1970 Chevelle Rear End & Suspension

The focus for the Project American Heroes III '70 Chevelle has turned to the chassis. The third in our series of charity builds to benefit The Armed Forces Foundation has Bill Jelinek and his outstanding crew at Route 66 Motorsports in New Lenox, Illinois, working feverishly to meet our usual unreasonable deadlines. Route 66 has completed the metal work for the '70 Chevelle-the quarters and front clip have been installed, trunk extensions are in, and the doors have been expertly gapped. Options are still being discussed for the "gotta have it" L-88-style hood.

The PAH3 A-body is awaiting a substantial horsepower producer-in this instance, an LSA crate engine from the good people at GM Performance Parts-and big horsepower calls for a chassis to provide a solid, punishment-ready foundation.

1970 Chevelle Rear End Suspension Components

Detroit Speed & Engineering supplied its Swivel Link rear suspension kit, coilover conversion kit with DSE coilovers, and its chassis brace kit.

Detroit Speed & Engineering supplied its Swivel Link rear suspension kit, coilover convers

For that reason, the chassis for our A-body is being assembled with some of the very best parts offered by the aftermarket today. First up is making sure the rear end can handle the LSA's monstrous torque.

Fortunately, Strange Engineering has stepped up to the plate to provide its S-series nodular iron Ford 9-inch-style rear. The big housing ends and Timken bearings, 3.50 gears, and Traction-Lok make for the perfect street-strip package. The Strange Engineering center section is far superior to OEM offerings, and promises to be able and willing to take a beating.

Though set up as a streetcar, the PAH3 Chevelle demands a rear suspension system that will be able to withstand the torque of full-throttle launches, yet be able to slice through corners on the street or road course. Detroit Speed & Engineering has the perfect solution. Its recently released "Swivel-Link" rear suspension system eliminates bind, allowing full articulation of the solid rear suspension without the use of spherical rod ends, which can be noisy.

The "Swivel-Link" system makes pinion angle adjustment a walk in the park. With DSE's coilover suspension at all four corners, a rigid platform, and a driveline capable of handling massive amounts of power, the PAH3 Chevelle will be seriously equipped for battle.

Strange Engineering contributed this bulletproof S-series nodular iron 9-inch housing with tubes to Project American Heroes III. The Strange S-series housing is slotted for full tube engagement, providing a more rigid foundation. The Strange 3.150 housing ends feature Timken tapered axle bearings. The reinforced faceplate reduces center section flex.
Strange Engineering contributed this bulletproof S-series nodular iron 9-inch housing with
For our Project American Heroes Chevelle, anticipated power levels call for 31-spline axles with the Strange Engineering Traction-Lok. Expecting mostly street duty for the fortunate future buyer, a 3.50 gear was chosen. The S-series rear has filler and drain plugs already installed.
For our Project American Heroes Chevelle, anticipated power levels call for 31-spline axle
One of the major benefits of the Strange Engineering S-series case is the far-superior upper link mounting "ears" on the steel housing. One of the DSE upper link bushings is readied for installation.
One of the major benefits of the Strange Engineering S-series case is the far-superior upp

Matt Duque installs the new bushing, using the Mac Tools "Bushing Knocker," BK1234, to hammer on bushings.
Matt Duque installs the new bushing, using the Mac Tools "Bushing Knocker," BK1234, to ha
With new bushings installed, the rear is ready for the upper and lower DSE Swivel Link system. Our S-series rear was fitted with the "Daytona style," larger-than-stock rear tapered pinion bearing with Timken races. Strange supplies the S-Series 1350 series steel yoke, a significant upgrade form stock. Take a good look at that case, which features exceptional grade nodular Iron case and caps and a radial rib design for increased strength. It can accommodate all 28-, 31-, and 33-spline axle combinations, as wells 35-spline locker and spool combos. The case is already clearanced for ease of installation of Posi units and it's made in the U.S.A.
With new bushings installed, the rear is ready for the upper and lower DSE Swivel Link sys
Using the DSE bracket as a template, the upper mounting hole is marked and drilled.

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The lower link mounting brackets are mounted on both sides of the Strange rear.
The upper links are adjustable, and should initially be adjusted to the length of the stock upper control arm. Then, the upper DSE swivel links are bolted to the rear crossmember with supplied hardware from DSE.
The upper links are adjustable, and should initially be adjusted to the length of the stoc
The DSE lower link is bolted into the factory location, adjusted to stock lower control arm length. The lower link is not torqued down at this point, in anticipation of the DSE chassis brace to be installed.
The DSE lower link is bolted into the factory location, adjusted to stock lower control ar

Some GM A-bodies come equipped with chassis braces to triangulate the rear crossmember, framerail, and upper control mount. The DSE chassis brace kit provides that triangulation, but with a huge improvement over the flimsy OEM pieces. Best of all, the kit is easily installed on cars that did not come with them from the factory. The DSE braces offer greater strength and rigidity in reducing rear chassis deflection. Unlike the factory units, the DSE braces are adjustable for suspension tuning. Installation is a simple bolt on from the upper control arm mount to the rear crossmember. The nuts on the lower link are torqued to 110 lb-ft.
Some GM A-bodies come equipped with chassis braces to triangulate the rear crossmember, fr
Matt Duque and Jason Johns roll the Strange Engineering S-series rear on a floor jack and position it for attaching to the DSE upper and lower links.
Matt Duque and Jason Johns roll the Strange Engineering S-series rear on a floor jack and
With the rear in place, still resting on the floor jack, the DSE lower link is installed. Gentle taps with a rubber mallet drive the 1/2-inch 20x3.72 hex head bolts in position.
With the rear in place, still resting on the floor jack, the DSE lower link is installed.

The upper swivel link is attached to the differential housing.
The two factory upper shock mounting holes must be enlarged, plus an additional mounting hole is drilled for installation of the upper coilover bracket.
The two factory upper shock mounting holes must be enlarged, plus an additional mounting h
The upper coilover bracket is bolted in place.

Permatex ant-seize lubricant is applied to the DSE coilover threads, and the coilover adjusting nut is threaded onto the shock all the way to the bottom of the shock.
Permatex ant-seize lubricant is applied to the DSE coilover threads, and the coilover adju
For coilover assembly, first the supplied DSE thrust washer, then roller bearing, then thrust washer are installed. Next, the spring is installed onto the shock, and the collar is added to the shock housing to complete the coilover assembly.
For coilover assembly, first the supplied DSE thrust washer, then roller bearing, then thr
Newly drilled holes are tested for upper bracket clearance and fit. Quality and fit of the DSE parts are outstanding.
Newly drilled holes are tested for upper bracket clearance and fit. Quality and fit of the

Coilover assembly is fitted to the upper coilover mounting bracket, and taken to the chassis for installation.
Coilover assembly is fitted to the upper coilover mounting bracket, and taken to the chass
The DSE coilover is then bolted to the frame.
With the DSE coilover positioned properly, the bottom bracket mounting bolts are inserted and tightened.
With the DSE coilover positioned properly, the bottom bracket mounting bolts are inserted

Installation completed, the DSE chassis braces look trick, and the links are ready for adjustment.
Installation completed, the DSE chassis braces look trick, and the links are ready for adj
With the upper links installed to the Strange rear, suspension tuning will soon be the task at hand, as PAH3 will be dialed in for ultimate street performance.
With the upper links installed to the Strange rear, suspension tuning will soon be the tas
The DSE coilovers and swivel link rear suspension provide the Strange S-series 9-inch rear with the ability to effectively transfer horsepower to the ground.
The DSE coilovers and swivel link rear suspension provide the Strange S-series 9-inch rear