feedback on Speedtech / Ridetech full suspension for factory frame - 2nd gen Camaro

[c4racer2]

And I may run a 10” wheel. Depends if I can get the vintage V45 to fit with those brakes I’ll run those. I have the V40 on now in 17” and I really like the look. But those wheels don’t have the best caliper clearance. We’ll see.
Maybe a .25” spacer.
I can get bs at 5.5, 5.75 or 6” with that wheel.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Ok great. Thanks. I’m looking at the wildwood aero6 kit with the bigger pistons and billet calipers and 1.25” 14” rotors for the RT calipers. $2300.

Sounds good, just let me know if I can help out at all!

[c4racer2]

Ok picking this thread back up!

Update on my car - I decided to leave the front stock type springs and traditional shocks for now. Stayed with stock 2nd gen spindles with DSE upper arms.
StopTech brakes all around ST60 / ST40

Now it’s time to do the rear suspension. I was pretty set on the speedtech TA with RT coilovers. But now I’m looking more at the packaging and don’t thing my x pipe exhaust will fit and seems like could be tight to the 3.5” driveshaft as well.

So taking another look at the ridetech redesigned 2nd gen 4link. I like the R joints much better than Heim joints and the install looks reasonable and seems like a strong design with good geometry.

Given this uses the stock spring pockets does the new frame rail become the limiting factor for tires? I am not doing mini tub but might try to fit a 315 with stock tubs and smashing in the seatbelt bumps. I can fit 295s easily now and almost have clearance for 315s as it is.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Ok picking this thread back up!

Update on my car - I decided to leave the front stock type springs and traditional shocks for now. Stayed with stock 2nd gen spindles with DSE upper arms.
StopTech brakes all around ST60 / ST40

Now it’s time to do the rear suspension. I was pretty set on the speedtech TA with RT coilovers. But now I’m looking more at the packaging and don’t thing my x pipe exhaust will fit and seems like could be tight to the 3.5” driveshaft as well.

So taking another look at the ridetech redesigned 2nd gen 4link. I like the R joints much better than Heim joints and the install looks reasonable and seems like a strong design with good geometry.

Given this uses the stock spring pockets does the new frame rail become the limiting factor for tires? I am not doing mini tub but might try to fit a 315 with stock tubs and smashing in the seatbelt bumps. I can fit 295s easily now and almost have clearance for 315s as it is.

The new four link is definitely a cool piece between the design and the R-joints, it made my car feel alot more solid and everything moves much nicer. The factory tub/frame rails are still your limiting factors. Our rails that we send out with the kit mount inboard of the factory pieces so the only way that you'll gain tire clearance is if you mini-tub it.

[Sleeper68]

Ok picking this thread back up!

Update on my car - I decided to leave the front stock type springs and traditional shocks for now. Stayed with stock 2nd gen spindles with DSE upper arms.
StopTech brakes all around ST60 / ST40

Now it’s time to do the rear suspension. I was pretty set on the speedtech TA with RT coilovers. But now I’m looking more at the packaging and don’t thing my x pipe exhaust will fit and seems like could be tight to the 3.5” driveshaft as well.

So taking another look at the ridetech redesigned 2nd gen 4link. I like the R joints much better than Heim joints and the install looks reasonable and seems like a strong design with good geometry.

Given this uses the stock spring pockets does the new frame rail become the limiting factor for tires? I am not doing mini tub but might try to fit a 315 with stock tubs and smashing in the seatbelt bumps. I can fit 295s easily now and almost have clearance for 315s as it is.

What front springs and dampers did you go with? I too kept the "stock style" springs and dampers on my Camaro, obviously with more spring rate and damping.

Also did you replace the lower control arms? Factory Camaro control arms (especially the lowers) are very prone to cracking. The lower arm is under much more load than the upper and it is imperative that they be replaced if you plan on doing any type of racing.

Regarding your rear suspension, I recommend you call Mark Savitske at Savitske Classic & Custom (SC&C). I'll include his info below. He is very knowledgeable and can help you build a system that works well. Many of his kits include parts from different manufacturers and are built to work together. He performs a ton of testing including thousands of street miles on every component he sells. He is also very willing to help troubleshoot. I've had many 1.5+ hour conversations with him.

You may want to consider staying with leaf springs as well. It is possible to get them to perform better than most think. This may be especially of interest to you because it is like SCCA SOLO CAM-T will be split into an unlimited and limited section coming up very soon. Being an experienced SCCA competitor, I'm sure you're aware of the Clubs' trend from open to tight controlling rules. I've heard the limited class will allow geometry, spring, damper, etc changes but will require the vehicle retain its stock suspension topology; for example, the vehicle must keep an SLA front and leaf spring rear suspension if it was originally equipped with one from the factory.

I find it very interesting that you did the Camaro Mustang Challenge Series. How was that? I am looking to get into more NASA/SCCA open road course racing, likely in the Time Trials series. Virtually all of my driving experience is with autocross so I'm always eager to learn from those who have been in road racing heavily.

Best Regards,

Ryan


Mark Savitske
Savitske Classic and Custom
610.381.6100
http://scandc.com/

[c4racer2]

What front springs and dampers did you go with? I too kept the "stock style" springs and dampers on my Camaro, obviously with more spring rate and damping.

Also did you replace the lower control arms? Factory Camaro control arms (especially the lowers) are very prone to cracking. The lower arm is under much more load than the upper and it is imperative that they be replaced if you plan on doing any type of racing.

Regarding your rear suspension, I recommend you call Mark Savitske at Savitske Classic & Custom (SC&C). I'll include his info below. He is very knowledgeable and can help you build a system that works well. Many of his kits include parts from different manufacturers and are built to work together. He performs a ton of testing including thousands of street miles on every component he sells. He is also very willing to help troubleshoot. I've had many 1.5+ hour conversations with him.

You may want to consider staying with leaf springs as well. It is possible to get them to perform better than most think. This may be especially of interest to you because it is like SCCA SOLO CAM-T will be split into an unlimited and limited section coming up very soon. Being an experienced SCCA competitor, I'm sure you're aware of the Clubs' trend from open to tight controlling rules. I've heard the limited class will allow geometry, spring, damper, etc changes but will require the vehicle retain its stock suspension topology; for example, the vehicle must keep an SLA front and leaf spring rear suspension if it was originally equipped with one from the factory.

I find it very interesting that you did the Camaro Mustang Challenge Series. How was that? I am looking to get into more NASA/SCCA open road course racing, likely in the Time Trials series. Virtually all of my driving experience is with autocross so I'm always eager to learn from those who have been in road racing heavily.

Best Regards,

Ryan


Mark Savitske
Savitske Classic and Custom
610.381.6100
http://scandc.com/

Well - I'm not sure I would really go back to trying to run competitively at an autox series. It would be just for kicks now, so I don't care so much about classes.

NASA was a good group to run with out here in CA anyway. Really fun series - but that was 10 years ago, so who knows if that's still true. The idea is a good one - evenly matched cars that are more momentum cars but still make V8 noises. Really taught me how to drive fast being with faster drivers in similar cars. Good experience - but like anything you get too deep into - ends up being a pretty significant time and $$ sink.

Front end is Hotchis springs, sway bar, DSE UCA and stock lower with new bushings and U-joints.