strut front suspension

[gordon tarbell]

Are the aftermarket strut front suspensions (as used in NHRA door cars) suitable for a 53' Stude at B'ville. I was looking at using this type of front susp. to open up the engine bay area. Also anyone use any of the chassis kits from Alston to build their cars. They are just down the road and an old freind works there.

[Dynoroom]

Suitable is up to you. Legal yes, as is the answer about the Alston kit. Go to the build diaries.

If you've never been to an LSR event it might be a good idea before you start building a car.

[jl222]

 
  Getting ready for Bville '' build diary''

  We have a complete Alston chassis with 4 link at the time, Alston tack welded the chassis together and
Pro-Chassis our car builder had a certified aircraft welder finish the welds.

  Gail Banks used a Lamb chassis and Lamb struts on his record setting 268MPH firebird in 1987.
 Don Stringfellow drove it and said it was up in the high 280's when they had problems. His son Donny knows more of the correct story I believe.

  I wanted to use Lamb struts but Pro-chassis was concerned about the weight of the Hemi engine-front mounted blowers and gas tank, so we went with a Stock Car Products wishbone setup. Had to modify the frame a lot though.

  I would talk to Alston about the struts.

                         JL222

[gordon tarbell]

Thanks guys, I am looking through the build diaries and getting ideas. I was hoping to make it out to the salt in Aug. but now I have a work schedule conflict. It has been 2 yrs since I was there taking notes. I wanted to go several times before I start on the actual car. Got the engine parts slowly coming to geather now. Stude 6 fh to start with then build my stude V8's

[jl222]

 
  Getting ready for Bville '' build diary''

  We have a complete Alston chassis with 4 link, at that time, Alston tack welded the chassis together and
Pro-Chassis, our car builder had a certified aircraft welder finish the welds.

  Gail Banks used a Lamb chassis and Lamb struts on his record setting 268MPH firebird in 1987.
 Don Stringfellow drove it and said it was up in the high 280's when they had problems. His son Donny knows more of the correct story I believe.

  I wanted to use Lamb struts but Pro-chassis was concerned about the weight of the Hemi engine-front mounted blowers and gas tank, so we went with a Stock Car Products wishbone setup. Had to modify the frame a lot though.

  I would talk to Alston about the struts.

                         JL222

 Just adding a few corrections

[krusty]

The ex- Terry Hunt "Guam Bomb" Stude now run by Loose Screw Racing, the current record holder in E/CGALT and both E and D CFALT, runs a strut front suspension. Engine is SBC for weight figuring purposes; has run 235 mph.      vic

[Dynoroom]

The ex- Terry Hunt "Guam Bomb" Stude now run by Loose Screw Racing, the current record holder in E/CGALT and both E and D CFALT, runs a strut front suspension. Engine is SBC for weight figuring purposes; has run 235 mph.      vic

With lots of engine set back.   

[jimmy six]

An early Ford straight axle works good and has been under a lot of them..........Good Luck

[gordon tarbell]

How about a good source for proper set up of the straight axle. Or is solid but adjustable the way to go. Rubber mounted for a little give? I like the Idea of KISS .  I had forgotten all about straight axles. Hmmm!

[gordon tarbell]

I guess the Ford axle would be the best as far a parts availability on the aftermarket. I will get out the tape measure and start looking at track width on these.

[RichFox]

I had the heaviest tube axle bent up by a Sprint car chassis builder. Got the width and drop I wanted and used Ecoline spindles. Newer and better than old Ford I think. Was not expensive.

[Dr Goggles]

I had the heaviest tube axle bent up by a Sprint car chassis builder. Got the width and drop I wanted and used Ecoline spindles. Newer and better than old Ford I think. Was not expensive.

Ours wasn't really cheap but it's better to be able to design the details in than have to work around them I reckon... Ours is 1/4" wall CDS tube....decide on the spindles you want to use and then dial in the drop and castor...