Drag Racing Tech - Quest for Better ET's & 60's ... Latest Mod ... Front Strange DA STR-S5071's

Hear is the starting point ... stock DeCarbons with a front ride height of 27.5" on 26x7.5-15 M/T Sportsman's. The rears are 27x11.5-15 Hoosier QTP's on Strange DA coil overs with a ride height of 27".

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/1-dsc_4793.jpg

Thanks to Carl at Central Racing Parts (LS1Tech sponser) .... Strange DA STR-S5071 front coil over, 300# Strange Hypercoil spring and set of Torrington bearings. The intention of my install was to pull the stock DeCarbons as a whole and store for a de-mod later, so, also in the photo is a new strut mount and hardware (Ebay) (more about these later) and shock mount bushing (O'Reilly's).

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/2-dsc_5917.jpg

Removing the the stock Decarbon's, I started with the driver's side first since it would be the most difficult. Before removing the steering knuckle bolt, be sure to support the assembly so the brake line does not stretch. I used a simple bungie cord and later a bottle jack.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/3-dsc_5904-1.jpg

Before the body mounted Torx bolts can be removed, the brake master cylinder reservoir must be removed. Remove two bolts and it can be moved to the side enough to get a Torx "socket" next to it.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/4-dsc_5909.jpg

The whole assembly is then removed. Notice that I had already removed the sway bar so the shocks could do their job independently and a bit of front end weight savings at the track. This probably made the install easier.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/5-dsc_5910-1.jpg

The new coil over with new strut mount and shock mount bushing.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/6-dsc_5918.jpg

The new coil over assembly installed.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/8-dsc_5933-1.jpg

Now came the issues .... after installing the strut mount "hat", I noticed the bolt holes in the new strut mount did not exactly line up with the bolt holes in the strut mount "hat". A little hole opening with a drill and all was good, so I thought! While torquing the bolts, the bolt inserts began turning in the strut mount. You might notice from the photos that the pressed-in bolt inserts are smooth. That won't be easy to remove. So I went to work on the passenger side. Once again .... the same exact issue .... damn Ebay products ... these were made in Australia! Here is a quick tip on removing the bolts if this issue happens to you or if you need to remove a stripped nut or bolt .... it happens to the best of us. This was a life saver ... BOLT-GRIP Deep Well Set!

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/9-5-pc-bolt-grip-deep-well-set-1158-1.jpg

So I guess my $60 strut mounts were junk so off to the parts store. A new set of Master Pro for $150, but they looked exactly the same as the Ebay brand pressed-in inserts and all. Oh well, they have a life time warranty and what do you know, the same issue! BOLT-GRIP to the rescue again and a full refund from the parts store. After looking at the stock strut mounts, they actually have pressed-in bolts, not smooth inserts, so it was off to my local service center and I had the stock struts broken down for $30. The stock strut mounts went in like butter with perfect bolt hole alignment (obviously) and both sides finished.

Now for the finished product .... 26" front ride height. For those doing this installation, it took 4" of thread showing below the lock "nut" for my target ride height and please do not forget the Torrington bearings. Adjustment would be a bear with them.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/10-dsc_5960.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/11-dsc_5956.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/12-dsc_5953.jpg

Looks a lot better. I liked with the AFCOs it just got rid of the strut mount all together. This was the last thing you had to do before the track again right?

Looks a lot better. I liked with the AFCOs it just got rid of the strut mount all together. This was the last thing you had to do before the track again right?

I would have loved to go with the AFCO's, but they were just too pricey for me and, yes, I hope to hit a local 1/8-mile track this Friday night and would like to run Alabama International (Steele) for one of their Sunday TnT's by the end of the month.

Sweet man sounds good.. Good luck and I wish you clear weather and low 60fts!

Sweet man sounds good.. Good luck and I wish you clear weather and low 60fts!

I appreciate it .... 1.5xx's would be nice to start with. Keep me informed on your next outing as well.

... and now on the street setup, although, it doesn't see much street use.

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/1-dsc_5972.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/2-dsc_5980.jpg

http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab147/annetteandbrian/Camaro%20SS/Front%20DA%20Install/3-dsc_5976.jpg

Looks good! Looks a lot like mine, but with nicer wheels and more power :D

looks nice, what were ur best 60 ft with the stocks on. also what do u run in the back. just want to get some info on ur setup since my setup makes around the same power.

Looks good! Looks a lot like mine, but with nicer wheels and more power :D

Thanks and yes, looking at your sig photo they're almost twins!!!

looks nice, what were ur best 60 ft with the stocks on. also what do u run in the back. just want to get some info on ur setup since my setup makes around the same power.

.... 1.77x's with the stock DeCarbons and spinning well past the tree. Out back, I am running Strange DA coil overs set at 5-extension and 6-compression, but I will go near full loose on the extension to get the tires to dig into the starting line and close to full hard on the compression since I have my fronts on now. Hopefully, it will stop unloading the rear after launching and stop the tire spin for much better 60's. I am also running 27x11.5-15 QTP's on 15x10 RTS's. Did that answer your question about the back? I wasn't sure what you were asking about specifically.

yes thanks for the info. now i just have to get my self a set of these.

Any updates on 60 ft times. Just got my shocks in Hopeing it helps

.... 1.77x's with the stock DeCarbons and spinning well past the tree. Out back, I am running Strange DA coil overs set at 5-extension and 6-compression, but I will go near full loose on the extension to get the tires to dig into the starting line and close to full hard on the compression since I have my fronts on now. Hopefully, it will stop unloading the rear after launching and stop the tire spin for much better 60's. I am also running 27x11.5-15 QTP's on 15x10 RTS's. Did that answer your question about the back? I wasn't sure what you were asking about specifically.

I'm pretty sure you need to go tighter with the extension on the rear coil overs or it will be spin city.

M6 or Auto?

I'm running Mad Man's Afco coil overs and an Auto with MT radicals.