Ridetech Coilover Ride Height Adjustment

[Smoker03]

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.

[Bryce]

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]

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

[marolf101x]

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]

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]

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.

[Smoker03]

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]

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]

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

[Rod]

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

[Smoker03]

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

[Rod]

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

you'll like the 700s

[Smoker03]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Smoker03]

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]

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]

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]

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