Some C2-C3 Corvette stuff

[Rod]

well one of the really cool projects here has been for the corvette guys is our new coil over system!!!! Hope you guys like the sneak peek at the newest stuff in the pipeline!!

first we looked at front end geometry and built new arms to increase castor added castor slugs for adjustments, new lower arms to get the coilover angle right and relocate the lower balljoint to center the wheel, then added tall spindles for better camber curve, and fixed the bump steer with some awesome billet steering arms, so now you can get bigger wheels on the stock setup

heres most of the current systems parts


close up of the steering arms


the system assembled


installed on our shop car



heres is were we had the most fun!! a redesign of the rear arms! offset for wider wheels, a more ridged ladder structure design and direct fitment of the coilover, new third member cross mount with integrated upper shock mount for with correct shock angle, and adjustable radius rods and new lower mount!

offset trailing arms


upper mount


upper mount installed


complete rear system!!

[rayy]

Man I have 72 looks great!! What company is this?

[Rod]

Man I have 72 looks great!! What company is this?

we are ridetech..I will have the system at Nashville goodguys this weekend for everyone to touch and see, its already on our web site as of today

[srh3trinity]

Cool. I want to do a c3. How much tire can you fit?

[Rod]

we just picked up a shop C3 a little red 4 speed car, we will see how wide we can go without changing any outer wheelwells

[pmazza]

we are ridetech..I will have the system at Nashville goodguys this weekend for everyone to touch and see, its already on our web site as of today

I am very interested in the front setup for my 72. Will the Tru turn linkage parts work with the Delphi 600 box conversions out there (e.g. Borgeson) or do you have to retain the stock C3 box and ram setup? Any idea what lead time is for production right now?

Also, I have converted to a Guldstrand 5 bar rear setup years ago, but could really use that upper diff mount for coilovers. Are there plans to offer that part separately?

Thanks.

Phil

[Roy69RS]

Since Jake has a firm grip on my Camaro I picked up a C2 for me. Nice starter car but will need suspension upgrade. Glad to see more companies coming out with upgrade kits. Looks good Rod and look forward to seeing it in person. Any chance you will have a kit out at USCA Fontana event or will you be there?

[rayy]

Man that is great!! I have a 72 that's going through a LS swap right now. The suspension is next. I had talk to Bret a whole back about C3 stuff he never even hinted y'all were working on it! I have herd that DSE is also working on C3 stuff. Can't wait to see it!! No pricing yet??

[Yelcamino]

Man that is great!! I have a 72 that's going through a LS swap right now. The suspension is next. I had talk to Bret a whole back about C3 stuff he never even hinted y'all were working on it! I have herd that DSE is also working on C3 stuff. Can't wait to see it!! No pricing yet??

All the pricing and what's included is one click away... ridetech Corvette

[rayy]

Man you must let us know what your max tire and wheel sizes you end up with the true turn system!!

[vette427-sbc]

285's in the rear and even that is very tight... With 18x9.5's in the front you can run 285's also and still have room to play. The limiting factor was if you had a 17" rim that was wider than ~9" it would hit on the steering arm.
What is the piece that looks like its bolted to the drag link? Bump steer correction? Cool to see the C2/3 vettes getting attention!

[Rod]

285's in the rear and even that is very tight... With 18x9.5's in the front you can run 285's also and still have room to play. The limiting factor was if you had a 17" rim that was wider than ~9" it would hit on the steering arm.
What is the piece that looks like its bolted to the drag link? Bump steer correction? Cool to see the C2/3 vettes getting attention!

yes that is for bump steer correction...and we shortened the steering arms and turned them inward so you can get more tire on there also

[rayy]

Well any update on max tire and wheel width on the front after the true turn install??

[k7king]

Complete install pics at my photobucket site. Swaybars coming soon.
Thanks ridetech

http://s295.photobucket.com/user/k7k...?sort=3&page=1

[rayy]

Great pics!!! Keep us posted on progress. Install pretty easy?

[Bad Bird]

This is all very cool!

Two things:

1) Does the new rear crossmember raise the differential for improved toe control?

2) Can the front steering arms accommodate more conventional balljoints?

Cheers,
Matt

[Rod]

Complete install pics at my photobucket site. Swaybars coming soon.
Thanks ridetech

http://s295.photobucket.com/user/k7k...?sort=3&page=1

great assembly pictures

[Bad Bird]

This is all very cool!

Two things:

1) Does the new rear crossmember raise the differential for improved toe control?

2) Can the front steering arms accommodate more conventional balljoints?

Cheers,
Matt

Wow, I must have not been thinking when I asked question number 2. I meant tie-rod ends.

[marolf101x]

1) Does the new rear crossmember raise the differential for improved toe control?
As per the "Vette Improvement Program" articles written around 1985 and the "Chevrolet Power" book written in 1984 the desired changes at that time were to raise the rear differential and lower the strut rod mounts at the diff.
When we designed this kit we had the luxury of 30-odd years of others playing with this suspension, so our first item of business was to read as much as we could.
Though we used the VIP and the Power Manual as a starting point we further altered a few things to get the most out of the geometry.
We did raise the diff slightly (though raising it too much becomes an issue on the early cars as the rear u-joints want to hit the body), and lower the strut rods.

Basically what you are trying to do is get the axles and strut rods in the right place to achieve the desired toe and camber gain changes and roll center at the desired ride height.
So, to answer and further elaborate on your question, yes we did change things to achieve the desired toe, camber and roll center. We also use heims on the strut rods which allows us to eliminate the eccentric bolt and still change static camber with all parts on the car.

2) Can the front steering arms accommodate more conventional balljoints?
The steering arms have a taper machined into them (just like the OE units). We use a tapered adapter to mount the heim end. However, you need to be careful, if you move the location much it will have a dramatic effect on the steering geometry; and it may cause interference with the rim.
Why would you want to change it?

[Bad Bird]

Thanks for the reply!

We did raise the diff slightly (though raising it too much becomes an issue on the early cars as the rear u-joints want to hit the body), and lower the strut rods.

Basically what you are trying to do is get the axles and strut rods in the right place to achieve the desired toe and camber gain changes and roll center at the desired ride height.

Excellent! That's what I wanted to hear. Do you know by how much the diff was raised? This is the first time I've seen an aftermarket manufacturer offer a raised-diff crossmember, and I think that it's awesome that you guys have done this.

2) Can the front steering arms accommodate more conventional balljoints?
The steering arms have a taper machined into them (just like the OE units). We use a tapered adapter to mount the heim end. However, you need to be careful, if you move the location much it will have a dramatic effect on the steering geometry; and it may cause interference with the rim.
Why would you want to change it?

Purely due to the fact that in Australia heim joints as tie rod ends are illegal.

Regards,
Matt