Wheelie Bars on Heavy Door Car, Sprung or Not?

[MattG]

Since the car is going to be carrying extra weight anyway this year I figure I might as well accept the 50lbs adder put some bars on the car to help keep things safe and hopefully make the hook better and more consistant.

I am looking at various 60" moly do-it-yourself wheelie bar kits and I am wondering if sprung or rigid bars would be best for my setup.

Car is all motor, ~3325lbs, 950hp, 29.5x10.5" tire, 4 Link, 72 Nova..

I have heard to stick with sprung bars to absorb some of the hit so it doesn't unload the rear tires if it goes up on the bars to hard.

I have also heard rigid bars are the only way to go.

Also any advice on what a good starting height would be for the bars?

If anyone could share their opinions or experiences with me it would be greatly appreciated.

[MattG]

I know wheelie bars arent too popular on a heads up racing forum but a few people have to be running them???

[gilsbachracecraft]

We only used springs when the rules would not allow the bars past the bumper.A well built set of 60" bars will work just fine as long as od is not too big or wall too thick.1"-1 1/8 od,.058-.065.

[MattG]

Thanks for the info!

Does going with too thick of an OD or diamater make the bar too stiff when the car goes up on it? I imagine the flex helps soften the imapact of going up on the bars?

[gilsbachracecraft]

length,dia.,wall and spread between the upper and lower bars all change how ridged a set of bars are.In a car like yours I would make the plenty soft,run em high and try not to use them to leave on.More of a saftey deal rather than a tuning device.

[MattG]

Thanks again for the info.

If using them as a tuning aid doesnt really fit our situation, I may just give things a try without the bars and see how we make out.

We had problems controlling the wheelie near the end of last season and we pulled about 100lbs out of the front this winter so we will have to see how much worse it is this year. I am sure with the 4link and front shock bump adjustment we can keep it under control.

[gilsbachracecraft]

Front shock rebound ajustment(slows extension speed) and travel imiters(limits extension) will help tame down you wheel stand.Moving weight down low in the center of the car can also help.