Install Info: Strano Springs/Bilstein SLP Shocks and Rear End Upgrades.

[New2chevy]

This thread sort of swept into my engine build. I should have titled this thread "95 Formula Makeover." My makeover thread is on LS1LT1.com

Determining pushrod length.

I made a solid lifter out of an extra hydraulic lifter. Even with a test spring, the lifter was still collapsing some, even after priming the oil system. I used packing material that I use at work, to make valve handles tighter. Worked like a charm!

I took the lifter apart and bent up the retainer quite a bit taking it out, using a small pick. It didn't matter because the retainer straightened out again after pushing it back in with a socket. By the time the retainer seated properly, the guts of the lifter were pushed in really really tightly.

I finally was able to order my pushrods.



I discarded the spring before assembling the lifter.


The retainer was not quite seated all the way here. With some serious pushing using a socket, the retainer snapped down all the way and also straightened out almost perfectly. The important thing is that the plunger was at the correct height and was SOLID.

[97Z4CZ28]

New2chevy I really like what you are doing with your ride! I have been redoing many many things over the last year and a half on my 97 Z, and will be done by spring. As anyone knows time, money, work, family, and life are the factors that slow progress down...I tell my Wife I am slow but sure lol! A lot of folks that have never went into anything to this extent have no clue, and most never will, about what is involved, but that end result is well worth it in the the end. Enjoying this whole thread and have subscribed to keep up with your progress. I absolutely love stuff like this, not just because I am doing basically the same in many aspects that you are but this is what it is about many times beyond just washing and waxing and looking pretty. Good Job!

[SSlowBoat]

Nice ride, nice work, very informative thread.

One question plagues me, and im not sure if you said it or not, but why are you keepin abs if youre deleting everything else? You are already there set up to have a badass handling car, why not go a little further and delete it?

Also, keep an eye on the poly caster bushings, they have been known to crack quite quickly with street miles

[95albinobird]

I made some more progress with the rear end swap today. Took 40 minutes, which is all the time I had. I still have to tighten the shock nuts and LCA bolts, but I got the U-Joint tightened on the pinion yolk, at least. I just have to put the panhard bar in and fasten the brake lines and ABS harness onto the axle tubes then put the calipers and sway bar back on. Oh, and I have to fasten the torque arm to the diff housing and fasten the e-brake brackets back onto the two TA cover bolts, just like on the stock cover.

I was kinda bummed because one of the u-joint bolts threaded in fine by hand, at first, then it was frickin' HARD ratcheting in there, but I got it in tight (VERY TIGHT). Now I have an LS1 driveshaft, which I hear is a pretty worthwhile mod.

I am going to center the rear using my adjustable Founders panhard bar. I'll hang a bob from a string at the fenderwells and measure the distance of each tire from each fenderwell using a ruler, to center the rear.

There she is...home where she belongs. A helpful tip for the torque arm is to use some rope (left side of picture) to tie it off to the side, rather than undoing the whole thing from the transmission too, then it will be out of the way when removing and re-installing the rear.

Attachment 17870

Driver's side shock. LCA connected to Founders relocation bracket. The Founders LCA ends fit perfectly into the new relocation brackets. Hooray!! Those darn bump stops were $100.00 for a pair (original GM bump stops). I saw them cheaper somewhere, recently, but I can't remember where.

Attachment 17871

Passenger's side. I'm going to weld the top parts of the Founders brackets to the stock LCA mounts, on each side, just for added peace of mind.

Attachment 17872

It was fun balancing the rear on it's center and rolling it in from the side, through all the brake lines and e-brake lines and stuff--car wasn't high enough for it to clear the exhaust piping in the back.

Attachment 17873

Shot from the driver's side. Once the shock mounting bolts are in the lower brackets and the nuts are on them, and the u-joint is connected to the pinion yolk, the rear is in there pretty good, and the jack only does a little work. I still have to stick the springs up in there, which won't be hard, once I let the jack down a few inches. It's tough for me to put the springs in there at the same time as putting the rear in.

Attachment 17874

I'll keep updating on my progress guys! Can't wait to see how the new shocks and springs feel, as well as the 3.73's!!

never understood why gm skimped on painting the rear

[New2chevy]

Thanks guys for your positive comments!

I've been out of the game for a number of months. I started doing the Racetronix fuel pump/harness swap today.

I got the bucket apart and will work from there.

Realistically, I hope to get the car on the road by summer.

[New2chevy]

Guys I finally got my car back on the ground and ready to drive and tune. My TPS plug wires were bad, and my voltage and % readings were totally messed up or stayed stuck at .04v and 23%. Not good.

I actually checked for a hole in my gas tank after driving it like this for 15 minutes. Wow how it drank the gasoline.

I'll post pics and stuff here and on my other thread(s).

Thanks guys for your positive comments!

I've been out of the game for a number of months. I started doing the Racetronix fuel pump/harness swap today.

I got the bucket apart and will work from there.

Realistically, I hope to get the car on the road by summer.

[Not Dave]

Just found this thread yesterday, it's been informative. Thanks for documenting what you've done. I'm looking at going the Strano/Bilstein way also in the near future. Not going as drastic with all the other upgrades you've done. One great thing about my car living its entire life in Texas is there isn't much rust or corrosion after 18 years.