rear shock relocate 88 monte

[garvir]

i notice a flat part on the shock mount about 1 1/2" inboard and around 45 degree angle from origional shock hole. i drille the new hole a 1/4" lover than the stock mount hole, the hard part was getting the shock mounting hole to go at a downward angle to align the upper and lower mounts so as to eliminate bind. i did weld a bead around the top of the holes to make the bolt angle downward, and a lot of die grinder work. i noticed that even the stock mounts had some binding. used a 3 1/2" 1/2"X13 bolt, used a allen head bolt because they had more threads than a hex, to use a hex i would of had to cut more threads, i went the easy way. for a bushing in the shock i used a bush i had cut to 1 3/8" long, it was .700" dia, .625 would of been better, but i didn't have one, the .700" worked nicely with a little rubber lube, and don't for get a little grease on the bolt part that goes thru the shock. i used 1 1/2" washer on either side of the shock rubber, they tightened up snug to the rubber with 1 3/8" bushing but not overtight. i don't own a hoist (in the future), this would of been a easy job with a hoist, it is hard to work on the floor. this gave a lot of clearance for disc brakes in the future and brought the shock closer to vertical. the bolt arangement goes the head of the bolta lock washer to the head two big washers one on each side of shock one nut, two flat washers, put bolt thru mounting hole a lock washer and nut.

 

[garvir]

that 3 1/2" bolt does not include the head

 

[ssn696]

I'm interested to see how this holds up over time. Please provide an update after a few flogs. Thanks for providing fresh ideas on the Forum.

 

[garvir]

i have had my 88 monte out a couple times since relocating shocks, no problems. the asphalt is a little cold so traction is not that good, but i run it hard. the motor started out as a ZZ430, then i jumped up a size to a howards hydraulic roller 230/230 480/480 lift, i did put 1.55 arms on the exhaust side to help my I/E ratio so that gave .497 lift on the exhaust.

about a half mile away i have a nice test track (subdivison with a 1/4 mile street to the back with a big cul-d-sac for the cornering) times turned bad and there is nothing there but MY test track. i run this car at the waterford hills road course, 1 1/2mile run, 14 corner, with about half the turns with reverse camber.

there is also an article here on using a 1990 camaro centerlink, whick shortened up my tie rod ends by about 2" and brought them down level with the ground, helped bumpsteer a lot.