Performance on air

[jb@ridetech]

I saw it with my own eyes At the RTH2 Auto-X from hell, the faster cars were running sub-70 second laps. Anything in the 60-second range was considered good for street tires. A 63 is killer. A 64 is excellent. 50's were only possible on stickies. Air Ride showed up with two A-bodies and one F-body. All of the cars were fast and the Air Ride guys, Britt and Brad, really know how to drive. Beyond the air springs, you must also consider the Air Ride hard parts such as their a-arms and tri-four links.
So it's official: The only thing that was full of hot air we're their springs. For what we are trying to accomplish here at Pro-Touring.com--which is to build capable street cars--AirRide parts are just as fast as metal springs and other suspension parts. Sound like an ad? Nope. I'm just a believer trying to share some first hand news. We caught it all on video, too, so you can see for yourself. Worst case scenario, the numbers indicate that their A-body stuff works better than their F-body stuff. Times are listed below.

66 Chevelle Britt Marolf-Britt was smooth. As the times show, he was fast on his first run and kept tweaking his laps. Note that all but one of his runs are clean (no cone penalties or DNF's)
TIMES: 69.176, 66.202+1, 64.577, 66.338+1 (68.338), 65.181, 64.318

71 Camaro: Brad Coomer-Brad has a, umm, propensity for throttle oversteer, so it looked like the car lacked bite. Brad was fun to watch and the car was fast anyway. His bets time was a 69 and change. DNF means that Brad lost his way a few times. But when we put Tony Bolton (the local gun) in the car for the Camaro Challenge, the car hooked and went with a lot less tire smoke. The "T" in the numbers below are with Tony Bolton driving.
TIMES: DNF, DNF, 63.797+3 (69.797), 64.186T, 63.936+1 (65.936T)

71 Buick GSX:At the last minute, Tony Bolton hopped in the big Buick and ripped off a 63. This car had more power, but also more heft. Air Ride owner, Brett Voelkel, showed that he is not afraid to put his driving skills or his high dollar rig to the test. He had a lot of trouble navigating the Auto-X from Hell, so we only have one official run--but--man--it was fast. Faster than any of the Camaro Challenge results. Brett would have really benefitted from riding with a navigator in the passenger seat. Then we would have more data. Regardless, we have one fast run. And fast is fast.
TIMES: DNF, DNF, DNF, 70.790DNF, DNF, 63.817T

I was just as skeptical as many you regarding the actual function of Air Ride suspension. No more. The right Air Ride parts, combined with the right wheels and tires (not 20" street rod wheels), an air Ride car can handle. Sorry if that bursts anyone's bubble (pun intended).
__________________
Steve Chryssos
Because four fat tires are better than two. That's why!
Twist Machine,LLC
MuscleRides



I found this on www.protouring.com , did anyone go? i would have loved to be there i hear it was cool ....

[fatlife]

so does this mean I can't call all the guys at the car shows with air bags posers anymore? :lol: :lol:

[nitrorocket]

The only issue I see is damping adjustments and "spring" rate adjustment. How does that work??

[J2SpeedandCustom]

After seeing the RideTech Mustang at the KC GG's auto-x I'm a believer!

[Bill Howell]

I was there, and I am more than impressed. It seems all the hype and myths that I have read on the internet for two years turns out to be just that, myths.
Put total different packages side by side on a challenging course and the air bags stand up pretty good. All this goes to prove what I have always said, quit talking the game and show me. I would not trade this past weekend for all the tech writting by internet armchair suspension gurus in the world. Theory is nice, but show me some real cars, in the real world putting down real numbers. DSE's 69 test car ran the best times of all the camaros there, however, the same driver, that had never driven, or even seen any of the cars until this weekend made a faster lap with the GSX. :hail: I keep telling ya'll that A-bodys rule. :thumbsup:

[jb@ridetech]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5075666807090595776&hl=en

Check it out the blue chevelle & black and white camaro are both on air......

[67SSChevelle]

Very nice :unibrow:
I was debating this setup for my 67 Chevelle. I think this seals the deal. Too bad it's next year before I'm ready for that :(

[fatlife]

I was there, and I am more than impressed. It seems all the hype and myths that I have read on the internet for two years turns out to be just that, myths.
Put total different packages side by side on a challenging course and the air bags stand up pretty good. All this goes to prove what I have always said, quit talking the game and show me. I would not trade this past weekend for all the tech writting by internet armchair suspension gurus in the world. Theory is nice, but show me some real cars, in the real world putting down real numbers.

I agree great post. I remember when people were picking apart the airride because of some super minute detail about the dampning or something like that. It was pretty obvious that people were just trying to find anything to pick apart. And no one here is even really skilled enough to drive something with some space age suspension that has been designed on a computer to the 10th degree. However after saying all this, I still would not personally run an airbag system on my car, and when i see one, I won't be able to help but prejudge with the poser status :P

[Leadfoot1]

I agree great post. I remember when people were picking apart the airride because of some super minute detail about the dampning or something like that. It was pretty obvious that people were just trying to find anything to pick apart. And no one here is even really skilled enough to drive something with some space age suspension that has been designed on a computer to the 10th degree. However after saying all this, I still would not personally run an airbag system on my car, and when i see one, I won't be able to help but prejudge with the poser status :P


Except now....I' ll be able to get my A$$ kicked doing so. :lol:

Seriously. I've been debating this myself and that thread is a MAJOR welcome!
I was contemplating DSE's Q-Linq, and Ridetech's air bar and shockwaves...Now i'm thinking, take the best of both worlds; Q-Linq with shockwaves.

Steeve, about the 20" your surely meant ; Next things to be recognised are 19 and 20 inch wheels (like on most exotic sports cars) as the 'Good' set up for performance.

:faint: Who would have known.

Yep, great post.

Lead.

(PS; i found the T-56 to go behind that LS1....4L60 to go!!! Yeah!!! Come on winter, when your in, so is the car for some serious trashin!))

[Bill Howell]

I agree great post. I remember when people were picking apart the airride because of some super minute detail about the dampning or something like that. It was pretty obvious that people were just trying to find anything to pick apart. And no one here is even really skilled enough to drive something with some space age suspension that has been designed on a computer to the 10th degree. However after saying all this, I still would not personally run an airbag system on my car, and when i see one, I won't be able to help but prejudge with the poser status :P

LOL c
Me being King Poser, I may be forced to run such a system. :lol:
Seriously though, after seeing the heavier Buick put down better numbers, I am very impressed, no poser there.

[Steve Chryssos]

This car's got airbags, AND a 4L60E AND skinny tires. Coolest video out there so far.

AirRide 71Camaro SS In car video (http://www.pro-touring.com/events/pigeon_forge_2006/air-ride-2nd-gen-camaro-medium.wmv)

[Payton King]

How much fun is that...

[mdprovee]

Pretty cool, thanks for the video.

[Steve Chryssos]

Mind you, Brad Coomer from Air Ride is practicing for a career as a "wheelman" on a bank heist crew. He was letting it all hang out. As the video shows, Brad's driving style was a real crowd pleaser and his times were fast despite the tire smoke. Tony Bolton, the local gun, drove the car with a lot less drama which shaved off some time. Both were fun to watch.

Play the video again and listen for the engine braking. Mark Bowler, Bowler Transmissions, made some valve body modifications to the 4L60E that permitted controlled engine braking. The car featured an electronic joystick on the console for shifting. This is the same car that was on the cover of Super Chevy last month.

[Leadfoot1]

:rolleyes: Well.....'Might as well be keeping my 'Glide. If you've got 4 speeds (ok 3+1) and you only use 2...Whats the deal?

Seriously, awesome vid! Thats major motivation. I found myself swinging and rolling my chair in front of my screen!!! Gee i wish i wasn't so far from all those events...We don't really have anything like that here. 2 Bad.

Really too cool.

Lead.

[jb@ridetech]

2006 Air Ride Technologies 3rd Annual Street Challenge


We thought about writing an “expanded press release” or a “mini story” for the media, but the raw information from the Street Challenge seems to speak for itself. We have included quotes from the professional drivers who were present and the timing data from the comparison cars that we tested. We have also included images of the vehicles present and a list of car owners for reference.
We have also outlined the goals for this event and how they were accomplished. Hopefully this will give you the “who, what, why, and when” info you need to relay to your readers. Be sure to give me or Peg a call if you need anymore information!

1. What is the Street Challenge?
· Simply put…Air Ride Technologies track day. We rented Putnam Park road course, brought 12 of our own air suspended hotrods, invited several of our customers, and did some timed autocross and open track laps. All of the print and TV media present had the opportunity to ride in, and drive a number of different air suspension vehicles at speed on the racetrack.

2. Why the Street Challenge exists…
· To expose the hotrod world to the performance benefits of air suspension. For years air suspension had the image of being cosmetic…for laying around in the parking lot and detrimental to hardcore performance. Although we knew this was not true, the only way to change anyone’s opinion about this was to put some butts in some seats!

3. How was the Street Challenge different from any other track day?
· Professional drivers. Boris Said, Scott Pruett, Mike McGlaughlin, Ted Musgrave, and Timothy Peters were on hand to give rides, driving instructions, do timed comparisons, and answer questions. The addition of professional opinions about the performance of these cars was quite enlightening to the media that was present as well as the Air Ride Technologies staff and customers.

4. What was different about the Street Challenge this year?
· direct comparison between stock suspension and air suspension. The previous 2 years we ran an oem suspension car in the morning and converted it to sir suspension over lunch. This year we actually had 2 stock suspension musclecars, a 67 Chevelle and a 68 Camaro, to directly compare to an air suspension 66 Chevelle and 67 Camaro. The results were nearly unbelievable, as you can see from the timing data.
· More real timing data. This year Nick Lacata and Tim Foss from Primedia recorded lap times on all vehicles in the shorter ½ mile autocross style lap and the slalom event. They also recorded the stock suspension comparison vehicle to their air suspension counterparts on the open track. [actual timing data included below]


Street Challenge drivers quotes

One of the highlights of the Street Challenge event this year was the participation of several professional racecar drivers to give us driving instruction and evaluation of our suspension systems. They had some interesting comments about their experience.

Boris Said is a well known road course driver who is currently co-owner of the # 60 SoBe/No Fear ford in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. He also has competed extensively in the Grand American Racing Series GT, NASCAR Craftsman Truck and Busch Series, and Trans AM series. His aggressive driving style will expose the weak link in any car and his candor will leave no doubt about what that link may be!

“ Before I came to the Street Challenge last year I thought that air suspension was what you see when the car bounces up and down. After driving many of the Air Ride Technologies cars, I was shocked! It made an old car drive like a new one…the car was much crisper, much flatter. I liked that fact that I could make changes in the air pressure and directly affect the handling of the car…if it was pushing I would raise the back just a little, if it was loose I would soften the rear.
I am buying a 55 F100 and one of the first things I am doing is putting an air suspension on it. Now that I have seen how nice the ride quality is, and how well they drive, it’s definitely what I want for my everyday driver.”

Scott Pruett is the driver for the Ganassi Racing #01 in the Grand American Rolex sports Car Series. He has also won several SCCA Trans Am, IMSA GTO, and IMSA GT Endurance Championships.

“ Like many people, I thought that air suspension was more of a style or cosmetic thing than a performance item. I had a 50 Buick with a crude airbag system on it but had never taken the time to learn anything about it so the performance of my Buick system was not impressive. After coming to the Street Challenge this year I know there is a whole new level of performance available with an air suspension. These cars rode and drove great! It is truly the best of both worlds. There was no sacrifice of ride quality to get superior performance. When I got out of the red Chevelle with the stock suspension, I was DONE with that car…it was scary. The air suspension Chevelle drove and rode great…AND was 14 seconds a lap faster!”


Mike McGlaughlin is a former NASCAR Busch Series driver and is currently a driving coach for Joe Gibbs Racing in North Carolina.

“ Being very interested in street rods, I had heard of air suspension and figured it was mostly for cosmetic purposes…to get the car low and still be able to drive it. Attending the Street Challenge really expanded my expectations of what a performance suspension can be. When driving the stock suspension vehicles [at the event] it would take a huge amount of steering input [11/2 turns] to get any response. It seemed like /I was chasing it all the time. With the air suspension car a ½ turn of the wheel was all it took to point it where you wanted to go! The cars drove great…they did everything I asked them to do… but I can’t wait to play with more shock and swaybar combinations to wring out even more performance.”

Timothy Peters is the driver for Bobby Hamilton Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series and will drive in the Busch Grand National Series for Richard Childress Racing in 2007.

“I have to admit, I had no experience at all with an air suspension car before the Street Challenge this year, so I had no expectations good, bad, or indifferent. I was impressed. This first thing I noticed was the ride quality. Then we went into the first turn. It was like a race suspension with a comfortable ride! The Camaro with the stock suspension felt like it was going to spit me out at any moment…and finally did. [Tim spun the stock 68 Camaro hard in turn 7] This air suspension stuff just blew me away. The really cool thing was the changes you could make with air pressure and shock valving to change the performance of the car. In a race car you have to stop and make adjustments or even change parts…with this stuff you just push a button!


Street Challenge timing highlights:


· 1.112 G cornering force (recorded on the blue 1966 air suspension Chevelle via RacePak G2X on Sept. 6, 2006 at Putnam Park Road Course on BF Goodrich G-force tires with Boris Said Driving)

· The blue 1966 Chevelle with Air Ride Technologies air suspension components (Front – ShockWaves® with upper and lower StrongArm® control arms, Rear – AirBar® system) turned an open track lap of 1:29.05. The red 1967 Chevelle SS with stock suspension ran a 1:43.27 lap. Scott Pruett ran both runs picking up 14.22 seconds with the air suspension Chevelle. At that pace the stock suspension Chevelle would be lapped by the air suspension Chevelle every 7.3 laps!

· In the Autocross the gold 1968 Camaro with stock suspension ran a 39.79 seconds lap. The red 1967 Camaro with Air Ride Technologies air suspension (Front – ShockWaves® with upper and lower StrongArm® control arms, Rear – AirBar® system) ran a 34.16 seconds lap. Both laps were driven by Mike McLaughlin. The air suspension Camaro picked up just over 5.5 seconds over the stock suspension.

[jb@ridetech]

i have a few pics from the event, ill post more when i get them....

[Steve1968LS2]

so does this mean I can't call all the guys at the car shows with air bags posers anymore? :lol: :lol:


No.. you still can since most air-bag systems are not performance oriented. However, if you want a performance air system then contact ART

Wow.. did that sound like a commercial???? lol

[bret]

i have a few pics from the event, ill post more when i get them....

The guy who is mowing the grass in our 05 Mustang is Rick Love, who runs Vintage Air. Rick...You are OUTED!!

[T Bell]

Where and how can I download this video? It is pretty awesome.

[rocketman]

After seeing the Kansas GG's and reading about air performance,the whole air suspension has gone from a look cool seating still stance to a very functional set-up.I have been a coil over only guy for a longtime but here lately,I'm really rethinking my suspension set-up.