[ss3966]

The last thing I have to do on the rear differential is choose a type of shock absorber. Its a '70 Elco with 496/Turbo 400/3.73 12 bolt. Will be using Hoosier 28/13.5/15 DOT street radial, as Mickey T's are out of stock. It will see street use on the way to the track and the occasional cruise-in.

I'm using stock coil springs with air bags for height adjustment, and coughed up for the Global West rear control arms. The front end is stock and untouched for now. I could spend a great deal on 12-way adjustable shocks (QA1) etc, and the el camino's may be strange launching because of the light rear end with a big block.

Air shocks are a no-no according to other threads and I could just go with a gas KYB at $60 each. Do I need externally adjustable shocks for this combination - already down a bunch of coin on this build, but if its necessary I'm already in deep.

 

[Dave427]

I use stock gas shocks on my Chevelle. I am using the Moroso Trick Rear springs.

Launch pic
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p87/Dave427/IMG_00751.jpg

 

[Brettd85]

I am running drag shocks from summit that are 3 way adjustable. They were inexpensive. I am also running global west arms, stock springs, and air bags.

PS: El Caminos are heavier in the rear than chevelles. They are NOT like normal pickup trucks and are by no means "light in the rear".

 

[cv67]

Agree with Brett, best ones I tried were the Summit brand.

 

[ss3966]

I looked up the Moroso Trick Springs, and learned they have different spring pressures on each side to offset launching torque. Mososo emphasizes that they're not for street use, but that may just be required legalese for todays world.

The drag shocks look good also at $26 each and am wondering how they would work for street use. They are adjustable between firm, extra firm etc. with a good chart on the ratios provided in the instructions.

I went with a rear coil spring set that is 1" taller, and so now will need to learn about extended and compressed lengths of shocks, although at 1" difference it may not matter. Thanks for the info provided.

 

[ss3966]

Done a little more checking and both Summit and Comp Engineering emphasize that they're not for street use. Has anyone used them on the street anyway? Anything to be aware of should I take the Elco to Home Depot with drag shocks on it?

 

[cv67]

Weight transfer is different. Seemed to me the biggest concern was the front shock setting, I never go too agressive with it.

Fwiw I threw out my C.E shocks for the Summits, but that was a long time ago. Maybe they have improved.

 

[kettbo]

I'm planning the same thing for my dual duty 70 Elky. Brett set the shocks on softest setting...waiting for a report...

 

[Dave Kaveshan]

I drove my Camino on the street for a long time with CE shocks on it. No problems. I have QA1 double adjustables on it now but they are still set at the equivalent of 50/50 setting on the CE shock so those or the summits will likely work fine for you. You will however want to consider shocks for the front to loosen it up as well. Getting the front up is still a good key in achieving good weight transfer.

R/ Dave

 

[Mama Mayhem]

According to desk top dyno a 72 elky is 25 pounds heavier in the rear than a 72 chevelle and 224 pounds heavier overall.

 

[Bomber '67]

Well, as Roxanne has just pointed out, Elkys are not lighter in the rear than Chevelles. It is however one of the great untruths that refuses to die. Probably because of all the early El Caminos with air shocks pumped up to clear big rear tires - and totally screwing up the suspension geometry in the process. Caminos almost have two floors - the elky bed and the sedan floorpan. Plus that tailgate is heavier than most would realize. My '65 Elky is all steel minus the lift off VFN hood. Aluminum head 496, and the other usual aluminum bits. Manual everything, no heater. With a full tank of fuel it weighed 3,380 without driver - with 1,820 lbs on the front. My math puts that at 54% front 46% rear. Not awful by a longshot - plenty of cars have more front bias.

Thomas

 

[DragRacer]

Double adjustable shocks sure make hooking a "small tire" heavy car much easier.

I really struggled at first trying to get my car to hook with my 445 SBC. Afco double adjustable shocks in the rear and getting the front suspension to 5.5+" free travel (had some binding with OEM bushings) were the biggest improvements made to my car as far as getting the car to hook. I started with full stiff compression and full soft extension on the rear shocks. I had some bounce and unloading of the rear and increased the extension 6 clicks. I'm now at 8 clicks up from full soft (out of 24 clicks). No more bounce and a nice and smooth leave.

Next on the list was the HR Parts anti-roll bar followed by QA1 R single adjustable front shocks (full stiff compression, adjustable extension). The HR Parts showed no improvement in 60' but did level the front of the car on launch and seemed to make the car more consistent and handle better down track. So far the QA1 R front shocks have shown no improvement over the CE 3-way adj. shocks they replaced, but that may just be because it leaves so soft.

Now that the suspension is working, I can focus on dialing in the converter and gear.

 

[cv67]

Agreed on the "light rear" thing.

When I had the body on a cherry picker I realized I needed two being as majority of the weight seems to be centered right before the rear wheels which seeemd like a good thing to me.