Im trying to device a good suspension set up for an 11sec car. I wanna know what kind of accelerations we see when launching, so i can figure out how to build a suspension??
ANybody ever datalog an accelerometer when dragging???
Thanks
Burke

 

I launch my drag car at 7,000 rpm and we get 1.4 sixty foot times. We have Motec datalogging but no actual time is being logged. it tells air fuel ratio, boost levels, RPM , and Throttle movement. Ususally you want a suspension with a slow rebound inorder to not have so much weight transfer from frt to back and up and down. I believe a oil filled shock could be the best performing.

 

sweet! thanks for the reply
do you know where i can learn more about drag racing design and engineering. I have been searching the net for books, etc. but no luck. i tried all sorts of SAE papers and books but it doesnt llok like much help in this department. I want something real technical, like engineering design or something. ill be a bonified, certified mechanical engineer in about 6 months and i would really like to get into this field.
Thanks again

 

Inorder to learn the basics of drag racing, you would probably need to go look at American cars and I know you can get books at local speed shops that show motor and chasis design. I believe there isn't a actual set of theories on Front wheel drive drag racing or suspension. It differs according to application. You can have a suspension for a street car and a drag car FWD, and the spring rates and shock dampening are generally the difference. The drag cars with slicks generally floor the car to the max when launching. A majority of the racers use a two step inorder to build boost. the longer you stay on the RPM and the vehicle is on load, the harder or more powerful the launch. tire spin is a given and thats why we gun it until it hooks up. if you pull off the throttle, with boost, you might loose a great deal of power and make the turbo lag. not good. Shock dampening and spring rates are key on transferring traction to the front of the vehicle and thats whay FWD use wheelie bars, inorder to place the vehicle back on the tires for traction. when you shift the car, you get weight transfer, which helps lift the frt of the vehicle and relieves traction. not good. thats why i've learned that the best suspensions are vehicles with short stroke shocks or shocks that have a slow rebound. the more stable the rebound, the less the loss of traction from the frt end lifting. and more efficient the power will transfer when you shift. go to a track and watch the up and down movements of FWD vehicles versus RWD and you will understand a little bit more. hope i answered some of your questions.

 

yea you did. i have found some books, but they are mostly older stuff. i have like 10 books right now from the library on suspension design, but its all leaf springs and just spring mass damper systems.
thanks for all your help!!!!