Front End Suspension, NHRA Rule Question

[Andy Friar]

Please excuse me if this is a dumb question. I am building my first race car, with my Dad, and we had a question about the NHRA rule for stock eliminator cars.

Section 10, page 7 states: "Must retain complete stock front suspension system as produced by manufacturer for body used, aftermarket tie rods with Heim joints permitted. Lift kits/travel limiters prohibited. Sway bar optional. SeeGeneral Regulations 3:4."

I don't think that everyone uses stock rubber bushings and I know that racers don't use stock front shocks either. Don't know about what people run for ball joints, but I believe that I want to reduce stiction in the front suspension. That being said would a drag kit like offered by Global West be NHRA legal to run on our 1969 Chevelle?

http://www.globalwest.net/dragracingsuspensionkits.html

Thanks in advance guys/ gals!

[Terry Cain]

Andy,
Yes, you can use the global west bushings and you can even use a longer ball joint such as the ones offered by AFCO.

[Andy Friar]

Thanks Terry. I am going to pursue the different options out there, including Afco as you recommended.

The last time our car was raced was in 1978 as a stocker. I was minus 1 yrs old then and the rules have changed a bit since then. The car means a whole heck of a lot more to me and my Dad than it's monetary value on the market. I am going to take the time to post the build of it on here, because I really dig reading and checking out other peoples stuff.

[FLEMING]

The global west stuff is nice, but hard to install.... I would go with the greasable afco bushings, that's what I put on my car after talking with greg hill, they are very very free now..

[1320racer]

Delrin bushings are nice but the same can be accomplished as a means to reducing stiction with black polygraphite bushings by clearancing the inner sleeve and adding zerk fittings to the outer shell. Longer ball joints than are available from either afco or howe are a must in an effort to gain much needed travel along with the right coil springs. But if you want the best setup, contact Alf Wiebe.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbKYio6OvKM"]THE PROOF IS IN THE PERFORMANCE - YouTube[/ame]

[Andy Friar]

Thanks Fleming, who is Greg Hill?

[Andy Friar]

Thanks 1320racer, I run the prototype machine shop at work so I could modify parts too, or just buy them. I will do some research on Alf as well. If our car could leave like the one on the video, i would be happy!

[Todd Hoven]

Nice video, it bounced to much off the wheel stand.

[1320racer]

Had single adjustable gas charged Koni shocks upfront. With the then new engine/power, it needed and I would have installed AFCO BNC DA had I not sold it.

Andy getting a GM A body to leave like my former car with 59% of its 3880 lbs. on the front wheels is about everything being right. BTW, that is footbraked launched at 2500 RPM and Todd witnessed it carry the front wheels much much farther.

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by Andy

Thanks 1320racer, I run the prototype machine shop at work so I could modify parts too, or just buy them. I will do some research on Alf as well. If our car could leave like the one on the video, i would be happy!

Then build yourself some needle bearing a-arm bushing replacements!