Lowering springs and drag racing (bad idea?)

[SGOS252382]

I was thinking about getting some lowering springs (1'' drop), but I don't want to run them if they will have a negative effect on drag racing

I've seen cars with drag shocks and they seem to provide a lot of travel up front to aid in weight transfer. I would think lowering springs would work against this principle?

[OrangeChevyII]

Work better then the stockers do.

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by OrangeChevyII

Work better then the stockers do.

That's good to know. I was afraid they would somehow cause traction issues or maybe increase wheel hop. Saturday I experienced a little wheel hop for the first time in my A6. It wasn't much, but it was enough to slow me down just a bit.

[94guy]

which 1" drop spring are you thinking?

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by 94guy

which 1" drop spring are you thinking?

I'm thinking of the Eibach springs. I looking for some that will retain the stock ride quality as much as possible. That's also why I'm only thinking of a 1'' drop. It seems most of the guys are going with 1.25" or 1.5" (which look better but have a stiffer ride)

The 1'' drops seem to have a better ride quaility (from what I've been reading).

[jsharp]

Go Eibach and get the sways if you can swing it.
I installed it all myself and not only is the stance killer. I actually noticed and improved feeling when going from a launch. I have less tire spin then I did but the most noticable difference is that it seemed like it pulled harder. I dont know if it is because the tailend was already tucked per say and it just went or what but there is an improvement in launching in my opinion since installing the springs and sways. Hope that helps you some

[vsgls1]

Drop springs + 1320' = slower than w/o the drop springs. your car is probably 99% street use so it is negligible.

[SGOS252382]

Originally Posted by vsgls1

Drop springs + 1320' = slower than w/o the drop springs. your car is probably 99% street use so it is negligible.

So the drop springs will slow you down in the 1/4 mile? By how much?

A few hundreds? or more like a tenth or so?

[Sam88gta1]

Originally Posted by vsgls1

Drop springs + 1320' = slower than w/o the drop springs. your car is probably 99% street use so it is negligible.

Please explain your theory on this.
If the car is 1" lower its drag alone will be greatly reduced.

[scrming]

Originally Posted by Sam88gta1

Please explain your theory on this.
If the car is 1" lower its drag alone will be greatly reduced.

Has to do with weight transfer at launch...

[OrangeChevyII]

I hate to break it to you but I've cut better 60ft's with the drop springs.

[BMR Sales]

Drop springs work well for drag racing applications, and thats mostly due to spring rate. The rear springs are stiffer than the stock springs and help keep the car from squatting to much. Here is a 4th gen f-body project of mine that has our BMR lower springs and cut. It has been lowered 1.25" all the way around. Needless to say it hooks well 1.3x 60ft's. I know its not a 2010 Camaro but the principle is the same.

[jsharp]

yeh car deff hooks and go's quicker on take off lowered no doubt about it!

[94guy]

orange chevy did you trim the rear bump stops?

[OrangeChevyII]

No, they dont even get close. Car rides more agressive and feels like a sports car and not a boat.

[94guy]

are you running the eibach 1"? i would think when you launch the car at the track you might hit the stop and throw the car back forward?

[OrangeChevyII]

Yes, no they do not hit.

[PfadtRacing]

Hi SGOS252382!

Just thought I would offer my opinion on your questions, and our experience with our customers. We sell 1.25" Drop Springs, and have a lot of customers who drag race with these springs. None of them have reported any negative effects as a result of having them installed, or having an extra .25" drop than competitors. The spring rate is increased appropriately, but do not take this as having a harsh ride whatsoever. We pride ourselves on providing suspension solutions that offer the the best compromise for performance and comfort on the street. A lot of engineering has gone into our products, in the form of development and testing, for this very reason.

And, with that said, if you are concerned about wheel hop, I can tell you that our new Trailing Arm Kit has had a TON of success in eliminating this. Our customers who have been concerned with this have all came back and said it was gone after installing the trailing arms. Some even said that one side was bent from launching. Just a suggestion if you are looking for a solution. Let me know if you have any questions! Thanks for posting your questions!

[El-Diablo]

What's the spring rates on the stock vs Eibachs? In the Cobra community Eibach is considered to be by far the crappiest spring choice you can make. This is based on their spring rates/poor quality control and weak customer support. I myself unknowingly got tangled up with Eibach springs, and my research opened my eyes to the problems experienced by many.

[BMR guy]

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

That's good to know. I was afraid they would somehow cause traction issues or maybe increase wheel hop. Saturday I experienced a little wheel hop for the first time in my A6. It wasn't much, but it was enough to slow me down just a bit.

IRS cars tend to squat heavily at the drag strip which is good for initiating weight transfer but bad for tire contact area. The more squat, the more negative camber and the less tire contact. Additionally, too much power combined with good tires will eventually cause the suspension to bottom out. We ran into this problem years ago with our Project GTO. As our power grew, the 60 ft/times dropped until we were bouncing off the bump stops and unloading the suspension. The point I am working towards is that lowering springs typically have an increased spring rate to compensate for the drop so up to a point they usually have a positive effect in aiding traction at launch because they resist squat better but they also put you closer to the bump stop. On a street/strip car with an IRS, the difference will be marginal and I doubt you will have any issues.

What is sometimes misunderstood is the statement that lowering a car creates wheel hop. This is only the case on some solid axle cars with link type suspensions. The reason is that it alters the suspension geometry, effecting the vehicles anti-squat capabilities. Thankfully, this does not happen with an IRS car...

[Xtreme Innovations & Fab]

To start, unbolt your front sway bar and tie it up so it do it doesnt hit any thing- this is for the drag strip only,next you cannot compare a Gen 3 -Gen 4 to a Gen 5 chassis setup due to totally different suspensions and stay with a stiffer spring in the rear. Also get the biggest swaybar you can get for the rear.The problem with the new Camaro is you cant change the I.C. in car,in drag racing this is important, thats why we are making a straight axle conversion.

[Caliman93230]

I have real bad wheel hop, i need some help big time! my car is ls3 stock everything. I lost time at the track because of the hop. 13.8 was the best time i got any mods that can help eliminate the problem.

[scrming]

Originally Posted by BMR guy

IRS cars tend to squat heavily at the drag strip which is good for initiating weight transfer but bad for tire contact area. The more squat, the more negative camber and the less tire contact. Additionally, too much power combined with good tires will eventually cause the suspension to bottom out. We ran into this problem years ago with our Project GTO. As our power grew, the 60 ft/times dropped until we were bouncing off the bump stops and unloading the suspension. The point I am working towards is that lowering springs typically have an increased spring rate to compensate for the drop so up to a point they usually have a positive effect in aiding traction at launch because they resist squat better but they also put you closer to the bump stop. On a street/strip car with an IRS, the difference will be marginal and I doubt you will have any issues.

What is sometimes misunderstood is the statement that lowering a car creates wheel hop. This is only the case on some solid axle cars with link type suspensions. The reason is that it alters the suspension geometry, effecting the vehicles anti-squat capabilities. Thankfully, this does not happen with an IRS car...

Good info! I was surprised how hard my car squats... but did not think about the negative camber... makes sense... I'm just still in the live axle mindset! LOL!

Lowering springs are going in Tuesday....

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by Caliman93230

I have real bad wheel hop, i need some help big time! my car is ls3 stock everything. I lost time at the track because of the hop. 13.8 was the best time i got any mods that can help eliminate the problem.

Hi Caliman9323,

You should take a look at our Pfadt Rear Trailing Arm Kit and our Rear Subframe Mount Kit! We have had a TON of success with customers dialing out their wheel hop with these products. It is common for people to see wheel hop elimination with just the trailing arms as well. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. I have posted a short video below showing both the mounts, and the arms. Thank you!

[Xtreme Innovations & Fab]

Originally Posted by Caliman93230

I have real bad wheel hop, i need some help big time! my car is ls3 stock everything. I lost time at the track because of the hop. 13.8 was the best time i got any mods that can help eliminate the problem.

Hi Caliman , when your dealing with bad wheel hop , 1st- factory rubber bushings could be changed ,2nd- possibly control arm changes, 3rd-overlooked alot of times , a good set of coilover shocks with the correct spring rate. These are a few things to take a look at.
If I can help you out with any of this ,give me a call. Also we will be introducing alot more of our products at Camaro5 fest.