Extreme camber swing

[underdog]

I was looking at some pictures of my Chevelle from last year and didn't like the way the front tires looked. The camber looked like it was extreme on launch so I replaced the ball joints and tie rod ends along with all the bushings in the front.

When I checked the alignment I found the camber goes from +1 ( in spec ) to - 3.5 when I raise the front end to simulate a launch.

Is there something I can do to keep the camber from changing so much ? I think all that movement is scrubbing off some of my E.T.

[ComaxRacing]

I assume the front suspension is pretty much stock, what type of shocks are you using? I think as far as geometry you are pretty much stuck with the total amount of camber change that is designed into the front. You may want to install some limiters to at least hold the suspension from opening to the point where the wheel is really tipped. This will be a double edged sword, limiting the suspension will restrict some rear weigh transfer but will hopefully cause less camber angle change. An adjustable shock can do this with valving. Plus with a limited front suspension you tend to yank the front tires out of the beam more.

Corey

[underdog]

Hi Corey,

The front end is stock. I have Moroso 90/10's that are not adjustable. I do have limiters but if I run them down it unloads the rears. I just don't have enough power. But I guess every drag racer says that !

I've been looking at some tubular A arms but I'm not sure if it would be worth the money or make any difference.

Richard

[ComaxRacing]

The tubular A-arms may have better geometry built into them, maybe call the companies that make them and talk to them. I agree with you as far a scrubbing power, I have seen some cars with the same problem you discribe, when the wheels come down you can see puffs of smoke as the tires try to square themselves. Gotta be loosing something there.

I would look into the adjustable shocks you can limit the rebound and it may tame things a bit.
Hate to say it but your options are a bit limited with a stock configuration.

Corey

[JeffMcKC]

You can help with the ride height and with the ball joint heights have you checked the bump steer too?

[Sirdigby]

You can make a simple 2d model on plywood with some skinny wood strips and play around with upper arm lengths and pivot position. Its a cheap way to try different setups.
Im not a drag racing expert, most of my experience is with road race stuff but this is what we used to do before suspension software came along.
Would skinnies minimize the negative effects of this much camber change? Probably

[Sirdigby]

I think im wrong and that limiting droop is better. When the front comes up the track width gets narrower and has to return to its width at normal ride height so therefore the tires must scrub on their way back out...

[underdog]

Mine is the opposite, when the front comes up the track gets wider.

I split the difference with a camber adjustment and will just have to live with it until I can get a better setup