Trunk weights for better tire-hook at track?

[TechHeavy]

Hi guys,

Comedian Stephen Fry once said,
"An original idea. That can't be too hard. The library must be full of them. (http://www.quotessource.com/quote/Stephen-Fry-An-original-idea-That.html)"

I have an idea/question... but am wondering if that thought/idea has been discussed here on MM.net as pertains to us Marauder track racers. So here goes:
Has anyone thought about putting weight in the trunk on race-day to put more pressure on rear tires for better hooking? I realize this would add total weight to the car, but being new to this 1/4mi. track game, I'm wondering... shouldn't there be a formula for this? Maybe, an algebra formula with variables, (A)rear car weight, (B) total car weight, (C) rear-wheel torque, and (D) rear-tire size?

I'm sure some of you have thought of this before.... I mean, if it works in my pick-up truck in the winter, (about 4 50lb sand bags in the bed for better traction with 2-wheel drive) then why wouldn't it work at the track... (given it's not an excessive amount of weight that would slow the car's total time)?

What I'm getting at is that I'm sure there is some kind of "racing" formula already devised that would answer my questions and apply to the Marauder. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Remember, I'm not looking for drag-racing shocks, (at least yet, anyway!) ect... Right now I simply want to find out if adding "just the right amount" of weight to the rear could help with hook-up and faster 1/4mi. time.

Thanks guys.

[Bradley G]

Sounds like a trade off.
You gave me an idea,If I race with Two, (driver&passenger)the passenger sits in the back, for more weight over the drive wheels:D Thanks Heavy:bows:

Bradley G

[jdando]

Sounds like a trade off.
You gave me an idea,If I race with Two, (driver&passenger)the passenger sits in the back, for more weight over the drive wheels:D Thanks Heavy:bows:

Bradley G
I volunteer to be ballast :D

jeremy

[twolow]

Do a track test with a nearly empty tank of gas and then with a full tank and compare. That should tell you.

[MENINBLK]

Do a track test with a nearly empty tank of gas and then with a full tank and compare. That should tell you.

A tank of gas is different that dead weight.

When you launch, the gas sloshes to the rear of the tank,
and it counters the forces you create when you launch.
The more gas in the tank, the more it affects your launch.
You will see the greatest difference in the reaction times.
A full tank will make a longer R/T than 1/4 tank will.
Less liquid motion in the tank is less forces to overcome.

You need SOLID STATIONARY weight that doesn't move,
like sandbags or passengers...

[twolow]

I stand corrected!

What if the dead weight passenger just ate a bunch of soup and washed it down with a Big Gulp?

[Embassy]

I stand corrected!

What if the dead weight passenger just ate a bunch of soup and washed it down with a Big Gulp?
Sounds like you'll be needing some carpet and upholstery cleaner.

[twolow]

Sounds like you'll be needing some carpet and upholstery cleaner.
LOL! Better bring a bucket to race day huh? :)

[Joe Walsh]

Any weight you add to a vehicle will slow it's 1/4 mile ET...instead of adding useless weight to the trunk in an effort to help rear wheel traction,
I'd first consider these options:

> Trunk Mount Battery (why not shift weight that you have to haul anyway?)
> Wider Rear Tires
> Stickier Rear Tires
> Adjustable Shocks (better weight shift during acceleration)
Last.....just an idea:
> Splitting the air lines on the rear air suspension and valving them so that each air bag's pressure can be adjusted independently at the track.
(then returned to 'normal' for street driving)
i.e. Right side with more psi to counteract axle torque.

[TechHeavy]

Any weight you add to a vehicle will slow it's 1/4 mile ET...instead of adding useless weight to the trunk in an effort to help rear wheel traction,
I'd first consider these options:

> Trunk Mount Battery (why not shift weight that you have to haul anyway?)
> Wider Rear Tires
> Stickier Rear Tires
> Adjustable Shocks (better weight shift during acceleration)
Last.....just an idea:
> Splitting the air lines on the rear air suspension and valving them so that each air bag's pressure can be adjusted independently at the track.
(then returned to 'normal' for street driving)
i.e. Right side with more psi to counteract axle torque.
Some good ideas Joe... thanks. :) I've got wider and stickier tires on the way, and have thought about the shocks. However, the air lines to the suspension is a new one to me, and an intriguing one. Hmmmm..... :)

[Mike Poore]

Hi guys, Comedian Stephen Fry once said,
"An original idea. That can't be too hard. The library must be full of them. (http://www.quotessource.com/quote/Stephen-Fry-An-original-idea-That.html)"
.

:thinker: :thinker: :thinker: Hey!!!!! wait a minute! I've got it! A true brain storm! Weight transfer, RIGHT? Hit the button in the trunk that turns OFF the load leveling shocks, and make sure the air tank's down. Won't that allow the rear shocks to go "soft" and give better weight transfer, and hook-up?
:burn:

If I'm right about this, I win the best idea award. :woohoo:

If I'm wrong, .........blame Charlie.

[TechHeavy]

:thinker: :thinker: :thinker: Hey!!!!! wait a minute! I've got it! A true brain storm! Weight transfer, RIGHT? Hit the button in the trunk that turns OFF the load leveling shocks, and make sure the air tank's down. Won't that allow the rear shocks to go "soft" and give better weight transfer, and hook-up?
:burn:

If I'm right about this, I win the best idea award. :woohoo:

If I'm wrong, .........blame Charlie.
HEEE HEEEEEE! I'm lovin' you right now Mike, (uh, don't take that the wrong way)! :eek: (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=4#)

[Mike Poore]

HEEE HEEEEEE! I'm lovin' you right now Mike, (uh, don't take that the wrong way)! :eek: (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=4#)
No, No, I understand. I've been patting myself on the back, ever since I thought of it; but you get the credit, because you were looking for weight transfer in the first place.

:thinker: It hit me like a flash, and I bet it works. I can't wait for someone to try it.
:burn:

[CRUZTAKER]

Any weight you add to a vehicle will slow it's 1/4 mile ET.....
Right on man!

I do fine with no weight at all, and a 1/2 or less of fuel.

My key is tires, and rear suspension.

[martyo]

Weight transfer, RIGHT? Hit the button in the trunk that turns OFF the load leveling shocks, and make sure the air tank's down. Won't that allow the rear shocks to go "soft" and give better weight transfer, and hook-up?

I believe you are wring. Soften up the fronts, stiffer up the rears. That will plant the rear. I would recommend against what you are suggesting. But that is just my opinion.

[FordNut]

As for adding weight to improve times, I always run quicker if I remove the spare tire and other assorted stationary stuff from my trunk.

[Bluerauder]

If I'm wrong, .........blame Charlie.
Mike, I had to race you with a cooler, 1/2 case of beer, six-pack of cola, and two bags of ice in the trunk. :D That was just in case you beat me back to the pit area. :rofl: Didn't want to leave the beverages laying around !!! :lol:

[wchain]

I just move the dead bodies in the trunk closer to the axle, and take the golf clubs out as well so they dont move around.

[Paul T. Casey]

Found out last night during my rt practice session that removing my wife is worth a tenth in the 1/8. (She's not laughing)

[Bowtie]

I believe you are wring. Soften up the fronts, stiffer up the rears. That will plant the rear. I would recommend against what you are suggesting. But that is just my opinion.You're right, martyo ;)
Joe's suggestion of splitting the airbag plumbing is a good one too. Those of us who install Airlift bags in the coils for drag racing ALWAYS plumb them separately. Put a lot in the right and very little in the left.

I met a guy at Moroso years ago running a 90-ish Mustang LX with several LEAD bricks strapped in the back of his trunk. He claimed he could always get better ET's with his street tires with the extra weight in the rear. His power to weight was completely different from your typical Marauder - probably about 400 hp in a ~3000 lb car (he ran low 12's with slicks), so I wouldn't expect you to see the dramatic benefit he claimed.
One thing's for sure: If traction is questionable, extra weight back there is always a good idea for BRACKET racing.

[TechHeavy]

Ok guys,

Thanks to everyone for the input. Lots of good ideas, suggestions, tips and advice. Hey! Just what I was looking for! (Gotta love this site and the members). :D

I'll be at the track soon to do some experimenting.

[Mike Poore]

Ok guys,

Thanks to everyone for the input. Lots of good ideas, suggestions, tips and advice. Hey! Just what I was looking for! (Gotta love this site and the members). :D

I'll be at the track soon to do some experimenting.Hey Dave, if throwing that switch helps, don't tell them other guys. :neener: .....It'll be our little secret.

[David Morton]

Reminds me of the rumors about Richard Petty running with railroad ties in his trunk back when NASCAR was really a sport with stock cars and the winners were all guys that used to run with 40 gallons of moonshine and a full tank of gas on those back roads in Georgia and Alabama. Nascar was good back then because you could actually go out and buy a car like those, less tires and a few minor incidentals.

Now are we, like, really sure we couldn't, like, shave a few tenths off the ET if we, like, added five hundred pounds to the trunk?

:D

Sorry man, but it was, like, too easy. No hard feelings. OK?

[TechHeavy]

Reminds me of the rumors about Richard Petty running with railroad ties in his trunk back when NASCAR was really a sport with stock cars and the winners were all guys that used to run with 40 gallons of moonshine and a full tank of gas on those back roads in Georgia and Alabama. Nascar was good back then because you could actually go out and buy a car like those, less tires and a few minor incidentals.

Now are we, like, really sure we couldn't, like, shave a few tenths off the ET if we, like, added five hundred pounds to the trunk?

:D

Sorry man, but it was, like, too easy. No hard feelings. OK?
Ummm... ok David. I can't believe you're giving me a hard time for asking about this. Hey, I'm not afraid to ask questions. That's how I learned about my S/C, and all the other mods to my Marauder. But I guess I can't blame you... I mean, I DON'T have much track experience.
I guess if you asked if adding a "cold-air filter kit" to your computer would make it faster then I may have had a sarcastic response, but then after second thought I would have added, "but then again, depending on your ambient temperature, it may make it more stable."
So, IMO, it never hurts to ask when you have a question, regardless the topic.

Yep, no hard feelings bro. Looking forward to buying you a beer at Capers during MVIII. :) :beer: