air shocks 3rd gen. - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

bibbly · 09-14-2008, 09:33 PM

I'm intrested in putting air shocks in the back of my car. to be able 2 control rear ride height. I did research on a 93 cadillac fleetwood. Would they mount on to the OE?

NJSPEEDER · 09-14-2008, 09:36 PM

Just go get the cheap ones they sell at the parts store. No matter what ones you get they just break anyway, so don't spend any more money than you have to.

If you don't mind me asking, why would you need to "control" the ride height of the car?

bibbly · 09-14-2008, 09:43 PM

Because 295's rub against the body but I don't want to tuck them. Just want to put them for the track.

NJSPEEDER · 09-14-2008, 10:35 PM

Just get cheap air shocks from the parts store.

BonzoHansen · 09-14-2008, 11:18 PM

correct me if i'm wrong, but won't air shocks work against proper launch for drag racing? prevent rear squat?

chrisfrom nj · 09-14-2008, 11:19 PM

just do it

NJSPEEDER · 09-15-2008, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

correct me if i'm wrong, but won't air shocks work against proper launch for drag racing? prevent rear squat?

That would be correct sir.

Stevoone · 09-15-2008, 07:28 AM

AC Delco makes a kit for 3rd gens. If I can get on the parts computer today I'll get the part number for you. It includes the shock's, air hoses and all the fittings. I have the kit on my car and it rides pretty good at around 30psi. I've never taken it to the track tho, so I'm not sure how it would effect performance.

WildBillyT · 09-15-2008, 08:27 AM

I have had nothing but bad experiences with air shocks. I bought 2 cars that had them already installed.

It's a band-aid fix. If they leak then the car will come down on the tires and tear up the sidewall. I have a shredded BFG to prove it, as well

. If I were you I wouldn't do it.

Stevoone · 09-15-2008, 08:44 AM

I thought I got them in a kit but all I could find was the shocks individually. The GM part number is 88946618. And it says its the same for Left and Right.

When I originally put them on my car I had a set of 275's on the rear, over sharp bumps the tires would still rub. If I jacked the car up enough to get it to stop rubbing it looked kinda goofy. Do you only use the tires when your at the track? Would spring spacers work?

bibbly · 09-15-2008, 09:45 AM

Damn. Now I'm having second thoughts about it.

bibbly · 09-15-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevoone

AC Delco makes a kit for 3rd gens. If I can get on the parts computer today I'll get the part number for you. It includes the shock's, air hoses and all the fittings. I have the kit on my car and it rides pretty good at around 30psi. I've never taken it to the track tho, so I'm not sure how it would effect performance.

Run them and let me know how they work

WildBillyT · 09-15-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bibbly

Damn. Now I'm having second thoughts about it.

Well, the other thing is that you are forcing a part of the body that was not designed to hold weight to do so, so you may get tears in the metal (had them too).

But I am just one guy who doesn't like them, don't let me sway your decision too heavily...

bibbly · 09-15-2008, 10:00 AM

Well I'm looking for something that will do good to my car not mess it more than what it is.

UserName · 09-15-2008, 04:18 PM

is there anything that we could put in results to the 295's i dont want to mess with the body to much but i want it to perform. i think i read some where about ride control shocks . i dont want to shread the tires. wut do u suggest i do ?

NJSPEEDER · 09-15-2008, 04:32 PM

I guess the big question now is, what kind of tires are the 295's and do you have enough motor to call for that much tire?
What is the rest of you suspension set up? Stock stuff? Aftermarket?
How much power are you trying to put to the ground?

295 is a big tire, especially if it is a DR. There are guys in the mid to low 7's on drag radials that big and if you have enough power to do that there is no way you would want an air shock on the car.

BigAls87Z28 · 09-15-2008, 10:10 PM

Just Say No To Air Shocks.

What you are looking for is an Air-Ride system.
Air shocks and Air-Ride are two very different systems.
If you are rubbing, are you rubbing on both tires? Could a small spacer, like the ones found on IROC's push the wheel out just far enough to stop rubbing?
Could also be that you need to recenter the rear end under the car. adjustable panhard bar can shift the axle to recenter it.

BonzoHansen · 09-16-2008, 08:24 AM

My $0.02 from experience: Buy tires that fit.

maroman88 · 09-16-2008, 07:42 PM

ll i had em on my 88 for years, freakin thing always sat lower on the passenger side, got a leak in one of the lines blahblahblah... my car came with them tho, got some pertttyyyy kyb's now

bibbly · 09-17-2008, 01:10 PM

IT's not the power I'm pushing now. Just thinking for the future.

Pampered-Z · 09-17-2008, 02:59 PM

Air shocks should only be used to level a car. You never want to change the angles, especially if you’re racing unless you have addressed all other geometry on the car. Air shocks do not control weight transfer. Lifting the rear of the car will change the pinion angle same as lowering the car, which can have adverse effects on traction. High speed stability can be affected (if lifting the car and also you are putting additional stress the U-joints.

There are mini-tub kits, (or a BFH) to get you additional clearance. Or just get rims with the proper offset.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

correct me if I’m wrong, but won't air shocks work against proper launch for drag racing? Prevent rear squat?

The problem is air shocks don't control rebound, so after the car squats they rebound quickly which will unload the rear tires.