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Question for anyone driving a lightweight (aluminum) T

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 2:54 pm
by Mitchman2
I'm building a TC "Q" Special and I've just fitted the rear axle to the leaf springs. With the car - and me - fully weighted to the springs the axle is not lifting from the frame. This car is not going to get much heavier, perhaps 50 pounds for the fenders and seats, etc.

Question: did you modify the rear springs so the car sees some vertical suspension travel? Such as take a leaf or two out?

Re: Question for anyone driving a lightweight (aluminum) T

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 9:13 am
by EdCallo
I don't have a light weight Aluminum TC do have a TC I race that is much lighter then a stock TC. What I did was take the very bottom spring off and put in on top of the springs under the axle. Lowered the car a little and softer rear which the car needed

Re: Question for anyone driving a lightweight (aluminum) T

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 1:41 pm
by Mitchman2
EdCallo wrote:I don't have a light weight Aluminum TC do have a TC I race that is much lighter then a stock TC. What I did was take the very bottom spring off and put in on top of the springs under the axle. Lowered the car a little and softer rear which the car needed
That's clever. I was thinking about removing a few leaves and replacing with spacers and maybe a spacer above. Just moving leaves to the top takes them out of action without tossing away and no need for a place holder.

Many Thanks.

Re: Question for anyone driving a lightweight (aluminum) T

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 3:08 pm
by Steve Simmons
A friend of mine has a seriously lightened front end - no side panels, lightweight alloy top panels, cycle fenders, no running boards, etc and hasn't had any issues with stock springs. But the rest of the body is stock so maybe that's enough of a difference.

I know there are a few guys on the TABC email list who build and drive TABC/Q specials so it may be worth asking there. Plus several racers who may be in the same boat.