staggered 1st gen shock?

[justforfun]

Is there a frame difference between 67 & 68 1st gen as far as the upper rear shock mount is concerned?



I am redoing the rear suspension on my 67 firebird. Since I am buying new shocks & lower shock brackets anyway can i just switch to a staggered setup?

[Mean 69]

Yes, there is a big difference in the mounts for the uppers. There is debate that argues that the setup was changed for wheel hop reasons, but it is countered by the argument that GM also changed the valving, so it's not clear what the real benefit is/was. I can tell you though, we changed from the stock 67 in line configuration to the staggered setup on my buddy's race car, but here again, we made a bunch of other changes at the same time (including far better shocks), in his words the car was completely transformed and the violent brake hop wasn't there.

I'd do it if possible, very little downside to not doing it other than the effort required.
Mark

[justforfun]

thanks, i was pretty sure there was a difference in the upper shock location, but I can find any pics or discussions. There are plenty of posts about the background, benefit, shock differences, and lower shock mounts but couldn't find anything on the upper mounts. Looks like i will probably keep the stock shock position.

[68Formula]

Try www.camaros.net

[David Pozzi]

The whole rear axle tends to pivot around the lower shock eyes on a 67, staggered shocks allows the shocks to dampen some of this motion.

My 67 mono leaf was terrible when stock. I upgraded to Guldstrand springs and it solved all my problems. I occasionally got a little wheel hop under severe braking when I got the rear brake bias turned up a bit too high and hit the right combination of bumps.

The LH upper shock mount is quite diffeent between a 67 and 68/9. I think you can get by fine with good quality springs like Global West or Hotchkis.

[justforfun]

My upper mounts are solid so they will stay in the stock location. Right now the plans are DSE 3" drop springs, so hopefully that will do the trick.

forgot about camaros.net... been a while since i had been on there. was also a very good source for convertible info.