I know this is a double post and I'm sorry, but I thought I might have a little better luck getting some help in this area. I just installed SSM lift bars on my '70 Chevelle. My car has a 454 with according to "Desk Top Dyno 2000" about 745hp. The car has a turbo 400 trans with a "loose" built 4500rpm stall, and a 12 bolt rear with 4:10 gears. I plan to drive my car at some local cruises and a few trips around town, I also plan to take it to my local 1/8th mile track. On the instruction sheet it gave some recomendations on shocks. I was wanting some real world recomendations for the shocks front and rear. I also did some research and found that Competition Engerneering sells a set of trick springs, but doesn't recomend them for the street, why? SSM also mentioned using an air bag in the right coil spring, is this a good or bad idea? Thanks for all the input. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I have the Moroso trick springs and it can be a little bouncy on the street with a 90/10 shock. Befor I retuned the slapper bars and set the shocks to 50/50, my old 336 that ran 13.0's/12.9's would pull the front about 4". Carb bogged on the line once then took off with the suspention unloaded, pulled the tires about a foot. If you want to put on a show, the trick springs will help.

I don't know why CE (and Moroso, same company and springs) says that. I've driven with front trick springs on my SB car without any problems. However, they are probably not a good choice for curvy road driving. Too soft and will allow the car to roll too much.

For mainly street use, it's hard to beat KYB shocks. If you only go to the track occasionally, you could slip some drag shocks in the front for those occasions. Changing front shocks is one of the easiest things you'll ever do on your car. I know many guys that use old worn out shocks on the front with excellent results.

The air bag is a tuning device. If your car leaves straight and you feel both tire are driving hard, you might not need it. But most cars want to lift the right rear tire, preloading it with an air bag helps control this. I think it is better than preloading the suspension with adjustable upper arms, or most other means, since that can bind the suspension.

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I'm going to go with the Comp. three way adjustable shocks for the rear and play around with the air bag. I'll probably go wth adjustables up front as well. I'm not going to buy too much before I actually drive my car. That way I can see how the car is going to react. I can't wait until I can drive it. I have yet to drive the car since I purchased it about 3 1/2 years ago. :D

I myself would like to hear all the details of the parts used to build a 454 with 745 hp.

Is that normally aspirated or with some sort of power adder?

Originally posted by 10secBu:
I myself would like to hear all the details of the parts used to build a 454 with 745 hpI agree..inquiring minds want to know..

I was wrong on my "Desk Top Dyno 2000" numbers. It was 732 Hp. at the fly wheel. If I can figure out how, I'll load my dyno file in a post. I'm not sure how to do it though. Any help on that would be appreciated. I guess I could just type it all in the post. Thanks for the input guys. graemlins/thumbsup.gif