Finnegan's Garage Aligns Brand New Suspension With SmartStrings
If you have a project build you occasionally take on-track, you know how suspension changes can impact track times. Enter the video below by Mike Finnegan of Finnegan’s Garage - he gives his build a complete overhaul: new suspension, control arms, crossmembers - the whole deal.
Watch as he digs into the specs of his "Death Metal Charger," a sketchy yet brutally cool 1968 Dodge Charger packing a turbocharged 2JZ under the hood. Sick of its white-knuckle handling and dicey Ford F250 drum brakes - locking up dangerously at 60 mph, needing a lengthy 148 feet to stop - Finnegan goes all-in with a QA1 performance suspension overhaul. It's a worthy watch for any enthusiast.
"[as it is]... if you look at this car you'll see it has a ton of negative camber that you really can't get rid of "
- Mike Finnegan (before alignment)
Swapping in a modern tubular K-member, coilovers, disc brakes, and power steering rack, Mike custom-fabs engine mounts to keep the 2JZ firmly planted. But there's trouble: past hack-job frame mods wreak havoc on alignment.
This is where Kevin Smith from KSR Performance joins them to save the day. In the video above you'll see Kevin break out his precision SmartStrings alignment kit, quickly revealing seriously botched upper control arm mounts. After dialing things in, the Charger transforms from sketchy sled to stable street fighter, slashing a whopping 40 feet off its 60-mph stopping distance and inspiring confidence at speed.
"In the end, this car should stop straight, it should stop shorter, the steering wheel should return to center - it should handle better and it should be more fun to drive."
- Mike Finnegan (on improved front end and alignment)
Why SmartStrings
SmartStrings by Smart Racing Products delivers a dialed-in alignment solution for spot-on vehicle setups, from your home garage to the pits. Nail your handling, gain repeatable accuracy, and shave seconds - perfect for racers, wrench-turners, and track-day heroes alike.
- Portable and easy setup
- Ensures accurate, repeatable alignments
- Ideal for trackside adjustments
- Suitable for professional and hobby use
In addition to individual alignment kits and tools, we offer handy bundles to meet your specific need:
- Measuring Tools
- Tire Tools
- Pads & Scales
- SmartStrings Kit
- Smart Camber Kit
- SmartStrings and SmartCamber Kits Bundle
- SmartStrings Kit, SmartCamber Kit, and Hands-Free Adapter Bundle
- The Whole Enchilada - it's the entire package, plus a wireless scale.
Smart Racing Products is led by a team with extensive motorsports experience, including victories at renowned tracks in the USA and abroad. Their firsthand knowledge in racing fuels the development of high-quality, user-friendly tools and parts for both professional and amateur racers.
Contact us if you have questions. Order your new Smart Racing Products alignment tools today.