Speedtech vs. Roadster shop chassis

[Lyndon1987]

Hey guys first ever post on any forum also my first pro touring build. I am looking for feedback for 2 chassis I have narrowed it down to. First off a little about my car. 1965 Chevelle 1000hp tt ls powerplant, tranzilla t-56. This will be mainly street driven with few weekends out of the year at the drag strip. Prices are very similar on speedtech's extreme chassis as well as roadster shops fast track chassis. I know speedtech hasnt released a version of this chassis for 64-67 chevelles yet but they have for the 69-72 and will be very soon. I am looking for real customer reviews for both chassis as well as opinions on quality and customer service from both companies. I hope I posted this in the correct section as im very green in regards to forums. Thanks for any and all info!

[raustinss]

solid axle from both companies ? , I'm going to say this is a chevy vs ford or nike vs addias kind of a thing

[dhutton]

I think the Sweet rack alone is reason enough to go with Speedtech.

Don

[csouth]

Speedtech seems like more bang for the buck.

[Lyndon1987]

Ya both solid rear axle

[andrewb70]

If you're truly going to use the car the way you describe, there is no reason not to go with simple bolt ons in a stock frame.

You're also going to break a T56 at that power level if the car hooks up.

Andrew

[Lyndon1987]

Tranzilla rated 1200hp 1000tq. Lets keep the responses related to the questions asked. Thanks for the input.

[andrewb70]

Tranzilla rated 1200hp 1000tq. Lets keep the responses related to the questions asked. Thanks for the input.

Yes, SIR...

Carry on...

Andrew

[Mean 69]

Are you planning on a cage, and what kind of tires are you planning on running in the rear? Feels like it will be more of a show car than a competitive drag car?

[Lyndon1987]

Yes more of a show car. It will have a cage. 8.50

[Lyndon1987]

On street bfg gforce. At track some drag radials

[cpd004]

I have the Extreme chassis in my 71 Firebird. It's not on the road yet. I'm somewhat local to the Roadster Shop. I've met a couple of those guys years ago when they came by to buy some stuff years ago from me. They were a relatively new company but were already well known. IIRC, the oldest guy working their was in his early 30's. They were absolutely great guys to talk to and even helped me out on something a little while down the road.

I do have more experience with Speedtech for obvious reasons. The Extreme chassis I have is outstanding looking. I went through Ron Sutton, but have had to call Speedtech a few times to get some clarity on assembly. I mostly ended up on the phone with Jay, who is definitely an asset to them. I have also talked to Roger. Blake, the owner even answered the phone one time. All great guys to talk to and thoroughly helpful and knowledgeable on their product. The shipping took twice as long as originally quoted and I was missing some parts to the coilovers. The missing parts were apparently Ridetech's fault, but it took a bit longer to resolve than I thought it should've. The shocks did come directly from Ridetech, but they wouldn't take my word for it that the parts were missing. It took an email to Ron, calls to Speedtech and Ridetech for about 1 week to get the missing parts.

Even with this hiccup, which wasn't really a serious one, I'd highly recommend their customer service without hesitation.

[Mean 69]

If you want to really plant the tires, I'd demand an adjustable rear suspension system - specifically the ability to alter the location of the instant center (which defines the anti-squat). If you have 1k HP, then this is a serious car. Is the motivation for a full frame swap aimed at aesthetics, or ability to use rack and pinion? Most of the stuff you will see on the market is aimed towards aesthetics (i.e. Roadster Shop), or corner carving (i.e. Speedtech). I have a 65 El Camino personally, and looking at what is out there for a rocket propelled street-drag car, came to the conclusion that re-engineering the rear of my own car, using the factory frame, is by far the way to go. I have a "fair" amount of experience with rear suspension systems, I don't see anything out there that fits my own needs. I too will be doing an 8.50 cage, small tire drag radials and shooting at minimum for 10.0's prior to power adder. 65's don't have enough room in rear fender wells for that tire, so narrowing the frame and doing a small tub job is required.

Would love to see more of your project!
Mark

[Lyndon1987]

Performance is #1 with looks a close second. Days at the track are just going to be for fun. This is my dream car. My dad had 1 and brought me home from the hospital in it. His obviously wasnt the monster this will be. The thing that worries me about speedtechs chassis is they havent had it on market for my car yet and i dont want to get it and be on the phone constantly with them figuring out problems that arise. Where as roadster shop has this chassis in numerous cars already so any adjustments on fit and finish should be figured out by now i would assume lol. I shouldnt assume but in this case i will. I will make a thread as car enters the body shop in the next few months. But for now i can post some pictures of engine build. Il also post a cpl pictures of my pro street nova just for fun lol.

[Lyndon1987]

Having problem posting pictures.

[killer69]

Performance is #1 with looks a close second. Days at the track are just going to be for fun. This is my dream car. My dad had 1 and brought me home from the hospital in it. His obviously wasnt the monster this will be. The thing that worries me about speedtechs chassis is they havent had it on market for my car yet and i dont want to get it and be on the phone constantly with them figuring out problems that arise. Where as roadster shop has this chassis in numerous cars already so any adjustments on fit and finish should be figured out by now i would assume lol. I shouldnt assume but in this case i will. I will make a thread as car enters the body shop in the next few months. But for now i can post some pictures of engine build. Il also post a cpl pictures of my pro street nova just for fun lol.

All valid, keep this in mind, because ALL the Extreme chassis use the same parts and geometry they are all essentially the same. they just bolt into different cars. so the C10 chassis that was in my truck for 3 years runs the same parts as the 64-67 A body chassis that is almost finished. so there really is no surprises.

[killer69]

If you want to really plant the tires, I'd demand an adjustable rear suspension system - specifically the ability to alter the location of the instant center (which defines the anti-squat). If you have 1k HP, then this is a serious car. Is the motivation for a full frame swap aimed at aesthetics, or ability to use rack and pinion? Most of the stuff you will see on the market is aimed towards aesthetics (i.e. Roadster Shop), or corner carving (i.e. Speedtech). I have a 65 El Camino personally, and looking at what is out there for a rocket propelled street-drag car, came to the conclusion that re-engineering the rear of my own car, using the factory frame, is by far the way to go. I have a "fair" amount of experience with rear suspension systems, I don't see anything out there that fits my own needs. I too will be doing an 8.50 cage, small tire drag radials and shooting at minimum for 10.0's prior to power adder. 65's don't have enough room in rear fender wells for that tire, so narrowing the frame and doing a small tub job is required.

Would love to see more of your project!
Mark

Couldn't agree more, but a small tire drag Radial car it not what we build. (we CAN) but that is not the intention of the chassis. they are Protouring/ autoX/ roadrace capable chassis.
There is really only 1 rear suspension to run in your case, a $link Drag race rear suspension. (period)

[lxg44]

Have you considered the Schwartz Performance G-Machine chassis? They offer a chassis for the 65 Chevelle.

http://www.schwartzperformance.com/1964-1967-a-body-chassis/

I've got a few hundred miles on mine and am very happy with it so far.

[Mean 69]

"Couldn't agree more, but a small tire drag Radial car it not what we build. (we CAN) but that is not the intention of the chassis. they are Protouring/ autoX/ roadrace capable chassis.
There is really only 1 rear suspension to run in your case, a $link Drag race rear suspension. (period)"

Thanks for being honest, and I am fully aware of the intent of your setup. In regards to the 4 Link as the only choice, I respectfully disagree, an adjustable 3-Link, with offset upper link to compensate for driveline torque, can and does work.

Cheers!
M

[killer69]

"Couldn't agree more, but a small tire drag Radial car it not what we build. (we CAN) but that is not the intention of the chassis. they are Protouring/ autoX/ roadrace capable chassis.
There is really only 1 rear suspension to run in your case, a $link Drag race rear suspension. (period)"

Thanks for being honest, and I am fully aware of the intent of your setup. In regards to the 4 Link as the only choice, I respectfully disagree, an adjustable 3-Link, with offset upper link to compensate for driveline torque, can and does work.

Cheers!
M

I suppose, The down side that I see to a 3 link would be that you loose 50% of the upper arms so strength "COULD" be an issue with a high HP car. as well there would be no way to add or remove pre load, which in a DRAG ONLY car is very helpful in tuning.
also keep in mind that the 3 and 4 gen Stock eliminator cars with a Torque arm do work really well but they only have maybe 300 hp

[1965_SS]

All valid, keep this in mind, because ALL the Extreme chassis use the same parts and geometry they are all essentially the same. they just bolt into different cars. so the C10 chassis that was in my truck for 3 years runs the same parts as the 64-67 A body chassis that is almost finished. so there really is no surprises.

I've been waiting to hear something...............

[killer69]

I've been waiting to hear something...............

should have the first one here from the laser cutter next wed to assemble and test fit.

[ProBandit]

Speedtech, hands down.

[jeff-san]

wondering if there are any new thoughts since the 2017 feedback? I'm hoping to build a 66/67 Chevelle/Malibu or a 69 Camaro. LT4 T56 for a drivetrain, mostly a street car, canyon carver with the occasional straight line rips....550-600 RWHP is my goal

thank you for any feedback from the group

[1daychevelle]

I'm in the same boat trying to decide between RS and Speedtech. Roadster Shop Spec is straight forward, Fasttrack is no slouch and beautifully tig welded although it seems like Speedtech is all business, both companies great quality though. I spoke to a guy at the Pleasanton Goodguys car show earlier this year before he went out to compete in the Auto Cross. His car is a 65 Chevelle with a Speedtech frame with 315's all around........yes 315's on the front also!!!!!!. Looked incredible to say the least. He expressed nothing but great things about the ride, performance and quality whether on the street or Auto Cross track. He also spoke highly of Speedtechs customer service. One thing that stuck out in our conversation was that his brother in-law also has a 65 chevelle with all the bolt on suspension front and rear, possibly Speedtech (All the big "bolt on" big names perform the same in my opinion). Although the brother in-laws car drives and handles way better than factory, he said, his 65 with the Speedtech frame is night and day noticeably better. I watched him race the Autocross and it gave me goosbumps seeing how well the car performed. I believe he was placed in the top three fastest time. Typing this out almost answers the question for myself on which direction to go, take it for what it's worth.