I'm with Richard. 3.25" is too little for total wheel travel unless you're using very high (track only) spring rates. Where did you get a shock with only 1.5" of travel? Is there a bump stop built in?
I would mount a shock to limit travel to eliminate ball-joint bind at full droop but allow at least 2.5" jounce travel from ride height. The ERA has 3.5" jounce travel and 3.25" droop travel at normal ride height. That allows those who like their car really
low to retain reasonable travel when the car is "non-standard". Which seems to be the standard.
(Tomorrow I'm going to get a call: "Bob! Just how low can I make it?"
)