Ladder Bars

[Jim Hawkins]

The ladder bars on my SS/I 67 camaro are 30" long from housing center to front bolt center. Without measuring bars on other cars these seem short. I have them set in the bottom front bolt hole which is approx. 4 degrees down compared to level surface. This along with a stiff rear shock setting has worked best so far with this the stick shift.
Would a longer ladder bar say 33" help?
I just can't bring myself to cutting the entire back half out of this car to install a 4 link.

[MAURICE BLENDHEIM]

Jim…I'm curious as to what your weight bias is? What problems are you experiencing? MB.

[Mike Pearson]

The ladder bars on my car are 36 long. My car has always worked well. Check the angle of the bars in relation to the rocker panel. Should be 2 degrees down in comparison to the rocker panel. 2 degrees of pinion angle also

[Chevy55]

Originally Posted by Jim Hawkins

The ladder bars on my SS/I 67 camaro are 30" long from housing center to front bolt center. Without measuring bars on other cars these seem short. I have them set in the bottom front bolt hole which is approx. 4 degrees down compared to level surface. This along with a stiff rear shock setting has worked best so far with this the stick shift.
Would a longer ladder bar say 33" help?
I just can't bring myself to cutting the entire back half out of this car to install a 4 link.

The longer the bar the less the bite.

This is the book to read.
http://www.swracecars.com/store/-Doo...5=95-1000.aspx

[b.guggenmos]

Darin Morgans Doorslammers The Chassis Book also has some good information on ladder bars. I have not looked in awhile but I think Amazon still has it?

[Dragsinger]

Jim, what is the car doing that you do not want it to do?

[Jim Hawkins]

My car worked ok at best with a auto. if I chipped it low enough. Otherwise it would spin on the hit. Now with the stick it has a hard time keeping the tire planted after the initial turn or two of the tire.
The reason for my question was just curious if my bars are shorter than most out there, and if set low enough if it really matters.
It would take alot to put longer bars under there and also might hit the floor.

[Chevy55]

There's a lot of possibilities here Jim.
Not enough air in the tires will cause the tires to collapse and break traction with a hard hit. I assume you're running a spring slider.
Shock settings are important. A close video of the tires at launch will help analyze the problem.
I don't think it's good idea to change the ladder bars without knowing the exact cause of the problem.

[Dick Butler]

Dave Morgans book about traction bars will help but if you find it by using the "wives tales" regarding angle of this or that it is a Lucky guess. Need to weigh chassis, front and rear, and use an organized approach to setting up related to instant centers of bars and chassis.. Rocker panel not the same on all chassis etc etc....

[Bob Mulry]

Just a heads up..............

All things equal..........

The higher the front pivot the more HIT (more body separation & more wheel stand) and less forward motion.....

The lower the front pivot less HIT (less body separation & less wheel stand) and more forward motion.....

A car will always ET better with a lower pivot (instant center) location if you can hook it......

Just some really general rules to look at....

Get the Door Slammers Book by Morgan and you don't have to be a rocket surgeon to make it work.....

Bob