More noob questions. Suspension?

[lsrjunkie]

Just fishing for input on suspension in a car. Spring the rear only? Front and rear? Or none at all! Lemme know what y'all think. Thanks again for any input!

[jimmy six]

Are you planning a 200+" WB? 90"? coupe? roadster? AA engine? perhaps a J? Blown? Fuel? all makes a difference.................Good Luck

[lsrjunkie]

Going to build a comp coupe based on a Henry J. Not sure what the stock wheel base is but I probably won't deviate far from that. Planning on running a naturally aspirated six cylinder.

[saltracer1]

Stock henry J is 99" wheelbase.

[Stainless1]

99 inches is a little short for CC, what size engine are you planning... I would suggest something a bit longer if you plan to go fast.

[Glen]

Short wheel base cars like to spin, give it a lot of thought

[wobblywalrus]

On the subject of suspension.  It pays to get good quality components that can be adjusted and rebuilt.  The ability to tune the high and low speed damping in both compression and rebound helps.   

[Dan Stokes]

My memory is that Comp Coupes generally are suspended - but darn if I know how.  You might look at Bob Merickle's (sp?) Metropolitan.  There's got to be a web page on it.  It's a beautifully built car and I'm sure has lots of good suspension ideas.  Maybe I'm saying that good starting point is to look at what others have done and try to find out why.

Dan

[jimmy six]

If you are using the stock wheel base, suspend it at all 4 corners. Limit the travel and for the best performance use a straight axle in the front. If you are not or cannot, make it tight; you are not traveling off road........Good Luck

[lsrjunkie]

I am toying with the idea of stretching the wheelbase a fair amount. I never thought about a short wheelbase car spinning, but it does make a lot of sense. I was also contemplating coil over and 4 linking the rear and solid mounting the front.

[Avanti Kid]

For my Studebaker Avanti I use a 4" dropped solid axle bolted (no suspension) to the frame with 17 degrees caster for high speed stability and std leaf springs in rear with two added leafs because the car has 650 lbs ballast for the D/CBGC class, car has done 216 at 4 mile with no problems. Hope this helps, Dave

[jl222]

 
 We have suspension on all 4 wheels on the 222 camaro, 4 link in back double wishbone in front we like the back as soft as can hold up the car at speed when spoiler downforce is working. 294mph in 1st mile.

  You might get away with solid in front but as rough as the push roads can get, you'll wish you had suspension.

               JL222

[lsrjunkie]

JL22, I must say that the 222 Camaro is an awesome car! Congrats on the speed that you guys are getting out of the thing!

Dave, Did you have to put steering stops on your Stude when running that much caster?

[Dan Stokes]

Steering stops are required in the rulebook to prevent overcenter.

My buddy David now owns the Burke Bros. Avanti and I'm remembering that it has a straight front axle but a fairly stiff spring with minimal movement.  If it would help I'll ask David to post a pic - there's currently no engine so you could see pretty well.  You would think I'd have a vivid memory - we just towed the thing back from CA to NC together!

Dan

[lsrjunkie]

That would be great Dan! Thanks!!