Is lower really slower? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

se7en · 07-10-2011, 09:32 AM

If you've been around a track more than a few times and listen to people talk about the street cars, you may here the saying "Lower is Slower" from a guy talking about a tricked out Camaro or Mustang that is pushing a lot of power, but its lowered so much that its barely clearing the ground. "If he would just raise it, it would run faster" ive heard. It does interferes with the weight transfer of the car on the launch, but does it really affect it all that much from the launch to the end of the track?

FloMoCamaro · 07-10-2011, 09:37 AM

I would think if a car is lowered so much (like a low rider) to where there is no room for any give or squatting - the car would not get any traction - therefore it would be slower...

se7en · 07-10-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FloMoCamaro

I would think if a car is lowered so much (like a low rider) to where there is no room for any give or squatting - the car would not get any traction - therefore it would be slower...

I agree completely that it will hurt your launch due to weight transfer limitations, but i wonder if its bad on the car or the time after the launch

FloMoCamaro · 07-10-2011, 10:28 AM

I've gone back and re-read your original post and I think I did not address what you were asking, sorry - Since we know the obvious effects with the launch, you are wondering how the lowering will effect the car down past - say 60ft. - my guess would be not much of a bad effect at all. If anything, would think a good effect due to the aerodynamics. But at the end of the day, the 1/4 mile is all about the 60ft time - still meaning the car will be slower...

GEEo · 07-10-2011, 10:35 AM

I dont think It would interfere with the Launching or traction of the car if its lowered. as long as you have some good tires you'd be fine. as long as your car is not bagged and slammed.

Most of the Built pro Race cars For example the LMP cars and F1 cars barely clears the ground and they don't seem to have problems with traction and power.

SGOS252382 · 07-10-2011, 10:44 AM

Its more than just height its also about spring rates.

Cars like LPE's 9 sec Camaro are running special shocks/springs that allow for proper weight transfer. LPE's car runs Pedder's double adjustable front and rear shocks with drag race springs.

Many spring companies sell drag springs that come with different spring rate to allow for proper weight transfer.

L99CAMA2011 · 07-10-2011, 11:27 AM

Drag racing 101, I love the fact that I didn't have to pay tuition for this course.

se7en · 07-10-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FloMoCamaro

I've gone back and re-read your original post and I think I did not address what you were asking, sorry - Since we know the obvious effects with the launch, you are wondering how the lowering will effect the car down past - say 60ft. - my guess would be not much of a bad effect at all. If anything, would think a good effect due to the aerodynamics. But at the end of the day, the 1/4 mile is all about the 60ft time - still meaning the car will be slower...

I dont know if i can agree with you on the 1/4 mile being all about the 60ft time since RWTQ is what gets you off the line and RWHP is what shoots you down the track. You can have a crappy 60ft time and still make 11', 12's in the quarter mile.

se7en · 07-10-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GEEo

I dont think It would interfere with the Launching or traction of the car if its lowered. as long as you have some good tires you'd be fine. as long as your car is not bagged and slammed.

Most of the Built pro Race cars For example the LMP cars and F1 cars barely clears the ground and they don't seem to have problems with traction and power.

Isnt that mainly just the sheet metal close to the ground, not the frame of the car? I dont think its truly that low its just the looks of it, but i could be wrong.

SGOS252382 · 07-10-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by se7en

I dont know if i can agree with you on the 1/4 mile being all about the 60ft time since RWTQ is what gets you off the line and RWHP is what shoots you down the track. You can have a crappy 60ft time and still make 11', 12's in the quarter mile.

Yes, but the first 60' is the most important part of the run. Gaining or losing time in the first 60' is multiplied as you go down the track.
Example - if you can shave .1 off your 60' time, you going to run several tenths faster in a full 1/4 mile.

You will typically trap higher with a slower 60' time, but your E.T. will be slower.

Guys can run 11s with 110 mph trap speeds with real fast 60' times. While on the other hand, guys can be stuck in the low 12s with 120mph trap speeds if their 60' times suck.

se7en · 07-10-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

You will typically trap higher with a slower 60' time, but your E.T. will be slower.

07-10-2011, 09:32 AM	#1
se7en Drives: 10 Procharged SS Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The creek at the end of the dead end road Posts: 1,857	Is lower really slower? If you've been around a track more than a few times and listen to people talk about the street cars, you may here the saying "Lower is Slower" from a guy talking about a tricked out Camaro or Mustang that is pushing a lot of power, but its lowered so much that its barely clearing the ground. "If he would just raise it, it would run faster" ive heard. It does interferes with the weight transfer of the car on the launch, but does it really affect it all that much from the launch to the end of the track?

07-10-2011, 09:37 AM	#2
FloMoCamaro Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Flower Mound, TX Posts: 490 View My Garage	I would think if a car is lowered so much (like a low rider) to where there is no room for any give or squatting - the car would not get any traction - therefore it would be slower... __________________

07-10-2011, 10:28 AM	#4
FloMoCamaro Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Flower Mound, TX Posts: 490 View My Garage	I've gone back and re-read your original post and I think I did not address what you were asking, sorry - Since we know the obvious effects with the launch, you are wondering how the lowering will effect the car down past - say 60ft. - my guess would be not much of a bad effect at all. If anything, would think a good effect due to the aerodynamics. But at the end of the day, the 1/4 mile is all about the 60ft time - still meaning the car will be slower... __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Question about Street Scene Lower Grille Ducts	CamaroSkooter	Cosmetics and Lighting Modification Discussions	24	12-01-2010 04:38 PM
Rear Lower Fascia panel ext.?	Deepsky	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	4	05-31-2010 02:38 PM
Lower grille question	texasyankee	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	9	02-16-2010 09:02 AM
FEDs cut prime, Banks lower rates, What about GMAC?	MCMLXIX	Camaro Price \| Ordering \| Tracking \| Dealers Discussions	21	11-14-2008 04:49 AM

07-10-2011, 10:35 AM	#5
GEEo OKCamaros Drives: 4 banger Diesel Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Philippines Posts: 4,572	I dont think It would interfere with the Launching or traction of the car if its lowered. as long as you have some good tires you'd be fine. as long as your car is not bagged and slammed. Most of the Built pro Race cars For example the LMP cars and F1 cars barely clears the ground and they don't seem to have problems with traction and power.

07-10-2011, 10:44 AM	#6
SGOS252382 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: S.W. Florida Posts: 6,294	Its more than just height its also about spring rates. Cars like LPE's 9 sec Camaro are running special shocks/springs that allow for proper weight transfer. LPE's car runs Pedder's double adjustable front and rear shocks with drag race springs. Many spring companies sell drag springs that come with different spring rate to allow for proper weight transfer.

07-10-2011, 11:27 AM	#7
L99CAMA2011 Drives: One of the baddest handling Gen 5s Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Masachusetts Posts: 4,177	Drag racing 101, I love the fact that I didn't have to pay tuition for this course.