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Getting power to the ground without wheel hop


5speedz34

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I was watching something about the Grand National's over Thanksgiving and they mentioned the GNX has a ladder bar or a panhard rod. It pretty much helps to keep the torque equal at the wheels so when doing a brake stand the car will get a good launch. I was thinking maybe there is a way to fabricate something like this in a W?

 

I mean ask anyone that's driven a 5speed car and since we have a open diff. you either get a 1 wheel peel or wheel hop.

 

I think this could help with launches.

 

Discuss.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panhard_rod

 

http://home.att.net/~buickGNX/GNX/susp.htm

 

http://www.3800performance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TEP-TQ-ARMS&Category_Code=SB&Product_Count=15

 

 

 

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panhard bar/rod locates axle side to side in chassis.

 

unfortunately none of those theories will work with a W - wrong wheel drive kills your options.

 

Can you explain that more for me.

 

Did you see the last link? I'm just thinking how much it sucks to launch these cars, and I'm thinking that last option might work.

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Making some rear strut blockers to aid in weight transfer might help some. Cheap mod to do, but it's a "track only" type of modification. Buy a few feet of 1'' diameter pvc pipe and then cut it in half(I carefully cut mine on a table saw) in sections about 6.5'' long(about that length should be fine if you still have the rubber bump stops in place.) You will need to roll the strut boot upwards(if possible) to get the blockers in there. I took a razor knife and cut the strut boots off my '93 to try my blockers. After I removed them I put two holes in the strut boot and zip tied them back around the strut. I also removed the bump stops and run a longer length blocker. Once you have your blockers made, jack the car up in the rear just enough to install them. Place the blockers around the strut shaft and secure them w/ two hose clamps.

 

Here's a picture of the different lengths I cut for my car, I'm planning on using them in the TGP next time at the track. Credit goes to Jud(SleeperRed90TGp) for this mod. He uses them on his 13 second TGP and said he thinks they're worth about a tenth of a second off his 60' times at the track.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/mfewtrail/1993%20Grand%20Prix%20SE/pvc_strut_blockers.jpg

 

Installed, I just had one hose clamp on them for a test run. The ride is insanely rough w/ them in. I think I was using a 7'' length blocker. The most you can go up to w/o the bump stops in place seems to be about 8'' to 8.25'' in length.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/mfewtrail/1993%20Grand%20Prix%20SE/strut_blockers3.jpg

 

View of the car w/ them in, check out that rear wheel gap.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/mfewtrail/1993%20Grand%20Prix%20SE/strut_blockers2.jpg

 

Picture of the normal stance.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/mfewtrail/1993%20Grand%20Prix%20SE/93gpse.jpg

 

W/ the blockers in on my '93, the car wouldn't spin at all. It usually would spin very slightly. I think they'll help a LOT more on my TGP as it lifts up pretty good in the front and spins for a longggg ways. I might throw them in my SE again to play around, since I added the 1.6 rockers the other day the car spins the tires more. I think the rocker arms helped me get a little bit of torque back that I lost w/ my oversized catback...

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those bottom deals... that's definitely a track only part. if you try and drive on the street they'll limit your suspension and put extreme stresses on the control arm and the mounts for the bars. weight transfer is a big problem with FWD unloading the front wheels. stiffer rear suspension helps or temporary track only things like mentioned above, blocking the rear up to completely prevent the weight transfer, definitely help. this is why you see ricers at the track with wheelie bars

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