RideTech 33 Ford

[bret]

I've not said a lot about this project yet becasue I wanted to get it further along first. I'll get some pictures up later this weekend but here is a link to what we have right now:
http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/?p=15...340&pageid=154

Some specs:

The started out as a standard Factory 5 33 Ford street rod kit. We changed some things.

Engine - 427 cu in small block Ford with a Dart aluminum block and Brodix Neal heads built by Sunset Racecraft in Lubbock, Tx. MSD ignition, Holley Dominator EFI, custom stainless headers, Earls oil cooler, Mezeire electric water pump Approx. 630 hp and 600lb/ft torque
Trans - Rankin magnesium case clutchless 4 speed from the old Jasper Engines NASCAR program
Clutch - Tilton 5.5" triple disc carbon fiber, Magesium bellhousing, 8 lb steel flywheel
Rearend - Winters quickchange
Brakes - Baer 13" rotors with 6p calipers
Wheels - Speedlines 18x13 and 18x11
Tires - BFG KDW 295-35/18 and 335-30/18
Rear suspension - custom wishbone with TA series shocks. We will trade off between Hypercoil coilsprings, ShockWave airsprings, and some new Carbon fiber springs we've been playing with
Front suspension - inboard rocker arm with custom built control arms and the original Factory 5 attachemnt points, and the same shock combo as the rear
Custom stainless rollcage
custom built stainless exhaust with oval tubing and some special stainless mufflers that Flowmaster built for us. It should scare large children.
FuelSafe fuel cell
FuelSafe fire suppression system
custom built tinwork throughout...about 400 hours worth. All panels are double wall with some zoomy ceramic hi temp insulating blankets between the layers
ididit shorty tilt steering column
Unisteer electric power steering unit
Optima battery
Kirkey road race seats



We should fire the car the week of April 10. If nothing implodes we should be testing the following week. The car should make its track debut at the 1st annual Battle at the Banks autocross at Salem Speedway on May 5. http://calekernhotrods.com/batb/register.php

After that we'll start hitting the Goodguys autocrosses and the track days.

I hope it's fast.

[Blake Foster]

lol we did one a couple years back with a STOCK 4.6 SC motor and 6 speed. so what 405 hp I think.....
you now officially have 300 to much HP.
your kahonies will not allow you the full use of 600 hp!!!

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff425/killer72nova/DSC_2956.jpg

but it sure will be fun burning rubber!!!!

Have fun rebuilding the Grill!!!! i think we had 30 hours fixing it. thing is all twisted and 3/4 taller on one side.

[george@ridetech]

Here are some earlier pictures of the ford. The rest are up on a build blog at: http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/ More pictures on the way as the build progresses.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/1.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/3.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/7.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/8.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/9.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/11.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/13.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/14.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/16.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/21.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/22.jpg

[bret]

lol we did one a couple years back with a STOCK 4.6 SC motor and 6 speed. so what 405 hp I think.....
you now officially have 300 to much HP.
your kahonies will not allow you the full use of 600 hp!!!

http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff425/killer72nova/DSC_2956.jpg

but it sure will be fun burning rubber!!!!

Have fun rebuilding the Grill!!!! i think we had 30 hours fixing it. thing is all twisted and 3/4 taller on one side.

You are completely correct about full use of the 630 hp.

Our grille was not quite that bad, but certainly not great.

[Blake Foster]

looks like it is going to be a wicked fun car to drive.

[Sieg]

looks like it is going to be a wicked fun car to drive.
That may be the understatement of the year and it's only April. :thumbsup:

Bret - What do you estimate the curb weight will be?

Front suspension is cool!

[56pickup]

looking good bret! My uncle is also building one with the new coyote 5.0. he also had problems with the grill and they went back and forth 3 times till they got one right. looking forward to seeing it :thumbsup:

[strtcar]

Looks great I so want to build one of those.

[carbuff]

I've been following your pictures on FB, I'm glad you posted up the specs here. I can't wait to see it finished!!! I REALLY want one of these, and it may be my next project if I ever get TOW on the road... :)

Enjoy!

[coolwelder62]

I have seen this car in person,WOW!! Way Cool.Ican't wait to see this thing run around a track.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[bret]

That may be the understatement of the year and it's only April. :thumbsup:

Bret - What do you estimate the curb weight will be?

Front suspension is cool!

The aluminum block, magnesium trans and bell housing, carbon clutch and aluminum rearend will save weight. The cage and fire system will add weight. Should be right at 2000 w/o driver.

[BBC71Nova]

Cool build. Really like the FFR '33. If I ever build another FFR that's what it'll be I think.

[Streetwerkz]

Looks like you guys are off to a great start!

Control arms are cool... Subscribed!

[Sieg]

The aluminum block, magnesium trans and bell housing, carbon clutch and aluminum rearend will save weight. The cage and fire system will add weight. Should be right at 2000 w/o driver.
2K with that motor and brake package is a good number! Hp to wgt ratio aside, the styling is exceptional. :thumbsup:

[george@ridetech]

Some pictures from Friday/Monday. Interior paneling and valve covers were recently painted flat black

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/2.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/3.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/4.JPG

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http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/11.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/12.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/13.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/14.JPG

[Sieg]

Great A$$!
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/1.JPG
:thumbsup:

[Doug Harden]

Fell in love with this car earlier this year when I dropped off the '69..:hail:

[george@ridetech]

Front and read windshields are in. Still hammering away at the interior.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/3/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/3/2.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/3/3.JPG

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http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/3/5.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/3/6.JPG

[MarkM66]

Great A$$!
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/2/1.JPG
:thumbsup:


http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x53/cosmicpuppet/Al_Pacino_Heat_Great_Ass.jpg

:lol:

[wellis77]

This is turning out great Bret! Can't wait to see it burning up the AutoX.

[george@ridetech]

Below are some more pictures from the past few days. We're starting to incorporate a Ford V8 Ridetech logo all over the car.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/2.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/3.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/4.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/5.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/6.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/7.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/8.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/9.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/10.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/4/11.JPG

[bret]

Our prototype machinist John Hochegsang came up with a really cool logo that incorporated the ridetech icon with the old time Ford V8 logo. We will be sprinkling it around the 33 Ford. Here is a video on the logo being created on the battery compartment cover...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gfw4wROgXg

We're getting close...brakelines are being built now, the rearend has been installed for the final time...the painted interior will go in tomorrow...wiring this weekend...

Debut at the Battle at the Banks autocross on May 5 in Salem Speedway. Bring a video camera. http://calekernhotrods.com/batb/register.php

[ironworks]

Cool Logo.


You should place it on the car 33 times.... HAHA yeah that's it.

[bret]

Cool Logo.


You should place it on the car 33 times.... HAHA yeah that's it.

I should...brand whore that I am:)

[Sieg]

Bret this car is awesome! Best of luck with the debut. :thumbsup:

[waynieZ]

It looks sweet Bret, I like the logo nice touch.

[coolwelder62]

I LOVE IT.!!!! Way Cool.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[garickman]

Love your marketing style, logo looks great!

[george@ridetech]

Interior is being put back in today. Wiring is the now the focus, the engine should be fired this weekend / early next week.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/5/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/5/2.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/5/3.JPG

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http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/5/8.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/5/9.JPG

[Matt@BOS]

Cool Logo.


You should place it on the car 33 times.... HAHA yeah that's it.

That is well above and beyond the requisite number of pieces of flair Rodger, and shows a great attitude :lol:

Like the logo. I hope you guys take the car out west at some point. Bret, you're entertaining to watch in a small block, 3400 lb car with a peg leg. I'm honestly not sure why you're even bothering with a front window, you're probably going to be looking out the sides the entire time! I'm calling shotgun now!

Matt

[coolwelder62]

Bret,This project is turning out really great.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[george@ridetech]

Wiring, always a bunch of fun.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/6/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/6/2.JPG

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http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/6/11.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/6/12.JPG

[coolwelder62]

Coming along very nice.:thumbsup:

[george@ridetech]

Steering wheel is in, lots of behind the scenes work being done.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/7/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/7/2.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/7/3.JPG

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http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/7/10.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/7/11.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/7/12.JPG

[waynieZ]

Alot of nice parts going in this build. It looks great.

[coolwelder62]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[sokoloka]

What style / layback Kirkey seats are those?

[Sales@Dutchboys]

Really cool! :thumbsup: I really want to build one of these Factory 5 33's. Looks like its quite the project but they really look good!
When is the goal date to have this one done?

[george@ridetech]

What style / layback Kirkey seats are those?

http://www.kirkeyracing.com/index.php?link=browse&code=Series47#nogo

Really cool! I really want to build one of these Factory 5 33's. Looks like its quite the project but they really look good!
When is the goal date to have this one done?

The plan is to have something that runs by May 5th to run at the Battle at the Banks event (http://battleatthebanks.net/). It's getting close :willy:

[bret]

I've had a couple of private comments about the size of my ass versus the size of that Kirkey seat.

My answer was that it would be lubricated with a kiss from their lips. :):):)

[Sieg]

I've had a couple of private comments about the size of my ass versus the size of that Kirkey seat.

My answer was that it would be lubricated with a kiss from their lips. :):):)

Well played Sir :thumbsup:

I certainly hope you're planning on some HQ action video of this car.
Cause I can't wait!!

[Vegas69]

The real question, are you building this for OUSCI?:unibrow:

[GrabberGT]

I've had a couple of private comments about the size of my ass versus the size of that Kirkey seat.

My answer was that it would be lubricated with a kiss from their lips. :):):)

LOL... Im a little slow today... I actually imagined you instructing somebody to kiss the Kirkey seat. But that wasnt the point of the statement... Well played sir.

[bret]

The real question, are you building this for OUSCI?:unibrow:

If nominated, I will run.

[Jr]

Car looks great.

I thought kit cars were not eligible for ousci...?

[george@ridetech]

There are now wires coming out of every opening on the car ... :)

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/8/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/8/2.JPG

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http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/8/12.JPG

[57hemicuda]

As always, another Ridetech over the top build, loving it Bret.

I do think the Factory Five cars are a great deal for the budget minded, of course you kind of blew that out of the water.

[GrabberGT]

Thats a sweet gauge setup but how much of that sweep on the tach do you really think you'll get to use? 15k would be awesome. Too bad you cant customize it.

[intocarss]

Great looking car

[Jr]

Who makes that tach/speed O?

[Rick D]

Man I want to see this one at some point this summer, just awesome as always :thumbsup:

[bret]

The engine ran for the first time at 7:32 pm Saturday night. Yep, its a race car. The 6 lb clutch allows it to rev like a cup car. Today we'll likely drive it at least around the block. Still to do:

hook up fans, headlights, turn signals, guages
re-bleed brakes
mount headlights
scale
paint seats
install harness tabs and harnesses
install doors, decklid, and hood
install remote charging terminals
radiator overflow
make breathers
get a real air filter
shifter boot
hook up power windows
rearend vent can
license plate light
license plate mount

Possible testing on Wednesday. Hope so, we need to race on Saturday!

I'll try to get some video up later today.

Busy...bye!

[bdahlg68]

also very curious to see that speedo integrated... definitely a sexy piece...

[coolwelder62]

Congrat's Bret.Another BA car out of the rideTech shop.:thumbsup:

[george@ridetech]

Here is that video of the 33 starting up:
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/9/a.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d41LHbDsngo&list=UU5XK1QOYR9VaZUGQfLgCpog)

Music to my ears!

And here are some pictures from this morning:

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/9/2.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/9/3.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/9/4.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/9/5.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/9/6.JPG

[OLDFLM]

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/8/12.JPG

Where did this go??? :_paranoid

[strtcar]

Who makes that tach/speed O?

http://www.kosonorthamerica.com/new/shop/motorcycle_gauges/rx-2-speedometer-gp-style-4/

[george@ridetech]

Where did this go??? :_paranoid

We initially had problems with the gauge displaying oil pressure and voltage readouts. We had a Racepak sitting around and we are a little more familiar with that system.


So much has happened in the past day or so...

The guys got the wheels back on the car
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/1.JPG

New fabricated Ridetech V8 Logo on the valve covers
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/2.JPG

Machines drilling away at some custom made headlights
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/3.JPG

Seats were painted
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/4.JPG

Some more drilling on the headlights
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/5.JPG

Ridetech Triple Adjustable Coilovers are on the car now
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/6.JPG

The creator with his creations
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/7.JPG

Custom made heel rest, helps a lot
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/8.JPG

Puting the trunk lid back on
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/9.JPG

The car at our company lunch which was just minutes ago
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/10.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/10/11.JPG

The car is driving and operational (for the most part), just finishing up the details now!

[camcojb]

what was that spark/flash when it first fired? What a great car, really turned out fantastic.

[Rick D]

What an awesome looking car way to go! :hail: Question who makes the wheels and where to you get them from? They look nice.

[1Michel]

what was that spark/flash when it first fired? What a great car, really turned out fantastic.

I wondered about that too, a loose wire maybe?

[waynieZ]

The car sounds great. Well done.

[Vegas69]

I'm going to say header leak.

Car looks great!:thumbsup:

[george@ridetech]

Posted a teaser video on youtube of the 33' running. Still got some kinks to work out. The car is at the track right now doing some more advance tests.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/video.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SihDlknejSs)

[wiedemab]

ummmmmmmm - - looks kinda fast, I guess..............:faint:

I can't wait to see this thing run in person. Kind of bummed I won't be able to come down to see it run this weekend.

[millertime179]

that thing is a pissed off go kart! LOL way to go guys, looking forward to seeing it on the track. :thumbsup:

[BBC71Nova]

Planning to make Nashville goodguys?

[george@ridetech]

Planning to make Nashville goodguys?

It should be there :thumbsup:

The car is currently on a lift, as the build team is planning their next move to fix some problems that were discovered this past weekend. The OEM FFR steering is having trouble with the load of the 295mm wide tires on the front. There is also that spark scatter problem. But it all should be resolved before Nashville where it will get some serious autocross time.

The car did make it to the Battle at the Banks event Saturday, though it did not run in the event. It attracted a lot of attention even though!

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/11/1.jpg

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http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/11/3.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/11/4.JPG

[Ron in SoCal]

Hey George - Brett was talking at one point about testing the new Carbon springs. Did that ever get past the idea stage?

[george@ridetech]

Hey George - Brett was talking at one point about testing the new Carbon springs. Did that ever get past the idea stage?

Hey Ron, haven't talked with Bret yet so he may chime in with a different answer, but I think its a sure thing. It's more a question of when. We'll probably keep the shocks and springs we have on it now until car is tuned the way we want and then switch over to air or carbon springs for testing. It might be a few months.

The springs are something along these lines: http://www.hypercoils.com/bellows-springs.html

[bret]

Well, we have resolved the spark scatter problem. It was just a rotor phasing problem...no big deal, but took a few hours to identify.

The steering problem was a little tougher. The OEM FFR steering system was apparantly intended to turn a narrow tire. We are using a 295mm tire. When I turned the wheel you could watch the rack visibly flex. It would encounter a significant bind at around a half turn of input. The size of the rack components was compounded by the rear steer configuration, very short steering arms, and the incorrect placement of the rack itself. Totally unacceptable.
After more research and conversation we have decided to cut bait on that system and redo it completely as a front steer Woodward power rack. This will allow exact placement to optimize bumpsteer and Ackerman, as well as providing tuning capabilities for feel. The Woodward components are true racing components that are completely capable of withstanding the forces imposed on them by this car.

I had assumed that FFR had designed this steering system anticipating this kind of use and had not paid a lot of attention to it. After encountering problems I called my friend Chris Alston who was a seriously good source of valuable information. He then referred me to Tony Woodward who spent a couple hours filling me in on the finer points of rack and pinion steering systems. Tony is a classic example of "paying for a degree in steering and getting his parts for free". Knowledgeable, articulate, friendly, experienced, realistic, and able to relate to whatever level of driving you are attempting.

Now we get to spend a few DAYS sawing the frontend off the car and installing a proper steering system. I still hope to make it to Nashville next weekend.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not blaming FFR completely for any of this. Their system would likely work fine with their recommended tire sizes in a "civilian" environment. Obviously we are working with neither. My aggravation is only with myself. I should have not assumed that this part of the car would be any less customized than the rest of it. I should had examined, evaluated, and fixed it months ago.
We will fix it now. It will be cool and fast. Its what we does.

[JKnight]

Very cool Bret. I love the overall vibe of this thing. I would love to get one of these things in the future. Maybe a "done" car I can tweak to my liking.

You guys planning on offering a solution for this steering situation?

[bret]

Very cool Bret. I love the overall vibe of this thing. I would love to get one of these things in the future. Maybe a "done" car I can tweak to my liking.

You guys planning on offering a solution for this steering situation?

Well...let me get this one done first:)

In reality, the FFR 33 is a real decent start on a racecar. The basic chassis is solid and the body panels fit fine for a racecar, and its light. IF [and this goes for any Camaro,Nova, Chevelle, Mustang, etc] you want the next level of fit, finish, and function...then you'll have to step up for investing in more hours be they yours or another shop's. We have about 3000 hours in this build. Although we have built many cars, this is the first FFR car.

Would I build one again? Yes, but for me I would likely just buy the basic body and chassis...that's all we used from the kit anyhow. I also think their kit contents would be just fine for the guy who didn't want/need the build level we were trying to acheive. They are trying to address the guy who can't/doesn't want to design or fabricate ANYTHING...and they do a good job of that.

I've tried to document this build as "real" as possible. That means exposing all the problems as well as the successes. Without the problems [that everyone knows exist with any project] the successes have no credibility. Some things we changed to solve little problems. Some things we changed to make it look better. Some things we changed to solve big problems. Everyone can come to their own conclusion about which is which.

The end result is going to be a light car with a bunch of horsepower and tires and handling to match. Ya gotta love that!

[Flash68]

Thanks Bret. I always enjoy reading your articulated posts.

[george@ridetech]

The new steering rack came in today. It looks beastly! Should solve our problems. Inner door panels are done.

Here are some pictures from this week:
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/10.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/6.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/8.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/9.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/11.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/12.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/13.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/14.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/15.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/16.JPG

[waynieZ]

The rack definitely looks rugged!

[camcojb]

Bret,

the car is turning out great. :cheers:

[Jtomas801]

Car looks great, I hope to see it run in person one day.

Quick question, are those adjuster knobs on the reservoirs a new addition to the coil overs you are selling? could they be added to an older set of T/A coilovers?, or are they one off custom pieces?

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/15.JPG

Thanks,
Jon

[george@ridetech]

Car looks great, I hope to see it run in person one day.

Quick question, are those adjuster knobs on the reservoirs a new addition to the coil overs you are selling? could they be added to an older set of T/A coilovers?, or are they one off custom pieces?

Thanks,
Jon

Hey Jon, they're new adjuster knobs we are working on. I'm not sure if they will come standard or as an options (I think the latter). Unfortunately they cannot be retro fitted to the current adjuster knob style, it has to be "rebuilt". More details on them will be released pretty soon.

On the 33... The Rack is still being installed, its taking some time to get it to fit right. We had to move the grill/radiator a couple of inches.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/13/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/13/2.JPG

One of our guys finished up the interior door paneling, really pleased with it!

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/13/3.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/13/4.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/13/5.JPG

[onevoice]

Are you still planning on having it at the Goodguys event in Nashville? I sure would like a ride.

[bret]

As for the Woodward rack installation...its not for the meek. Woodward make the best racks in the business, bar none, BUT it is a racecar part and needs above average talent and resources to install correctly. You cannot order a rack for a 69 Camaro [or any other specific application]...their components are manufactured and sold by dimensional data.
On the 33 Ford we made the decision early on [after we discovered the inadequecies of the oem rack system] to do whatever it took to do this steering system right. This meant basically sawing off the front of the car and starting over. After the radiator and grille shell were out of the way, things cleared up nicely. Removal of a few more brackets and tubing cleared a path for proper placement. To determine proper placement we modeled the frontend digitally and ran the data through our suspension analyzer program. This told us exactly where the rack needed to be in every axis. We fabricated the neccessary mounts to put it there, ran the suspension through it's travel, and determined that there was less than .015" of bumpsteer through 6" of suspension travel. Winner!
This also meant fabricating a set of custom steering arms to get the ackerman and bumpsteer optimized. Not a huge deal if you have a CAD guy 25 ft away and a CNC mill in between the two of you.

Is it worth it? Obviously, because the alternative is that I have an expensive paperweight. [That would be a car that you can't steer]

I point all this out not to explain how smart we are [we're not...if we were, we would have identified and fixed this problem months ago] but to demonstrate that sometimes hotrodding takes a little perserverence, a little money, a little talent, a lot of help from your knowledgable friends. Something to consider when you have to round the corner on a bracket or enlarge a bolt hole to get some aftermarket part bolted on your Camaro.

Will we make it to Nashville Goodguys this weekend? I think so.

[bret]

Tuesday night...stuff left to do:

make steering arms [they're already designed and drawn up]
build tie rod adjusters
finish steering shafts
design and build a power steering pump mount
build another crank hub to accept an additional pulley for power steering
design and build a power steering reservoir
design routing and build 6 power steering lines
design and build a new lower radiator hose
figure out if radiator and grille shell will fit or if it needs to be moved forward

That should keep us busy on Wednesday.

[coolwelder62]

Bret,The 33 is turning out great.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Rick D]

Bret, these are the reasones that I like to let you guys design it and build it first then I can just buy it from you :thumbsup: Thanks for all the you and your guys do for our hobby. Ride Tech = class act :cheers: :cheers:

P.S. can't wait to get to the point to where I'm ready to do my front sub frame all RideTech going in there! :thumbsup:

[Sieg]

Well summarized update Bret, always look forward to reading them. :thumbsup:

[george@ridetech]

The steering rack and radiator are back on and it looks like its going to be at Nashville this weekend! And if not we've always got a backup (1969 Silver Mustang)

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/14/6.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/14/8.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/14/10.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/14/11.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/14/12.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/14/13.JPG

[coolwelder62]

Killer.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Is this car going to get a set of Ride Tech Shock's.:thumbsup:

[FETorino]

Killer.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Is this car going to get a set of Ride Tech Shock's.:thumbsup:

I need one of these also.:D I need to win the lottery :thumbsup:

Doesn't it already have a new set of adjustable Ride Tech shocks :rolleyes:

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/12/15.JPG

[Cris@JCG]

Looking forward to seeing this car next week!

[89 RS]

That '33 is sweet! I got a chance to see you out there running it today at Goodguys autocross. :thumbsup:

[BBC71Nova]

Very cool car in person. Might need to throw in some ballast for autox. Looked like that gocart was a handful :)

[george@ridetech]

Haha ^ true that.

We'll nothing blew up last weekend, which is always good ;) . The new steering rack worked wonders. We've found several tweaks we need to do to the car for the next event. But we're slowly dialing the car to where we want it. We were running 35 second laps which put us in the top percentile.

Here's some pictures of the car at Nashville.
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/15/1.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/15/2.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/15/3.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/15/4.jpg

[waynieZ]

It looks great with plenty of contact on all 4 corners.

[coolwelder62]

Congrat's on building such a awesome ride.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[bret]

Well, we did make it to Nashville. The 33 ran well...nothing fatal fell off...the steering worked GREAT...and we generated a short list of items to address before the Midwest Musclecar Challenge next week.

First on the list is swaybars. I knew the car had some roll issues but simply could not get a swaybar designed and built in time, so we worked around the problem with excessive spring rate. Better than nothing, but still a compromise. We'll have that all fixed this week.

Second is tires. The tires that we had on the car at Nashville were old when we installed them for initial fitment 3 years ago. I left them on to shake the car down a bit. Now its time for some real rubber

Power steering vent - If anyone saw the run I made where I ran down 6-8 cones...it was because I saw some fluid hit the windshield and got...distracted. We band-aided itwith a shop towel and a zip tie, but will fix it permanently this week.

The last item is some kind of hood ornament. Why? Because I can't see anything out of the car...no tires, no fenders, no hood...nothing for a reference point to aim the car with. Rob McGreagor told me I was missing my apex cones by six feet! Anyway...I might just make something to bolt to the top of the grille so I can see where the hell the front of the car is!

Thankfully a short list.

[bret]

Very cool car in person. Might need to throw in some ballast for autox. Looked like that gocart was a handful :)

Ballast? No problem...carry it with me...never leave home without it:)

[Flash68]

A car that NEEDS a hood ornament. Now that is awesome. :thumbsup:

[HWY Nova]

A car that NEEDS a hood ornament. Now that is awesome. :thumbsup:

Another spot for the "V8/RideTech" logo!


--Eric

[Garage Dog 65]

Maybe add another layer of seat padding in there Bret. :P :P :P

Loved the car and really glad I got the opportunity to met you and the rest of the crew ! Bummer on the truck though....

Jim

[george@ridetech]

A little update on the 33: We had it out last weekend at the Midwest Musclecar Challenge, though it didn't get to run much. Recently, we whipped up a nice new custom made sway bar and an aluminum license plate holder.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/16/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/16/2.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/16/3.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/16/4.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/16/5.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/16/6.JPG

Also we uploaded new video footage of the 33 making a lap at the GoodGuys Nashville autocross.
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/16/autocross.jpg (http://www.ridetech.com/tv/2012/05/ridetech-33-ford-nashville-2012/)

[coolwelder62]

Bret,The 33 turned out Great.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[RECOVERY ROOM]

Put a gun site crosshairs on the grill

[george@ridetech]

Well the 33 is on the Hot Rod Power Tour right now, traveling with our motorhome and 2010 camaro. It's slated to compete in the Optima Faceoff event this weekend at the end of the tour. Should be a blast :thumbsup:

Here are some pictures before the tour and at the tour:

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/17/1.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/17/2.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/17/3.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/17/4.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/17/5.JPG

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/17/6.JPG

[daemon2]

That plate is perfect!

[BBC71Nova]

I agree. Awesome tag.

Are those the 295/40 18 Falkens by chance? Been looking at those and wondered how they'd look on an 11" wheel.

[george@ridetech]

I agree. Awesome tag.

Are those the 295/40 18 Falkens by chance? Been looking at those and wondered how they'd look on an 11" wheel.

Yup new Falken tires! I think the sizes are 295-35/18 and 335-30/18.

[preston]

I don't think you went too deep into the motor specs. What type of cam is it and do you have any specs on it you would share ?

I'm curious how rumpy it is, can you share your idle speed and vacuum ?

[george@ridetech]

I don't think you went too deep into the motor specs. What type of cam is it and do you have any specs on it you would share ?

I'm curious how rumpy it is, can you share your idle speed and vacuum ?

I think it's a Isky camsaft, not sure of any other detail yet.

The car made it back home safely from the Power Tour and the Optima Ultimate Streetcar qualifying event in Texas. The car placed in the top 5 in the autocross and top 10 in the speed-stop challenge at the optima event. We were very pleased with the results considering we ran the car against z06 corvettes, a GT-R, and even a Lamborghini.

One of our employees filmed the 33 at the Optima event, check it out:
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/18/v.jpg (http://www.ridetech.com/tv/2012/06/33-ford-at-the-2012-optima-ultimate-streetcar-qualifier-texas/)

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/18/1.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/18/2.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/18/3.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/18/4.jpg

[george@ridetech]

Little bit of an update. The 33 is back from the Motor State Challange, twas a blast. Got a little dirty as you can see :)

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/19/1.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/19/2.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/19/3.jpg

:drive:
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/19/4.jpg

Here's a few pictures we got from Robert McGaffin at the Optima Faceoff event a while ago, some of the best shots we have of the car so far :thumbsup:

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/19/a.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/19/b.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/19/c.jpg

[preston]

Great pictures thanks for sharing the build with us.

When you replaced the rack did you just swap the spindles side to side ? (and build new steering arms).

[Rick D]

I just love this car!! :hail: :hail:

[mrgm]

following this build

[george@ridetech]

New shoes for the 33. We put on Forgeline wheels and Falken tires today for the NSRA Louisvile show this week. Went an inch wider on the front.

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/big-wheels-streetrod.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/factory-five.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/forgeline-33-ford.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ff33.jpg

[waynieZ]

George those look awesome on there! Wow!

[preston]

I love this car too and the wheels look great. Only thing I'd like to see is the token hot rod hood over the top of the engine, I think it would complete the car. But, I imagine a hood won't fit over the air cleaner anyway.

All tires and engine and no weight, that's as good as it gets !

[coolwelder62]

Wheel's are awesome.:thumbsup:

[Rick D]

Very nice the wheels complete the car, but I also agree with Preston you need the top section of hood and it will look finished up front!!

[millertime179]

wheels look great guys :thumbsup:

[67zo6Camaro]

New shoes for the 33. We put on Forgeline wheels and Falken tires today for the NSRA Louisvile show this week. Went an inch wider on the front.

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ff33.jpg

Love it Love it loooooove it. Dream car right here for me. Been thinking about a roadster style light weight racer as you guys have put together. Super cool in my books.

Brett

[FETorino]

Love it Love it loooooove it. Dream car right here for me. Been thinking about a roadster style light weight racer as you guys have put together. Super cool in my books.

Brett

Pretty well says it right there:thumbsup:

[Flash68]

Wow you guys nailed it. Those wheels are fantastic on that ride. I don't give many hail emoticons but here is yours: :hail: :thumbsup:

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

ho-lee shet!

[HotRod68Camaro]

Those wheels fit the car perfectly.

[BBC71Nova]

This thing is so bad azz. The only thing I can think of to make it add to the awesomeness is for it to have an LSx powerplant :rofl:

[tmadden]

New shoes for the 33. We put on Forgeline wheels and Falken tires today for the NSRA Louisvile show this week. Went an inch wider on the front.

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/big-wheels-streetrod.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/factory-five.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/forgeline-33-ford.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ff33.jpg

Dude thats just sick. The wheels are seriously bad azz!!!!

[Syclone892]

I used to love these old cars then I found lat-g and have gotten the bug to go fast and turn corners which the old cars couldn't do. Now you guys have fixed that and made a sweet car!

Hopefully soon I will be able to own some ridetech parts and get my syclone to turn corners too!

[george@ridetech]

The 33 is resting in the garage while we wait for the Kirkey seats to come back with some much needed padding. Here are some newer pictures of the wheels:

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0406.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0430.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_0416.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/33ford/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC_04412.jpg

[HWY Nova]

Looks awesome with the wider front wheels & tires!


--Eric

[george@ridetech]

Seat padding, feels a lot better than bare metal. :thumbsup:

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/20/1.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/20/2.jpg

[JKnight]

I have a sneaking suspicion that this car could draw a whole new subset of carguys into the Hot Rod genre, myself included.

I love the innovative/original approach you guys have taken to nearly every facet of this car. Very very cool.

[coolwelder62]

Just Awesome,even outstanding.A new Benchmark for streetrod building.:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[RECOVERY ROOM]

Nice to see the pads I made fit, They look good in the car. Glad to have been part of it. Hopefully the comfort makes it go faster...LOL

[bret]

I drove the 33 from Ridetech over to my house yesterday. Before, 20 minutes was about all you could stand to ride in the car without your whole lower body going into a giant cramp. Now, in only 5 miles I can tell that it will be not only tolerable, but actually comfortable.

And comfortable is faster:)

Tracey Weaver at the Recovery Room is a true professional who not only is an artist but knows what it takes to make a component function as well. When he saw my car at Columbus, he said "I think I can make your car faster" who can resist that? After sharing some thoughts over the weekend I went home to take some measurements with me in the car and then sent him the seats. The artwork you see is what I received back.
The leather texture is best described as "elephant scrotum". Next time you go to the circus you'll remember that, won't you...:) The Ridetech logo you see on the seat back was burned in with a branding iron we made at the shop. The billet grommets come right out of our catalog (love cnc machines!)

Pleased? Yeah, and way beyond that. Thanks Tracey! Now I owe you that ride:)

[sokoloka]

Nice to see the pads I made fit, They look good in the car. Glad to have been part of it. Hopefully the comfort makes it go faster...LOLAre these pads something you're going to keep producing or a one-off piece?

Been trying to figure out what to do for interior on my vette and kirkey's with similar pads might just be the ticket!

[eric1967]

I drove the 33 from Ridetech over to my house yesterday. Before, 20 minutes was about all you could stand to ride in the car without your whole lower body going into a giant cramp. Now, in only 5 miles I can tell that it will be not only tolerable, but actually comfortable.

And comfortable is faster:)

Tracey Weaver at the Recovery Room is a true professional who not only is an artist but knows what it takes to make a component function as well. When he saw my car at Columbus, he said "I think I can make your car faster" who can resist that? After sharing some thoughts over the weekend I went home to take some measurements with me in the car and then sent him the seats. The artwork you see is what I received back.
The leather texture is best described as "elephant scrotum". Next time you go to the circus you'll remember that, won't you...:) The Ridetech logo you see on the seat back was burned in with a branding iron we made at the shop. The billet grommets come right out of our catalog (love cnc machines!)

Pleased? Yeah, and way beyond that. Thanks Tracey! Now I owe you that ride:)

"elephant scrotum" What more can be said?

[FETorino]

Are these pads something you're going to keep producing or a one-off piece?

Been trying to figure out what to do for interior on my vette and kirkey's with similar pads might just be the ticket!

Funny I was thinking three things,
1. I could see doing similar seats in my car for the NASCAR theme
2. Vetts from 70 to 72 should have gills.:lol:
3. Not in "elephant scrotum"

[Vegas69]

Tracy is one of the good guys, no doubt.:thumbsup:

[Flash68]

This has got to be one of coolest cars built in awhile.

[bret]

The cool thing about the Kirkey seats is that they are relatively cheap [about $250 from Summit], they are light [didn't even bother to weigh them], and they are easily modified. We cut down the side of ours for the 33 because the trans tunnel and door panel did such a nice job of holding my fatt butt in place. This allows me to insert myself into the seat without dragging "vital parts" over the edge of the seat side :)

The down side to the Kirkey seats...ugly Kirkey padding is extra...pretty custom padding is really extra...the fixed back design allows no easy access to rear seat...and you get to fabricate your own mounts and sliders.

They were an obvious and successful choice for this car...couldn't imagine using anything else, especially after Tracey got done with them!

[badmatt]

Bret,

Love the seats. whole care looks perfect only thing that tweaks me is the massive forgeline logo in the spokes.

BUT other than that this is perfect.

Matt

[RECOVERY ROOM]

Thanks Bret, you guys are easy to work with, Hope that makes the comfort level better. Your one tuff dude to ride the metal before ! Those seats are very Light, You can hold them up with one hand easy. Scrotum leather is tuff to work with, Hard to find someone to get it.

[1Michel]

Scrotum leather is tuff to work with

Just make sure your hand are warm, it will possibly make the leather easier to work with...less shrinkage!

[george@ridetech]

Took some more pictures of the interior now that it's a little more finalized.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/21/1.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/21/3.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/21/2.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/21/4.jpg

[David Pozzi]

Bret, An amazing project! Lots of problems to solve, but you guys did it! The inside looks like the old Shadow Can-Am chassis. Black with aluminum rivets.
David

[GrabberGT]

Awesome. Is it coming to Lonestar GG? I wanna ride.

[george@ridetech]

Something hilarious happened this weekend at the GoodGuys Indianapolis show. A local TV reporter took a ride in the 33... listen closely after the 2 minute mark :lol:

3bhAx-hUp5A

Awesome. Is it coming to Lonestar GG? I wanna ride.

Not sure, its between it or the 48HourCamaro right now.

[syborg tt]

I so needed a video like that today. Totally awesome !!!!!

Something hilarious happened this weekend at the GoodGuys Indianapolis show. A local TV reporter took a ride in the 33... listen closely after the 2 minute mark :lol:

3bhAx-hUp5A



Not sure, its between it or the 48HourCamaro right now.

[GrabberGT]

Something hilarious happened this weekend at the GoodGuys Indianapolis show. A local TV reporter took a ride in the 33... listen closely after the 2 minute mark :lol:


Love that. Im hoping I have enough time to to setup a passenger cam for mine before the next event. I had a friend who had never seen autocross before jump in with me one time. On about his 6th "Oh sheet!" I had to ask him to please quiet down so I could concentrate. It still cracks me up even now.

[coolwelder62]

The Reporter in the video kinda look's and sound's like Michael Manning from American auto wire.:willy:

[BlackenedRR]

I just got home from the GoodGuys show in Fort Worth, and hands down the best part of the show was riding shotgun in this INSANE car! Bret, if I had ANY reservations about wanting to turn my GMC into an autocross/road race truck, the fun I had today made them vanish!! Thanks again!!!:thumbsup:

[carbuff]

I didn't go for a ride, but I did talk to Bret for a while about the car. I also got to sit in it. I'm a bit taller than Bret, but the car fit me comfortably. It might be a little cramped for legroom on a long trip, but I could certainly drive the car comfortably!

This really is an awesome car! If you get the chance, definitely check it out in person...

[coolwelder62]

Bret V. laid the fastest time at this weekends Good Guys autox,Dallas.:thumbsup:

[george@ridetech]

Bret V. laid the fastest time at this weekends Good Guys autox,Dallas.:thumbsup:

Yes! :cheers:
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/22/4.jpg

Have a few other important updates too. We fabricated a wing and installed a Centerforce Dyad Clutch in preparation for the Optima Ultimate Streetcar Series coming up here in just a couple weeks. We're now working on making some decals for the race. (Optima just posted a story about us prepping the car for the race on their website (http://www.optimabatteries.com/us/en/experience/power-source/ousci-preview-bret-voelkel-33-ford-coupe/))

On top of that, the car will be featured on this weekends Optima Faceoff Road America show. (premiering Sunday 21st 1:00pm EST) A lot of great things to come!

Centerforce Dyad Clutch meet the 33.
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/22/3.jpg

Pictures of the new wing
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/22/1.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/22/2.jpg

Video of the Centerforce Dyad Clutch being installed.
_cc2ofDu84g

[Flash68]

Which Tilton did you take out of it? 7.25" triple?

[preston]

Happy to hear you guys like the DYAD clutch, I just dropped the big $ on one to replace my bullet proof but noisy McLeod street twin, its going in this weekend. I was really tentative about replacing an expensive part that has never given me trouble so hopefully I'll be as happy with it as you. If a clutch does give me trouble, its just me swapping it in my driveway. NOthing is as fun as wrestling a T56 Magnum in and out by yourself.

Optima will be interesting - you guys have a huge weight advantage and a good setup, lots of tire, but huge aero disadvantage.

Too bad FF can't offer a sport version of the chassis that would implement your geo improvements, swaybar, and P/S.

[Ron in SoCal]

Great vid! Maybe you can educate me, what made Brett say he thinks the car would be faster w the new clutch? Is it just the the Tilton is more touchy? Understanding the rotational mass theory, the car should rev faster w the Tilton although maybe not carry as much tourque out of a corner.

I've never driven a car w either clutch, so don't relly know the 'seat of the pants' difference.

[GrabberGT]

Pictures of the new wing
http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/22/1.jpg


Any testing on that wing? It doesnt look like the air would hit it much at all.

If a clutch does give me trouble, its just me swapping it in my driveway. Nothing is as fun as wrestling a T56 Magnum in and out by yourself.


Thought I would risk the hijack to :cheers: Done it several times myself and know how much of a bear it is with the car on jackstands.

[coolwelder62]

The car just keeps getting better & better.!!!!!!!!:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Stuart Adams]

Bitchin car.

[george@ridetech]

Which Tilton did you take out of it? 7.25" triple?

It was a 5.5" Dual Disk.

Maybe you can educate me, what made Brett say he thinks the car would be faster w the new clutch? Is it just the the Tilton is more touchy?

Don't quote me on this, but I think it was that the Tilton was a little too twitchy/touchy for the weight of the car, the Dyad is much more predictable.

Any testing on that wing? It doesnt look like the air would hit it much at all.

No official testing yet, but I heard that you could feel a positive difference. We actually made the wing a little larger.


On another note. The 33 is all decked out with decals and is sitting in the Optima Ultimate Streetcar Invitational corral waiting for the race this weekend. Come by and see it you're at SEMA. Our booth is #22589 if you want to talk to us about the car.

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/23/1.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/23/2.jpg

[coolwelder62]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: SO COOL!!!!!

[Flash68]

Outstanding. Can't wait to see it. :thumbsup:

[george@ridetech]

Optima Ultimate Streetcar Invitational results: 5th in autocross, 7th in road course, 1st in speed stop! 3rd overall (out of 60 high performance vehicles). Good day for the 33 Ford!

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/24/1.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/24/2.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/24/3.jpg

http://www.ridetech.com/images/forum/33-ford/24/4.jpg

[BBC71Nova]

Awesome. Gotta be a blast to throw that thing around.

Have you scaled it yet?

[Rick D]

What a cool car, just love it great job Bret and the Ride Tech crew! :thumbsup:

[Sieg]

Congratulations to the entire ridetech team. :thumbsup:

[george@ridetech]

Awesome. Gotta be a blast to throw that thing around.

Have you scaled it yet?

It is! It weighs somewhere around 2550 lbs


What a cool car, just love it great job Bret and the Ride Tech crew! :thumbsup:

Thanks Rick!

Congratulations to the entire ridetech team. :thumbsup:

:thumbsup: Thanks.

[Rybar]

Cool car congrats on the podium finish!

[Bryce]

It weighs somewhere around 2550 lbs


I am surprised it weighs that much. And 900 pounds lighter than your average camaro I am surprised it didnt do better on the autocross.

congrats!

[SBDave]

Nice to meet you at SEMA, the 33 looked great out there and congrats on the OUSCI results!

Dave

[HWY Nova]

Nice to meet you at SEMA, the 33 looked great out there and congrats on the OUSCI results!

Dave

George: The 33 looked great at SEMA. I had a chance to look at all of the chassis mods. Very clean!

SBDave: It was great to see you again. Congrats on the awesome booth!


--Eric

[george@ridetech]

George: The 33 looked great at SEMA. I had a chance to look at all of the chassis mods. Very clean!

SBDave: It was great to see you again. Congrats on the awesome booth!
--Eric

:thumbsup:

Bret left his opinion of the car and race on pro-touring.com, wanted to share it here too:

Wow...what a week at SEMA and Optima!

I have not been on here recently to post because, well...we've been working on the car that much!

I was very pleased with the results we acheived at Optima this year. Since "finishing" the car in May, we've proceeded to tweak, refine, change, and tune all summer...until about a month ago.

I had a lot of people ask about the car, how its doing, and what we've changed so here is the readers digest version of the refinements and the results.

When we very first put the car together and drove it, we could tell there was a significant bind in the steering system. After some investigation and research, we found that the steering rack itself was simply not stong enough to turn the front tires. It was a rear steer Omni rack that was coupled with a ver yshort 3.5" long steering arm trying to turn a tire that was about 100% wider than what Factory Five intended. The ultimate fix was to use a front steer Woodward rack. After about 70 hours of design and fabrication time the steering was fixed and we started racing.

The very first competitive event was Nashville Goodguys autocross. I had a set of old [hard] BFG tires that we fitted up just to get the car shook out. Success in that nothing fatal fell off the car, but it wasn't very fast.
After Nashville we came back and built a front and rear swaybar for the car and installed a new set of Falken 615K tires. We had previously seen a radical improvement in the 48 Hour Camaro with the Falkens so we wanted to try them on the 33 Ford as well. Off we go to the Midwest Musclecar Challenge at Lawrenceville on Memorial Day.
The initial runs at MMC were great and we were just getting ready to get fast when the distributor gear on the cam died. Done for the weekend. We replaced the cam the next week and took of for the Hotrod Power Tour and the Optima Qualifier in Arlington Texas.

The car did great at Arlington...top 10 in all segments...but I was still chasing a frontend chatter through the corners. We started looking at control arms flex, loose bearings, spindle flex...all sorts of things. Nothing immediately identifieable.

Next event was the Optima Qualifier at Road America. Again the car did great, but the clutch started going away. In reality it probably made the car faster because it took the edge off the corner exit tire spin [because my right foot is not nearly talented enough]. We ended up in the top 5 in all segments.

After freshening the clutch up I was expecting great things at the Columbus Goodguys event. What I got in addition to the 106 degree weather [in a flat black car with a flat black sheetmetal interior...] was rearend posi problems and a frontend chatter that was getting worse, not better. Results were poor. the rearend problems were an easy fix, but we were still looking at mechanical flex issues for the frontend chatter.

Next event was the Motorstate Challenge at Gingerman. I spun the car in someone else's oil on the first lap. No damage but still not a great way to start the weekend. It didn't get any better because the car started running like hell as well...and ended up dying completely on Sunday for the autocross.

The good this is that now we've got about a month before we race again...time to get some stuff lined out. More on that in a bit!

Results on Optima's website: http://www.optimabatteries.com/us/en/experience/power-source/congratulations-bret-voelkel-winning-wilwood-disc-brakes-spe/

[coolwelder62]

Bret,Congrat's on your awesome 3rd place finish @ OUSCI.I am so in love w/the 33.I've alway's wanted a 32-3 window built just like your 33.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Go tear'm next year.:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h324/bmock5/122076.jpghttp://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h324/bmock5/122070.jpg

[68454RS]

I know this is an old thread but, I purchased one of these unfinished kits this past weekend and want to set it up for auto-x. Would like to know if they ever got the front end chatter resolved, any more updates or upgrades to the build? Anyone know whatever happened to this car?

[carbuff]

I don't know if it is still, but when Ridetech sold the car it landed here in Austin, Tx. I passed it on the street a few times. It's been a few years since I've seen it though.

No idea on the details on the suspension, but I know Bret was very successful with this car at the GoodGuys autocrosses where I saw it. Fun looking car!

[68454RS]

I don't know if it is still, but when Ridetech sold the car it landed here in Austin, Tx. I passed it on the street a few times. It's been a few years since I've seen it though.

No idea on the details on the suspension, but I know Bret was very successful with this car at the GoodGuys autocrosses where I saw it. Fun looking car!

I talked with Ridetech yesterday about this car and the suspension set up and was told everything was one off and there wasn't any specs, designs or any info available.. i'm going to have to wing it myself.

[AZDblNckl]

I talked with Ridetech yesterday about this car and the suspension set up and was told everything was one off and there wasn't any specs, designs or any info available.. i'm going to have to wing it myself.

From the Ridetech website:

“ The other problem resolved was the front end chatter. It was bad enough that the power steering slave cylinder rod broke off. Bad news…BUT the frontend chatter went away! Now instead of chasing an illusional mechanical flex problem, I started looking at the hydraulic system. A quick call to Woodward steering [why didn’t I think of THAT before?] got the answers: the pump was cavitating. Move the reservoir up, increase the return line size and make sure it flows evenly downhill to the pump with no dips or humps. Problem completely fixed!”

[68454RS]

From the Ridetech website:

“ The other problem resolved was the front end chatter. It was bad enough that the power steering slave cylinder rod broke off. Bad news…BUT the frontend chatter went away! Now instead of chasing an illusional mechanical flex problem, I started looking at the hydraulic system. A quick call to Woodward steering [why didn’t I think of THAT before?] got the answers: the pump was cavitating. Move the reservoir up, increase the return line size and make sure it flows evenly downhill to the pump with no dips or humps. Problem completely fixed!”

I'm going with electric steering with speed sensor so no hydraulics and hopefully i won't have an issue.