Front shocks ('87) for drag racing? (Page 1/2)
Frenchrafe SEP 23, 11:20 AM
Hi there,
As the title says, I'm looking to get better front shock absorbers for my '87 GT that I drag race.
The front of the car seems to lift in 1st at the launch, and then slams down only to lift again in 2nd and then in 3rd, etc...
Any suggestions for limiting this up and down yo-yo mouvement ?

Thanks,
Rafe

------------------
"Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero
https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM

olejoedad SEP 23, 11:34 AM
Back in the day, we ran '90/10 uplift shocks' to keep the nose up after launch.
Frenchrafe SEP 23, 03:32 PM
Any ideas where I could get some?
There only seems two alternatives for the Fiero:
Munroes or KYBs ?

Can't seem to find any custom setups or adaptable solutions?

------------------
"Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero
https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM

[This message has been edited by Frenchrafe (edited 09-23-2025).]

olejoedad SEP 23, 05:29 PM
I don't have any sources for the Fiero.

You might check with Summit Racing or JEGS; perhaps someone in Customer Service can find something for you.

They worked very well on my '66 Nova back in the day. The front end came up easily and stayed up the entire run.
Patrick SEP 23, 08:53 PM

quote
Originally posted by Frenchrafe:

Any suggestions for limiting this up and down yo-yo mouvement ?



How about front air bags? When on the drag strip, just raise the front end and leave it there for the quick trip down the track.
1985 Fiero GT SEP 23, 09:54 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

How about front air bags? When on the drag strip, just raise the front end and leave it there for the quick trip down the track.



I would think it is still critical to have some travel/shock absorption, just raising it to the point that it doesn't bounce in shifts would mean that it just doesn't have any travel, the Fiero in these videos had no suspension and that directly caused the first crash, and could have maybe helped recover the second. Perhaps if everything's perfect and nothing goes wrong then that might work, but if you hit any bumps or have to brake or steer (debris) or have some wheel hop or anything else that might induce an oscillation, then that could be game over.
Patrick SEP 23, 10:07 PM

quote
Originally posted by 1985 Fiero GT:

I would think it is still critical to have some travel/shock absorption, just raising it to the point that it doesn't bounce in shifts would mean that it just doesn't have any travel...



Air bag implementation isn't controlled by an on/off (full pressure/no pressure) switch. Obviously it would take some experimentation with the amount of air pressure used to find a happy medium. It might just take a minimal amount of air pressure to assist the front shocks with their compression/rebound control in a drag race scenario.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-23-2025).]

Frenchrafe SEP 24, 05:19 AM
Since the shock absorbers from Rock Auto are not that expensive, I may go with buying two pairs.
I'll see if I can fit a double setup behind the wheels?
If not, then I'll try to find an europeen car ('80's Opel Kadett?) shock absorber thats more or less the right length.
Probably will have to modify the top mount with some kind of adapter...?

------------------
"Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero
https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM

olejoedad SEP 24, 08:57 AM
Perhaps a set of adjustable shocks for a car that uses a longer shock.
You could adjust the extension/compression to get easy uplift and slow compression.
I think QA1 still makes adjustables, but probably not for our cars.
Frenchrafe SEP 24, 10:39 AM
Yes, I was thinking along the same lines.
That's why I thought of Opel Kadetts, which use the same front subframe and A-arms.
The shock is on the upper A-arm, but the mouvement is about the same.
As well, these cars were super populaire for rallying, so performance parts should be available.

------------------
"Turbo Slug" - '87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. - The fastest Fiero in France! @turboslugfiero
https://youtu.be/hUzOAeyWLfM