Apologies for posting non-Mopar, but the Racers Forum is visited by the BEST, so....

[biomedtechguy]

"Regulars" on this Racers Forum have been so helpful and patient with my posts here. I realize most all of you are far more hard core than I am, but when I have improved performance questions or comments this forum has been great, and I greatly appreciate it!!
So I want to share these race related upgraded parts that I have on the way for my wife's 65 GTO rear suspension and to compliment the high performance aftermarket and tweaked factory original parts, like ported 6777 Pontiac heads 421 TriPower lurking under the hood.
I have a highly optioned 9" Ford based Quick Performance rear axle assembly being built, so I got these suspension parts to install since the rear axle is being replaced.
Bracket that ties the upper and lower control arm pivot points/body mounts together:

Pic of one connecting point for them:

Horizontal rear shock tower brace

Upper adjustable control arms

Lower lift bars, brackets deleted because Quick Performance is building in the multi position bracket into the rear housing. I don't quite understand how they work, so maybe y'all can help me understand, but they induce greater downward force on the rear tires for better traction:

Any input on my question about how these lower arms with their flexible mounting helps traction is appreciated!
Here's what UMI says:
"Lift bars work with axle torque to load the chassis of the car, forcing the rear wheels downward pushing the tires into the ground resulting in harder launches and improved 60-foot times. The UMI lift bars are designed to improve traction and reduce unwanted wheel hop."

 

[dvw]

Bushings and brackets reduce flex. Now you have a solid platform. Multiple holes allow the instant center and pinion angle to be adjusted. Raising the instant center causes the rear of the body to lift applying more load to the rear tire. Lengthening the instant center lessens the violence of the hit. The greater the power the lower and longer the instant center needs to be. Google 4 link instant center to get a clear idea. Then ask the manufacturer of the components for a initial setting.
Doug

 

[biomedtechguy]

Doug, thanks a lot!!!
You are one of the guys who seems to always be reliable for good, detailed information. I really appreciate it!

 

[wagonman]

Just did a 67 GTO with a complete coil over kit F&R from Global West with Viking double adj shocks. The UMI parts look almost identical and probably way cheaper to. The body is still off the frame so it was easier to install. Cant wait to see the way this thing handles.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I thought about changing out the rear springs (ours have air bags in them for rear height adjustment) and shocks to coil overs. What was offered by a PY forum member was there are a number of bolt on conversion kits available to still facilitate that if we want to, but if I would have had Quick Performance build the rear axle assembly for coil overs, changing back to springs and shocks would have been difficult.
This is my wife's car, so I have to comply with what she wants to do, and all I can do is advise.
If it was MY car, I would have dropped it and gone full blown "Canyon Carver" with a modern 5 or 6 speed manual transmission (vs the Muncie 4 speed) coil overs on all 4 corners, and heavy duty front and rear sway bars, rack and pinion steering, etc etc. It would still run the 1320 great, but at appx 3,500 lbs it is ready for the corners.

 

[beanhead]

You best watch out Bio or she's gonna end up whippin' ya! (At the track!!)

 

[biomedtechguy]

You best watch out Bio or she's gonna end up whippin' ya! (At the track!!)

Yeah, I know.
The open stock rear axle was holding it way back. I smoked the one drag radial at 60 mph at the halfway (1/8th mile mark) when I thought "surely it will hook by now" on the way to the 1/4 mile finish line.
Now with the 3.80 and an outstanding rear axle assembly, and all of the supporting suspension parts, I need to get busy working on improving my driving-especially launching-skills or I will get beat.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[biomedtechguy]

My reasoning for getting the upper and lower control arms, horizontal rear shock tower brace, and frame/control arms reinforcement bracket was "While we are changing out the rear axle assembly for a top of the line performance setup, NOW is the time to do the rest"
After reading a number of threads and forums, it seems almost NECCESSARY to strengthen ALL of the areas which I have done by getting these UMI parts. Apparently A body (Chevelle, Tempest, GTO, El Caminos) 64-67 have a well documented history of the frame crossmember at the rear control arms mounting points braking, cracking, etc. So my intuition is good, the UMI parts are the right ones and well respected as a brand, and their customer and tech support service is great.
I am really excited to see what a dramatic change for the better these parts and the bad assed Quick Performance rear axle assembly make!

 

[biomedtechguy]

Got some pix today. The UMI suspension, Wilwood brakes, and Quick Performance rear axle assembly are coming along. Crusin the Coast starts this weekend and runs through the week into the next weekend.
The parts and installation look top notch!

 

[biomedtechguy]

A few more