Different dragster chassises

[triniemi]

What kind of dragster chassises are there?

-Hardtail. This is most simple and easy to understand.
-Slipjoint (what does this mean?)
-4-link. I have a high 8 second, 4-link door car myself so this is about the same thing?
-Monoshock. Got a picture of these?
-Swingarm??
-Something more that I don't know?

What kind of pros and cons between these? What's best for Super Comp? What's best for Comp, Super Pro or Top Dragster?

thanks,

Mikko Niemi
Finnish Super Pro #1984

[shawnp]

OK, I will bite.

Hardtail: The most complext car to make repeat. This is all done in tires, gearing and converter

Slipjoint: Hardtail car that has spots in the chassis the allows certain points to moved or "slip" on the tubes.

4-link: Rear suspension the consist of 2 shocks, wishbone, anti-roll but ultimately is independent on each side of the rear end housing

Swingarm: This is like your 4-link however the bottom 2 four link bars will be connected to each other with a K-bar or X bar that does not allow the bottom bars to move independent of each other.

Monoshock: Only 1 shock and is found a more typical set up with a swingarm suspension.

Dual Shock: 2 shocks which is most commonly used on a 4-link car as well as some swingarm cars.


A 4-link or swingarm car allows for more error to be made in tire pressures and converter choices. It will allow you to adjust for track conditions easily. You have a tunable chassis with the suspension. With the hardtail/slip joint you can either change tire pressures, converters or gears to adjust to track conditions.

Hardtail/slipjoint cars have a tendency to bounce when trying to slow from a burnout or at the finish line when you lift. A 4-link car will not do this and for that reason can be much easier for someone to drive.

If I was going to bracket race or super comp race or even a top dragster race I want suspension on my car. I want the car to be smooth off the line, smooth when the stop comes off and smooth when I am racing the finish line. Heck, Marco Abruzzi is going 6.70's on motor only with a monoshock swingarm car. Plenty of guys deep in the 6's with suspension.

Here is where the down fall of suspension comes into play...weight!!! A 4-link car is heavier than a hardtail/slipjoint car. So if you don't want to spray hard or have the coin for a monster of a motor, you will be able to go faster for a smaller price with the hardtail/slipjoint car.

[triniemi]

Thanks, great info.

I found also this with google: http://www.diamondracecars.com/diamondracecar_front_suspension.htm

[shawnp]

I had that set up on a car. It was a monoshock swingarm in the rear with the single shock up front. The front suspension is the least expensive way to add a suspension to your car. It is not as adjustable as the rear but will help out on a hardtail/slipjoint car. It will help control front end lift and help stabalize the chassis when stopping or racing the finish line.

[hammertime]

If I was going to bracket race or super comp race or even a top dragster race I want suspension on my car. I want the car to be smooth off the line, smooth when the stop comes off and smooth when I am racing the finish line. Heck, Marco Abruzzi is going 6.70's on motor only with a monoshock swingarm car. Plenty of guys deep in the 6's with suspension.

Here is where the down fall of suspension comes into play...weight!!! A 4-link car is heavier than a hardtail/slipjoint car. So if you don't want to spray hard or have the coin for a monster of a motor, you will be able to go faster for a smaller price with the hardtail/slipjoint car.

I agree dead on .. bracket racing a suspended car is what Id want also.
He is right I've had cars backhalfed its a extra 100lbs, and then your have more rotating weight with a driveshaft robbing HP.

Hey Pink 77 degrees here this week ... nice !!