Expert: Dan Liddy - 5/2/2007

Question
the car is 84 cutlass /raced it for 2 years it handles ok on the inside but cant run the high side ,so ive decided to put chev truck springs in from a diesel,when i do this should my lower control arms be straight across or should i leave a little bit of a crown?should i leave the ball joints about inches lower then the front cross member?.remember the car has to aper stock so i cant use racing parts on it ,but as u know there is nothing stock about a stock car.

Answer
Hi Troy:

When the car is under load the lower ball joints should be as close as possible to level with  the pick up point for the control arms.  Absolutely straight across.  

I f you can't run the high side because it's pushing, try checking your front toe.  Most race cars should run a bit of toe out, but if there's too much it cold cause trouble.

If it won't run up there because it's loose, it's more likely a cross weight problem .  You could try raising the LR a half inch and see what it's like.

You need to get a copy of a very good book;  "How To Make Your Car Handle" buy Fred Puhn  It's available thru all book stores, someof the larger ones like Barnes and Noble actually stock it. Any of them can order it for you- --it's about $16 and worth every penny

That's all I can think of at this time.  Run a few sessions, take accurate tire temperatures, and send them to me.  You need to start at the RF and take the temp of the outside, middle, and inside of each tire. Work around to the LF, LR and RR writing them all down. Then send them to me with further coments.

Good luck

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida