Wheel base length

[Robert Mcdougall]

does the wheelbase length make a difference for drag racing?. My car is an A body with 115" base compared to one with same drive train and 111" wheel base?

[Locomotion]

I have heard a-bodies have either a 108" or 111" wheelbase (Darts, Dusters, Swingers, etc.) 115" sounds like a b-body.
But yes, wheelbase does make a difference. A shorter wheelbase will transfer weight and hook better, all else being equal. When you start going VERY fast, like Pro Stock, a longer wheelbase is more desireable because of stability at high speeds.
But it is "progressive" as you go faster with track conditions, chassis adjustments, wind, etc. also playing a part.

Some notable examples:
1) Mid-'70's Pro Stock Dodge Colts were a handful and several crashed.
2) The Dodge Daytonas were less stable and prdictable than the Avengers.
3) 300+ mph top fuelers have a 300" wheelbase.
4) Short-wheelbase altereds are known for their ill-handling characteristics.

[This message has been edited by Locomotion (edited February 04, 2001).]

[Leigh]

I'm interested in hearing replies as well, as I'm gathering facts and parts to re-tub my Dart for 17-33's, and move the rear end forward 6"-8". My buddy moved them 6" on his 65 Dart, and you can't tell. Anyone else done this?

[Robert Mcdougall]

The car is an A body, built in australia. The valiant charger built there rode on a 105" wheelbase.
So with a long wheelbase does that mean a different style and strategy for drag racing
to the short base cars? Picking them off with top end?

[Christopher]

Not contradicting anyone on this but I've found that in a A-body vs.B-body,the B seems to hook up better.Now I'm sure this has to do more with the longer overhang of the B- body,than the A and due to the fact there is more weight on the back of a B. My summation is based on having both types of cars and using the same engines and drivetrains in both(383).There is a 250lb difference between both of my cars,but if I were to take 100 lbs off the front of my Demon and put that same 100lbs back to the rear bumper,the car would hook as well,if not better than the Road Runner.

[MOPARMANJAMES]

Hey Christopher, not to change the subject, but I'm going to. I have a 71 demon completely stock as far as interior and body.Any Idea what it weighs? I haven't got it to the scales yet. It's got a 360 in it that almost ready to rumble.

[Christopher]

Dry,I'm guessing it probably weighs in the neighborhood of 3250#.

[MOPARMANJAMES]

Thanks Christopher, and I apologize for straying from the subject. To add to this wheel base discussion, Yes the weight tranfer is better on a short wheelbase car but the reason why is the center of gravity(cg) is moved higher so this causes a greater pivoting action. This also reduces stability. What happens though is people keep increasing either the tire size until there is no noticeable advantage because they can't spin the tires, Or they keep increasing torque with a given tire limitation and no matter how far they raise the cg, it overwhelms the tires. So they arrive at a compromise depending on what they are doing.

[dschumers]

moparjames, I had a '72 Demon 340/727 that scaled at 3340 with a 1/2 tank of gas.

[Christopher]

MMJ, I would tend to agree with that and no apologies necessary!!Now I have added larger tires to my Demon(13x31)but I did run the car with the old tires from the Road Runner(10.5x29.5) and the 60ft times have been the same.I went with larger tires as I had to tub the car after installing the M-P Dana 60,mainly because it had a 5.12 gear vs. the old 8.75's 4.56.I'm still averaging a 1.52 60ft time,which was the same in the 'Runner.

[MOPARMANJAMES]

Christopher, thats an awesome 60 ft time on the Roadrunner. Mine is right at 1.70 right now with the old low compression(8.8:1) 440. I'm almost done with my 14:1 new 440 but I have to upgrade the Runner's suspension as it is basically stock with the addition of subframe connectors. Do you just think superstock springs and new shocks and adjustable pinion snubber will do or do you suggest other mods? I now I'm gonna need a cage. Thanks Dschumers on the weight, was that with you in the car?

[This message has been edited by MOPARMANJAMES (edited February 06, 2001).]

[Christopher]

The 60ft time with the Road Runner(retired and going back for street duty) was alright I guess.All we did was a set of bolt in frame connectors,the S/S springs,pinion snubber and long station wagon shocks with shock extensions.I still feel that the Demon should have a better 60ft time,and I have some ideas to try this year,starting with shocks.

[ben440brown]

To put my two cents' worth in...

I race a '73 Satellite wagon with a mild, low comp. 440 that, by using the vehicle weight and 1/4 mile speed in the known formula, makes right at 300 HP. I run a 3.91 Sure-Grip with used 28 X 9.0 -15 M/T E.T. Drag slicks. The kicker is that we shortened the car and wheelbase 21 inches. The new wheelbase is 99 inches, with 52% of the weight to the rear wheels in race trim, and a 3900 lb. weight with driver. I launch it at 3300 RPM, and it shifts itself at 5,000. Best 60 foot times are 1.75 with a 13.35 quarter mile E.T. at 98 MPH. I backed that run up 2 hours later that night with an identical pass ( to the hundredth). Chrysler torqued the head bolts on the 440 24 years ago, as far as I know. THe point is, the car really hooks and pulls the fronts off the ground with the stock H.D. springs, new H.D. shocks, and adjustable pinion snubber out back and the old? worn-out shocks and no sway bar up front. With some horsepower, it should run a lot faster, but the short wheelbase/wide track of the B-Body is plenty stable at almost 100 MPH. If the car was a Dart, I don't believe it would hook that well without SS springs, etc..

As an aside, the old altered wheelbase F/X cars handled lousy with straight front axles and really lousy tires, I think.

[Christopher]

You ought to post a picture of your wagon!! I'd really like to see it.

[383-man]

I used to run a 340 in a 66 Dart and it ran 11.90,s at 113 with the original springs and air shocks and a pinion snubber and 9 x 28 Firestone slicks.I was surprised that it hooked pretty good and ran a decent et for the mph because that was in 1982.I put on S/S springs and rolled the car 6 times on the first run. But for a 108" wheelbase and stock suspension it hooked pretty good!!