Elky hook-spin

[Mike Allred]

I'm footbraking an El Camino with a 525 horse 406, glide, 5.14 gear, 28.5x9 tire, and a converter that flashes to 5100 on launch. This was a pretty consistent machine until I changed from a 4.56 to 5.14 gear. The front has Moroso trick springs (lightest for app), Lakewood 90/10s and has 5.5 inches of travel. Rear is stock springs, 15/8" sway bar, air bags at 4/12 psi, Monro stock shocks. Tires are Hoosier 30x9 radial slicks at 18 psi (92.5" rollout). With the steeper gear the 60' went from 1.47 to 1.44.--when it hooks. Of course, with the radials, when it spins it spins until you lift. The car will hook a foot or so, then drop the nose and spin. The rt is consistent. Oh yeah, car ran 6.78 at 98 this weekend when it hooked -- 80 degrees, 29.86 baro, 99% humidity, SL. Finish line rpm went from 6100 to only 6400 and it was one mph faster. Where should I throw money?

Looser front shock? Adjustable front / or / and / rear shocks? Weight in rear? Lighten front? Could notch frame and run 10.5" tire, increase front travel with trick ball joints? ARB? All the beforementioned? I don't mind tinkering.

 

[elcoholic]

I footbreak my elco as well. When I did my frame notch, I also did coil over shocks, and an anti roll bar. I run a 28x10.5 tire and people are shocked at how well it launches. I would upgrade rear suspension before front if I were you.

 

[Mike Allred]

I went to Coastal Plains Dragway and the grip was much better -- 1.41 60' and no wheelspin. The winter plan is to fully notch the frame, add ARB, bump tire size to 30x10.5 and put some adjustable shocks on it. Come on winter...

 

[Supe]

If it's hook and unload, especially in an elky, double adjustable rear shocks are the first place I would look. You need something to go loose on the extension, stiff on the compression to keep the rear tire loaded.

 

[Mike Allred]

Supe, why especially an Elky? Is it the longer wheelbase? Nose heavy? Your idea on faster extension, especially on the right rear which squats more than extends on launch makes sense. Who sells an affordable DA rear shock? I'm thinking QA1s.

This things launches the first 20' like a Pro Mod. With the same RT as a car posting a 1.32 60', I get a 1/2 car lead 20' from the starting beams. The 1.32 60' car comes around me before the 60' beams though... When it hooks...

 

[solrac 8d1]

I'm footbraking an El Camino with a 525 horse 406, glide, 5.14 gear, 28.5x9 tire, and a converter that flashes to 5100 on launch. This was a pretty consistent machine until I changed from a 4.56 to 5.14 gear. The front has Moroso trick springs (lightest for app), Lakewood 90/10s and has 5.5 inches of travel. Rear is stock springs, 15/8" sway bar, air bags at 4/12 psi, Monro stock shocks. Tires are Hoosier 30x9 radial slicks at 18 psi (92.5" rollout). With the steeper gear the 60' went from 1.47 to 1.44.--when it hooks. Of course, with the radials, when it spins it spins until you lift. The car will hook a foot or so, then drop the nose and spin. The rt is consistent. Oh yeah, car ran 6.78 at 98 this weekend when it hooked -- 80 degrees, 29.86 baro, 99% humidity, SL. Finish line rpm went from 6100 to only 6400 and it was one mph faster. Where should I throw money?

Looser front shock? Adjustable front / or / and / rear shocks? Weight in rear? Lighten front? Could notch frame and run 10.5" tire, increase front travel with trick ball joints? ARB? All the beforementioned? I don't mind tinkering.

off the subject but can u post pics of your elco please... Thanks

 

[Mike Allred]

I raised launch rpm to 2800 after adjusting the rear brakes and in 55 degree temps the El Camino has been hooking consistently running low 6.60s with 1.38 60' times. I guess a little more power to keep the weight on the rear was all it needed. Until next time... I need some pics to post. I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the replies!