Small tire blues

bob eaker · 08-07-2023, 07:04 AM

Hello. I’m looking for some advice on what I can do to get my 65 Nova SS to transfer weight and not blow the tires off on a marginal track!
Specs: 65 Nova SS 3050# with driver. 447 sbc, 180 pg, 4.10 gears. Heidts front clip with QA1 shocks. (Single adjustable)
Ladderbar rear with single adjustable.
Hoosier 9/30R-15 drag radials
Neal Chance 5300 w/sprag
I know it’s probably not a legal stocker so I run it in Super Gas but I’m trying to get it to leave like a Stocker on a .400 pro tree.
60’ are 1.40s but if the track isn’t sticky it will literally blow the tires off at the hit. (4800 launch)
Any advise appreciated!

Maverick · 08-07-2023, 07:41 AM

You need to talk to the guy who runs super comp in a 72 nova, with 9 inch tires. Kevin White, I talked to him when he was t&t 8.88 @151 on 9 inch tire, street legal. He is from Indy..

Eman · 08-07-2023, 11:15 AM

Have you ever run it on bias tires? If so what did it do on them? I've tried radials on my bracket car and on a good track everything is fine, on a marginal track it was hit or miss and when it missed it missed big time. I had a lot less motor than you but a lot more starting line ratio and 10.5 tires.

Henrys Toy · 08-07-2023, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob eaker

Hello. I’m looking for some advice on what I can do to get my 65 Nova SS to transfer weight and not blow the tires off on a marginal track!
Specs: 65 Nova SS 3050# with driver. 447 sbc, 180 pg, 4.10 gears. Heidts front clip with QA1 shocks. (Single adjustable)
Ladderbar rear with single adjustable.
Hoosier 9/30R-15 drag radials
Neal Chance 5300 w/sprag
I know it’s probably not a legal stocker so I run it in Super Gas but I’m trying to get it to leave like a Stocker on a .400 pro tree.
60’ are 1.40s but if the track isn’t sticky it will literally blow the tires off at the hit. (4800 launch)
Any advise appreciated!

Good afternoon Bob and to all,
With a Ladder bar car you should be able to wheelstand that car, You might need to loosen the shock adjustments and allow the body to pitch rotate on the tires/suspension. Also put the car on corner scales and find where the weight is and isn't and adjust accordingly. Check your shocks to make sure one or two aren't dead. Pinion angle also plays a part in this as well Hopefully something in here will help you, Good Luck with your adventure.

Respectfully,
Henry Kunz 1534 H/SA

Terry Cain · 08-07-2023, 05:34 PM

Bushing on front? need to be loose. Let shocks do the work. Really needs GOOD double adjustable all the way around.
4 corner weight?

Jeff Stout · 08-07-2023, 07:23 PM

Starting line ratio up to high? IDK. 6to1 is a little better fir small tire

NHRA1926 · 08-08-2023, 10:46 AM

Check out the Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket Radial tire. They are notorious for helping small tire cars to hook extremely well. Completely changed my cars launch consistency. They have cars running in the 8's with these tires.

NHRA1926 · 08-08-2023, 10:54 AM

Also, you need to invest in a set of Santhuff shocks for the front. Well worth the cost, really made a difference on front end travel capabilities of my 67 Camaro. QA1's are limited in their capability. Get a hold of Marty Rinehart, he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to suspension advise. I use the Mickey Thompson PBR 29.5 x 10.5 tire. 60 ft 1.33-1.35, car runs low 10's @ 129 mph, and hooks great. Now, I did have a problem hooking at Columbus Divisional, but there were several small tire cars spinning. Track prep was non existent in my opinion. Talk to someone at Mickey Thompson about their tire, they are really good to deal with.

08-07-2023, 07:04 AM	#1
bob eaker Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Camby, Indiana Posts: 1 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Small tire blues Hello. I’m looking for some advice on what I can do to get my 65 Nova SS to transfer weight and not blow the tires off on a marginal track! Specs: 65 Nova SS 3050# with driver. 447 sbc, 180 pg, 4.10 gears. Heidts front clip with QA1 shocks. (Single adjustable) Ladderbar rear with single adjustable. Hoosier 9/30R-15 drag radials Neal Chance 5300 w/sprag I know it’s probably not a legal stocker so I run it in Super Gas but I’m trying to get it to leave like a Stocker on a .400 pro tree. 60’ are 1.40s but if the track isn’t sticky it will literally blow the tires off at the hit. (4800 launch) Any advise appreciated!

08-07-2023, 07:41 AM	#2
Maverick Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 291 Likes: 2 Liked 26 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Small tire blues You need to talk to the guy who runs super comp in a 72 nova, with 9 inch tires. Kevin White, I talked to him when he was t&t 8.88 @151 on 9 inch tire, street legal. He is from Indy..

08-07-2023, 11:15 AM	#3
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 442 Likes: 14 Liked 105 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Small tire blues Have you ever run it on bias tires? If so what did it do on them? I've tried radials on my bracket car and on a good track everything is fine, on a marginal track it was hit or miss and when it missed it missed big time. I had a lot less motor than you but a lot more starting line ratio and 10.5 tires.

08-07-2023, 05:34 PM	#5
Terry Cain Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Georgetown, Indiana (close to Louisville, KY) Posts: 760 Likes: 492 Liked 224 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Small tire blues Bushing on front? need to be loose. Let shocks do the work. Really needs GOOD double adjustable all the way around. 4 corner weight? __________________ Terry Cain ???? STK tcain@twc.com

08-07-2023, 07:23 PM	#6
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,410 Likes: 53 Liked 655 Times in 255 Posts	Re: Small tire blues Starting line ratio up to high? IDK. 6to1 is a little better fir small tire

08-08-2023, 10:46 AM	#7
NHRA1926 Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Bowling green, Ky Posts: 208 Likes: 11 Liked 161 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Small tire blues Check out the Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket Radial tire. They are notorious for helping small tire cars to hook extremely well. Completely changed my cars launch consistency. They have cars running in the 8's with these tires.

08-08-2023, 10:54 AM	#8
NHRA1926 Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Bowling green, Ky Posts: 208 Likes: 11 Liked 161 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Small tire blues Also, you need to invest in a set of Santhuff shocks for the front. Well worth the cost, really made a difference on front end travel capabilities of my 67 Camaro. QA1's are limited in their capability. Get a hold of Marty Rinehart, he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to suspension advise. I use the Mickey Thompson PBR 29.5 x 10.5 tire. 60 ft 1.33-1.35, car runs low 10's @ 129 mph, and hooks great. Now, I did have a problem hooking at Columbus Divisional, but there were several small tire cars spinning. Track prep was non existent in my opinion. Talk to someone at Mickey Thompson about their tire, they are really good to deal with.