Rear coilover shock set up

Tadshy · 02-26-2020, 02:16 AM

Does anyone have a good set up process for installing new rear coilover shocks. It's a 4-link set up in a GT/MA 83 Camaro 3170 pounds. I upgraded to the double adjustable Afco shocks and 150 pound springs. I don't have corner scales at the moment so I'll have to set it up without them. I set the ride height so both sides were equal and then set enough pre load in the RR so when I jack up the rear end the left side tire comes off the ground about 3/4 of an inch before the right with me in the car.

Roy Kinslow · 02-29-2020, 07:56 AM

What I like to do as a starting point with ladders or fourlink cars is put a jack as close to the right rear tire as possible and Jack up the car until it starts taking weight off the left rear tire. This will simulate the deflection that takes place on launch. Find points to measure from each upper and lower shock mount, adjust suspension links until shock lengths are the same. The distance from the axle tube to frame rail should be the same on both sides now if everything was built square. After this it's to the track to get some videos . When the car goes straight, then weigh it and record the numbers for future reference if you want. Good luck and be careful.

Dragsinger · 02-29-2020, 11:06 AM

some notes from my experience;

*an anti-roll bar is your friend, I find adding one helps everything.

*the 150-pound spring "maybe" too much. Consider a 120 - 125 range. You want the shock to be about 2/3s to 3/4s compressed at ride height.

*keep preload in the four-link to a minimum. With an anti-roll bar just barely, maybe 1/2 a flat will do the job.

*The anti-roll bar needs the slack just taken out by making the right side downlink long.

* The above adjustments are done at race-ready weight with driver or driver weight in the seat.

Eman · 02-29-2020, 03:29 PM

Chris Alston Chassis Works has a real good tech section on shock and spring setup. On my 85 Camaro with Afco DA's I use a 110 spring and could go lighter. My car is a little lighter than yours and a ladder bar.

02-26-2020, 02:16 AM	#1
Tadshy Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 17 Likes: 10 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Rear coilover shock set up Does anyone have a good set up process for installing new rear coilover shocks. It's a 4-link set up in a GT/MA 83 Camaro 3170 pounds. I upgraded to the double adjustable Afco shocks and 150 pound springs. I don't have corner scales at the moment so I'll have to set it up without them. I set the ride height so both sides were equal and then set enough pre load in the RR so when I jack up the rear end the left side tire comes off the ground about 3/4 of an inch before the right with me in the car.

02-29-2020, 07:56 AM	#2
Roy Kinslow Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New Jersey Posts: 43 Likes: 41 Liked 124 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Rear coilover shock set up What I like to do as a starting point with ladders or fourlink cars is put a jack as close to the right rear tire as possible and Jack up the car until it starts taking weight off the left rear tire. This will simulate the deflection that takes place on launch. Find points to measure from each upper and lower shock mount, adjust suspension links until shock lengths are the same. The distance from the axle tube to frame rail should be the same on both sides now if everything was built square. After this it's to the track to get some videos . When the car goes straight, then weigh it and record the numbers for future reference if you want. Good luck and be careful.

02-29-2020, 11:06 AM	#3
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Rear coilover shock set up some notes from my experience; an anti-roll bar is your friend, I find adding one helps everything. the 150-pound spring "maybe" too much. Consider a 120 - 125 range. You want the shock to be about 2/3s to 3/4s compressed at ride height. keep preload in the four-link to a minimum. With an anti-roll bar just barely, maybe 1/2 a flat will do the job. The anti-roll bar needs the slack just taken out by making the right side downlink long. * The above adjustments are done at race-ready weight with driver or driver weight in the seat. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

02-29-2020, 03:29 PM	#4
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 441 Likes: 14 Liked 105 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Rear coilover shock set up Chris Alston Chassis Works has a real good tech section on shock and spring setup. On my 85 Camaro with Afco DA's I use a 110 spring and could go lighter. My car is a little lighter than yours and a ladder bar.