How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track ?? - Page 3

racerAL · 06-25-2016, 09:32 AM

Yes I did look at the PBR, but as cad said they don't appear to be a better option on a marginal track.

Todd Geisler · 06-25-2016, 10:37 AM

What shocks out back?

To make the radials work to the best they can a "GOOD" double adjustable shock is advisable.

Granted radials may struggle when the sun is beating on the track or the prep is poor, but some racers just don't take the time (or understand a radial setup) to sort the chassis tuning to make the tire work. It's usually more than bolting the tire on and setting the tire pressure. Weight out back is really a last resort when nothing else has worked.

racerAL · 06-25-2016, 10:49 AM

Rear suspension is ladder bar and Strange adjustable socks and coil over springs. I'm no expert by any stretch, but I have a pretty good handle (knowledge) on the rear chassis set up. Like I mentioned, on a well prepped track my car 60ft in the low 1.40's. Car weighs 3555 race ready and has less than 550 hp. I run 4.56 gear and a 9 inch Dynamic converter.

Todd Geisler · 06-25-2016, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerAL

Rear suspension is ladder bar and Strange adjustable socks and coil over springs. I'm no expert by any stretch, but I have a pretty good handle (knowledge) on the rear chassis set up. Like I mentioned, on a well prepped track my car 60ft in the low 1.40's. Car weighs 3555 race ready and has less than 550 hp. I run 4.56 gear and a 9 inch Dynamic converter.

You have a pretty good handle on the rear chassis for bias slicks or radials? How much experience do you have in setting up the car for radials. Planting a radial is a good bit different than a bias. A single adjustable shock ties your hands when it comes to tuning for a radial.

racerAL · 06-25-2016, 11:00 AM

I thought I had a handle on it with the radials until a few weeks ago...lol. All my best 60ft times have come with the radials on well prepped tracks. I'm still learning as I go, the car has only had "good" parts on it for the last two years. Up until then it was a low power car with a worn out loose converter and junk shocks and springs. So I'm definitely learning as I go.

Todd Geisler · 06-25-2016, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerAL

I thought I had a handle on it with the radials until a few weeks ago...lol. All my best 60ft times have come with the radials on well prepped tracks. I'm still learning as I go, the car has only had "good" parts on it for the last two years. Up until then it was a low power car with a worn out loose converter and junk shocks and springs. So I'm definitely learning as I go.

Well good track conditions will make everyone trying a radial a hero. It's when the track gets hot or lack of prep that tuning skills will show.

I'll clue you in on one thing. Radials need to be hit hard to plant then held down to allow the car to gain speed. This means loose rebound and semi-firm compression.

If you smack a bias as hard as you need to hit a radial the bias balls up, goes out of round and won't accelerate.

Best way to tune the chassis is to put a GoPro under the car looking at the tire/shock/suspension.

racerAL · 06-25-2016, 11:11 AM

Thanks for the info

Todd Geisler · 06-25-2016, 11:15 AM

Here's a video on a 275 DOT radial.

Slow motion version of the same run. Watch the timing of the shock extension.

Car detuned for a different class, different tire, different shocks, different IC, different ride height. Again, note the shock position in relation to the frame rail and the timing of how and when the chassis separates.

Good luck.

Monte Howard · 06-26-2016, 10:51 AM

Don't overlook your front suspension. If I don't jack the front end of my stocker up and let the weight off the front springs, I will have to put new springs in once a year.

racerAL · 06-26-2016, 01:51 PM

No springs on the front of my Mopar. I run Calvert shocks and the rest of the front end is stock.

06-25-2016, 09:32 AM	#21
racerAL Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: central ohio Posts: 19 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track Yes I did look at the PBR, but as cad said they don't appear to be a better option on a marginal track.

06-25-2016, 10:37 AM	#22
Todd Geisler Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 328 Likes: 64 Liked 345 Times in 149 Posts	Re: How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track What shocks out back? To make the radials work to the best they can a "GOOD" double adjustable shock is advisable. Granted radials may struggle when the sun is beating on the track or the prep is poor, but some racers just don't take the time (or understand a radial setup) to sort the chassis tuning to make the tire work. It's usually more than bolting the tire on and setting the tire pressure. Weight out back is really a last resort when nothing else has worked.

06-25-2016, 10:49 AM	#23
racerAL Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: central ohio Posts: 19 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track Rear suspension is ladder bar and Strange adjustable socks and coil over springs. I'm no expert by any stretch, but I have a pretty good handle (knowledge) on the rear chassis set up. Like I mentioned, on a well prepped track my car 60ft in the low 1.40's. Car weighs 3555 race ready and has less than 550 hp. I run 4.56 gear and a 9 inch Dynamic converter.

06-25-2016, 11:00 AM	#25
racerAL Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: central ohio Posts: 19 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track I thought I had a handle on it with the radials until a few weeks ago...lol. All my best 60ft times have come with the radials on well prepped tracks. I'm still learning as I go, the car has only had "good" parts on it for the last two years. Up until then it was a low power car with a worn out loose converter and junk shocks and springs. So I'm definitely learning as I go.

06-25-2016, 11:11 AM	#27
racerAL Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: central ohio Posts: 19 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track Thanks for the info

06-25-2016, 11:15 AM	#28
Todd Geisler Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 328 Likes: 64 Liked 345 Times in 149 Posts	Re: How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track Here's a video on a 275 DOT radial. Slow motion version of the same run. Watch the timing of the shock extension. Car detuned for a different class, different tire, different shocks, different IC, different ride height. Again, note the shock position in relation to the frame rail and the timing of how and when the chassis separates. Good luck. Last edited by Todd Geisler; 06-25-2016 at 11:18 AM.

06-26-2016, 10:51 AM	#29
Monte Howard Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Potomac,IL Posts: 268 Likes: 1 Liked 48 Times in 14 Posts	Re: How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track Don't overlook your front suspension. If I don't jack the front end of my stocker up and let the weight off the front springs, I will have to put new springs in once a year. __________________ Monte Howard 3209 STK, 3208 SS

06-26-2016, 01:51 PM	#30
racerAL Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: central ohio Posts: 19 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do i get a radial slick to hook on a marginal track No springs on the front of my Mopar. I run Calvert shocks and the rest of the front end is stock.