Speedtech New First / Second Gen Subframes

[Blake Foster]

SPEEDTECH PERFORMANCE
Monday, March 15, 2015


You may already know Speedtech Performance has acquired the rights and production of the Ironworks CAD designed full chassis for 67-72 C10 Trucks, 55-57 Chevys & 68-72 Chevelles/GM A-Bodies. What you may not know is we also currently have NEW Front Subframe & Suspension packages in the works for 67-69 F-Bodies, 68-74 X-Bodies & 70-81 F-Bodies.

Here is the juicy part. Speedtech Performance contracted Ron Sutton to optimize the front suspension & steering geometry, the way only he can, on all the new Speedtech Performance chassis and front subframes. For the first time, you can bolt in a chassis or front subframe with Ron Sutton Race Technology optimized geometry.

Ron said, “This was a tough project, because we needed to achieve the optimum front dynamic roll center for any suspension strategy the customer wants to run ... and we did it ... it turned out perfect. This combined with the best Ackerman of any available front end, optimum camber gain and minimal jacking effect ... makes these the best handling, steering & driving chassis and subframes available. They are an upgrade from Speedtech’s current product offerings and frankly any full chassis or front subframe in the Pro Touring market today.”

The front suspension is based around the NEXT Generation of the ATS Forged 7075 Aluminum Spindle design that now makes it possible to have what Ron calls, “The best possible multi use suspension package available.” Ron stated the Next-Gen ATS spindle in its new configuration offers “Better geometry than any Corvette or Corvette copy spindle.”

Some of the many technical advantages of the new ATS Spindle & Speedtech Chassis/Subframe Geometry:

• Reduced KPI/SAI angle
• Requires less caster to achieve optimum full tire contact patch
• Significantly less scrub radius for improved grip in tight turns
• HD C7 hubs & bearings standard
• Improved design steering arm with max Ackerman
• Optimum rack & pinion location
• Amazing 95% Ackerman achieves optimum tire slip angle, significantly increasing front tire grip
• Virtually Zero Bump Steer (.005”)
• Up to 30 degree turn angle (tire size dependant)
• Roll center achieves optimum dynamic location for low, mid & high travel suspension strategies
• Increased shock length allowing higher suspension travel
• Excellent .76 motion ratio for improved shock response & control
• 3-Piece splined Speedway Engineering sway bar standard – Wide range of rates available
• Excellent for Autocross, Road Course and Street Driving

The other exciting part is that we have arranged for Ron Sutton to provide our competitive clients custom Autocross/Track Day suspension combinations & tuning support on an individualized basis (for a small flat fee) for the full line of full chassis & front subframes. Ron Sutton Race Technology is an authorized dealer for the entire Speedtech product line.

We are REALLY excited about this game changing chassis and front subframe/suspension line and although it is a couple months from being ready to ship we just felt we should let you know. We are taking pre-orders through Speedtech Performance and Ron Sutton Race Technology starting March 15th. Once the chassis & subframes are in production, they will be available through all Speedtech dealers. Stay tuned for pricing and other options.


Contact Speedtech Performance at:
Phone: (435) 628-4300
Shop: 3884 S. River Road, Bldg. A, St. George, Utah 84790
Email: [email protected]
Website: SpeedtechPerformance.com

Contact Ron Sutton Race Technology at:
Phone: (916) 834-8051
Email: [email protected]
Website: RonSuttonRaceTechnology.com

[Rick D]

Very cool Blake!! Sounds like a winning combination SpeedTech and Ron Sutton!!

Any idea on price for a 2nd gen sub frame?? Or if you need a test dummy??

[DBasher]

Smart move!

[68LS1]

Sounds exciting Blake

Will your sub frames be designed to clear a low mount a/c compressor for a LS engine? This item would be a decision maker for me.

Any plan to have 1st gen Camaro available as Right Hand Drive?

[Track Junky]

Great news Blake. SpeedTech and Ron Sutton Race Technology will make a great team!!

[Ron Sutton]

Hey Guys! Thanks for the kind words.

This was a fun project for me & the results turned out excellent. The first goal was make it perform mean on the track with no side effects on the street. This was one of the easier goals. In addition to the new geometry providing full tire contact patch for performance handling when autocrossing or tracking the vehicle, the higher 7.0° caster & low static camber actually makes the street manners tamer & the tire wear less. Frankly, this new package is safer on the street if you need to make evasive maneuvers.

The upper control arms are slugged with precision, laser etched slugs marked 7°, 8° & 9° ... allowing you to make easy, simple & confident caster changes if desired.

The tough goal ... which no other factory or aftermarket front subframe or full chassis I have measurements on achieves ... is putting the dynamic roll center in the optimum spot for all of the common suspension strategies. The new Speedtech chassis & front subframes have an excellent 3" static roll center at ride height & achieves the optimum roll center with any of the three common suspension strategies.
#1 For conventional suspension set-ups with low front end travel during dive (1" ±) & higher roll angle during cornering (3° ±) ... the dynamic roll center is an optimum 2".

#2 For modern suspension set-ups with high front end travel during dive (3" ±) & lower roll angle during cornering (1° ±) ... the dynamic roll center is an optimum 0".

#3 For suspension set-ups with moderate front end travel during dive (2" ±) & moderate roll angle (2° ±) ... the dynamic roll center is an optimum 1".

This required a change to the ATS spindle & Speedtech stepped up and got'er done. This "Next Gen ATS" spindle & new framework allowed me to achieve the optimum roll centers, camber gain, caster gain ... with low angle upper control arms for reduced "jacking effect". That means the car runs flatter than other set-ups with the same spring & sway bar rates.

The bump steer for typical travel ranges is practically zero (.005"). For serious competitors, Speedtech performance is offering a bump steer kit, making it easy to add some "bump out" to fine tune the slip angle of the inside tire ... to the optimum degree for the tires you choose to run. All the serious competitors know the BFG Rival & Falken RT615 have different sidewall construction, and therefore different slip angles provide maximum grip. In years to come, other tires will be introduced that vary from these. All these new Speedtech chassis & front subframes will need for maximum grip is a little bump steer fine tuning.

I use the term "fine tuning" for a very key reason. We worked at this & worked at this. And by we, I mean Speedtech & I both worked to make this happen. We achieved 100% Ackerman ... with a rack & pinion. At this point all the other chassis designers jaws just dropped, because that is challenging to achieve with any steering system & extremely challenging with a R&P.

What that means to the car owner is:
* Absolute better grip from the inside front tire
* Increased total front grip
* Higher corner speed capability for autocross & track days
* Closer side to side tire temps
* Improved tire wear
* Better street manners
* No squealing from inside tire on tight parking lot turns

I know Speedtech said 95% Ackerman in their original posting. They are being conservative & legally correct. If a person runs no toe-out, it has 95% Ackerman. But the suggested set-up (by me) is 1/16" toe out on each side (1/8" total toe out) ... which makes the Ackerman 100% when turned. The 100% Ackerman & zero bump steer required a new design steering arm. Again, Speedtech showed their commitment to making this the best package & created new steering arms to go with their new ATS spindles. The standard package runs a traditional tapered tie rod end. The optional "bump steer kit" allows owners to fine tune their bump steer for optimum front tire grip & turn in responsiveness.

Other key features are:
* The lower 7.45° KPI
* Low scrub radius (exact amount depends on wheels)
* Longer front shock mounting for higher travel capacity
* Higher .76 motion ratio
* 3-Piece splined Speedway Engineering sway bar standard

The higher motion ratio doesn't provide a performance gain as far as springs are concerned. You end up ordering softer spring rates to get to the same target wheel rate, so there is no performance gain there. The grip gain is because the shocks respond quicker with a higher motion ratio. This provides more control of the tire & wheel ... keeping it in contact with the road/track surface better ... providing more grip. This is not a "theory." This provides a measurable increase in grip. A .76 motion ratio provides over 50% better response time than the typical .50 motion ratio in most production cars. How much more grip this provides is track surface dependent. If the track surface is glass smooth, there could be zero gain in grip. If the track is typical with small rolling undulations, the grip increase can be in the 10-30% range. If the track is rough ... or portions of the track are rough ... in those areas the grip difference is huge because the shock & suspension are responding quicker ... keeping the tire contact patch on the track more.

Love the 3-piece splined bar. Kudos for Speedtech using the top supplier in the industry, Speedway Engineering ... and it's standard. Now you can choose whatever size bar & rates you desire ... and change it quickly (and inexpensively) if you want a different rate.

In my experience, this is the best suspension & steering geometry available today in full chassis and front subframes.

[Mizzouri]

What is the largest wheel I can run without cutting on the fender? I'm not concerned about modifying the inner.

[1965_SS]

Will you be making a 64-67 Chevelle chassis?

[ironworks]

Originally Posted by 68LS1

Sounds exciting Blake

Will your sub frames be designed to clear a low mount a/c compressor for a LS engine? This item would be a decision maker for me.

Any plan to have 1st gen Camaro available as Right Hand Drive?

Yes it will. And can.

[68LS1]

Originally Posted by ironworks

Yes it will. And can.

Sounds like I have some decision making to do shortly