drag race car picures

[35th-ANV-SS]

What causes our cars to squat to the right on a launch? Mine does and I notice it in the above pictures also.

[Firebirdjones]

All rear wheel drive cars will do that. It's the rotation of the pinion gear in relation to the ring gear. This force tries to pick up the right rear tire (that pickup motion is what squats the car at the right rear) While at the same time it's actually planting the left rear tire on the ground (which is why it appears that side raises up) This planting left tire syndrome is why you generally see left side axles break and rarely ever see a right side axle break.

This twisting motion actually hinders the cars ability to hook, since it's favoring the left rear tire. Ideally you want both tires to plant evenly. You can accomplish this with many little tricks, (some sneaky )

You can run a stiffer right rear spring

You can install a right rear air bag and run 5-10 lbs. in it (coil spring cars) Leaf spring cars we sneak an extra leaf in the right rear... and sometimes preload the right side traction bar slightly.

You can run a bigger anti roll bar in the rear, some are even adjustable to fine tune it.


Since the right rear tire is traction limited because of this motion, you can also do things like put the battery in the trunk (ever wonder why it's always on the right rear side of the trunk )
On 4th gens it helps to keep the spare tire stuff in there (it's all packed in the right rear....hint hint)

Lots of other tricks

[pajeff02]

UMI makes a drag bar that is also an option. So far, I don't have enough power to warrant that upgrade.

[35th-ANV-SS]

Thanks, FBJ. Sway bars are next on my list. This winter looks like more upgrades.