I'm thinking every time one of these chassis makes a run, the slip tubes are subjected to a bending stress. Eventually the tubes start bending, take a set, and start binding against each other internally at the joint, it would seem to me. Then it's time for new pipe. That's about 60-75 runs according to Jeff's post. Hopefully, that's causing replacement of tubing before metal fatigue at the slip joints sets in and prevents any catastrophic failure like we've seen in the rails.

I'll bet that F/C crew chiefs were looking at the T/F cars as they arched their way down the strip and thought "Wow, I wonder how we could get OUR cars to do that?" and viola!! The slip tube F/C chassis!! At one time, the coupes used coil over suspensions, but that was with solid front and rear axles. Now Roger, you said the amount of travel was 1/8 inch. I wonder if anyone's thought about going back to a non solid suspension??? How about active suspensions like we see in Pro Stock? Oh boy!! Another timing system to keep track of!!!

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AKA DrRocket

Anything that takes shock from the tires allowing them to apply more clutch and lower ETs, they're going to be interested in. I wonder if John's chassis choices are more up to him or Austin?

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I'm an optimist. My glass is 1/4 full, not 3/4 empty!

NO!
The NHRA will not allow any suspension systems in funny car. Scotty Cannon had some amazing set-ups to keep the chassis rigid, but allow a touch of travel in the front wheels. They would not even look at his working prototype. They were quite opposed to any idea there. Safe or not. He also had ideas of changing the back half of the chassis. Again. Safe or not, no chance. (I think the actual quote was "Don't you dare bring that junk to one of our race tracks.")
Unless something drastic happens, or one of NHRA's super buddy buddy list comes up with the same exact thing, it will not happen.

David, I have thought the same thing. With the knowledge we now possess with shock absorbers it seems that you could have be an indefinite number of settings to work with. I don't think that a suspension would work on the rear axle though as there is just way too much horsepower for anything to work. However with the front suspension the only problem I could see would be the weight factor. These guys spent an awful lot of money just to shave off a couple of pounds & a spring/shock package would certainly be heavier.
Anyone remember the elaborate front suspension set-ups on some of the old Buttera F/C chassis. The "Snake" & Don Schumacher cars are a couple that come to mind. Sure wish the "Shoe" was still posting here. I'm sure he would have some insight on this subject.
Don, come on back. Your many, many fans miss you..............."HIP"

Maybe they will start to install sensors in the F/C chassis tubes to measure how much load is present. Same as the T/F chassis?
I notice they are now using sensors in the wheelie bars.

Remember when they started using the swing arm in pro mod? It was a step AWAY from suspension, while still being able to say that the car had suspension.

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I'm an optimist. My glass is 1/4 full, not 3/4 empty!

I keep hearing rumors that Plueger is building two nostalgia funny cars. but at the moment I just wish he would weld up our block from our last little 'Oops'. We MAY learn how to run alcohol...someday and many bucks later. BTW, on the Plueger deal I've not been able to confirm but one of those two nostalgia chassis might be for Pulde? Sure wish I could confirm that.

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"The cost of racing hasn't increased in 30 years. Back then, it took everything you had. And it still does."

Now this might sound weird, but my understanding is that John's car was "shipped" as a slip tube, and was welded at John's shop to be ridged.

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