Suspension discussion

[rag6]

Just wondering if previous rc funnycars use suspensions? Real ones do not. Its because they do not want any wasted energy going into the suspension, that could have got to the ground instead.
If you had a nice smooth rc drag track, would it be of benefit to use solid links instead of shocks?

[MiNi ReVo LoVeR]

It would definitely help on a smooth drag track but Traxxas was thinkin about the people that don't have a nice smooth track near them and will be running this thing up and down their street or in a parking lot. It would be a cool mod though if you could figure out a way to do it.

[Cameron]

run spacers on the outside of the shock between the bottom cap and the rod end on the rears. fuel tubing maybe? that would solid up the rear end, while still leaving a slight amount of play if you do need it.

[Paul Songas]

Regular high performance r/c funny cars use a sold rear end, and a pan car type front end set up with small springs. Some also have chassis stiffness adjustments for traction off the line.

[goodie1977]

It is a scale issue. The small imperfections in a driving surface are not significant to a 36" drag slick, but to a 3.3" tire that 1/8" concrete seam is huge! Fuel and funny cars utilize rigid linked rears and extreme tire deflection coupled with controlled tire slip to allow transfer of power at launch. Suspension soft enough to move would just squat and make the full size car ridiculously unstable at launch.

I might try a little fuel tubing to stiffen the rear end up at launch, but not sure how that will work out since the sidewalls on the 1/8 model don't flex at all. I think it might end up hurting the rear end hook up!?

[rag6]

So a completely rigid link is not ideal? Never thought about the low pro tires not "giving" with the surface...

[Cameron]

That why if anything i like the fuel tubing on the shock shaft, doesn't even have to be full length, leave a bit of gap and it will have that compression to use and the fuel tube will flex as well if it needs to.

[PBO]

Just to illustrate 'common' variations

[scooter2998]

If someone made a scale tire that balloon and sidewalls "wrinckle" like funny car tires do then it might help also.

[rag6]

After looking at the 2 designs in PBO's post, I would think the more solid, the better.

[BennyG6]

After seein those dragster setup pics in PBO's post .. Had a lightbulb in my head go off .. Grabbed my XO-1 took out the rear shocks and threw some turnbuckles in there and went out for some speed runs .. Still wouldnt launch like a dragster but I kid you not seen some of my best numbers and runs so far to date . Anyhow they are out and shocks back in just wanted to try it for kicks

[goodie1977]

Sweet carbon fiber chassis in PBOs post. Bet that flexes and moves like a real fuel car chassis! Also wonder, are those foam rear tires? Also curious what kind of surface that car runs on. Bet its a whole lot better prepped that the asphalt in front of my house! Sweet car design...

[Otimebomb]

I have run the electric version (top pic) to a 1.58 seconds @ 88 mph in 132 feet (1/10 scale quarter mile) back in the round cell (10) and brushed motor days.

Track was prepped with sugar water for the legenth of the track, and VHT on the first 40-50 feet. Smooth blacktop.

Foam is the only way to go on a treated track. Also with foam tires, you apply a compound directly to the tires as well as having a prepped track.