G body stocker suspension tips

[hbps1978]

Hello, I have a stock suspension 1986 Monte Carlo LS/CL. This is going to be an 1/8 mile foot brake car with a mild 400-450 hp 355 chevy with a 350 turbo transmission with an 8" Coan Maximum Performance 4500 stall converter and a 12 bolt chevy rear with spool and 4.88 gear.

Can anyone give me some tips on front and rear suspension mods for my car. What parts work well? I already have a set of adjustable upper and lower rear control arms with Competition Engineering 3 way adjustable drag shocks for the front and rear. I have a pair of 28x10 M/T drag slicks for the rear. What front tire size would you suggest? 28" ?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Mark Yacavone]

Is it an aftermarket 12 bolt? How do you plan on adapting it to the MC chassis?

[hbps1978]

12 bolt is out of a 68' to 72' Chevelle with Ford ends for Ford style 33 spline axels and brakes. I used to have this rear end in a former stock eliminator car I have - 1978 Malibu Wagon.

[Mark Yacavone]

So how did you adapt it to fit?

[Bud Lefevre]

Iceman rear arms , CE shocks will do. Front , Global west bushings, Moroso springs and Calvert shocks.

[hbps1978]

Mark, the rear upper and lower control arms I have heim joints and the bars I bought are made specifically for a 12 bolt swap in a g body.

[hbps1978]

Bud, Do I need any kind of special ball joints? I bought Moog stock replacement ball joints for the front.

Calvert shocks, who has these for sale? Seems like I saw a website advertising these at one time but can't remember where.

Bud, I'm sure you know how A body and G body like to twist when they leave. I noticed your pictures of your Malibu and it looked like you were using air bags. I had air bags in my 78 Malibu wagon stocker years ago but had trouble with pinching the one on the passenger side of the car. Have you or anyone you know ever tried to run a stock style sway bar to keep the car from twisting or used an anti roll bar for this?

Thanks for your help - Jeff

[72Malibu]

I use the www.hrpartsnstuff.com bolt-in antiroll bar. Works great!!

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by hbps1978

Bud, Do I need any kind of special ball joints? I bought Moog stock replacement ball joints for the front.

Calvert shocks, who has these for sale? Seems like I saw a website advertising these at one time but can't remember where.

Bud, I'm sure you know how A body and G body like to twist when they leave. I noticed your pictures of your Malibu and it looked like you were using air bags. I had air bags in my 78 Malibu wagon stocker years ago but had trouble with pinching the one on the passenger side of the car. Have you or anyone you know ever tried to run a stock style sway bar to keep the car from twisting or used an anti roll bar for this?

Thanks for your help - Jeff

Okay, so you are using heim joints to make up for the misalignment of the brackets. In that case ,I can't see how you could use a factory type sway bar with those arms.
The original point I was getting at; Can you use no hop bars to raise the upper pivot point on the housing?
That extra amount of separation is really beneficial, especially on a 2dr car.

[hbps1978]

Mark, what are "no hop" bars as you call these so that I have an understanding of what you mean. Thank you for your help - Jeff