Smith Racecraft clip

Why is this clip based on Camaro struts? Thanks, Al.

Lightweight
Vast selection of components
availability
ease of instalation
simplicity

The 62-67 Smith Racecraft front clip was based on a factory GM strut (on top of brand loyality) for the main fact that to be used in alot of street car series it all needed to be factory bolt on stuff. They also offer the 62-67 front end with a Strange GT strut or spindle mount strut. On top of the Lakewood struts, the single and double adjustible Santhuff struts. They can also convert virtually any bolt of 82-92 Camaro designed strut to work.(Lakewood, Monroe, etc.) (Needs a small machining process for the coilover kit.)

OK, to meet certain class rules, that makes sense. Doesn't the Camaro strut use a drop in cartridge? So once set up for the coil over kit, you could change between cartridges for tuning?
Thanks, Al.

OK, to meet certain class rules, that makes sense. Doesn't the Camaro strut use a drop in cartridge? So once set up for the coil over kit, you could change between cartridges for tuning?
Thanks, Al.

That I dont know. I dont believe so, but I'll look alittle closer at my struts today.

Yes they use a drop in cartridge.
My AJE front clip also uses the 3rd gen camaro style struts.

Anyone using the Smith clip on the street? Results? thanks Steve

Anyone using the Smith clip on the street? Results? thanks Steve


Jake does......
And drives the pizz out of it!!!!!!!

Yes they use a drop in cartridge.
My AJE front clip also uses the 3rd gen camaro style struts.

I only saw the version with some sort of aftermarket strut on it. I have some pics. But maybe that was the old version it was only out for a few months when I saw it at a display at a race. Mine uses the 82-92 strut. I remeber the strut on yours looking alot different than mine, but my eyes arent that great.:D

I only saw the version with some sort of aftermarket strut on it. I have some pics. But maybe that was the old version it was only out for a few months when I saw it at a display at a race. Mine uses the 82-92 strut. I remeber the strut on yours looking alot different than mine, but my eyes arent that great.:D

My struts are aftermarket but are the 82-92 style.

My struts are aftermarket but are the 82-92 style.

What brand are they by chance? I used the Lakewood 90/10's for now till my "tree" sprouts in the backyard for the dbl. adj. Santhuffs.:D

What brand are they by chance? I used the Lakewood 90/10's for now till my "tree" sprouts in the backyard for the dbl. adj. Santhuffs.:D


Not sure but the sticker that came with them said "Suspention spring specialists".......????

I want santhuffs or lamb also..... :)

Not sure but the sticker that came with them said "Suspention spring specialists".......????

I want santhuffs or lamb also..... :)

These are what I saw on the AJE. They look fabricated with a drop in cartridge.
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/3184/ajechevyiistub2uq3.th.jpg (http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ajechevyiistub2uq3.jpg)

I don't know. I had one of these Camaros on the lift today ('82-'92) and gave it a harder look as far as the struts and steering knuckles. The strut cartridge bolts to the steering knuckle, not a drop in like the "W" body GM cars. Too bad, would be a great modification to the Camaro strut, maybe it's been done? The strut body itself appeared to be nothing more than a shock casing which makes me wonder what kind of structuraly sound modifications could be made to accept coil over springs? The steering knuckle itself did not impress me. Did not look like it lends itself well to modifications. The spindle being swedged into the center of the knuckle makes me wince just thinking about re-heat treating a modification.
As far as certain class rules pertaining to bolt on stock replacement parts are concerned, I don't see how highly modified stock parts would qualify. "My machine shop is back ordered on that particular stock part." All they have to do is send the Auto Zoned-out part to be tweaked a little at the machine shop.
I don't know anything about Camaro struts really. I raced a couple pre-strut Camaros in the '70's. Did well, won once locally.
Rambly, so I don't see how a Camaro strut re-engineered into a new front strut suspension has anything over a Strange or AM strut, all told?
Please don't take me wrong, I'm just trying to learn here.
Thanks, Al.

I don't know. I had one of these Camaros on the lift today ('82-'92) and gave it a harder look as far as the struts and steering knuckles. The strut cartridge bolts to the steering knuckle, not a drop in like the "W" body GM cars. Too bad, would be a great modification to the Camaro strut, maybe it's been done? The strut body itself appeared to be nothing more than a shock casing which makes me wonder what kind of structuraly sound modifications could be made to accept coil over springs? The steering knuckle itself did not impress me. Did not look like it lends itself well to modifications. The spindle being swedged into the center of the knuckle makes me wince just thinking about re-heat treating a modification.
As far as certain class rules pertaining to bolt on stock replacement parts are concerned, I don't see how highly modified stock parts would qualify. "My machine shop is back ordered on that particular stock part." All they have to do is send the Auto Zoned-out part to be tweaked a little at the machine shop.
I don't know anything about Camaro struts really. I raced a couple pre-strut Camaros in the '70's. Did well, won once locally.
Rambly, so I don't see how a Camaro strut re-engineered into a new front strut suspension has anything over a Strange or AM strut, all told?
Please don't take me wrong, I'm just trying to learn here.
Thanks, Al.

Smith does move the steering arm and re-heat treats the knuckles. I see no weakness in the strut design. GM spent millions on engineering these things and they are still on the road today. The coilover conversion on the stock style strut is a machined threaded aluminum collar that gets pressed over the shock tube. As I mentioned earlier if you wanna spend the bucks you can upgrade all the way to a Strange GT strut or spindle mounted strut setup.
Heres a pic of mine. Be mindful that I do not have the coil springs installed the strut is bottomed out right now in the pic. It is a Lakewood 90/10 strut. http://jakesperformancefabrication.com/gallery/v/312456987/Dry+mock+up+with+wheels_+009.jpg.html?g2_imageView sIndex=1
If you can't see it too well, there is a window in the top left corner to expand the pic from 640x480 to 2048x1536.

Hey Jake, thanks for keeping the masses informed! If anyone has any further questions, please feel free to call me (or better yet, Andy) at (214) 330-0660.

Thanks,

Chad

Just a small crack in the m'asses here, trying to gather info before going to the principal's office.
I've asked Smith website and around for info and only Jake (thank you Jake) takes time to reply. Call it Jake Racecraft, he sells it.
I would expect a blank stare if I walked into a corner store asking a lot of 'stupid' questions about a roll of toilet paper.
Thanks, Al.

Jake,

That is a very good looking front clip. I'd consider that if I'd not already self clipped my own 66 with a morrison style conventional strut set up.

I like the extra support tubes & the extra around the LCA & rack.

Impressive.

Paul

I think the strut frt end would be better for drag racing then say a TCI,mustang II style,But not as good on the street. 3rd,4th gens F-body are not the best handling cars,but its way better then a stock Chevy II frt end. I want to to run a strut front. but I'm bliuding 90% drag car. I'm O.k with it handling like a drag car on the street.But thats just me.

Just a small crack in the m'asses here, trying to gather info before going to the principal's office.
I've asked Smith website and around for info and only Jake (thank you Jake) takes time to reply. Call it Jake Racecraft, he sells it.
I would expect a blank stare if I walked into a corner store asking a lot of 'stupid' questions about a roll of toilet paper.
Thanks, Al.

Thank you, it is my pleasure! I kinda feel like Ron Burgandy wanting to profess his love for Veronica by shouting off a mountain top in "Ron Burgandy- Anchorman". I have higher standards than most and am proud to say this product exceeeds even my standards. Anyone that has seen any of my work or bothered to look at my website would see how picky I am with my own stuff and how capable I would be to do my own front clip. But there was no way to improve upon what Smith Racecraft has done. Heck I figure almost every new car on the road today has struts on it so they've got to be good and dependible. Its all in the valving weither you want a race car or a corner cutter. Buy the dbl. adj. Santhuff and you will have a forever reliable and forever adaptible strut for ANY style of driving. If you want stock handling buy a Monroe or whatever brand of flavor you prefer. If you are on a budget and wanna drag it buy the 90/10 Lakewoods or single Santhuffs. I have driven 90/10 front shocks on the street for years with no problems, but thats probably good for another subjective debate at another time. :D
The Smith frontend is engineered to be a structually rigid piece in all directions. It is highly engineered and thought out piece. Every tube has a reason to be where its at not just thrown there to look cool. I have personally looked at alot of stuff before going with the Smith myself. You talk about something that is a HIGLY precise piece. Every hole laser'd out and every tube placed in place on a higly precision jig. Every bolt slides thru its hole and tabs are correctly lined up.
I'll step off my soap box for now and get back to shining shoes.;) :D

I own one of the 68-74 Nova sub frames and what a work of art. I love it.

Any Prices ****, not listed on there site??

The more I look at this clip the more I like it! If you really study it it is well designed! I like the fact that they didn't go the easy route and run 2 x 3! Instead they ran it all tube!
My son has been telling me he wants a 2nd gen nova so maybe I'll look into this clip. Jake? Hope you don't mind if I pick your brain?!?:rolleyes::D

John