LUVTruck.com

Hello,

First post.
You may already know posts from Mr.T regarding the 1979 LUV raced here in Europe with a pump gas 383. He is pretty good about passing on information from our tests. We are constantly looking to improve on our launches with the factory chassis and aren't looking at going the ladder bar/4-link route on the rear or coil over front.
The truck still has the factory front torsion bars which we think is superior for the type of chassis we choose to run because it stores more energy. The torsion bars are however a few years old. Does anyone know what the spring rate for the factory front torsion bars is/was and if any outfit sells replacements for a 2WD vehicle? All I have seen are replacement for 4WD LUV trucks. I assume that they are stiffer, different?

Below are some recent videos. First video is on a completely unprepped surface.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoLpFT7CAtc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYnEiVAo2N8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS8nypmUYCA

Thanks!

I guess nobody has a source for new torsion bars. I will look to see if anyone has a used set that didn't have too hard of a life in the classifieds. Ours have taken a few SBC landings over the years and I fear that they don't have as much tension or stored energy anymore.

Thank you for looking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlkmt85WPpc

Got any build pics of your truck?
What rear spring are you using and are you using Cal-tracs on your truck?

IMO- I think your better of with the weaker torsion bars for drag racing than stiff new ones.

Here is some 411-
LUV, Isuzu 2WD & 4WD 1972-1980 26mm 36 1/8” 1526 $200.00

http://www.swayaway.com/torsionbars.php



1975-1982 Chevrolet LUV Torsion Bar Unloading Tool - ReadyLift
Part #: R90667816A
Mfr #: 66-7816A


http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/detai ... 7816A.html

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I ran the same set up as you have except i ran split monos on the rear . I had cheap Chain store front gas charged to help push the noise up and Chevelle 3 way adjustables set on the softest compression . You have the truck doing what it needs to do . Any more wheelie will be wasted motion . Any less you risk not enough weight transfer . Mine had to pull a wheelie to hook correctly on small tires .

Thank you for the replies. Now also running split mono springs with the calvert bars. We were running the factory LUV springs with homemade lift bars which proved to be quicker on some passes, but less consistent and required more maintenance. The shocks were also CE drag shocks. Anytime the truck wheelies higher or longer then our 60 foot times are quicker leading to better ETs.

Hotrod, were you able to successfully run the calvert bars on the lower hole? If yes, did you have your rear shocks set loose to provide more hook?

I had compression set as soft as possible . This was for weight transfer . I had the best success in the upper hole ( moves instant center back ) . I dont know how your bars are set , but i had 3 settings . touching the leaf for a bad track . Gapped with a dime for a decent track and gapped with a nickel for a good track . These are top secret , so don;t tell LOL . Biggest tire i ever ran on the truck was 275/60/15 drag radial