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View Full Version : Guys running shorter body mounts.. A problem to look at. After market rack guys too



LowBuckX
01-28-2008, 10:22 PM
I replaced the column to firewall gasket this weekend and found something that perplexed me for a second. My column mount plate that bolts to the firewall was tweeked allowing a leak. Then I remembered I have the short solid body mounts.

I had to go so far as to oblong 2 of the holes a great deal for it all to bolt together. Then I noticed the clocking of the mount plate had changed to accomodate the new column angle.


Then this got me thinking about the aftermarket rack guys who have bump/binding in their joints.
The firewall mounting plate has like 1 inch holes but has 1/4" lag type bolts with large washers. That leaves alot of added adjustment to look for. If it has 1/2 inch to 3/4 of an inch adjustment at the firewall how much added movement is that over the 5-6 inches out to where the first U joint falls?? The after market racks already are at a steep angle but you find they work perfect in one car and not in another maybe the columns are not all in the same place as they pass through the firewall... This is a great deal of adjustment to play with..

LowBuckX
01-28-2008, 10:27 PM
Holes one and 4 needed to be oblonged (on column mount not firewall)

the red arrow shows orientation of the clocking of the plate

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

oestek
01-29-2008, 08:21 AM
Then this got me thinking about the aftermarket rack guys who have bump/binding in their joints.


Why does this sound funny to me?

LowBuckX
01-29-2008, 08:56 AM
because you have a dirty mind

68renner
01-29-2008, 10:21 AM
hmmmm....i'm looking forward to some replies to this as i've been considering the 1/2" drop body mounts for awhile now...just been a little apprehensive....lets hear some smart people chime in here!! ha:dunno: :attn:

LowBuckX
01-29-2008, 10:24 AM
All you would have to do is loosen your column from the fire wall and loosen the clamp bolts on the column plate when you ddrop the body closer to the frame then make sure everything is lined up before bolt it back together.

David Pozzi
01-29-2008, 11:04 PM
I stayed with stock height solid mounts. I needed the extra room for trans clearance, and anyway I want to pull the headers up as much as possible before they hit the floor pan. with stock mounts I was already having a tough time removing the trans crossmember. I had to loosen the rear sub bolts to remove it. I couldn't imagine how little room there would be with the short mounts. I also considered the steering alignment problems that would arise and didn't want to deal with that.
David

streetk14
01-31-2008, 06:22 PM
I'm with David here, just more trouble than it's worth in my opinion. There are a lot of factors that come in to play when you lower the body in relation to the subframe. Hood clearance, trans tunnel clearance, header fittment issues, etc.

I suppose it has it's benefits, but I need to stuff a big transmission in the tunnel and a blower under my stock cowl hood. The dropped mounts would most likely require a bigger cowl hood and hacking up the tunnel. I have standard-height Global West mounts on my car.

Andy

LowBuckX
01-31-2008, 09:58 PM
NOvas Must vari from the camaro more than I thought because Ive had these mounts for a long time now and have had the crossmember out many times and yes its snug but comes right out. I also have no header ground clearance issue This has been the only thing and it took 8 years to show up. I also fit a 4 inch air filter on a drop base air cleaner running a Holley contender intake..

Ivan
01-31-2008, 10:41 PM
what is the purpose of those shorter mounts? I understand it lowers the body more on the subframe but does this give it a lower ride height or?

LowBuckX
02-01-2008, 12:05 AM
It gives it the apperance of a lower ride height with out actually lowering the suspension even more. As for the physics and geometry some one else will have to pipe up on that. Lower mass is one thing that comes to mind but Im not sure if Im correct or if 1/2 inch will matter that much

I have the competion engineering ones but they are just pucks. There are better ones out now with and upper and lower interlock design..
Global west and a beleive DSE sells these. Im sure there are more... Maybe I will have to upgrade this winter to the better style.

David Pozzi
02-03-2008, 10:41 PM
We just changed mounts on our 68 Camaro today. I compared Global West full height mounts to the rubber we took off. The rubber was about 1/4" shorter than the GW mounts. anyone have the height of their half/height mounts. Are they really 1/2" tall?
David

Skip Fix
02-04-2008, 02:53 PM
My Adams VSE and Guldstrand were defintiely shorter than my GW standard height. For a TA you end up with Shaker scoop to hood issues . The fan to radiator shroud is an issue also.

streetk14
02-04-2008, 08:15 PM
what is the purpose of those shorter mounts? I understand it lowers the body more on the subframe but does this give it a lower ride height or?


I would think the main advantage would be a lower stance without lowering the frame and motor closer to the ground. 1/2" isn't much, but in a slammed street car it might just give you a what you need to avoid any ground clearance issues. If you have ever looked at a really low 1st gen Camaro, that subframe is mighty close to the ground.

I suppose it would also keep the suspension closer to stock ride height helping to avoid any geometry issues.

Andy

Rileys68Camaro
02-17-2008, 04:24 PM
So, whose standard solid mounts and hardware should I use? I have enough issues right now, and don't want to add more.

I also don't need the shorter mounts for any reason.

LowBuckX
02-17-2008, 05:18 PM
DSE or Global west Im sure there are others that offer interlocking type in standard or short. .

69Nova
02-17-2008, 07:26 PM
Great info. Got a new picture of the car back on the ground. Are you happy you did the mod?

LowBuckX
02-17-2008, 08:44 PM
Who you talking too Andrew? Mine have been on for a long time so all pics youve seen are with the shorter mounts... I will send (PM) a pic to you of another mod you maybe interested in.

79T/Aman
02-18-2008, 02:42 AM
have you looked at ours they can be set up ether way stock height or lowered no need to fear having to buy another set if lowered causes issues ;)

69Nova
02-18-2008, 05:11 AM
Who you talking too Andrew? Mine have been on for a long time so all pics youve seen are with the shorter mounts... I will send (PM) a pic to you of another mod you maybe interested in.

Gotcha.