dqhemi
04-01-2006, 11:42 PM
This past week we did the track testing of our Level I Suspension and Brake packages on our 71 Cuda engineering car. Level I suspension is a totally optimized package of stock type components – all bolt in. Pics below....
All components are matched – torsion bars, leaf springs, sway bars and especially shocks. Initial testing was done on a four post rig with shock dyno on hand and multiple sets of Leaf springs, Torsion bars, etc. Engineering shocks allow re-valving on site after multiple runs.
Track testing was done on a road course and the car was awesome right out of the box based upon the four post testing. Under really hard braking there was some axle tramp due to the leaf spring loading up and unloading the rear wheels. Shocks were adjusted and the condition was eliminated.
Car was also tested in street conditions to get acceptable comfort levels, not just maximum track performance. We had on hand a ride and handling expert that gets hired out to the auto manufacturers for their cars and we also had a shock dyno and technician on hand to revalve the shocks if necessary (it wasn’t).
Brakes were really, really good. We had brakes sized specifically for the vehicle. These were modeled for the car based upon corner weights, center of gravity, target speeds, rotor size and number of pistons in caliper. Pistons in the caliper are sized to the application. The result is getting proper front to rear balance to the point no proportioning valve is needed.
Brakes were amazing and were there lap after lap all day long. We ran hydro-boost on the car as well. Level I brake is two piece 13" rotors front/rear w/ forged 4 piston front and 2 piston rear calipers. Rotors can be done drilled, slotted or both.
Car also has chassis stiffening based upon torsion tests performed on the car – more than just subframe connectors installed. See anything unusual under the hood?
Everyone at the track was really impressed with how the car performed, cornered and its braking. Engine in the car is a 5.7 HEMI making about 440 HP w/ a 7,000 RPM redline, 5-speed, upgraded 8-3/4 w/ gear drive diff, alloy axles and 3.91 gears.
You will be able to see the track testing week after next on Dream Car Garage on Speed. The show will have before and after footage at the same track. We really wrung the car out at the track, so it should make for some really good TV.
Car right now is having the Level II suspension and brakes installed, as well as a 6.1 Hemi. It will get track tested in two and a half weeks and then be on Dream Car Garage as well. The Level II stuff will be even better with totally revised geometry, SLA double A-Arm, three link rear w/ panhard bar - all done in aluminum, including an aluminum K-Member. We’re really, really happy with how well the car ran, it was a huge improvement over where this car started. I can’t wait to see how the Level II performs.
As soon as the Level II is done track testing, we will get the Level I and II done on our B Body engineering car and finalize that as well. For the Level I, I’m trying to get final pricing on shocks valved to our specs as well as torsion bars and leaf springs to the rates we found optimal. We’ll also have torsion bars set up for small block (including the 5.7/6.1 HEMI) and big block motors.
John Buscema
XV Motorsports
www.xvmotorsports.com (http://www.xvmotorsports.com)
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All components are matched – torsion bars, leaf springs, sway bars and especially shocks. Initial testing was done on a four post rig with shock dyno on hand and multiple sets of Leaf springs, Torsion bars, etc. Engineering shocks allow re-valving on site after multiple runs.
Track testing was done on a road course and the car was awesome right out of the box based upon the four post testing. Under really hard braking there was some axle tramp due to the leaf spring loading up and unloading the rear wheels. Shocks were adjusted and the condition was eliminated.
Car was also tested in street conditions to get acceptable comfort levels, not just maximum track performance. We had on hand a ride and handling expert that gets hired out to the auto manufacturers for their cars and we also had a shock dyno and technician on hand to revalve the shocks if necessary (it wasn’t).
Brakes were really, really good. We had brakes sized specifically for the vehicle. These were modeled for the car based upon corner weights, center of gravity, target speeds, rotor size and number of pistons in caliper. Pistons in the caliper are sized to the application. The result is getting proper front to rear balance to the point no proportioning valve is needed.
Brakes were amazing and were there lap after lap all day long. We ran hydro-boost on the car as well. Level I brake is two piece 13" rotors front/rear w/ forged 4 piston front and 2 piston rear calipers. Rotors can be done drilled, slotted or both.
Car also has chassis stiffening based upon torsion tests performed on the car – more than just subframe connectors installed. See anything unusual under the hood?
Everyone at the track was really impressed with how the car performed, cornered and its braking. Engine in the car is a 5.7 HEMI making about 440 HP w/ a 7,000 RPM redline, 5-speed, upgraded 8-3/4 w/ gear drive diff, alloy axles and 3.91 gears.
You will be able to see the track testing week after next on Dream Car Garage on Speed. The show will have before and after footage at the same track. We really wrung the car out at the track, so it should make for some really good TV.
Car right now is having the Level II suspension and brakes installed, as well as a 6.1 Hemi. It will get track tested in two and a half weeks and then be on Dream Car Garage as well. The Level II stuff will be even better with totally revised geometry, SLA double A-Arm, three link rear w/ panhard bar - all done in aluminum, including an aluminum K-Member. We’re really, really happy with how well the car ran, it was a huge improvement over where this car started. I can’t wait to see how the Level II performs.
As soon as the Level II is done track testing, we will get the Level I and II done on our B Body engineering car and finalize that as well. For the Level I, I’m trying to get final pricing on shocks valved to our specs as well as torsion bars and leaf springs to the rates we found optimal. We’ll also have torsion bars set up for small block (including the 5.7/6.1 HEMI) and big block motors.
John Buscema
XV Motorsports
www.xvmotorsports.com (http://www.xvmotorsports.com)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
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