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When it comes to drag racing, even with all the horsepower in the world, if your car doesn’t hook up properly, you risk losing precious elapsed time or turning what should be great launches into tire-shake and even loss of control.
Suspension geometry is very important, the shock and spring combination is the most critical — even small variations in rate or valving can significantly impact weight transfer and how your car reacts to power. AFCO Racing Products shock specialists offer expert advice to racers developed through decades of experience and real-world testing. AFCO has developed shocks that can control the explosive forces of a 2000-plus horsepower launch while still being sensitive to track conditions and surface irregularities.
If your shock fits and can be adjusted to your ride height, many racers consider that job completed, but choosing the proper length shock related to your chassis dimensions is critical.
There are four steps to follow to determine the appropriate length for front shocks:
- Measure shocks with the driver in the car
- Set your car at normal ride height
- Measure from the center of the mount locations
With these measurements, use the following calculations to determine the appropriate shock stroke length:
- 10″-11″ length at ride height: 3″ stroke shock
- 11″-12″ length at ride height: 4″
- 13″-14″ length at ride height: 5″
- 15″-18″ length at ride height: 7″
- 18″-20″ length at ride height: 9″
For the rear shocks, the process is similar, but with some slight variations:
- Measure shocks with the driver in the car
- Set your car at normal ride height
- Measure from the center of the mount locations
With the following calculations, based on your above measurements and determine the appropriate shock stroke length:
- 10.75″-11.25″ length at ride height: 3″ stroke shock
- 12″-13.5″ length at ride height: 4″
- 13.25″-14.5″ length at ride height: 5″
- 15″-18″ length at ride height: 7″
- 18″-20″ length at ride height: 9″
By following these guidelines for front and rear shock selection, you can ensure that you have the proper length drag shocks for your vehicle, allowing you to transfer weight effectively and get the power to the ground where it belongs.
