Road Racing???????'s

[Andy4639]

Not public either, but track racing!
I took my 07 Tahoe out on the Road Atlanta (http://www.roadatlanta.com/)course this past Sunday and I got to thinking. Why not do a little work to the 71 and see what it would do next year. Year One Experience in 09.
Want to do some small alterations to the suspension to get around the track better. Just maybe shocks and mounts with trailing arm mods that I can do myself.
I'm all stock (suspension wise) except for it being lowered. LWB 71 with 305 Tuned Port Injection, with 700-R4 transmission, 4:10 gears.

[Truckstr]

Does it have a front anti-sway bar? I think you'd appreciate that if you don't have it.

[Andy4639]

Truckstr

Does it have a front anti-sway bar? I think you'd appreciate that if you don't have it.

Yes it does have a front sway bar too! Thanks, what about a rear bar and better brakes, I have the stock front disc and rear drums now.


I didn't have the truck Sunday but I saw a 70ish Ford truck with drums all the way around running the track.

[Super73]

Is your front sway bar a stock OE from your truck? I have found that the Dually's came with a much bigger sway bar and they should fit in the same place as your factory front one.

As far as other mods, I would get rid of the factory panhard bar and remake one. You want it as long as possible and right in the center of the axle. If you can, make it adjustable so you can change it if your ride height changes. Having it longer will help keep the rearend more "center" under bumps. it won't shift to one side as much. Or better yet you could do a Watts link, but it's much more involved.

I wouldn't change the rear sway bar just yet, try it with your stocker.

You probably will want an adjustable shock. Something like a Hal or even a Rancho 9000.

Try and even some weight out if you can. IE move the batterey to the rear.

As far as brakes, I have seen some drilled slotted rotors through Summit I think.


Just some thoughts..

[Truckstr]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Truckstr

Yes it does have a front sway bar too! Thanks, what about a rear bar and better brakes, I have the stock front disc and rear drums now.


I didn't have the truck Sunday but I saw a 70ish Ford truck with drums all the way around running the track.

I purchased the ECE front anti-sway bar with polyurethane bushings and the rear track bar kit (longer adjustable panhard bar with different lower pickup point). I have plans to also do a rear anti-sway bar - one from a Camaro - but I don't have it yet. I'm upgrading the rear brakes by using glock35's rear brake bracket that uses Impala SS rotors and Z28 Camaro calipers. The fronts will be stock discs for the mean time. I'm also using the polyurethane truck arm bushings (as well as body bushings). I'm also reinforcing the frame in key areas to combat frame flex. All of that, a 4-1/2 inch front, 6 inch drop rear, and a couple other mods from stock should help me through the corners better than stock, but I'm under no illusions that it's going to handle like a Vette when I'm done. lol Prolly more info than you wanted to hear about, but cornering better is a top priority with me. The front suspension geometry needs some help.

[Andy4639]

I'm not wanting a full on race truck, just some small things to make it handle better.I have the adjustable pan bar on it now.

The front bar is aftermarket. I don't remember who I bought it from though. I just was wanting some inexpensive mods I could do myself for when I take it out on the track. If I ever do.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[JayG]

Love my rear sway bar!

[Andy4639]

I just installed it back over the holidays so it's new for me. I had my truck redone over the fall of last year.
I like to get some good idea's to do to it so if I go back down to the track I can try it out.

[scotts62]

Andy, Nice truck! Looking very good!

Scott,

[Andy4639]

Thanks,
Going to order the rear spring air bag helper's tomorrow. I couldn't find anything on Jegs site for a 71 so I'm going to call them and see what they say.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Air+Lift/743887/10002/-1/10077
Nothing listed per 1967-72 chevy trucks. They all say 73 and up. Should work though I would think.

[Andy4639]

After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



http://www.airliftcompany.com/online_catalog.html

[Rokcrln]

Also putting a late 80's blazer 26gal tank in the rear frame will help with weight transfer. The front disks are allot more important to upgrade then the rear since 80% of the braking power is put to the front brakes. A larger wheel with a smaller side wall will help as well since it will give less side wall flex.

I think a 70-72 2wd Blazer would be bad azz as a track racer. With the top you get a bit better wind flow than a truck and the weight balance is also a bit better. Then box the frame and build a good 8pt cage going from the front of the frame through the fire wall tied into the A hoop and ending at the rear of the bed right over the last body mount. I am of the train of thought that the suspension should do all the work and the frame is just along for the ride. I would also do a modified truck arm set up with a watts link. Then put one of Nate's C4 dropmember's up front with the biggest front and rear brake kit that you can.

Damn now you got me thinking This pic should get the ideas flowing!
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1192932299

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Andy4639]

Got the bags installed last night. I still have to play with the air. Haven't even drove it yet!



Ran the air lines back to the license plate and used it for mounting the valves.