12 PM	#4
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 909 Likes: 70 Liked 239 Times in 114 Posts	Re: Wheelie Bars? I like a set with some springs on them to give a little cushion when they hit the surface. Competition Engineering has a decent set that I use on my 1973 Formula with leaf springs.

05-22-2022, 10:15 PM	#6
SStockDart VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Arizona, Texan forever Posts: 1,176 Likes: 879 Liked 574 Times in 212 Posts	Re: Wheelie Bars? Move weight forward, a little at a time and firm up the rear shocks. __________________ Gary Hansen - SS/FA 4911, B/SA 4911

05-23-2022, 06:16 PM	#7
J&S Racing Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 283 Likes: 102 Liked 319 Times in 82 Posts	Re: Wheelie Bars? Ken Kier single

07-11-2022, 09:40 PM	#9
Matt S Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 98 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Wheelie Bars? Just to put a period on this, I ended up with a set of bars from Ken Keir. These things are a work of art, but more importantly, the customer service was outstanding. Both Ken and Ronnie Johnson patiently answered all the questions I had, and made me feel as if I was their only customer. I would highly recommend to anyone needing these types of products or services.