'89 Lebaron GTC Coupe NHRA Stocker

[ShelGame]

I think the less mileage you drive with the steering wheel turned off-center, the less they suck.

Have you already found anything that's new to you as far as modifications for class racing?

"New to me"? In this car? It definitely has a very different suspension setup that I think is all wrong. Of course, it gets almost the same 60' times as my car. So maybe its not that bad.

It also has a Moroso cool can; which I've been wanting to try.

Then, there's the 26 tires, which I think will be swapped in favor of the 24.5's that I run. This car has a stock gear ratio, so its probably crossing at only 4500rpm or so with these tires. I think it will pick up a bit on 24's.

Both my Daytona and this LeBaron are track only, and only turn to get on or off the drag strip. So, maybe that's why the PG (using that term generically, I don't know where it came from actually) works for me. I've seen pics of the carnage it causes in street cars...

[Force Fed Mopar]

All my stuff gets driven on the street, so I don't think I will be using one. Maybe I can find the money for a Peloquin at some point... or maybe the OBX will work...

[ShelGame]

That's awesome Rob! I sure look forward to seeing you and your father in law w/ the 2 fastest NHRA FWD stockers at Milan next year!
Btw. If you wanted to drop some weight off that rear axle you're welcome to the drum brakes that came off of your winter project axle.

I missed this - yes, I'd like to have those drums. This car has the heavy Shelby style rear disk/drum brakes...

[Vigo]

"New to me"? In this car?

Yeah, i was wondering if there was anything on this car that you hadnt thought of or known about for your other car, but it sounds like probably not.

[ShelGame]

Yeah, i was wondering if there was anything on this car that you hadnt thought of or known about for your other car, but it sounds like probably not.

The suspension setup is completely opposite from my thinking- but I guess it works just as well.

I plan to leave the car as-is (except for the diff) for the first time we take it out in the spring. See how it runs before we start tinkering...

[ShelGame]

Input into excel all the quarter mile timeslips we got with the car. Also did the same with my Daytona. Still looking at splits and stuff, but one thing is certain - my Daytona leaves more consistently than the LeBaron. The LeBaron's 60' and R/T's are all over the place. The Daytona has about half as much scatter.

Both cars seem pretty stable on the top-end split times.

[Force Fed Mopar]

Could be your driver mod...

[ShelGame]

Could be your driver mod...

I'd like to think so, too.

But, the driver of the LeBaron for the vast majority of the timeslips I have is a long-time bracket racer. I think he knows how to cut a light.

The big difference is that a FWD car is tripping the lights with the tractive (front) tires, which are usually set at a relatively low pressure. That means that how the car leaves can have a huge impact on not only the 60', but also R/T as the tire changes shape.

If you think about it; if the tire spins, it will 'swell' in diameter due to centrifugal force more than if it grips. This will tend to 'lift' the tire out of the staging beams and give you a shorter reaction time. RWD cars run high front pressures (40+ psi) to keep the tire shape from affecting the R/T.

What I see in the LeBaron is that it has both more red lights, and longer 60' times, than my Daytona. Both lead me to believe that it doesn't grab the track as well as the Daytona. Even though it has bigger tires and a welded diff (over my Phantom Grip type diff).

It might be the chassis setup that helps the Daytona. The other possibility is the boost control. The Lebaron runs a MBC. I use computer controlled boost and limit the boost by speed to keep from blowing away the tires. The LeBaron essentially has all boost right off the line. I'll put the LeBaron back to computer controlled boost with my old SMEC and see how it does.

[Force Fed Mopar]

I'd almost guarantee it's the boost control. I had a very hard time launching my Lebaron consistently when running a MBC. Especially when running 20+psi. Between having all the power right away and the spikes, it's hard to keep it hooked in the first couple gears. Of course, that was all on street tires and a 5-spd, but I imagine the problems are still there with slicks at least out of the hole.

[Rrider]

Your old car is lighter than its ever been right? Whats the lowest you've tried with the tire pressures? I think some left to right stagger with the wheelbase could help with this one with the red lights and 60'. Be a fun experiment.

[ShelGame]

This car is coming out of hibernation in the next week or two. Have a diff on the workbench to replace the Lincoln locker. More to come.

[GLHS60]

Rob, did you receive the diff clutches I mailed to you??

Thanks
Randy

[ShelGame]

Rob, did you receive the diff clutches I mailed to you??

Thanks
Randy

I did, thanks. Haven't put them in yet.

[GLHS60]

I'll call you some evening and share what I have learned.

Thanks
Randy

[ShelGame]

I'll call you some evening and share what I have learned.

Thanks
Randy

Cool, thanks. Anything to make this car hook better will be good.

The main thing I've learned about bracket racing FWD cars, is, it's all about getting it off the line the same. I've never been able to do that, but I know that's the key.

[Vigo]

Woah woah woah. Clutch style diff? Pics are needed!

[ShelGame]

Woah woah woah. Clutch style diff? Pics are needed!

No, just a Phantom Grip; but the steel thrust washers are replaced with phenolic washers for more 'grip'.

[Captain Chaos]

Div 2 car?

The open hideaway headlights remind me of a story an acquaintance told me about his 318 Imperial stocker shaving hundredreths by turning the headlights on down track. Cool car, another stocker I didn't know existed.

[ShelGame]

Div 2 car?

The open hideaway headlights remind me of a story an acquaintance told me about his 318 Imperial stocker shaving hundredreths by turning the headlights on down track. Cool car, another stocker I didn't know existed.

Was once. Mike Miller raced mostly. I guess he's from somewhere in Ga.

We bought it from a guy who's name I already forgot. But, he only had it for 9mo.

[Captain Chaos]

Looks like Mike Moller from NC

http://moparforums.com/forums/f70/nh...ationals-9255/

Saw the f/S ad on Classracer, seemed like a good deal then.