I know this may sound like a strange question but how fast can a Maverick safely go on stock front suspension? Assuming it has all new parts and good shocks (77 five lug, disc brakes). I'm considering taking my ugly old 4 dr Maverick to the standing mile at Mojave in a year or two. Would a MII be a better choice? Or a Fatman or Chris Alston strut set up? Looking at going maybe 160 or 170 mph. We took two cars last year to Mojave and it was a blast. I know the Maverick would be a huge challenge but I like challenges. I know alignment is critical...lots of positive caster. Thanks, Kelly
the stock suspension in good condition should be fine. its the aerodynamics that are a problem. at about 115 the front end starts to float. a good size air dam of some sort will plant the front end. then you will want get some downforce on the rear end. a rear spoiler coming horizontal off of the trunk with a wickerbill will give a lot of downforce with minimum drag. this topic http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/101460-Designing-Aerodynamics-for-Track-Performance is really informitive on what aerodynamics will benifit you best in doing the standing mile. i plan on trying standing mile out in the future. my car has been able to stain 140mph with no feel of instability.
Assuming all the stock components are in good condition and adjusted properly, the greatest limiting factors will be tires, and ride-height. Unless you lower the car, air will lift the front and your steering and road adhesion will be negatively affected.
Bryant, good article you linked. Lots of ideas. I was pretty sure I'm going to have to get the car on the ground, wasnt sure about an air dam or splitter. Tires are no problem, have a bunch of Goodyear NASCAR tires avalable that are legal to run (10 inch) and Front Runners for the front. Hoping to have 500 Small block horsepower on tap using an 8 inch 2:80 gear. Having decided on a trans yet. I have C-4s and an AOD.
Mojave California, April 11th & 12th 2015. It's a really low key event. Lot's of cars out of the LA area (naturally) mostly newer Corvettes, Mustangs, some exotics and a bunch really fast bikes. Then there are the guys with run what you brung like us. We had a retired 2010 COT Fusion and an older Whelen pavement modified that we sort of re-purposed for the mile. In April they are going to do the Magnum which is a mile and a half. Last spring was our first time and we ran 174 with the Fusion and 157 with the Modified. The Fusion was underpowered (490 hp) and the Modified was undergeared (4:11 long story). Being underpowered and undergeared was probably good thing for our first time as it let us get some experience before attempting faster speeds. This year we are coming back with some changes. The Fusion is getting more power (650 plus possibly some spray) and a taller gear. The modified is getting more power and a T-56 6 speed. We are also bringing another retired Nascar car, 1996 T-bird that was an old Morgan Shepard car. Should be a good time as long as the weather cooperates. Here is the link to the Mojave Mile. http://www.mojavemile.com/ Their website is a little clunky but if you look under 'Compete' and then results you can see all the different types of cars and there speeds. After we came back last April I showed some guys I know our speeds and most of them said 'is that all the faster you could go?' ' My brother/cousins/mothers Mustang/Corvette/CTS will go 180 no problem' Well I can tell you it's a different world when you only have a mile to reach terminal velocity. Regards, Kelly
Love the Modified - I've been involved in circle track racing most of my life - here are 2 of my Mods from the nineties
Ours is a Troyer car built in the late 90's as near as we can tell. Too bad it is GM powered but I'm just the driver. Lol
You have to click on 'Sign up for Mojave Mile' and register. It's kind of pricey, $429 for two days or you can just run one day for less (not sure how much). Spectating is free. As it gets later on Sunday you can get a lot of runs in. The people who run the event are a great group out of Vegas. Most of the racers are decent folks. Gene Winfield showed up last year just to talk to people, he brought one of his old custom cars. We are there to have fun so even though we want to go fast we want to have fun too. We have a one way tow of 700+ miles so we try to make the most of the weekend. If you come up I'll buy you lunch. Kelly
An extra gear never hurts anything.. unless of course it wasn't designed for that much load and shaft speeds. lol For the standing mile I would easily go with an AOD due to the superior acceleration gained from better 1st & 2nd gear ratios and then just limit it to 3rd gear/don't use OD unless you want to spend the extra cash to change it over to a single shaft setup. I know most guys don't mind breakin' em' off the line or early on in a run.. but at 170mph?.. umm.. no thanks. Check out Lentech's AOD's.
