Can Wheelie Bar be Too Low?

[dusterdave173]

I have been running mine where you could easy slide your shoe under it--going OK but recently redrilled my pin holes for better tighter fit and now it is a squeeze to get my shoe under--I have higher settings but...
could this be too low and upset car  5.60 1/8th so she ain't exactly a rocket--been fighting launch issues--some outings she makes several perfect runs next time it is death rides left right left right --I think it has been poor track conditions when I have trouble but just wondered Thanks

[masracingtd1167]

Yes Dave you could have it too low and it could cause problems . If the bar is very stiff it won't let the tire plant it self at the hit . At the hit the car is going to squat down . When you adjust the bar make sure there is someone in the car . I would think that some where around 3 inches would be a good place to start . Putting chalk on the wheel can tell you a lot . On a good leave with my car the bar will touch right at the hit then skip about 8 inches and touch again as the front end comes up . Bill

[rooman]

I generally run the bars on my cars so that you can slide your foot under the wheels but that is with a bar about 6" long that flexes enough that it does not shock the chassis. If the track is really tight I may lower the bar a little to get some wheel speed at the step. This is with the Goodyear comp elim style tire at 6.5 lbs. If your car squats into the tire leaving and does not have enough grunt to get up on the tire early you may need to run the wheel higher. The same applies if the bar is more rigid.

Roo

[dusterdave173]

Thanks a ton guys
Heading out tomorrow for a good track and hoping for good start to the year--It just dawned on me that maybe just maybe with my 48 inch bar that is pretty stiff that too low could maybe be upsetting the leave--I know that too high is a little exciting as well   Thanks!!!! Will post some results
I think I just got too cautious after a big wheelie and have been too low thus causing spin and launch issues

[digster]

Lots of variables. I run a 6" bar with a bit of flex. I have the guys set my bar using the the widest part of a 3/4 inch open end wrench between the wheel and ground at loaded weight.

[dusterdave173]

OK!
Made my best pass to date today!! Yahoo!! Been running high 5.60's since built--first time out today guy had trouble in staging and caused big wait--well...The old girl LOVED the extra engine heat--wheelie bar was set higher to 3 3/4 in lowered tire pressure to lowest I have run at 7 1/2 lbs in my MT 33x10.50 and bang  5.51 in perfect pass!!!  yahoo!!! Bounced very hard in shut down--not sure if it was track surface, braking too hard, lower tire pressure or what but still very pleased!!!!!!!!

[Paul New]

7 1/2 pounds of pressure I wouldn't consider that to low to cause bouncing! Congratulations on your best pass

[George]

Many variables to setting wheelie bar and already been said. I start at 7psi and go down from there. About 3" on the bar height. We use a chute on all full pulls and settle the car before braking. 

[crider]

Congrats on your new best pass Dave!  Where did you run it at?

[dusterdave173]

Ran it in a match race at the Southeast Gassers opening race at Greer--they say it was biggest crowd there since strip opened in the late 50's  fantastic crowd !! What a day!!

[masracingtd1167]

Good job Dave !

[Oldschool]

Awesome 😎

[BK]

I know at 71/2 lbs my car would be hard to stop because of bouncing. I have 14/32s on mine and run them around 41/2 so I can can use the brakes.

[dusterdave173]

OK another topic but...
Bouncing in shut down area...
Is is tire pressure--getting on brakes too hard/ track surface?
I have had it bounce pretty darn hard a few times and other tracks and runs never have an issue so
What do I need to know?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Paul New]

Brakes to hard would be my initial thought