RideTech Changed the kit for the Gen 2 Camaro's

[zgoo]

I just saw that they completely changed the kit for the Gen 2 Camaro, Now there is a lot less parts, different design, and doesnt come with new steering parts or spindles, uses you old spindles? The kit is only a couple of months old and I'm worried that they cheapen the kit out to keep the costs down or is it an improvment?

[dhutton]

I think under Fox ownership there has been an effort to eliminate low volume and/or low margin products. Maybe that is behind the change.

Maybe Donny or Britt knows.

Don

[dontlifttoshift]

They just introduced their hub spindles so I would be surprised that they wouldn't be an option for the 2nd gens. They fact that they note *stock spindle* on the kits they have listed indicates to me that the hub spindle kit will be available.......but I have no inside information on that.

Using the stock spindle makes it much more appealing for the guy that already has brakes on his car and now wants to upgrade the suspension.

[Josh@Ridetech]

I think under Fox ownership there has been an effort to eliminate low volume and/or low margin products. Maybe that is behind the change.

Maybe Donny or Britt knows.

Don

As always, the goal is to make a solid part with good margins, however it wasn't really the driving force on this one. The main reason for the changes (I'll try to keep it semi-short and hit the main points):

1. Install: We've always done our best to make the install as simple as we could (some cars are harder to do this with) but the unicradle kit wasn't exactly the easiest. We received alot of comments about having to cut into the rear seat pan, modifying the rear seat, etc. Not the typical "bolt-in" thing that we shoot for.
2. Improvements: On the rear, The 1st and 2nd gens both have enough frame rail variances from side to side to create headaches, the adjustable cradle has been a goal for years and we made it happen. The guys did a ton of testing, making sure that we hit every structural point on the rear end (as we all know that the 2nd gen frame rails didn't fair well over the years) making it solid while keeping geometry where we wanted it. Personally love the way the back end of my car feels with the new kit installed, I believe getting rid of the extra weight from the secondary frame rails, brackets, unicradle, etc. made the car feel better to me. Also, we have the ability to fit bolt on subframe connectors onto this setup, with the old kit the only option was a weld on connector. We're also back to welding on the upper tabs on the rear end housing only, the lowers bolt on to the factory leaf brackets. You can still opt for weld on lower brackets if you'd like to though.

On the front, the new control arm design is based off of the stock spindle. Guys don't have to run out and immediately buy a brake kit just because they switched to our setup. If they have a Wilwood or Baer kit they like already on their stock spindle, they're saving money right off the bat. Another option is to run a hub spindle like the stock height CPP C5/C6 spindle, it's cheap and gives an option for a sealed bearing setup. We tested both of these and the bumpsteer numbers were great with both just in case anyone is curious. Also, you'll notice that the ball joint plates are different. The new design strays away from a welded on plate to the actual tubes running down to the balljoint ring. We've been doing more stress testing and continue to revise/revamp previous designs to make them better/stronger. I'm sure that everyone will see subtle changes like this as time goes on.

3. Cost - Not only assembly cost/margins, I'm talking what we sell it for. The other kit was fantastic, don't get me wrong...but it was pricey to build, which means it's going to be more expensive for the end user to buy. We've never been nor will we be the cheapest on the market, however, we don't want to scare guys away with a high price tag either (we know we're not the only suspension company in the world). We did our best to hit all the nails on the head with the new design while trying to reel the price back into where it was more "in reach" for people to purchase.

They just introduced their hub spindles so I would be surprised that they wouldn't be an option for the 2nd gens. They fact that they note *stock spindle* on the kits they have listed indicates to me that the hub spindle kit will be available.......but I have no inside information on that.

Using the stock spindle makes it much more appealing for the guy that already has brakes on his car and now wants to upgrade the suspension.

Good observation, Donny . At the moment, the only spindles we have in the hub version are the 1st gen/A body drop spindle so nothing here just yet but I'm hopeful that something arises for the 2nd gen.

[David Pozzi]

If non-floating calipers are used, I highly recommend using a Corvette type ball bearing spindle. Stock spindles have too much bearing play and flex to work with a four piston or six piston Caliper. You will have low pedal problems.

[srode]

1. Install: We've always done our best to make the install as simple as we could (some cars are harder to do this with) but the unicradle kit wasn't exactly the easiest. We received alot of comments about having to cut into the rear seat pan, modifying the rear seat, etc. Not the typical "bolt-in" thing that we shoot for.
2. Improvements: On the rear, The 1st and 2nd gens both have enough frame rail variances from side to side to create headaches, the adjustable cradle has been a goal for years and we made it happen.

Are you saying there's a new cradle for 1st gens that is adjustable in width?

[Josh@Ridetech]

If non-floating calipers are used, I highly recommend using a Corvette type ball bearing spindle. Stock spindles have too much bearing play and flex to work with a four piston or six piston Caliper. You will have low pedal problems.

Agreed. The brakes in my car feel much better with the C5/C6 style spindles/bearings on it.

Are you saying there's a new cradle for 1st gens that is adjustable in width?

No, 2nd gen only. The 1st gen cars may see that down the road but nothing at this time.