Ken Keir wheelie bars

40Coupe · 02-19-2012, 08:03 PM

Anyone running his single bar on a first gen Camaro? If so how well does it work? Also, any pictures of the setup?

Thanks!

race watcher · 02-19-2012, 08:09 PM

Running 1 wheel for 7 years no problem. They do need to be tuned.

1320racer · 02-19-2012, 10:06 PM

Garret, you really want a wheelie bar?

You should be able to tune your wheelies by tightening the front shock extension and adding travel.

http://www.classracer.com/classforum...t=36346&page=3

40Coupe · 02-19-2012, 10:47 PM

Not really a want but more of a need at this point. The bars would offer a margin of safety which I don't currently have.

If the surface is well prepped I can do as you say and tighten things down and everything goes to plan.

In order to hook on a marginal track I've got to set the front shocks full loose and full travel, then it goes bumper. If I begin taking travel out or tightening the rebound it starts blowing them off.

I don't see an obvious downside to bars.

Ian Hill · 02-20-2012, 07:08 AM

i run Ken's bar. it works well. the installation is an obvious breeze as there is no welding required. i found that you have to make sure the spot welds holding the diff tubes in have to be ground smooth. i find that the higher the wheel stand, the quicker my run. As sson as i run the bar i lose .1. i set it so it just misses the rear valance (i know cause i have the dents to prove it!), for every inch i lower it i lose .06 to .1. i have run as quick as 1.33 60 ft and i am not having any spin or unloading issues through the launch.

last time i checked, he had some good photos on his site.

http://kenkeirracecars.com/

Ian
1968 Camaro
F/CM

1320racer · 02-20-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40Coupe

In order to hook on a marginal track I've got to set the front shocks full loose and full travel, then it goes bumper. I don't see an obvious downside to bars.

Does it really go on the bumper?

Whose shocks are you running?

FYI, I've run my Firebird without the wheelie bars using only the DA Afco's and travel limiters to control the wheelie.

You could always add ballast up front also

I just don't see the need on your car and I like relatively quick real street cars.

40Coupe · 02-20-2012, 10:41 AM

Afco DA's front and rear.

1320racer · 02-20-2012, 11:18 AM

looks perfect to me.

and you've got the right shocks. So if you can't calm the wheelie down by tightening the extension and adjusting travel limiters, just put 30 lbs. on the nose and it's done.

Maybe put the stock battery back up front does the trick.

40Coupe · 02-20-2012, 11:21 AM

The battery is still up front. LOL

P.S. I was in 3rd gear at the tree praying for it to come down in that shot.

1320racer · 02-20-2012, 11:28 AM

Head wind helped that wheelie.

I wouldn't worry about. Hang some more weight up front.

How tight was the extension on the front shocks? I can go from this...

with the extension 1/4 turn from full tight

to this, with the extension at full tight...

02-19-2012, 08:03 PM	#1
40Coupe Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 91 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ken Keir wheelie bars Anyone running his single bar on a first gen Camaro? If so how well does it work? Also, any pictures of the setup? Thanks! __________________ '67 Camaro 1.25 5.77 @ 118

02-19-2012, 08:09 PM	#2
race watcher Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 50 Likes: 5 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Ken Keir wheelie bars Running 1 wheel for 7 years no problem. They do need to be tuned.

02-19-2012, 10:06 PM	#3
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,776 Likes: 70 Liked 398 Times in 189 Posts	Re: Ken Keir wheelie bars Garret, you really want a wheelie bar? You should be able to tune your wheelies by tightening the front shock extension and adding travel. http://www.classracer.com/classforum...t=36346&page=3

02-19-2012, 10:47 PM	#4
40Coupe Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 91 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ken Keir wheelie bars Not really a want but more of a need at this point. The bars would offer a margin of safety which I don't currently have. If the surface is well prepped I can do as you say and tighten things down and everything goes to plan. In order to hook on a marginal track I've got to set the front shocks full loose and full travel, then it goes bumper. If I begin taking travel out or tightening the rebound it starts blowing them off. I don't see an obvious downside to bars. __________________ '67 Camaro 1.25 5.77 @ 118

02-20-2012, 07:08 AM	#5
Ian Hill Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 216 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Ken Keir wheelie bars i run Ken's bar. it works well. the installation is an obvious breeze as there is no welding required. i found that you have to make sure the spot welds holding the diff tubes in have to be ground smooth. i find that the higher the wheel stand, the quicker my run. As sson as i run the bar i lose .1. i set it so it just misses the rear valance (i know cause i have the dents to prove it!), for every inch i lower it i lose .06 to .1. i have run as quick as 1.33 60 ft and i am not having any spin or unloading issues through the launch. last time i checked, he had some good photos on his site. http://kenkeirracecars.com/ Ian 1968 Camaro F/CM

02-20-2012, 10:41 AM	#7
40Coupe Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 91 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ken Keir wheelie bars Afco DA's front and rear. __________________ '67 Camaro 1.25 5.77 @ 118

02-20-2012, 11:18 AM	#8
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,776 Likes: 70 Liked 398 Times in 189 Posts	Re: Ken Keir wheelie bars looks perfect to me. and you've got the right shocks. So if you can't calm the wheelie down by tightening the extension and adjusting travel limiters, just put 30 lbs. on the nose and it's done. Maybe put the stock battery back up front does the trick.

02-20-2012, 11:21 AM	#9
40Coupe Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 91 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ken Keir wheelie bars The battery is still up front. LOL P.S. I was in 3rd gear at the tree praying for it to come down in that shot. __________________ '67 Camaro 1.25 5.77 @ 118

02-20-2012, 11:28 AM	#10
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,776 Likes: 70 Liked 398 Times in 189 Posts	Re: Ken Keir wheelie bars Head wind helped that wheelie. I wouldn't worry about. Hang some more weight up front. How tight was the extension on the front shocks? I can go from this... with the extension 1/4 turn from full tight to this, with the extension at full tight... Last edited by 1320racer; 02-20-2012 at 11:40 AM.