65 442 rear suspension for street /strip
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 42
65 442 rear suspension for street /strip
The front and rear suspension in my 65 442 was rebuilt but the rear seems very soft and actually looks to low. The shocks and springs are brand new but look like stock replacements . What do you recommend to stiffen it up and also get another inch or so of height in the rear? I was thinking comp engineering 3 way adjustable drag shocks ? Thanks
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,539
From: Northern VA
I've always thought that the A-body cars look too low in the back at factory ride height. I typically try to drop the front an inch or so rather than raising the back. I've used cut coils in the front.
Shock requirements for drag strip use are very different than for street use. Decide which is your priority.
Shock requirements for drag strip use are very different than for street use. Decide which is your priority.
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 42
I always ran the comp drag 3 way adjustables in my street cars and liked how they formed up the rear , what would be a good firm spring to put in the rear that I can also run a spacer with ? If I run an 1" spacer on spring do I have to get longer shocks ?
Registered User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,688
From: Delta BC Canada
If you are going to drag shocks do NOT cheap out. Buy a quality EXTERNALLY adjustable shock not the 90/10s that you need to remove from the car to adjust. Double adjustable are better yet. I like the Strange brand shocks but there are other good choices like Chris Alston etc.
Last edited by oldsmobiledave; Jun 24, 2018 at 09:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 42
If you re going to drag shocks do NOT cheap out. Buy a quality EXTERNALLY adjustable shock not the 90/10s that you need to remove from the car to adjust. Double adjustable are better yet. I like the Strange brand shocks but there are other good choices like Chris Alston etc.
Registered User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,688
From: Delta BC Canada
air bags.
Since you want to drag race anyway the easiest solution is to install airbags in the rear springs. Run separate valves & lines to the right rear so you can pre-load the passenger side tire when you drag race. When not racing you can run whatever level ride height floats your boat.
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Since you want to drag race anyway the easiest solution is to install airbags in the rear springs. Run separate valves & lines to the right rear so you can pre-load the passenger side tire when you drag race. When not racing you can run whatever level ride height floats your boat.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,171
From: St. Paul Minnesota
Since you want to drag race anyway the easiest solution is to install airbags in the rear springs. Run separate valves & lines to the right rear so you can pre-load the passenger side tire when you drag race. When not racing you can run whatever level ride height floats your boat.
As Dave said, air bags are the way to go. I ran the right side and left side lines separately to each side so there would be no mix up. Make sure you have a gauge that will register down to 5 psi accurately.
Registered User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,688
From: Delta BC Canada
Fyi
I use the Air Lift brand for GM A body coil springs & they are fool proof. My car has had several different sets of street & drag shocks & never a problem.
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