69 Camaro w/DSE Stage II Front Suspension Kit -- HELP

[brgarris]

I have a stock 1969 camaro front subframe with the detroit speed stage II kit installed. The kit basically kits rid of all the stock brackets and has a jig to help relocate the new upper control arm mounting and shock brackets using the frame mount holes. I am currently trying to adjust the front suspension with the coilover shocks and cannot get it to drop enough. DSE told me that I would have enough adjustment to put the front end on the ground. I am running a LS3 engine and the spring provided by DSE are 10" 550#/in which on their website refers to a SBC or LS.

I am wondering if anyone else has encountered similar issues with the DSE front end kit on a stock 1969 camaro subframe? Also, to adjust the shocks you must remove the tie rod and sway bar connections and then loosen the lower ball joint just to get the shock out to make the adjustments. This is because when the shock is installed, the adjustment ring is up inside the subframe. This seems backwards to me, but it is the guidance that was given by DSE. To lower the front suspension you must loosen the adjustment ring and by doing so it move towards the upper shock mount relative to the shock. The adjustment ring will either contact the newly welded in bracket or the small spring pocket provided in the kit.

Any help you all can provide will be great!!!! thanks.....

[67bird]

Having to remove the shock is the drawback of the DSE kit. Do a search here and you will read all about it. Personally, this is why when I had a stock sub I chose the "Chicane" kit instead. As far as rates 550 seems high to me. I was going to run a 550 or 600 with a Pontiac motor in mine. I think you need to talk to DSE but I would think you would be closer to 500 or so.

[brgarris]

The current springs with the front end kit for an LS engine from DSE is 10" 550#....QA1 makes some 9" 550# springs that would help out a bunch....guess i will give DSE a call tomorrow and discuss what I am running into

[2yellow69]

My car isn't on the street yet but I have the same problem. I didn't even think about this until recently. I think I might cut the upper coilover mount off and open up the hole where the trim piece was welded in and weld in the Chicane set up. I would much prefer being able to adjust the coilover on the car.

[brgarris]

I bought the QA1 9" 550# springs and they did the job perfect.....you can only get ride height so low on the front with the stock inner fenders. Now if you removed them.....whoaaaa

[2yellow69]

Any pics? What size wheel and tire are you running? I want to run either a 17x8 with a 245/45 or, if it will fit, a 17x9 with a 275/40.

[brgarris]

I am running 18x8 with 245/40 tire in front. The rear I have 19x12 with a 335/30