Ridetech Coilover Ride Height Adjustment [Archive]

Smoker03

07-14-2013, 07:34 PM

I have been installing the complete ridetech front suspension on my 67 Camaro and the single adjustable coilovers are adjusted as high as they can go and the car is still to low to drive around, frame is about 2" off the ground. My inner fender wells are modified(cut out) to fit wide tires with a low stance already and if the factory inner fenders were there, the tire would just about be resting on them at ride height. Attached is a pic of the adjustment. I have the feeling I may need more spring rate, which I am not against and actually prefer a stiff rate. I currently have the 650lb springs. My car weighs 3294lbs no driver, Left front is 891, Right front is 968, left rear is 760 and Right rear is 674. I will be calling Ridetech tomorrow as well, but just wanted to see what everyone thought. I have been really impressed will all the ridetech suspension and am looking forward to getting it dialed in.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/photo_zps0af13009-1.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/Smoker03A/media/photo_zps0af13009.jpg.html)

Bryce

07-14-2013, 09:05 PM

how much does the spring compress when set the car on the ground?

I will assume you have a 50% motion ratio. That means the spring is seeing twice the load as the tire. so roughly 1800lbs at the spring with 650lb spring they should compress about 3inches.

Are you sure they are 650lb springs? are you sure on the weight?

You could go with a taller spring or stiffer.

Rod

07-14-2013, 09:55 PM

what do you have for a motor? I agree I used 700 on my car (iron block 6.0LS with aluminum heads)

marolf101x

07-15-2013, 04:37 AM

something is going on here. . .most Camaro's weigh between 3200-3600 and all will reach ride height with a 650# spring (the 48 Hour Camaro weighs more than your Camaro and we started with 650's).

Did you order this as an entire kit, or did you buy parts separately. We need to make sure you have the proper spring length (should be 8" free standing), the proper spring rate (should have 650 engraved on the end), the correct shock (should be 3.6" stroke with a 2.75" Delrin stud top), and the Ridetech 2" tall dropped spindle.

Oh, and don't forget to make sure your control arms are not really, really tight! You'd be amazed how many people tighten them with an impact then the suspension won't move.

Smoker03

07-15-2013, 07:22 AM

I did order parts separately as budget was available. The spring is 8" free standing and has 650 engraved on it. I have the complete front suspension including true turn, so I am using the ridetech spindle as well. I will have to measure the shock tonight to make sure that its the correct length, but I would assume it would be, but will need to verify. The control arms are moving freely as I tightened them all by hand. I am running an iron SBC with aluminum heads and viper six speed. Thanks for your help Britt. I will take the shock measurement tonight.

Smoker03

07-15-2013, 08:37 PM

Pulled the coilovers out and took some measurements. Spring is 650lb and 8" free length. Shock looks to be correct as well and the control arms are moving very freely. Maybe I can use the drop spring retainer cup to put the spring where it should be, or go to a 700lb spring which I am not against either. Also, I did notice one issue the top piece of the stud was loose and was only finger tight. Anyway I can make sure it stays tight? See pics below.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/photo1_zpsd460dee8-1.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/Smoker03A/media/photo1_zpsd460dee8.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/photo2_zps1f0dfb1b-1.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/Smoker03A/media/photo2_zps1f0dfb1b.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/photo3_zps283b579b-1.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/Smoker03A/media/photo3_zps283b579b.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/photo4_zpsba837d73-1.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/Smoker03A/media/photo4_zpsba837d73.jpg.html)

Smoker03

07-16-2013, 04:53 PM

I took some measurements that the guys at ridetech wanted. With the car at ride height, the compressed spring length/height is 5". The measurement at ride height front hub centerline to the top of the wheelwell is just about 11". I did find one issue. When I pulled the coilover last night, I noticed the top section of the two piece stud was only finger tight. How do you get that tight?

Smoker03

07-17-2013, 01:29 PM

Just want to give a big thanks to Josh and the rest of the guys at Ridetech. They are having me bump the springrate to 700lbs and I think that will put the car right in the sweet spot. All the ridetech parts are top quality and the customer service is some of the best in the industry.

Josh@Ridetech

07-17-2013, 01:58 PM

Thanks a lot, Shane. That should put you where you want to be, let me know if you need anything!

Rod

07-17-2013, 07:16 PM

I agree with the 700LB bump, just remember to get that upper bolt tight, I went out to the garage this afternoon and assembled a single adjust with a 650 spring and I left the upper nut loose (about 7 threads in) and as you can see the spring sits about were yours did, set like this you loose a little more than 3/4 inch in adjustment ride height because the upper support isnt setting on the support collar on the shaft ,,,,pictures show it better

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/GEDC0952_zps3db9cb03-1.jpg (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/crazyshopmonkey/media/2013%20ridetech-hotchkis%20upgrades/GEDC0952_zps3db9cb03.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/GEDC0955_zps4e7c316a-1.jpg (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/crazyshopmonkey/media/2013%20ridetech-hotchkis%20upgrades/GEDC0955_zps4e7c316a.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/GEDC0954_zps71557405-1.jpg (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/crazyshopmonkey/media/2013%20ridetech-hotchkis%20upgrades/GEDC0954_zps71557405.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/GEDC0958_zpsd0cecce8-1.jpg (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/crazyshopmonkey/media/2013%20ridetech-hotchkis%20upgrades/GEDC0958_zpsd0cecce8.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/07/GEDC0956_zpsb9530155-1.jpg (http://s752.photobucket.com/user/crazyshopmonkey/media/2013%20ridetech-hotchkis%20upgrades/GEDC0956_zpsb9530155.jpg.html)

Smoker03

07-17-2013, 08:30 PM

Thanks Rod, ill keep an eye on that as well.

Rod

07-17-2013, 08:35 PM

Thanks Rod, ill keep an eye on that as well.

you'll like the 700s

Smoker03

08-13-2013, 11:51 AM

I have all the front suspension installed now, and with the 700lb springs and upper drop mount the car is sitting great. I am getting ready to take it over to the alignment shop and wanted to see what I should shoot for on the alignment specs. With my old setup I was running 6 degrees of positive caster and negative 1 degree camber and 1/16th toe in. Should I stick with the same, or go more aggressive on the camber and caster?

Rod

08-13-2013, 12:27 PM

stick with the same, maybe 1.5 on camber,

here's what Ridetech recommends
Camber - -.5 to -1.5 [within .3 from side to side]
Caster – 4 to 7 degrees positive
Toe - 1/8 to ¼ toe in

GeoffP

08-13-2013, 02:37 PM

I'm curious if anyone is able to get anywhere near 7 degrees positive caster with this setup? The local alignment shop only got 4 deg positive out of mine. Good info on the springs - I imagine my car probably needs 700 lbs springs on the front too since I have an iron block LS1. I'd say the weight difference in the iron block makes enough difference to need the extra spring.

Smoker03

08-13-2013, 05:29 PM

Great. I'm going to shoot for the same with a little more negative camber

Smoker03

08-17-2013, 03:02 PM

Got the alignment finished off, had no issue getting 6.5 degrees of positive caster and -1.5 degrees of camber. Stayed with 1/16 toe. Really happy with the setup, now just need dial in the shocks

Rod

08-17-2013, 03:11 PM

are you running single adjusts? if so turn them full hard and back the front ones down 13 clicks and turn the rear down 17 clicks that should be a good ride for Daily use, remember start from full hard and work back, that allows the adjustment shims to operate properly (I don't know why, I don't make these parts, I just race them)

MonzaRacer

08-17-2013, 06:25 PM

Another thing to ask for on aligning a car is as for a 0.5 degree MORE positive caster on the right front(unless your gonna drive on left side of road all the time.)
This will allow for the road crown. been seeing several car lately that had performance suspensions and other shops had guys that sort of run the machine but know nothing about theory and specs and what all the numbers do.

GeoffP

08-18-2013, 12:09 PM

Just curious but what does RideTech charge for a pair of 700 lbs coilover springs?

marolf101x

08-18-2013, 03:18 PM

$75.00 for each Hyperco spring

GeoffP

08-18-2013, 04:33 PM

Thanks Britt...wonder if I can sell a kidney before RTTH... Just kidding!

Rod

08-18-2013, 05:10 PM

Thanks Britt...wonder if I can sell a kidney before RTTH... Just kidding!

Kidneys are not that important...:injured:

sean.k.caddell

08-21-2013, 10:22 PM

GeoffP

08-22-2013, 04:08 PM

Kidneys are not that important...:injured:

My thoughts exactly! :naughty:

In regard to smoother ride, etc...it just depends on how you set the shocks. You can really make one ride great by messing with the shock settings.

Smoker03

08-29-2013, 01:05 PM

Hey let me know how the ride feels...Im considering upgrading my suspension with the ride tech kit because I want a daily driver- smooth ride...Did you upgrade rear with the 4-link? or are you still using leafsprings? Let me know your setupSo far the ride is awesome. I have it set fairly stiff and it still soaks everything up. I am very happy, and hoping to get some more time this weekend to dial it in. I am still running my DSE leafs with QA1's right now and it is awesome. So far it feels like I may need to add a rear sway bar. I do wish to finish the car off with the rear 4 link setup, but the budget may not let me do it.

cpd004

04-26-2015, 01:02 PM

Sorry to borrow this thread, but I'm trying to resolve some issues with my 71 Firebird.

Rod....in the 4th picture, should the black collar your finger is resting on line up (touch) the silver part just above it?

Also, for daily driver use, the 13/17 clicks as a starting point will work for a 2nd gen as well?

Thanks!

marolf101x

04-26-2015, 06:32 PM

If you're talking about the little black rubber part that is a bump stop and can ride anywhere on the shaft.

if you're talking about the larger black coil spring retainer it fits around the silver aluminum stud cover and is held in place by a round snap ring.

tomt12345

01-26-2016, 10:00 AM

Kidneys are not that important...:injured:

ROD, How many clicks out for the track?

Thanks!

Rod

01-26-2016, 11:53 AM

ROD, How many clicks out for the track?

Thanks!

run the street settings 13f/17r on the first run....and see how the car feels....
next run add 4 clicks from base....so turn to full stiff and back it out 9f/13r......is the car more responsive or to bumpy?
if its responsive! awesome increase on run 3 with 3 more clicks....so turn to full stiff and back it out 6f/10r.....
your close to max now is the car....more responsive or to bumpy?......if at any time the car becomes to bumpy reduce the added increase by half ......example if you increased it by 4 and its bumpy reduce it by 2 clicks......

remember you cant screw up!! its just knobs!!! not magic....and you always go back to the base setting 13f/17r.....and every track is different, surface temp, grip, tire tread depth and so on

chuckd71

04-16-2016, 08:54 PM

I have this setup on my Chevelle with AFX spindles and to get anything close to a decent ride height I have to have the bottom flange screwed up about as far as it will go. Running 700lb springs that RideTech suggested and it's about like driving a go kart, so I'm thinking about switching to a 650lb spring.
I bought through MCB and only have a few hundred miles on the springs (600 if you count the 200 on a flatbed) but it's been a little over a year so it's probably outside the swap out period. Anyway, would a slightly softer 8 inch spring help or would a longer spring and less elevated perch be the way to go? My body bushings are completely shot so that isn't helping, but the car went from driving like a boat to driving like a high schooler's civic (which would probably be ideal if I never planned to carry passengers that wanted to be comfortable).

marolf101x

04-17-2016, 05:11 AM

First, don't worry about how close the lower spring nut is to the end of the coil over threads. Unlike other coil overs which have threads covering the entire body, we needed a smooth sealing surface to seat our air spring against when used in a Shockwave configuration. This provided me the opportunity to set the maximum compressed height of the spring in the correct location to mitigate coil bind. In layman's terms, if you had more threads, and you spun the nut closer to the end of the shock, if you were to compress the shock the coils of the spring would hit each other. When this happens you have zero suspension, and it rides like hell.

Now, on to your vehicle.
You stated you have AFX spindles. What upper/lower control arms are you using?
Have you checked to make sure the suspension moves freely? (lift the vehicle, remove the coil over, disconnect the sway bar, you should be able to move the front suspension by hand without difficulty)
What does the car weigh?
Corner weights?
Unsprung weights?
What suspension do you have in the rear?
At ride height how long is the coil over? (I want to make sure your desired ride height is wihtin the operating parameters of the coil over. If it is, cool, we can work with that. If it's not, no spring change will fix it.)

Maybe some pictures would help?

Our standard front kit uses 8" 650# front springs. Unless you have something abnormal (unique suspension set up due to mixed parts, unusually light motor, etc) a change of only 50# is not enough to make it feel like a go kart.

Provide a little more info and we'll go from there.

chuckd71

04-17-2016, 06:51 AM

Hi, good info, thanks.

Now, on to your vehicle.
You stated you have AFX spindles. What upper/lower control arms are you using?

Uppers are speedtech and lowers are ridetech strongarms. I think I put a Hellwig bar on the front after I pulled the ridetech musclebar, not positive but 95% sure

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/04/15603360368_9ae746956c_c-1.jpg

Have you checked to make sure the suspension moves freely? (lift the vehicle, remove the coil over, disconnect the sway bar, you should be able to move the front suspension by hand without difficulty)
Everything moves well, but even during the time between sway bar swaps it was a pretty firm ride

What does the car weigh?
No idea really, it's a convertible Chevelle with an L92, A/C and carbon/fiberglass hood and trunk lid.
Corner weights? ?
Unsprung weights??
What suspension do you have in the rear?
225lb ridetech coil overs. UMI control arms, Hellwig bar

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/04/15134693390_1fa7c9657a_c-1.jpg

At ride height how long is the coil over? (I want to make sure your desired ride height is wihtin the operating parameters of the coil over. If it is, cool, we can work with that. If it's not, no spring change will fix it.)
I'll check on that next time I make it home
Maybe some pictures would help?
I can't seem to find any on this computer but I'll get some

Our standard front kit uses 8" 650# front springs. Unless you have something abnormal (unique suspension set up due to mixed parts, unusually light motor, etc) a change of only 50# is not enough to make it feel like a go kart.

Provide a little more info and we'll go from there.

Sounds good, I'll get some more pics and etc when I can get home. Thanks for the help

Chuck M

04-22-2016, 02:16 AM

Hello and thank you in advance for any advice..
I'm following along in this thread above as this is a similar situation.
I've just installed the above Level 2 system complete muscle bars etc 2" drop spindles etc.
on a 67 chevelle 300 with 454 ...
My concern is the kit came with 600# springs and after installing as the photos below show
the oil pan is only 1/2 " off the ground... very concerning...
I called ridetech and they are sending over 700# front coil overs.. which they mention should get me the right height.
Anybody else have similar experience that this will work/resolve?
I'm hoping this gives the correct height in front.

Thank you for any feedback.

Chuck M.

126333

126332

Chuck M

04-22-2016, 02:20 AM

dhutton

04-22-2016, 02:38 AM

Is the spring height adjustment nut all the way to the top?

Don

marolf101x

04-22-2016, 04:27 AM

Ummm, yeah. . .600# springs and a 454 (I'm assuming iron block and heads?) don't play well together.
This is why we ask that prior to purchase you:
-utilize our spring rate calculator (http://www.ridetech.com/tech/spring-rate-calculator/) (if you do not know your vehicle weight we have a very large list on our website you can use to get close)
-call and talk to us directly and we can suggest a spring rate that will get you very close if not dead on the first try
-discuss your vehicle with one of our authorized dealers

It's very difficult to guess at spring rates. Take your Chevelle for example, though the geometry is always the same, vehicle weight can fluctuate from 3300# to 4000#. . .most of which is directly over the front springs.

Chuck M

04-22-2016, 04:39 AM

HI Thanks..
no, my mechanic has not raised to top of threads yet....

Chuck M

04-22-2016, 04:43 AM

HI Thank you in advance...

I just received a set of 700# springs from ridetech that will be swapped out today..from the 600..hopefully this gets height in order.
The engine is 454 iron block aluminum heads.

dhutton

04-22-2016, 04:49 AM

HI Thanks..
no, my mechanic has not raised to top of threads yet....

Then it should be done before worrying about ride height. In the pic it looks like it is set at the bottom. The adjustor nut sets ride height in addition to spring rate. Your mechanic should have known this and raised the nut before flagging ride height. Sure the springs are too light but the nut has to be set too...

Don