RideTech StreetGrip debuts at SEMA!

[bret]

OK boys and girls…here is what RideTech has been working on for the last couple of years. It will officially debut at SEMA next week in Las Vegas. We have 5 applications already done and will be shipping on January 5 [or before]. I’ve been driving our 72 Chevelle outfitted with the StreetGrip system since May. It has become my favorite car. It rides better than any car we have on the property, [including our 09 Cadillac CTSV]. We recently took it to an SCCA autocross event in Bowling Green, Ky. Considering this Chevelle has OEM seats, OEM steering box, drum brakes, 15” white letter tires, a 290hp crate engine and an automatic…it was a rockstar! This is the kind of car and suspension you want to drive across the country.

Here is some general info: http://www.ridetech.com/info/streetgrip/

Here are some videos about the StreetGrip program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKOA0K6H15s#t=61

I’ll be putting up info on ride heights and tire sizes shortly.

We will be in SEMA booth # 22587 [down the steps from the Ford booth].

We will have ALL the StreetGrip components there for your fondling pleasure!

[DBasher]

Did I miss the part where the 5 applications are listed? I'd imagine 1st and 2nd gen Camaro, Chevelle.....C-10, Mustang, Miata?
EDIT: clicking on the Pre-Order banner shows some of the applications.

Are the composite springs able to be ordered with different ends for height adjustments?

Thanks
Dan

[CurtiSS 69]

Sounds great Bret!

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[RussMurco]

Sounds like a nice upgrade for the '72 Cutlass! Since you have a '72 Chevelle I'm guessing the A-body will be on the menu at launch?

[JKnight]

Nice addition to the product suite Bret. I can vouch for the ride quality of the composite leafs, it's really plush even at higher spring rates.

One question, are you guys concerned with the comp. springs' ability to handle lateral loads without a locating device? Even in street use I had thought it was an issue, so I installed a watts. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.

[Matt@BOS]

I would love to go on a road trip with one of these setups! The original RideTech coil overs were my favorite shocks for a pro touring street car, and rode incredibly well!

[bret]

Sounds like a nice upgrade for the '72 Cutlass! Since you have a '72 Chevelle I'm guessing the A-body will be on the menu at launch?

The Chevelle platform would include Cutlass, 442, GTO, Tempest, Skylark, and Gran Sport built from 64-72.

[bret]

Nice addition to the product suite Bret. I can vouch for the ride quality of the composite leafs, it's really plush even at higher spring rates.

One question, are you guys concerned with the comp. springs' ability to handle lateral loads without a locating device? Even in street use I had thought it was an issue, so I installed a watts. Would love to hear your thoughts on that.

We have developed a Delrin bushing kit for these leafsprings [that will also fit any OEM Camaro leafspring]. The Delrin leafspring bushings accomplish 3 things:

1. Allows free rotation of the bushings on the shackles to eliminate the "stiction" [which is uncontrolled residual spring rate] present with a rubber or poly bushing.
2. Minimizes lateral movement allowed by oem rubber bushings.
3. The Delrin bushings are designed to allow roll articulation within the axis of the bushing itself. Some may visualize this as a "heim joint", a "com bearing", or a "johnny joint" type connection.

Our testing [with video] has not shown the composite leaf to allow any more or less lateral movement than an equivalent steel spring. Having driven a few cars ranging from OEM to true track cars, my personally calibrated butt dyno can't tell the difference in lateral movement, even with aggressive street driving with aggressive street tires.

Having said that, I think that on a true track car with sticky tires and an aggressive driver, any leaf will allow more lateral movement than a well designed 4 link/tri link/panhard bar/watts link system. That is why we will continue to offer our 4 link rear suspension for those type cars.

[DBasher]

Bret, any word on options for a "mid-eye" or "reverse eye" for the composite springs?

[bret]

Bret, any word on options for a "mid-eye" or "reverse eye" for the composite springs?

billet aluminum reverse eyes come standard in the complete package, as do the delrin bushings.

[my79f]

Any truck applications? Particularly the f100's?

[bret]

Any truck applications? Particularly the f100's?

Probably not anytime soon. The F100 Ford trucks used a twin I beam front suspension up to 1997 or so. This style suspension does not lend its elf well to ride height modifications for handling enhancements. Most of these guys are swapping in an aftermarket front suspension. Wish I had better news on that one...cool trucks!

We WILL be doing the 63-72 C10 trucks soon though.

[pokey64]

Bret

Looks like this could be a good option for our new family hauler. Do/will you have ride height pics and details for a 66 Chevelle?

[chichirone]

Bret, will you be able to upgrade to the MuscleBar as a part of the StreetGrip kit? And does the MB come with the Delrin sleeve? I cannot remember of it has the sleeve and could not find it on the site...admittedly did not look real hard tho. :wacko:

This is a great package you guys have put together.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Bret

Looks like this could be a good option for our new family hauler. Do/will you have ride height pics and details for a 66 Chevelle?


Hey,

We've actually got the tire sizes & ride height dimensions published on our website, along with pictures. :twothumbs.

http://www.ridetech.com/info/streetgrip-dimensions/

Also, here are a couple of pretty cool videos that show how much the delrin bushings really help. If you watch the around the shackle, you can see how much the movement is diminished:

Rubber bushings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrR61pW3z44

Delrin bushings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPZ4xW8z9bg

[Josh@Ridetech]

Over the last few weeks, we've been playing with the StreetGrip some more on a few different cars! While working on this Camaro, we've added an extra 1" drop to the 67-68 rear kits due to the rounded fender lips. With the 69's squared wheel arch, getting the lower look wasn't as difficult.

Here are some pictures of the RS we've been playing with. I'll post up some pictures of underside in a little bit to show what we've added!

Specs:

Front:
Tire size: 235/45-17
Ground to fender lip distance: 25 1/4"
Center cap of wheel to fender lip distance: 13 1/4"

Rear:
Tire size: 275/40-17
Ground to fender lip distance: 26 1/2"
Center cap of wheel to fender lip distance: 14 1/4"

http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q740/Ridetech2/IMG_1955_zpsoskymzk4.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Ridetech2/media/IMG_1955_zpsoskymzk4.jpg.html)

http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q740/Ridetech2/IMG_1953_zpsc27rhl17.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Ridetech2/media/IMG_1953_zpsc27rhl17.jpg.html)

http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q740/Ridetech2/IMG_1958_zps3mlnnrpc.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Ridetech2/media/IMG_1958_zps3mlnnrpc.jpg.html)

http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q740/Ridetech2/IMG_1959_zps9gx4ijpn.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Ridetech2/media/IMG_1959_zps9gx4ijpn.jpg.html)