Drag Racing Front End Suspension Tuning | Street to Radial Prep

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Finally, the front end video has come together! I have included a downloadable chart to help provide some high level guidelines on this topic. The Suspension Tuning series has a bunch of content that walks through many chassis configurations and now we have the front end to rear cover in the series. Checkout the series at kzbin.info/aero/PLK2JQ7QIgx_JRQMKBZMkx_tu0W4MDUxZQ and walk through the videos that most apply to your setup. Please hit the Thumbs up button and leave some comments. I apologize about the noise from next door as the weather was so perfect for the kids to be out playing! Go fast! Go straight! Be SAFE!

[@morlockustoms]

I have learned more from you in 5 or so videos than I have my whole life. 😂 So helpful. Thanks a milion.

[@Frontpagefab]

Saw this on QA1's website regarding springs and it sums up what you are saying I believe. "Springs play a huge role in how your car behaves during launch. Going to a softer spring rate gives your springs more stored energy, which means they'll have more force during launch, lifting the front end to transfer weight more quickly to the rear. On a drag car, you generally want your front springs compressed 30-35% when the car is at ride height." It is how I set my drag truck up, and I followed Vikings chart for c & r on my crusader shocks. Now, I am watching your videos to fine tune how my truck launches to improve my 60ft.

[@fastnova1134]

That was a first class video, I am glad that you are a local resource for me. I hope to run across you at a track soon, you are one of the few who truly knows what your talking about and your giving it away for free.

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Fast Nova thanks so much for your comments! Appreciate your comments and support of the channel! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@ScottB]

You have a great way of explaining suspension dynamics. Everyone should be able to comprehend what your saying.

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Scott B thanks so much for your comments! I appreciate your kind words! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@nathaninwa240z]

Nice explanation. I link people to your videos all the time. Helps get the ideals involved and this is another one I’ll link to Thankyou

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Nathan Kahler thanks so much for your comments and support of my channel! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@timgroleau1612]

Whoop there it is. A light bulb just turned on above my head. Excellent video demonstrating the relationship between the settings and race surfaces. The accompanying videos in slo mo are an eye opener. Great job, keep it up. Best I’ve seen.

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Tim Groleau thanks so much for your comments and so glad it has helped you! Appreciate your kind words for sure! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@Spudderr]

Thank you for all these videos I was completely clueless on how to make it all work. Every one I watch I feel I get closer to being able to actually set one of these cars up

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

zepfan96 thanks so much for your comments! I am glad to hear these videos are helping you!!! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@Blackcell567]

Watching your videos is very informative Mr. Wilson. I appreciate you taking your time to show us what’s what and your experiences. Btw do you have any videos of you racing or your hot rods? Anyways thanks for the helpful info, hope all is well ! -Mr. Shook

[@scottnettellracing35]

Awesome Kevin. Once again you have explained it so i can understand. Thank you!!!

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Scott Nettell Racing thanks so much for your comments! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@stuartbuckley8720]

Great information, clearly stated and easy to understand. Thank you very much.

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Stuart Buckley thanks so much for your comments! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@curtisbrown6136]

I have no shock travel at on my front end it snacth the car back down immediately when I Jack front end up no travel at all coil shocks and springs on front

[@WeldonAutomotive]

This video was awesome and exactly how my car is setup in the front for no prep hope you do a rear shocks next ! That’s where I’m having a little trouble

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Trap House Racing thanks so much for your comments! Sorry for the delay on the no prep rear setup... it will not be much longer. Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@petekochanny2920]

You explained ride height on rear coil overs in video set in middle. Great video by the way. What about front coil overs ride height?

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Pete Kochanny thanks so much for your comments and question! Sorry that part was not clear. At a high level, I want enough shock travel to compliment the amount of travel I need for the track conditions. I also want to make sure I have some compression left to control the front end on the way down if it pulls the front wheels. Also, the front end geometry will dictate some of this. In other words, a strut type front vs an A-Arm type suspension. A long ways to say, it depends, but I don't like going less than 2" of compression for a car that pulls the front wheels. I try to give it all the extension travel I can get. Hope this helps. Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@rickluttrull5887]

You are absolutely amazing thank you so much for your time and help

[@jonathanmartini6631]

Man I love your videos!! Please keep up the amazing work!!

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Jonathan Martini thanks so much for your comments! Also, thanks for subscribing and supporting the channel! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@1320Jason]

I got demon suspension on my 1320 challenger. Great info tho bro!!!!

[@kennygibson1164]

Is that a 47 Chevy fleetmaster?

[@wesbelew4275]

I've got a abody with qa1 double adjustable on front single adjustable on rear 732hp 726tq double adjustable trailing arms upper and lower what else do i have to buy or do i have enough to test, this is a street car.

[@1quickchevy2]

YUSSSS! Been waiting for this one!

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

1quickchevy2 thanks so much for your comments! More on the way... Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@cooltrkin]

Once again putting out the gems.

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

cooltruckin thanks so much for your comments! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@doughtonantoine]

How would I find out my front spring rate? Purchased a roller with aftermarket front springs on it. Unknown spring brand.

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

With the front weight known you can measure the spring compression vs free length and calculate the amount of compression on each spring. This is for linear rate springs and not progressive weight springs. This is not perfect but will get you close. Of course, you have the (front total weight - minus unsprung weight)/2 for each front corner weight to use to see how much the spring compresses. At the end of the day, springs are not crazy expensive so I would just get a set of new springs and move on... Go fast, go straight! Be SAFE!!

[@doughtonantoine]

@@KevinWilsonSBC thanks for the knowledge. You are much appreciated

[@snakepitracing2011]

Seems awesome. Great info

[@keysautorepair6038]

Could have used these videos a few years ago but good information.

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Camaro Drag Racing Second Generation thanks so much for your comments! I hear ya. Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@tmc.318]

Can you help us with the rear shock row in the chart. You may have a typo. It looks like you are saying set to less compression damping resistance in both the no prep and radial prep. I'm thinking for the radial prep it needs stiffer compression (more damping). You have great suspension videos and this is the education I need to start to dial mine in. Really appreciate ya.

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

TMc. thanks so much for your comments and question on the chart! Those are very high level guidelines and each car may need some tweaking for that specific car. With a slick on a radial prep track, often times the track is dead hooking the slick so hard, you may need to soften the compression to allow the shock to let the slick not wad up too badly. If compression is too tight, the shock can hold the slick to the track too hard which usually will lead to severe tire shake. Hope this helps, but, each car will need some adjustments beyond this chart for sure. Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@justgrazza4638]

Hey Kevin, does a Straight Axle front end need to be set up differently to a Ind front end?

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Grazza Herridge thanks so much for your question! More than likely the COG is going to be much higher with a straight axle, so depending on how the car plots out on angles and weight, it will most likely be a tighter setup. Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@hemitears2105]

Now I took 0 as neutral. Is that right?

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Not sure I am following you on that one. Give me a little more info on your question. Go fast, go straight! Be SAFE!

[@mightymopar128]

Hey Kevin in your video at the track when you made the full runs you had the wheelie bars set @ 7"L. and 6.25" R. Where were you measuring from to the ground ? Thanks, Bill

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Mighty Mopar thanks so much for your question! From the center of the wheelie bar wheel to ground. Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@iVitalzHD]

Do you mess with IRS?

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Juggernaut_GTO thanks so much for your question around IRS! We absolutely do alignments and help with IRS but not too much for hard core drag racing. Not saying you cannot make it work, just admitting I am not your best source for that. Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@iVitalzHD]

@@KevinWilsonSBC well how my stock suspension works is it will always squat. I do have a question though. Should I look for separation between the rear tire and the car right after the hit? I notice that right after the hit it looks like the tire moves up towards the car. Would I want to decrease my rebound setting so it extends faster and keeps the tire planted? I know this is a rear suspension question on a front suspension video but thought I’d ask. Also I have a SRA swap ready for it so I’ll be making the switch but I’m trying to see how far I can push the stock rear end first.

[@christinoco1533]

Awesome video

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

chris tinoco thanks so much for your comments! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@chuck67m6]

Thanks kevin that was good info. Chuck M

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

BRIANNA'S Life thanks so much for your comments! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@derrellcrowe5478]

All of your videos or 5 stars

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Derrell Crowe thanks so much for your comments! Appreciate your support! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@bftracingchannel1224]

Good buddy of mine told me to check you out Anton Morgan

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

BFT Racing channel thanks so much for your comments! I enjoy Anton and I am running one of his 1.69 glides in my 53 Studebaker. Glad I met him! Thank you for dropping a comment! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@GoingBracketRacing]

Good video!

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Going Bracket Racing thanks so much for your comments! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@bahrace]

Awesome, thanks.

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Ali Almahasna thanks so much for your comments! You are welcomed! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!

[@tracykouns4903]

Thank you

[@KevinWilsonSBC]

Tracy Kouns thanks so much for your comments! You are welcomed! Go fast, go straight! Be Safe!!