Rear drag shocks?

65 Coronet w/SS springs

I have Comp Eng. 3 ways now but not sure how well they work. Car is not consistant,smokes the slicks off the line. Car ran 10.8@124 and 60' 1.60. I figure it should 60' in the 1.47-1.49 range. Just looking for it to be consistant.

Does anyone have any experience with Calvert's 9 way adjustable rear shocks?

i am interested in those calverts also. right now i have rancho 5 way adjustable ....

I've used both the 5 way and 9 way and with those SS springs there's not much difference.
1st I'd check your slicks.
How old are they and tire pressure. I'd need more info. on what size slicks you got and air pressure you run.
I can tell you I went from SS springs to cal-tracs and didnt see much difference in 60 foots. When I switched to ladder bar I got the best results with a double adjustable shock.

Wow thats crazy. On my 63 Sport Fury street car I use SS springs and I use the longer C-body shocks in the rear. Its a mild 440 with a best of 11.49 @ 116. But my best 60 ft is a 1.57 and I average low 1.60's. I would think you are right as you should be in the upper 1.40's going about 10.50's. Does the front end have enough travel and lift on launch ? Ron

65 Coronet w/SS springs

I have Comp Eng. 3 ways now but not sure how well they work. Car is not consistant,smokes the slicks off the line. Car ran 10.8@124 and 60' 1.60. I figure it should 60' in the 1.47-1.49 range. Just looking for it to be consistant.

Does anyone have any experience with Calvert's 9 way adjustable rear shocks?

Calverts 9 ways are Rancho's. We're running them with Cal tracs. They work ok; probably better than the C-E's as far as the rears go.
Check the fronts, you want the loosest shocks possible and 4-5 inches of travel, so loosen up the torsion bars.
Like SSR asked, what are you running for tires? What pressure you running? That's huge.

Ok lets see if I can answer all these ?
I am not looking to swap to Cal-trac leaf springs but the 9-way shocks.

M/T NEW 28x10.5 slicks. I started at 16 and got down to 14.5,no change
I have Calvert 90/10's

When I bought the car in 99 I but in a bigger set of torsion bars for street driving but now the car is for strip use so was thinking about re-installing the smaller bars. I also heard that I needed to remove the upper bumb stop so the front can stretch out. so I will try that this year. The advertised tread width for the 28x10.5 is only 10" so this year I am going to go with a Phoenix 10.5(10.8) or a Hoosier 10.5W(11.1). I heard something about clamping the front part of the leaf and unclamping the rear half. Dave Dvorak runs his leafs like this but not sure what he is talking about so didn't mess with it,YET

Ok lets see if I can answer all these ?
I am not looking to swap to Cal-trac leaf springs but the 9-way shocks.

M/T NEW 28x10.5 slicks. I started at 16 and got down to 14.5,no change
I have Calvert 90/10's

When I bought the car in 99 I but in a bigger set of torsion bars for street driving but now the car is for strip use so was thinking about re-installing the smaller bars. I also heard that I needed to remove the upper bumb stop so the front can stretch out. so I will try that this year. The advertised tread width for the 28x10.5 is only 10" so this year I am going to go with a Phoenix 10.5(10.8) or a Hoosier 10.5W(11.1). I heard something about clamping the front part of the leaf and unclamping the rear half. Dave Dvorak runs his leafs like this but not sure what he is talking about so didn't mess with it,YET



How old are your S/S springs?

How much power are you making?

How heavy is the car?

As far as the tires go, SSR is running the M/T's and he really likes them. We are running the Phoenix and really like them also. (Same tire size as you). We've been running around 15lbs give or take a half-pound. The tires hook!

We were running Hoosiers for years but they only lasted about 40 passes and they were shot. Always had traction problems with them. Not saying they are junk just didn't work with our combo.

With out seeing the car it's hard to tell. What shocks are you running in the rear? Make sure you have plenty of travel (extension) Remember when a leaf spring car loads the suspension the springs are trying to push the wheels through the pavement and the back the car lifts up. If you run out of shock travel then it will try to pick the rear wheels up also.

I would definatly go back to the small torsion bars. The car needs to transfer weight. You want to measure from the center of the dust cap to the bottom of the fender with the car setting normal...(you setting in the car). Then jack the front of the car up and take the same measurement. It should be between 4-5 inches different. You want the front of the car as loose as possible, (watch your oil pan clearance).

I don't have the answer, just trying to give you some ideas.

The springs were put on the car in 99. I haven't driven the car much and I only has 6 runs down the track. Car is approx 3500-3800 lbs w/me. Motor is making around 650 hp. It is only a 10.50 car.

I thought you guys were running a 10.5w tire? M/T listed there 10.5 tread at 10". How can they say it is a 10.5 and only be 10"

I wrote in the original post that I have the Comp Eng. 3 way shocks. They are the longer ones for SS springs.

I know you fast guys are running 10.5 tires so I figured it has to be my suspension.

The springs were put on the car in 99. I haven't driven the car much and I only has 6 runs down the track. Car is approx 3500-3800 lbs w/me. Motor is making around 650 hp. It is only a 10.50 car.

I thought you guys were running a 10.5w tire? M/T listed there 10.5 tread at 10". How can they say it is a 10.5 and only be 10"

I wrote in the original post that I have the Comp Eng. 3 way shocks. They are the longer ones for SS springs.

I know you fast guys are running 10.5 tires so I figured it has to be my suspension.



I know S/S springs work, Look at picture Phil Rohr. The Stock & Super Stock guys ran them for years. You might call Dan Devorak and see what they were doing with the springs. I know we ran the S/S for the first 3 or 4 years we had the car. We were told that since the S/S springs are not made of US steel anymore they are junk with in a few years. (For what that is worth)

When we went to the Cal Tracs the car really picked up. (Although if I had to do it over again I would go ladder bar)

10.50 out of a 650hp 3500-3800 lb car on 10.5" tires is not bad.
We just need to figure out why you’re not hooking up.

What RPM are you leaving at? What has the track conditions been?

I know these are stupid questions, just grasping at straws.

When does it spin, does it spin right at the hit or does it hook then spin? That is usually shock adjustment. If you have 3 way adjustable make them as loose as possible if it spins off the line. If it hooks and spins then tighten them up. That is a nice thing about the 9 way adjustable shocks you do have adjustment. However depending on your budget the double adjustables are the way to go because you can adjust rebound and compression, where with the 9 position adjustables only control the rebound.

Here is a picture of how super stock springs can work. Man Phils car really launched.

Spins off the line. I preload the car between 2000-2500 then hit it on green. Track conditions were good, other cars were hooking.

This is what I am going to do for now:

I am putting the smaller torsion bars back in
I removed the upper bump stops so the frontend can stretch out
I am going to a 10.50W tire and adj. the psi to see what works
I will double check my rear shock to see what I have them set at

If this doesn't work then I will look into ladder bars/coilovers

Spins off the line. I preload the car between 2000-2500 then hit it on green. Track conditions were good, other cars were hooking.

This is what I am going to do for now:

I am putting the smaller torsion bars back in
I removed the upper bump stops so the frontend can stretch out
I am going to a 10.50W tire and adj. the psi to see what works
I will double check my rear shock to see what I have them set at

If this doesn't work then I will look into ladder bars/coilovers

My S/S Hemi Belvedere used to spin like crazy, even with different shock settings with my 002 003 S/S springs.
I went to Cal tracs and it helped alot but they were inconsistent a well.I had 1.42-1.45 60 foots going 10.10-10.20 as soon as I switched to ladder bars my car reacted totally different with 60 foots in the 1.36-1.37 with no other changes.
Heres a video of the car 1st time out with ladder bars. Video by Hemi-itis w/o alheimizers.:eusa_boohoo::poke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Toudb_wks8E

I know S/S springs work, Look at picture Phil Rohr. The Stock & Super Stock guys ran them for years. You might call Dan Devorak and see what they were doing with the springs. I know we ran the S/S for the first 3 or 4 years we had the car. We were told that since the S/S springs are not made of US steel anymore they are junk with in a few years. (For what that is worth)

When we went to the Cal Tracs the car really picked up. (Although if I had to do it over again I would go ladder bar)

10.50 out of a 650hp 3500-3800 lb car on 10.5" tires is not bad.
We just need to figure out why you’re not hooking up.

What RPM are you leaving at? What has the track conditions been?

I know these are stupid questions, just grasping at straws.

When does it spin, does it spin right at the hit or does it hook then spin? That is usually shock adjustment. If you have 3 way adjustable make them as loose as possible if it spins off the line. If it hooks and spins then tighten them up. That is a nice thing about the 9 way adjustable shocks you do have adjustment. However depending on your budget the double adjustables are the way to go because you can adjust rebound and compression, where with the 9 position adjustables only control the rebound.

Here is a picture of how super stock springs can work. Man Phils car really launched.


You keep saying WE! What do you have a mouse in your pocket or are you one of the French guys Oiu! WTF :buttkick:
The chances pops is gonna put ladderbars on that Hemi car, I'd hasve a better chance of hitting lotto!:eusa_whistle: :hatwave::rofl:

I run the Rancho 9's on my Fury @ 3420lbs on M/T 30x9 slicks with S/S springs. Leaving at 2900rpm off the footbrake it 60's 1.43-1.44 every time with no spinning and 6.74@102mph in the 1/8. I don't believe the tire width is your issue. It sounds more like you're not getting the weight transferred to the rear on the hit.

Pic at launch:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h115/1badcbr1k/The%20Fury/IMG_2915.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h115/1badcbr1k/The%20Fury/IMG_3138.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h115/1badcbr1k/The%20Fury/IMG_3217.jpg

Mark42202;that car is the TITS!!! Love that launch shot;even more inspiration for how to do mine,and since mine was originally Silver in color...well,that's just way cool. I may seek your permission to "borrow" one of those shots to become my screensaver...

Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Mark42202;that car is the TITS!!! Love that launch shot;even more inspiration for how to do mine,and since mine was originally Silver in color...well,that's just way cool. I may seek your permission to "borrow" one of those shots to become my screensaver...

Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

LOL, you're welcome to it, and I appreciate the kind words!

What is the looses setting for a 3-way shock? 70/30 60/40 50/50

Someone right now is say" Well what a stupid question. Everyone knows blah blah blah is the the looses setting".

The loosest setting for front shocks is 90/10 i think.

I run the Rancho 9's on my Fury @ 3420lbs on M/T 30x9 slicks with S/S springs. Leaving at 2900rpm off the footbrake it 60's 1.43-1.44 every time with no spinning and 6.74@102mph in the 1/8. I don't believe the tire width is your issue. It sounds more like you're not getting the weight transferred to the rear on the hit.

Pic at launch:

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h115/1badcbr1k/The%20Fury/IMG_2915.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h115/1badcbr1k/The%20Fury/IMG_3138.jpg
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h115/1badcbr1k/The%20Fury/IMG_3217.jpg


Mark, the 64 looks awesome.never saw it before.
what shock setting are you using?
Nice local track there also!

Thanks Chris! IN the "show us your 65 Coronets" thread, you can see it next my Coronet in the barn. The shocks are set at 5 clicks from the softest setting on the passenger side and 3 clicks from softest on the driver side.

Yes, I love our local track (http://www.i40dragway.com/). It's a nice 1/8 mile with a good shutdown area and hooks like you wouldn't believe. We have Tim Lynch vs Tony Johnson coming May 28 for a grudge race. Only problem is, there are only about 2 Mopars here, lol!

Sorry for the thread hijack!!!

I'm running QA1 12-way adjustable rear shocks on my car. I just purchased the 9-way adjustable shocks from Calvert, so I'm anxious to try them out. I run 002/003 SS springs on my car that are moved in on the frame rails. I also have added an extra 1/2 leaf to the front segment on the right side to prevent spring wrap and torque roll. I do not run a pinion snubber; instead I have 3 clamps on my front segments and have my pinion angle set at 6 degrees. I clamp the rear segments depending on track conditions -- more clamps = less body lift for sticky tracks.

On the front suspension definitely remove the upper control arm bump stops and add washers to lengthen the shocks. I'm running the Mopar drag torsion bars.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Iw8FCi3Cg
Notice on the first run that my shocks are too lose and I bounce the rear tires and loose traction. The next runs I get the my shocks and springs set correctly for the track.

My S/S Hemi Belvedere used to spin like crazy, even with different shock settings with my 002 003 S/S springs.
I went to Cal tracs and it helped alot but they were inconsistent a well.I had 1.42-1.45 60 foots going 10.10-10.20 as soon as I switched to ladder bars my car reacted totally different with 60 foots in the 1.36-1.37 with no other changes.
Heres a video of the car 1st time out with ladder bars. Video by Hemi-itis w/o alheimizers.:eusa_boohoo::poke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Toudb_wks8E

Bouncing after launch is either; front still tight, or not enough travel. Or rear shocks not long enough, unloading.

I am not asking about front shock. The title of the post says REAR shocks.

Ok, so I will repost the question. What is the loosest setting for the REAR shock 70/30 60/40 50/50 ?

My car is spinning off the line not after launch. I have the the long Comp Eng. rear shocks for SS springs(#2735)

I will re-post my results this spring and let you know if any of your help fixed the problem. Thanks guys

I am not asking about front shock. The title of the post says REAR shocks.

Ok, so I will repost the question. What is the loosest setting for the REAR shock 70/30 60/40 50/50 ?

My car is spinning off the line not after launch. I have the the long Comp Eng. rear shocks for SS springs(#2735)

I will re-post my results this spring and let you know if any of your help fixed the problem. Thanks guys


I would try the 70/30 position. That should be loose expansion tight compression.

you did ask for opinion. if you want to know how the shocks work, go to comp eng web site.
http://www.competitionengineering.com/catalog/CategoryDisplay.asp?CatCode=10032

(last paragraph)

I will have to look into the clamping of the springs. If you run the Calverts and want to sell the QA1's let me know.

Where did you get the Mopar drag race torsion bars for an early B Body?
You don't need a snubber with SS springs. I thought the right leaf of the SS springs had an extra leaf already. Are you saying that you added another leaf on top of that? Where do you clamp. Do you have more pics of those springs.

Thanks for the link but now I am totally confused. I read the explanation but it say the first number is for compression and second is for extension. I thought SS springs lifted the car(Ext.) so the way they explain it is 30% to compress and 70% to extend. Don't I want it the other way around or am I thinking of it wrong?

Your Plymouth leaves nice. Thanks for the help guys.

I will have to look into the clamping of the springs. If you run the Calverts and want to sell the QA1's let me know.

Where did you get the Mopar drag race torsion bars for an early B Body?
You don't need a snubber with SS springs. I thought the right leaf of the SS springs had an extra leaf already. Are you saying that you added another leaf on top of that? Where do you clamp. Do you have more pics of those springs.

Thanks for the link but now I am totally confused. I read the explanation but it say the first number is for compression and second is for extension. I thought SS springs lifted the car(Ext.) so the way they explain it is 30% to compress and 70% to extend. Don't I want it the other way around or am I thinking of it wrong?

Your Plymouth leaves nice. Thanks for the help guys.

The 70% means that the shock has greater resistance when it is compressing. The 30% means it has less resistance when it is extending. So that is what you want.... you want the shock to NOT slow the springs from planting the tires into the track.

(think about it like the 90/10's) the 10% allows the front end to spring up with little resistance yet doesn't allow it to come back down as fast because of the 90%.

I am sure I set mine at 70/30.

I will have to look into the clamping of the springs. If you run the Calverts and want to sell the QA1's let me know.

Where did you get the Mopar drag race torsion bars for an early B Body?
You don't need a snubber with SS springs. I thought the right leaf of the SS springs had an extra leaf already. Are you saying that you added another leaf on top of that? Where do you clamp. Do you have more pics of those springs.

Thanks for the link but now I am totally confused. I read the explanation but it say the first number is for compression and second is for extension. I thought SS springs lifted the car(Ext.) so the way they explain it is 30% to compress and 70% to extend. Don't I want it the other way around or am I thinking of it wrong?

Your Plymouth leaves nice. Thanks for the help guys.


If the Calvert 9-ways work out then I will sell the QA1s. I plan on testing in early May.
I have the P5249156 Mopar torsion bars (.840). I did some quick internet searches and did not find that they are available any more. I bought mine back in '06. I do know of folks running the firmfeel torsion bars (.820) with good results.
http://www.firmfeel.com/torsionb_b.htm
I did add another .300" half leaf to the right spring (it will require changing the bolt as it is not long enough).
I will get you more pics this weekend.

oh boy, I can't wait for the pics. Thanks again.:eusa_drool:

Can't imagine why you would sell the qa-1 over the other ..

I use the 9 way ajusatable and i'm set @ postion #7.

Can't imagine why you would sell the qa-1 over the other ..


i agree, qa1's over the ranchos anytime.
i do like the double adjustables out back much better imo. they cost more but you can really fine tune your suspension and achieve your goal.