Will This Increase Low End Torque??

[MICAH1]

Today I had a conversation with the guy who does my muffler and wielding and while inspecting the GT underbody on the lift, he made a suggestion that if the angle of the torque tube was leveled out somewhat, the car would have a greater pull from the start (his words: If you want to burn rubber). Now this guy is not your local grease monkey. He has run his dragster at Rockingham, Buds Creek, and other spots. So, has anyone put spacers on the central joint support bolts to increase the low end torque???

[GTJIM]

That is just a mechanical suspension change and will not increase low end torque - which can only be done by lowering 1st gear ratio or increasing the actual torque output of the motor.
Changing the torque tube "angle of attack" may enhance or reduce the weight transfer to the rear wheels - thus affecting traction.
BTW: "Burning Rubber" is NOT what you want - that is lack of traction and acceleration just goes up in smoke! Ideally about 15% slippage at the tyre/road interface gives the optimum acceleration - so it is a very fine balancing act.

[MICAH1]

Originally Posted by GTJIM That is just a mechanical suspension change and will not increase low end torque .

Thanks GTJIM,
I was not thinking of making a mod, just wanted to throw it out on the site and read the feedback.

[RallyBob]

I believe the guy was referencing adding anti-squat to the rear suspension geometry. This will improve traction to a degree, so this way your rear axle is that much more prone to breaking....FWIW.

[MICAH1]

Thanks Bob,
But like I stated, just wanted to hear the feedback.. Thanks guys.

[jeff denton]

Compared to a drag racing car, the Opel torque tube is the "ladder bars" or the "pickup arms" which are attached to the chassis as low as possible for best acceleration, yes, hookup, not tire spin... Bone up on differential overhaul before trying this, it's hilarious how twinky the pinion is compared to the axle shafts.

[asdasc]

Hi Jeff,
Speaking of the diff...

I was just reading an old article on modifying GT's and they say that if you corner hard enough you can dump the diff fluid out the vent holes! Have you seen this? How do you get around it?

[GTJIM]

Seals up inside the axle tubes! There is a thread about this somewhere - particularly important for those who do hi-gee left turns ALL the time!
Have a look at Post #30 here:http://www.opelgt.com/forums/showthr...ght=axle+seals

[jeff denton]

Yeah, the thread Jim pointed you to has a lot of neat stuff. I put pictures there about how it is done on circle track cars (an absolute must on the right side) it worked like a charm on mine, was quite simple to do. To further discuss it, please ressurrect that thread so we don't get in trouble.

[baz]

jeff

[Scorchr69]

Originally Posted by RallyBob I believe the guy was referencing adding anti-squat to the rear suspension geometry. This will improve traction to a degree, so this way your rear axle is that much more prone to breaking....FWIW.

Doesn't lowering the car effectively change the torque tube angle, just not by changing the pickup points? If it does, does that mean lowered cars will experience rear end problems more readily than a car that is not lowered?

[jeff denton]

I can't imagine how lowering the car would affect the longevity of the rear end other than it could cause a little better traction, thus stressing the poor pinion to the limit. What it can do, if lowered by any method other than deepening the spring buckets, is change the geometry of the control rods. This affects rear roll steer, I have found that the GT likes lots of rear steer, it counteracts the front end's inherent desire to push rather than steer.
I want lots of upward angle on the control rod, but I found that too much wasn't good either. Here was that fine line between push and loose!
Trial and error, it's all in the books but only at this site is it applied to a GT...