Tuten's New Suspension -- Legal in Drag Radial?

[SecretAgent50]

Drag Radial racer Chris Tuten has built a new suspension system for his drag radial Mustang built by none other than Dave Zimmerman at Team Z Motorsports.. the big question, what the heck is it, and is it legal?

Check it out yourself below....

We're not sure exactly what we are looking at? Is that a control, and where is it attaching to? Is that the mounting location tied directly into the cage/front chassis location? Ladder bar mount?

On thing is for sure, that sure as heck isn't stock suspension. Is this a re-emergence of the famed Wolfe torque arm controversy? Evidently Dave Zimmerman and Tuten think it's legal or they wouldn't have put it on their web site for the world to see.

You can check out the rest of the photos of his car here and decide for yourself.

Yes, it looks like an elephant penis but it's really a suspension piece from Tuten's car.



The best question is, what will the tech department think.

The agent thinks that never, ever came on a Mustang, and it doesn't look like a subframe connector. We thinks there may be some serious controversy in Florida down in the tech line as all eyes are on Tuten to be a top contender.

[Scott V]

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm........

From the NMRA rulebook.

3.4 SUSPENSION, REAR
REAR SUSPENSION: Stock type suspension required. Rear coil-over shocks permitted.
STOCK TYPE SUSPENSION: Stock type suspension may utilize aftermarket, direct replacement type suspension components including aftermarket replacement shocks, springs, and/or control arms. All stock type 3-link and 4 link suspensions must maintain stock lateral angles and attachment points, but may be moved up or down on rear axle. Aftermarket torque arms and coil-overs permitted.
3.4a) 3-LINK AND 4-LINK: Stock or stock-type direct-replacement 3-link and/or 4 links required. All stock type 3 or 4 link suspensions must maintain stock lateral angles and attachment points, but may be moved up or down on rear axle. Retrofitting and/or cross-breeding of 3-link and 4-link components prohibited.
3.4b) LADDER BARS: Prohibited.
3.4c) REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARMS: Replacement upper and lower control arms and permitted. Control arms may use any type bushing, bearing, or rod end. Control arms may be adjustable to any length.
3.4d) PANHARD BARS: Permitted. Panhard bars must be located aft of rearend housing. Panhard bars may be welded.
3.4e) SWAY BARS: Aftermarket or factory sway bars permitted. Aftermarket sway bars may be welded to both chassis and rearend housing.
3.4f) TORQUE ARMS: Permitted.
3.4g) REAR SHOCKS & SPRINGS: Any permitted, including coil over shocks and springs. Shocks must be stand alone and may not be adjustable during run via any means.
3.4h) TRACTION BARS: Bolt on traction bars permitted.

[Shaneh]

LMAO. Secret Agent, you've been sniffing too much C16 it would seem. If you look at all of those pictures, it's not hard at all to tell what that "elephant penis" really is. That's not even part of the suspension. That's the inner frame rail for the sfi 25.2 chassis. Dave tied it into the lower torque boxes to strengthen it. The lower control arm bolt goes through the torque box and into that heim joint. In effect, it IS the subframe connector as it ties the rear subframe to the front subframe. Being that it's NOT even part of the suspension, I'd say there's no question of it's legality. Z Man's gonna be accused of firing a rifle from the grassy nole next!

Shane Hill
90 LX on radials with 304ci 4v and 105mm turbo

[Scott V]

Hey Shane

Is Dave old enough to have even been on the grassy nole?

[CHRIS TUTEN]

thanks for looking at my car guys! dave did great work and the car drove awesome this weekend. this weekend was the 1st 1/4 mi passes and with no dyno time. shane is dead on with his description of the bar.

[powerjames]

Hey Chris congrats on running pretty good this weekend!

[Scott V]

Hey Chris,

Welcome to the StangTV forums. Give us the scoop on what your
plans are for between races. Testing, Dyno Time, Tuning????

[CHRIS TUTEN]

thanks, i plan on doing everything scott said. i hope there is more in this combo, hopefully i didnt get lucky and hit the nail on the head on the 1st shot. i havent had the car on the dyno yet but i will the beginning of next week. i also have another converter to try as well as gears. i would like to have it in the teens by reynolds, if not then oh well. either way, i'm gonna pick away at it until it does!

[Scott V]

Chris

Keep us updated how it's going.....Feel free to post dyno results...

[Fool_Fire]

This seems like an excellent way to tie the chassis into the torque boxes and lower control arm mounting location. Does Team Z sell these bars?