Ridetech is proud to introduce an all-new 4-Link rear suspension system specifically for 1970-1981 Camaros and Firebirds. The design delivers exceptional performance with minimal cutting and almost no welding required. Equally important, the unique design addresses production variations and frame rail thickness issues that are common to the second-generation F-Body platform. Ridetech developed an innovative design that is significant in two ways. Lateral tubes index off of the leaf spring mounting points rather than the frame rails. A separate steel brace bolts to the inside of the rear bulkhead area (in the cockpit) behind the seat to locate the forward mounting points of the upper link bars.
The clean-sheet design offers long upper link bars with revised mounting points for improved roll center, forward bite and anti-squat characteristics. The rear bulkhead in these cars (structure between passenger compartment and trunk) exhibit excellent strength — especially where the bulkhead ties into the floor pan at the transmission tunnel.
Ridetech engineered a brace that bolts to both the bulkhead and the rear edge of the transmission tunnel while still allowing you to run a full back seat. Simple holes are drilled into the bulkhead without any welding of the unibody structure.
The two “unicradle” main tubes run parallel to the frame rails as well as the upper shock cross member and forward lower link brackets. These main tubes bolt to the fore and aft leaf spring eye mounting points. The leaf spring mounting points accurately locate the entire system to circumvent production variances that are common to the second generation F-Body platform. As these cars were produced over a 12-year period, GM made production changes to the rear of the unibody in order to accommodate emission equipment. Furthermore, second generation F-bodies exhibit inherent variations in frame rail thickness.
Our self-contained design is an innovative solution with excellent geometry and a straightforward installation process. The design offers dramatic gains with respect to both handling and ride quality.
We’ve been showing off the system’s performance at high performance driving events from coast to coast. Now it’s time to show you how easy it is to install the new design on your second-gen. We chose Scott Brown’s sharp 1981 Z28. With enough horsepower to run a low 10 second ET, Scott’s Z will really benefit from the strength and geometry of the new design. With so much horsepower and available traction, our math suggests that the new Unicradle Bolt-On 4-Link might be able to help Scott’s Z run sub-10 second elapsed times in the 1/4 mile — on air suspension.
From the looks of this new system, there is no way the exhaust is able to run over the axle tubes?
We find it better [and much easier] to run the tailpipes under the rear axle. These cars are are so low and the rearend is so far up in the car that even going under the axle, the tailpipes bend upward from the end of the muffler. we've been building our own exhaust systems like this for years. We are working with Hooker/Holley to offer a complete Ridetech specific exhaust system that should be available in July.
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Bret Voelkel
President
RideTech
Air Ride Technologies, Inc.