When you’re running a street-stock Monte Carlo, every tenth of a second matters. The way your car plants in the corner, transfers weight, and drives off the turn often comes down to one thing: suspension setup. The right combination of control arms, bushings, and shock tuning can be the difference between chasing the pack and leading the field.
At Circle Track Performance, we’ve helped racers across the country fine-tune their street-stock and factory-stock Monte Carlos for better handling, consistency, and confidence. Here are five proven suspension upgrades that can transform how your car feels on race night.
1. Upper Control Arms: Get Your Geometry Right
Factory arms weren’t built for the demands of circle track racing. Upgrading to performance upper control arms improves your front-end geometry and allows for more consistent camber and caster settings. This helps your car hold a tighter line and reduces tire wear over the course of a race.
Pro Tip: Look for adjustable or heavy-duty tubular arms that allow for fine-tuning your alignment. CTP’s Victory Metric Upper Control Arms are a popular choice for Monte Carlos built to perform under pressure.
2. Lower Control Arms: Strength and Stability Where It Counts
Lower control arms take a beating in side-bite situations. A stronger, precision-built set minimizes flex, giving you more predictable steering input and a more stable feel mid-corner.
When paired with high-quality bushings, upgraded lowers also improve suspension movement and reduce unwanted chassis roll. If your Monte Carlo still runs OEM stamped arms, this is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make.
3. Trailing Arms and Bushings: Improve Rear End Drive
Your rear suspension geometry controls how power gets to the track. Worn or soft bushings can cause the rear end to shift under load, killing forward bite. Upgrading to steel or polyurethane bushings and quality trailing arms keeps the rear end planted, helping your Monte Carlo hook up better on corner exit.
Circle Track Performance carries replacement arms and bushings specifically designed for metric chassis setups. They’re built to handle the torque and stress of short-track racing while keeping compliance tight and consistent.
4. Shocks and Springs: Match Your Setup to the Track
Every track has its own personality. A rough dirt oval demands different rates than a smooth asphalt surface. Investing in properly valved shocks and matched springs lets you fine-tune weight transfer and body control.
Don’t overlook spring preload and ride height. Even small changes in cross-weight can drastically alter handling balance. CTP offers a variety of shocks and spring options that help racers dial in their setup for local track conditions.
5. Alignment and Weight Distribution: The Final Tune
After installing new suspension components, take the time to recheck alignment settings and scale the car. Camber, caster, and toe all play a major role in how your Monte Carlo corners and responds to throttle input.
Keep detailed notes after each adjustment. Track surface, tire pressure, and stagger all influence performance, but a well-balanced chassis gives you a solid foundation to build from week after week.
Bringing It All Together
Upgrading your Monte Carlo’s suspension doesn’t have to mean reinventing your car. Focus on the key areas that deliver measurable improvements in consistency and feedback. Start with quality control arms, bushings, and shocks, and you’ll notice immediate gains in handling and tire life.
At Circle Track Performance, we specialize in helping racers like you find the parts that make a real difference on race day. Whether you’re chasing your first win or looking to fine-tune an already competitive setup, we’re here to help you turn corners into wins.
Shop Monte Carlo suspension parts now at CircleTrackPerformance.com