64 Chevelle

[pro66tour]

Originally Posted by 64mali

I haven't decided how I'm going to paint the calipers yet. Part of me kinda likes the raw look but I also think if I powder them gloss black and paint the lettering red they'll look cool. I even thought of smoothing them out first and having some Chevelle decals made

I agree. Like the raw look too, however when I got mine they looked a little too raw, so I hit them with high temp low/satin black. Chevelle would be trick for sure!

[64mali]

That looks great! they are clean looking calipers for sure

[64mali]

I got my front coilovers in tonight. I'm very happy they fit great. With the adjustment collar just loose enough to not have any spring tension the car sits really nice but realistically an inch too low. That's perfect! I can lower it a little extra for shows and such and lift it up an inch or so when it's cruising time. That's exactly what I wanted.

[64mali]

I'm not so happy with the rear though. I think the shock is too long. I have the adjustment collar all the way to the end and the car could still go a little lower. In this position the spring falls out of the upper collar if I jack up the car. I'm pretty sure I am going to need a shorter shock! Any thoughts? Here's a pic at it's current setting.

[pro66tour]

Very nice looking bracket for the rear shock. Gotta drive the car and massage the coil overs a bit then dial them in a little at a time till your satisfied. Looks great!

[waynieZ]

The brakes look good on there.

[65_LS1_T56]

Originally Posted by 64mali

I'm not so happy with the rear though. I think the shock is too long. I have the adjustment collar all the way to the end and the car could still go a little lower. In this position the spring falls out of the upper collar if I jack up the car. I'm pretty sure I am going to need a shorter shock! Any thoughts? Here's a pic at it's current setting.

What stroke shock is that? 4.1"?
What it most important is the travel of the shock when its at ride height. If its a 4.1", you want to be close to the center of stroke so ~2" or so either way. Definitely don't want to bottom it out on compression.
If you have enough shock travel at ride height, you can get shorter springs. This will move the spring perch up to allow more adjustment (if you have shock travel of course) They can and will pop out when you raise the car. Not really a big deal as long as they seat back properly when loaded. My rears do that now since going to a high spring rate. I just reach up there and feel with my hand if the spring seated properly when letting it down.

The right way to fix it is move the shock mounts further apart...I know, not as easy.

[64mali]

Very good info, thank you. I was afraid the springs would come off on a big dip or something. I have to crawl under and measure but I think I am about mid travel, although I will double check. I don't think I will bottom out the shock if I have a good bump stop on the rear end. I don't want to use the stock rubber ones, I was thinking of using the newer GM style progressive foam style stops. Anyone run these?

[64mali]

It's been a while since I have been able to do much to the car. I got out there today and made new roll bar access panels, laid down some Dynamat, and mounted my battery tray. I also welded a bung into the cage and trunk floor near the battery so I could get a good ground the chassis and body. Tomorrow I am hoping to get the new fuse panel hung and battery cable routed.

old access panels custom fabricated by my local cage installer...sarcasm