WildBlue goes RideTech

[GeoffP]

I should've kept my mouth shut - worst Monday at work in a LONG time and it looks like it's wrapping over into tomorrow. Needless to say I didn't call Alston today. I'm not even going to make a prediction about how tomorrow's going to be...



TTFN!

[makoshark]

If I get a chance, I'll try and call them tomorrow. I've been pretty busy too

[GeoffP]

Yah no luck today but tomorrow should be better from 9:00-12:00 due to a board meeting. I won't have anyone asking me for anything during that time so maybe I'll be able to call then.

[GeoffP]

Oh I forgot to mention my new radiator came yesterday. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet!

[GeoffP]

Had time to work on the stance some more tonight. I moved the rear coil overs to the highest mount and got the rear sitting high enough now that I'm comfortable that I won't tear up my new tires. The front took some serious wrenching with the spanner to get it to raise up enough to get clearance finally. I bet it ends up being a little stiff. I might need to call ridetech to see if they thing I should replace the front springs to prevent coil bind. I'd love to leave it low but it just isn't practical for driving on the street. I got enough of a gap between the tire and wheel well to fit my hand all the way around so I think it's good (for now).

[GeoffP]

Oh I also went to put my new radiator in only to find out I ordered a dual passenger side rad and my original is a cross flow so I've gotta buy new rad hoses and figure out something else for my power steering cooler because it won't work with a dual pass radiator. Oh well - it'll cool better with the new one so it's worth it! (RIGHT???)

[GeoffP]

Anybody call Alston's about the welding fixture? I'm going to call next week and if Alston tells me it'll work I'm going to go ahead and order one on payday. I need to get this thing done so I can move on to replacing the motor in my truck.

[makoshark]

I didn't call them this week. I've been busy all week except today. I forgot to call today:p

[GeoffP]

Gotta love hot rodding! I spent the day trying to get the new Griffin radiator I bought installed and ran into a snag trying to find an upper hose that'll work. Thankfully it appears Street & Performance favors Griffin and they listed a Goodyear 61331 as a good candidate for the upper hose. Hopefully I can work it around where my air intake will still fit. I also have to fab some brackets for my fan shroud - I'm no fabricator so it'll be a challenge but I think I have an idea that'll work. I might have some pictures tomorrow after I've got it back together.

[GeoffP]

No work today - decided to enjoy a nice quiet Easter Sunday relaxing with my family. It was a nice relaxing afternoon!

[GeoffP]

I found a hose that works on the upper. It had been discontinued so I have no clue what it fits other than my car after a bit of minor surgery (cutting). Now I just have to figure out how to mount the fans. I still don't have a good solution other than to buy some universal mounting brackets from Griffin.

[makoshark]

Good news! Almost done...Now just one of us just needs time to call Alston. I won't have any time this week, but will next week

[GeoffP]

Yah I'm getting there. I made an upper bracket for my fan housing tonight. Just waiting on paint to dry to install it. I kinda surprised myself. It actually looks decent. I hope to drive it to work tomorrow if it doesn't look like rain.

[Quickboat]

Pictures please....hose mod too.

[GeoffP]

Hey Jim I'll try to post some tomorrow night. I've got the crud (some kind of virus according to the doc) so I'm sitting in cold sweats/chill land right now. I didn't drive the car today because of getting very little sleep last night. I didn't want to take a chance at doing something stupid because I was tired and not feeling all that great. It's supposed to rain here tomorrow so I probably won't drive it before Saturday.

I have a question for you guys with ridetech's setup - why isn't the adjustable bump stop on the front side of the a-arm??? I had to use some 3/4" heater hose to make some bump stops to keep the tires/wheels from hitting the front sway bar. Thankfully I caught it before it did more than rub some paint off the sway bar bracket.

[Quickboat]

Good golly I know a bunch of people that have the "crud". I hope I stay away from it since I'm flyin to Hawaii in a week. Hate to be sick there!
Take your time, get well!

[boostin05blacksti]

Love the thread Geoff. Im very intrested to see some pictures of this------> I have a question for you guys with ridetech's setup - why isn't the adjustable bump stop on the front side of the a-arm??? I had to use some 3/4" heater hose to make some bump stops to keep the tires/wheels from hitting the front sway bar. Thankfully I caught it before it did more than rub some paint off the sway bar bracket.

The A arm are you referring to the control arms? Upper or lower? I know with my set up I had to drill and tap the lower control arms to stop the wheels from turning into the muscle bar. I have stock lower control arms atm but have the ridetechs waiting. When I get the ridetechs on they are tubular so drilling and taping may not work. Im curious so see what your talking about and your set-up.

[GeoffP]

I just checked to see if there were any pictures of the 48 Hour Camaro's suspension that shows the bump stop. The only thing I noticed in their pics is that they didn't use the threaded hole for the bump stop on their arms. I suspect their 18x10 wheels are nearly the exact same offset as my 18x9.5's and the difference is in the hub/rotor combination. My brake setup uses a rotor that bolts to the back side of the hub (Wilwood 12.19) vs. Baer's hat over hub design. The hat over hub adds anywhere from about a 1/4" to 3/8" if I remember correctly. This difference is probably why they did not have to use anything to limit steering travel more than the TruTurn already does with the built in limits. I'll try to get some pictures in a few minutes - definitely not working sick with it so cool and wet outside!

[GeoffP]

@ Jim - I'm jealous!!! I've never been to Hawaii and have always wanted to go.

[GeoffP]

Here're the pictures as promised. Pay no attention to the little specs everywhere...that's just pine tree pollen. We're having the worst pollen season ever this year...everything's covered in green powder.





More in a minute - I just realized I didn't take pics of the radiator install.