H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by Sean Marconette

Hi Todd,
What gear is she doing a burnout in, it looks like 2nd? Have you tried 3rd gear, as that will have a higher wheel speed and require a lower engine RPM to do so.

Also what are your thoughts on the wheelie bar?

Again very cool build!
Sean

Yes Sean 2nd gear, I agree 3rd would be a better option but I think shes too inexperienced and would stress the trans too much, we'll work into that. The bar is of high quality and is real nice, Ken said he runs them about 10" off the ground but at that height it would easily get pushed into the bumper on a hard launch so I set it at maybe 8", well I didn't realize just how much the axle wraps up with these leafs so even on a soft launch it will bounce the wheel off the track. I'm going to call Caltrac and see if it's normal or I have to change something in the suspension.

[TOSTO RACING]

Todd save the call to cal trac. I chose not to weld my bottom bar on the wheelie bar and just use a bolt to set height (I figured I would weld it once I made a few runs so I can set height perfect) and mine hit the ground so hard it broke the bolt on a pass leaving the bar dragging down the track !!! I set my bar 13 inches on these runs. Now its 15 inches off the ground to hopefully not have it hit on the leave.

I think its a stick car thing as far as axle movement maybe a good shock will stabalize it a bit more idk.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by TOSTO RACING

Todd save the call to cal trac. I chose not to weld my bottom bar on the wheelie bar and just use a bolt to set height (I figured I would weld it once I made a few runs so I can set height perfect) and mine hit the ground so hard it broke the bolt on a pass leaving the bar dragging down the track !!! I set my bar 13 inches on these runs. Now its 15 inches off the ground to hopefully not have it hit on the leave.

I think its a stick car thing as far as axle movement maybe a good shock will stabalize it a bit more idk.

I did the same thing, bolted it to get it right then I'll weld. Crazy how much it moves. I have a new set of DA shocks on the way to replace the Caltrac shocks.

[J&S Racing]

Not sure if it was shenanigans but when ken found my car was a stick he sold me on a bigger diameter bar. It’s crazy how violent the bars move shifting a stick. ( could see it in your first vid )

When I recently ordered my rear shocks Marty had me measure from the mounting spot to the cal tracs with the rear end hanging. He mentioned some stick guys having issues with to short of rear shock travel.

[TOSTO RACING]

I also got the bigger bar from Ken because of the stick . I think the shock deal is the ticket in fixing this . Actually my bottom bar is slightly bent from smacking the ground also . What's weird is I don't remember the dual bars ever smacking the ground like this and it shouldn't matter they both bolt to the housing ?? I dont have a real good shock yet just a single adjustable so we will see .

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by TOSTO RACING

I also got the bigger bar from Ken because of the stick . I think the shock deal is the ticket in fixing this . Actually my bottom bar is slightly bent from smacking the ground also . What's weird is I don't remember the dual bars ever smacking the ground like this and it shouldn't matter they both bolt to the housing ?? I dont have a real good shock yet just a single adjustable so we will see .

When I purchased the car the shocks were full loose so I put them back the same way, I can see where a stiffer shock setting would calm it down a bit.

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Nmbr1GMfan

When I purchased the car the shocks were full loose so I put them back the same way, I can see where a stiffer shock setting would calm it down a bit.

Before good shocks were available, road race or dirt track 50/50 shocks were the answer. Very stiff.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by J&S Racing

Not sure if it was shenanigans but when ken found my car was a stick he sold me on a bigger diameter bar. It’s crazy how violent the bars move shifting a stick. ( could see it in your first vid )

When I recently ordered my rear shocks Marty had me measure from the mounting spot to the cal tracs with the rear end hanging. He mentioned some stick guys having issues with to short of rear shock travel.

I could definately see a real traction issue if the shocks were to bottom out. I noticed a puddle in the trailer and one shock was all wet so it must be time. I ordered QA-1 shocks, not the best but hopefully they'll be up to the task.