1969 Camaro Project Heroes Two Rear Suspension

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE ALL OF THE STORIES IN THE PROJECT AMERICAN HEROES II BUILD ON THE WEB

Project American Heroes II Unveiling at the Joliet Super Chevy Show

PART I

PART II

PART III

PART IV

PART V

PART VI

PART VII

PART VIII

PART IX

The build of this car, Project American Heroes 2, is all about the gratitude the hot rodding industry has for the servicemen and women of the United States. Building this muscular, but highly streetable 1969 Camaro is our attempt to do a small part to assist our American Heroes in their times of need.

United support for our soldiers continues to be evident in our great country, certainly among car people. Recent reports from military leaders show that the so called "troop surge" is resulting in some measurable progress in the region. Always hopeful for good news concerning our military personnel, they continue to require our prayers and support.

And speaking of surge, hot rodders just love that term, especially the kind experienced from a healthy Chevy powerplant.

1969 Camaro Project Heroes Quadra Link Kit

The DSE Quadra Link kit includes Koni coilovers with springs matched for the particular application.

The DSE Quadra Link kit includes Koni coilovers with springs matched for the particular ap

Project American Heroes 2 is gearing up for many wonderful surges-horsepower surges, if you will. The 427 LS7 stroker motor promises to transform the F-body into a powerful, street-fighting machine. However, that power wouldn't be as effective without the proper chassis and suspension equipment. We've already installed the Detroit Speed and Engineering revolutionary hydroformed front subframe on PAH2, a stunning accomplishment in a sea of aftermarket subframes for the wildly popular first-generation Camaro.

Now we have the pleasure of calling on DSE once again for its Quadra Link rear suspension kit. The rear suspension uses anti-bind swivel-links to prevent bind. Kyle Tucker of DSE reports that the Quadra Link has excellent anti-squat geometry and a long panhard rod to positively control the rear axle's lateral movement. The rear end remains correctly located under the car, even under hard cornering. Having thought of everything, the DSE system allows you to run a full three-inch exhaust system.

Bill Jelinek and his outstanding crew at Route 66 Motorsports are feverishly working to get the car up and ready for action. Take a look at their installation of the suspension, and you'll likely start thinking about getting one for your Camaro or Nova. Time to get busy, next month PAH2 gets Red!

Upper and lower links, adjustable with swivel links, and Panhard bar are laid out prior to installation.
Upper and lower links, adjustable with swivel links, and Panhard bar are laid out prior to
Strange Engineering provided its bulletproof S60 complete rearend differential assembly. Talk about handling the horsepower surge, the Strange S60 is cast from premium nodular iron, and features large nodular iron caps, 1/2-inch studs, 35 spline S/T series axles, Trac-Lok and 3.50 gears.
Strange Engineering provided its bulletproof S60 complete rearend differential assembly. T
DSE brackets had been shipped to Strange Engineering and were installed loose on the differential to be welded in place at Route 66 Motorsports.
DSE brackets had been shipped to Strange Engineering and were installed loose on the diffe

DSE provides the template necessary to properly locate the area that needs to be modified to accommodate the upper link mount.
DSE provides the template necessary to properly locate the area that needs to be modified
The Lincoln Electric Plasma cutter is called upon to open up the floor to make room for the upper link mount.
The Lincoln Electric Plasma cutter is called upon to open up the floor to make room for th
The DSE upper-link mount is fitted and trimmed for final welding.

The starting platform for PAH2 was a solid '69 Camaro shell, simplifying the installation of the DSE Quadra Link.
The starting platform for PAH2 was a solid '69 Camaro shell, simplifying the installation
The template is laid out on the rear seat floor and taped in place. Matt Duque makes cut marks as located by the template.
The template is laid out on the rear seat floor and taped in place. Matt Duque makes cut m
The template is also used on the passenger side, marked, and cut out.

Matt MIG-welds the upper mount in place.
Both upper-link mounts are also welded from underneath to ensure optimal strength.
The rear coilover mount is located and readied for welding.

The rear coilover mount is Welded to the Camaro trunk and passenger floor areas.
From the centerline of the rear, as per the instructions, Matt measures out the distance to the center of the coilover bottom mount bracket.
From the centerline of the rear, as per the instructions, Matt measures out the distance t
A section of the trunk floor is cut to make room for the rear coilover mount.

Panhard bar mount is fitted to the passenger-side rear frame rail and also cleaned up for welding.
Panhard bar mount is fitted to the passenger-side rear frame rail and also cleaned up for
The Strange Engineering S60 is set up on jackstands level, then set at minus 3-degrees pinion angle. Matt finds the centerline of the housing.
The Strange Engineering S60 is set up on jackstands level, then set at minus 3-degrees pin
The DSE instructions are absolutely thorough and well illustrated.

The DSE provided dimension for the center point of the coilover bracket is 14 3/4 inches.
With the centerline determined for each bracket, Matt does some simple math and locates both brackets.
With the centerline determined for each bracket, Matt does some simple math and locates bo
Bracket is tack-welded to the housing.

The DSE provided measurement from the center of the housing to the centerline of the link bracket is 19 5/8 inches.
The DSE provided measurement from the center of the housing to the centerline of the link
Angle locater is placed on links mounting bracket, and set at a 90-degree angle.
The bottom of the coilover bracket is set at zero degrees. Keep in mind that both upper- and lower-end links feature adjustability for ultimate suspension tuning.
The bottom of the coilover bracket is set at zero degrees. Keep in mind that both upper- a

The coilover bracket is welded to the housing.
The DSE lower link bolts to the DSE mounting bracket that is bolted in at the OEM leaf spring front mounting perch.
The DSE lower link bolts to the DSE mounting bracket that is bolted in at the OEM leaf spr
In Matt Duque's words, this rear suspension is "definitely the strongest setup I've seen-a stout piece that will definitely deliver the torque to the rear wheels."
In Matt Duque's words, this rear suspension is "definitely the strongest setup I've seen-a

The rear is placed on a floor jack, and lifted in place, with special attention given to lining up the upper and lower four link bars.
The rear is placed on a floor jack, and lifted in place, with special attention given to l
Panhard bar and Koni coilovers are bolted in at this time

SOURCES
Detroit Speed and Engineering 7-04/-662-3272 www.detroitspeed.com	Route 66 Motorsports 8-15/-462-0090 www.rt66motorsports.com
Strange Engineering Morton Grove IL 8-47/-663-1701 Strangeengineering.net