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Posted By: DRYSLICK on May 18 2009 at 09:29:26 AM
What does a longer jacobs ladder do to a car? IE. 13 5/8 to 14
Height of top wing stands on front of top wing is there a magical height the top wing should be off of the top of the cage. does a tall cage change that?
Thank you in advance
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Ladder: The end of the ladder (where the W link connects to the bird cage), moves in an arc. When the suspension travels far enough, the ladder actually binds the torque ball against the housing. When the ball binds, it plants the right rear tire.
A short ladder creates a tighter arc, a long ladder creates a more gradual arc (because of it's length, it has to travel further, in order to create a bind). A 14 inch ladder can help free your car up, especially if it lays over on the RR.
A ladder is most efficient when the ladder is exactly twice the length of the straps and when the distance between the upper and lower mounts (where the straps attach to the frame), matches the length of the ladder. For example, if you have 7 inch straps, you should have a 14 inch ladder and the mounts should be 14 inches apart. Many chassis builders change and manipulate these measurements. Some even move the upper chassis mount out towards the wheel. All of these changes make the ball bind quicker and ultimately help plant the right rear tire.
You need to decide which length/condition fits your car's attitude, the track conditions, and your driving style.
Top Wing Mounts: A taller cage has little affect on the top wing. The distance between the top of the cage and the wing belly is more important. The wing mounts and the upper part of the chassis can disrupt airflow and can reduce a wings efficiency. So raising the wing can help improve wing performance, but it also gives the wing more leverage. When you turn into a corner, a wing that is mounted too high or too far to the left will bury the car on the LR. The height needs to take all these things into consideration.
Don't make this chassis setting difficult. Talk to your wing supplier and use the post length that they recommend for their product and then forget about your wing height. Keep it simple!
Disclaimer: I am not a sprint car expert! These recommendations are my personal interpretation and may or may not be accurate.
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