Hey guys, I hope I don't mess up a thread as I'm not a racist,(pun intended). I haven't drag raced,(on a track), in more than 40 years. But reading this post brought something to mind from long ago which to me, reinforces your comments here about not needing a larger lug size. I am going back years ago for this and senility may be distorting my facts but...
Does anyone remember the lawsuit way back when U-Haul trucks were involved several roll overs due to lugs sheering off on dual wheeled trucks. The trucks involved were Fords which were special ordered to U-hauls specs. Both Ford and U-Haul tried to blame each other. Kind of like the Firestone 500 tire fiasco with Ford under inflating them to give a smoother ride and the tires failing. The result of the lug investigation was quite interesting. I read it in an engineering rag somewhere. It turns out that U-Haul spec'd a larger diameter lug than was stock to the trucks. I don't remember if it was 5/8" increased to 3/4" or not. Common sense would make one believe that the larger lug stud was stronger. But, strangely enough, it was not! The report said something about surface tension verses sheer! In this case, with both lug sizes equally hardened, the actual surface tension on the larger lug was less as it was spread out over a larger diameter so the wheel could sheer the studs easier than the originals, which were not having any problems. Because I always like to over build everything, it certainly made me wonder. I also recalled years ago about the Ford boss 429 verses the Mopar Hemi. I recalled reading that Chrysler Engineers diagnosed the 429 lost power in the midrange because of the valves being miss-sized. Again, I am recalling data from years back, (before you were born, remember)?
So I hope you enjoyed my little tales from the crypt and please don't take anything as the gospel as I am now officially a senile citizen! Remember, "Ignorance can be bliss!"
