zero index birdcage

[billetbirdcage]

No idea who came up with the name but it's a horrible name. They still index, but just can't over center nowhere near as easy unless you change bar angles/lengthen chain.

Again the name is misleading, the cage still indexes. Should be called "no over center cage"

[7uptruckracer]

Just birdcage plates with another row of holes? Or are we just running longer bars and a different series of bracket holes? I’ve seen the plates with top holes behind center and bottom holes ahead of center.

No idea who came up with the name but it's a horrible name. They still index, but just can't over center nowhere near as easy unless you change bar angles/lengthen chain.

Again the name is misleading, the cage still indexes. Should be called "no over center cage"

[billetbirdcage]

Yes, top bar back on cage and bottom bar forward on cage. Then you either have to move bars on frame the same amount or change lengths if you don't have holes there. Typically you will move on frame and not change bar lengths but you can and people do but your changing a lot more doing that. The bar length change is typically done because guys don't have replaceable 4 link brackets or holes to allow the bar to just be moved.

[Punisher88]

If you did have to lengthen the bar in the top, I would assume moving it closer to center of the axle would help negate the effects of the longer bar..

[ukydude]

No idea who came up with the name but it's a horrible name. They still index, but just can't over center nowhere near as easy unless you change bar angles/lengthen chain.

Again the name is misleading, the cage still indexes. Should be called "no over center cage"

Exactly!!!!!

[sam73]

My car has a 20in ride height# and 23 3/8 droop# on the LR. What if without any loss of droop height, you could keep the spring at the 20in RH and at full droop spring centers would be 21in? It was mentioned what goes up must come down. Kinda wonder about the going down part.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

My car has a 20in ride height# and 23 3/8 droop# on the LR. What if without any loss of droop height, you could keep the spring at the 20in RH and at full droop spring centers would be 21in? It was mentioned what goes up must come down. Kinda wonder about the going down part.

Not possible and be within the rules. Air shocks are popular because what you are asking can't be done.

[PayinDaPurse]

I’m a little Confused when guys are running this “zero index”? Is this the new normal setup or is there a track condition that would make you go to “zero index”.

I don’t have this option on my cages, should I update them to the brackets that allow the “zero index”?

Thanks

[Jking24]

Dont get to caught up in it. With the added droop and the increased rf travel the lr suspension is in danger if flipping the birdcage or over centering. When you get near this condition the lr suspension goes ridged ie. No shock and spring. When you have no shock and spring in play you have no control over what's happening on that corner (bad). Yes you need to look closely at your lr bar angles in full droop. No you don't necessarily need some magic bird cage

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

There is speed to be had by getting your spoiler in the air. There is speed to be had not rotating your cage too far. Take those 2 facts and sharpen your pencil.

[Krooser]

So what birdcages are the ones to have to get a good start on the season? Right now I have an ancient pair of steel cages from the mid 90's for my '03 MB. I have the Mastersbilt 2019 raised front x-member, raised right frame rail and new four bar brackets.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/151953470@N05/49611840642/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/151953470@N05/49612858551/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/151953470@N05/49612858111/in/dateposted-public/

[Jking24]

So what birdcages are the ones to have to get a good start on the season? Right now I have an ancient pair of steel cages from the mid 90's for my '03 MB. I have the Mastersbilt 2019 raised front x-member, raised right frame rail and new four bar brackets.https://www.flickr.com/photos/151953...posted-public/https://www.flickr.com/photos/151953...posted-public/https://www.flickr.com/photos/151953...posted-public/

I don't know what is the current go to cage for masterbilts but most stuff doesn't need a whole new cage usually their is a different plate available at least on the single shear stuff. I think the most important thing in your scenario is to get something that has bearings in it and not teflon

[Krooser]

Mine do not have bearings and I've been told that may not be a bad thing.

I could fab a bolt or weld on piece to create my own zero index cage...

[Jking24]

Mine do not have bearings and I've been told that may not be a bad thing.I could fab a bolt or weld on piece to create my own zero index cage...

I don't have any real information(testing) to prove otherwise. Seems to me when we had lined cages with grease they worked well as long as they were kept clean witch in my experience was allot more of a pia then spinning them every week or two.

[fastford]

the first bearing cages that cam out did not have as good of bearings as is available now , the newer bearings are sealed better and require less maintaince , we have some older cages were running on a car now with newer bearings that work just fine , krooser , i know your a budget racer like me so you might find some older one,s at a bargain and upgrade the bearings , i have a pt number some where for a very good bearing that could be purchased threw motion industries , if i can find it , i will send you a pm.....one other thing i have herd of , but dont know for sure , but you may can have your teflon cages bored out to use a bearing , if the cage tube is thick enough...