Shock recomendations, 68 Camaro

[BTR69]

Thanks Danny. I'm going to CPD Saturday, as long as the rain holds off. Hope to check out a few other guys cars that are similar to us. Hope yours works out well.

[rick lester]

Back in '88, I had a '79 Buick Regal, 350/350 combo, 3.89 rear, #3400, Ran 12.50s in the 1/4 on McCreary dirt tires. I ran just stock shocks. Your combo with the glide, I'm assuming, doesn't hit the tires hard; even with a t350/10 inch 3500 stall converter (my trans combo) still won't hit the tires hard enought to need expensive shocks. If you drive it on the street at all, you won't be happy with race only shocks, just go with new h.d. shocks from the parts store, and if you want to impress the ladies, paint them red to look like Konis, ladies love Konis. Lol. Seriously, make sure the suspension is good, throw on h.d. shocks, and hit the track.

[BTR69]

Thanks Rick. I have considered using a stock repacement from the local parts store. We will likely be making a few improvements as the year goes on & next year to go a bit quicker which has me thinking of using something more race specific. You're correct, it doesn't hit the tires hard at all right now. It still works ok with whats on it now, just makes a lot of noise going into gear & whenever I go over any uneven surface. I only stage it up to 2500 right now. Brother does have a spare engine that needs freshening up that would definitely wake the car up. As long as I don't hurt what's in it now, that one will likely go in next year & would likely drop our 1/8 mile ET by at least 1 second.

I like the red paint, Koni impersonator, idea, I think it would look good under this car. Maybe add a little intimidation factor too?

[rick lester]

Anything to report?
I was thinking about shocks and suspension the other day......way way back in the early 80s, I met the late Lee Sherman, which by the way is one of my racing heroes, we talked about his car, if I'm not mistaken a H/SA 1969 Camaro, maybe I/SA. Anyway, his car ran 11s, no frame connectors, 8 point rollbar, 6 cyl. front springs, mono rear springs with 90/10 shocks, drum brakes on all four corners. Lee Sherman was one of the greatest in Stock, he took the time to talk to me, answer any questions I had no matter how stupid they were, never looked down at me just because I was 13.
Why am I telling you this? You don't need expensive shocks and suspension peices under your car to be a racecar, simple parts, lots of research, a few bucks, and you too can have a very well put together racercar for alot less money than you think.

[BTR69]

A couple weeks ago I pulled the existing shocks off. Even though they look like hell, they seem to extend & compress nicely on the bench withough any issues. I'm beginning to think it's something in the pinion area. The thumping is the same as when I had a bad shock bushing in one many years ago. With shocks on or off, I can bounce the rear up & down without the thumping. The U joint appears good by just looking at it & it doesn't appear to have any play in it, but I hear a similar thump, just not as loud, at the pinion when I rotate it by hand. I haven't had time to spend on it so it's been sitting waiting for me to get back on it. The only time I hear the thumping is when driving over any size bumps in the road. The return road can just about give you a headache with all the high - low spots & noise it creates. It's going to stay parked until I can be sure it's not going to come apart. Going to cross my fingers it's the U joint at this point. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I'll be able to spend some quality time with it again. Thanks for the tip with the 90/10's. I priced some, just haven't bought them yet.