Shockwave Air Ride question

[crazyfireman]

I just bought a pair of the shockwave air ride for the front of my Camaro, but dont have the money for the compressor and tank, does anyone know how I can install these and fill them to a certain heighth and be able to drive my car??

[4birdman]

Air Ride can hook you up with a manual fill valve, give them a shout.

[hotrdblder]

don't do it, while most hold air good if you get any type of slow leak your all done, with no compressor it would suck. wait till you can buy the compressor

[crazyfireman]

I found a compressor system for 380.00 shipped with small tank and compressor and valves I am buying for now..

[MonzaRacer]

OK 2 paddle switches w dual needle guage CON2000-W $185
Arc5001 327 compressor $179.00
5 gallon multiport tank $75.00
Arl2000 30ft 1/4 in line $24.00
Total $463
or switch to a 1 gallon tank $433
compressor and tank still work either way and its from ART and not generic junk, had to replumb a car that had aRT system but "other brand" conpressor/tank setup and the compressor didnt last 2 months.
good Luck

[crazyfireman]

Thanks, what about dump valves? and the tee fittings? I want to make sure I have everything I need...

[ScotI]

Thanks, what about dump valves? and the tee fittings? I want to make sure I have everything I need...
The CON2000 is manual switch gauge pkg. The switch goes up for fill; down for dump. It dumps the air right @ the switch. From what I remember, you can either live w/the smell of the purged air or discreetly route some 'purge' lines to the vehicles exterior.

[marolf101x]

Can I run without a compressor system?
Yes you can. We sell an air inflation kit that consists of 1/4-inch airline and Schrader valve (http://ridetech.com/productinfo/components.asp Part# AIRKIT-90). This allows you to manually inflate the bags to ride height and drive the vehicle.
Once you install everything and check the system for leaks with soapy water you should have no trouble with a bag leaking down.
This is a nice way to get the car running while you save up for a compressor system.

General Compressor System Knowledge:
1-We suggest one Thomas 327 compressor per 3 gallons of air storage. So if you run a 5 gallon tank, I'd run two Thomas compressors. The advantage to two is it will fill the tank a lot faster then a single compressor. This shortens the run time and the compressors don't have to work as hard, thereby extending compressor life.
2-The CON2000-W (2 paddle switches w dual needle gauge CON2000-W) is a good entry level way of inflating/deflating two air springs. I strongly suggest against running a 2-way system (front two bags tied to a single inflate/deflate switch and the rear bags tied to a single inflate/deflate switch). Think about it, when you enter a turn the bag under compression needs air to keep the spring rate, if the front bags are connected the air is pushed from the bag that needs it most, to the inside bag which really doesn't need air. The car will roll a lot more than if the two bags are controlled separately.

Just some general info I thought I'd share.
-Britt-

[MonzaRacer]

Like Britt said too.
But as for the paddle switches having any odor from the system air being purged I doubt it.
I drive my truck everyday to work and have done so for over 3 yrs and still get no odors at all not even rubber smell even.
hey britt the reason I recommended the Conn2000-W was because he said he only had front shockwaves.
For the record though the set up I am using is a 3 paddle switch set up.
and I use the single in the back of my truck.Not ideal but its what I could afford, now I used 3 single guages for my setup.
But figure it this way if hes gonna buy 2 327s why not use a Viair 400?
Lee

[streetrod77]

Okay, if you have 2 switches for just the front 2 bags, will they keep the same air pressure in hard cornering as going in a straight line?

[MonzaRacer]

Ok if you load the bags the pressure does go up as you increase the weight on the outside spring and will go down on the inside of the turn, its called weight transfer,but its the volume that holds you up.
The reason for seperate lines is so that you can actually level the car and stop transfer.
Besides one of the reasons Air Ride works so well is because the air spring will increase in rate expotentially as the weight transfer increases.
Now on my 78 C10 I have 3 paddle switches and with the front leveled the back sort of "follows" suit. As for the front I have to run about 10 to 15 lbs more in the right front over the left and I run my rears at around 110-115.
If the lines are tied together then as you load the outside of the turn the air will go to the other side. This is why the LevelPro a RidePro and BigRed valves are setup basicly for 4 valve(actually 4 in 4 out) blocks, You can use singles but it makes a less optimum handling set up.
I dont try to track my truck, yet and intend to later on install valves and solenoids.
I actually used an A6 AC compressor and my 5 gallon tank for 2 1/2 yrs before the clutch wore out,,,I now have a custom(ie I threw it together to get my truck rolling again)bracket and a York compressor for air.
If you dont use AC on your car and you can source brackets you can run that,,,I also have an airline and shut off valve so I can air up tires and such.
Besides single lines were used on airshocks for years by smart people.
I did it several times long before getting air springs.

[streetrod77]

Now my brain is starting to understand this. When I look in cars with air suspensions, I mostly see 1 gauge and 2 switches. I guess they are not for performance.

[MonzaRacer]

Now my brain is starting to understand this. When I look in cars with air suspensions, I mostly see 1 gauge and 2 switches. I guess they are not for performance.

NOPE.
They will transfer air and cause lean and you loose the spring rate advantage.