WEIGHT RATIOS

[KEVIN]

I AM CURRENTLY BUILDING A 86 CAMERO TO RUN IN THE ALTERED CLASSES. I PLAN ON RUNNING ABOUT 220 TO 240MPH RANGE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE FAST GUYS ARE USING FOR WEIGHT RATIOS FOR THE FRONT AND BACK OF THEIR CARS.
 
 THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

[fwilly]

-I can say that with an older Camaro that the biggest problem is finding places to put all the weight.
 -One thing that I feel is NOT good is to have weight in the trunk or behind the rear axle.
 -At those speeds the nose wants to lift and a spoiler on the rear deck lid makes the tail squat so that also makes the nose lift.
 -maybe the newer cars aren't so bad but I would look at EVERY PLACE you can find in front of the rear axle.
 -I would put about all I could get up in the front but you'll find that 500lbs is a lot to hang up there in the front anywhere.
 -Then I'd put the rest of the ballast as low as possible where the rear seat floor is.
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 -As for the front to rear ratio I can't say but you'll be hard pressed to get 1000# stuffed in there and have much control of the ratios if you keep the weight out of the trunk area.

[Randy Williams]

Kevin, I would think your looking to have about 55% on the front and 45% on the rear.No less on the front as you want the car to track straight.Please remember to have your car scaled F/R and side to side.Around here it' only cost about $100.00 to scale a car. A good source is a round track chassis shop or a racer with his on scales.

[Dynoroom]

Kevin, fwilly & Randy have got it about right,I have been able to run 52% front 48% rear with no more than 30 lbs. out at any one corner, most of the time we have been within 10 on the corners. And yes it can be a trick if your car weighs 5200 lbs. like ours does! Good luck and have fun!
 Mike LeFevers
 Car 265

[jimmy six]

Kevin, you did not say whether you were going to take advantage of all the rules allowed for running in the Altered/Fuel coupe class.  Placement of the engine is paramount to proper weight distribution (25% setback).   Gas Coupes and Production cars do not have that luxury. ie: adding more rear weight to balence the car. My contention has always been to weigh 10 pounds more total weight than needed and be balenced too. Hard to do with a roadster much easier with an Altered coupe. Good luck  J.D.