Project "Payback"

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I have 450's up front. With an all aluminum big block it puts me at about 500 lbs for the engine vs around 750 for a iron big block. I'll let you know how the 220's work out.

I was running 450's up front on the Nomad.. it's a SBC so is probably about what the ZL1 BBC is.... and I went to 550's up front and the ride GOT BETTER not worse.

These things all aren't what they seem on paper. I'd have bet my last buck the 450's would give nice ride and the 550's would be harsher... but go figure. I also changed the shocks from QA1's (they suck) to Strange.... so that may also have helped with the overall ride quality. My sister got in the car - I didn't tell her I'd done anything -- and she says -- Have you done something to the ride? It used to ride like crap!

She's right of course.... Gee.... come to think of it -- I sure hope she got home okay.

[Vegas69]

What's that Nomad weigh, 6000 lbs? I agree, I just don't want to swap both ends at once. I may go to 500's just to split the difference.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

What's that Nomad weigh, 6000 lbs?

4023 #'s to be exact and weight balanced by a professional race shop here.

It's "svelte" like me!

[mfain]

Hey Todd, car is looking great! I have a question about your rear spring rate change. Obviously you are doing that to carry the weight and to prevent the shocks from bottoming. Are you concerned about making the car "looser" by increasing the rear roll stiffness without also increasing the front? Stiffer springs on the rear will definitely induce more oversteer, although not nearly as bad as bottoming a shock in the middle of a turn. I remember that you were fighting a loose condition early on. IMHO, You might have to sacrafice a little ride comfort (stiffer front springs) to get the car back in balance.

Pappy

[tones2SS]

That's one mean looking car.
Good luck with the spring rate.

[Payton King]

I would guess Stielow's car's motor weighs about what yours does and he is running 550 front and 275 rear. I think Rupp runs 550 or 500 front with a 275 rear. Mary Pozzi's 2nd gen runs a custom 275 lbs rear leaf.

Not getting into sway bars or sizing, but I would probably start at 550 in front and 275 in the rear. Seems to me with 3 different style suspension set ups, the 275 seems to work with these cars.

[Vegas69]

Pappy, you are absolutely right. Since I unhooked the sway bar, the car is actually a little to tight. I dropped the air pressure in the tires and it tightened it up even more. My thought was that the correct spring rate and more travel may balance out the car with the current front spring. Who knows....

Payton, listening to Mark's interview after the challenge is what got my wheels spinning. He mentioned 550/250 in the interview. His car looked really sporty. You are probably right, who better to copy! I think you have me talked into swapping the front springs.

[ironworks]

What brand of springs are running? I just changed the brand on mine and found a difference in the same pressure.