Ridetech vs TCI
 

I want to build my 67' camaro similar to the 48 hour camaro with a few changes. How do you feel about the Airbar (link) rear suspension compares with TCI's torque arm. I would use Ridetech coilovers no matter what. Will need new 9" or 12 bolt as the stock 10 bolt is not going to hold up.
Lets here your opinions!

Travis

What are the goals of the car?

Bryce,
I'm wanting a hard core street car that I hope to autoX if I ever get a chance.

Travis

I think the g-bar is a good way to go, and is actually what we are running on the Nova we're building. It is proven setup.

We sell the G-bar and can also get the rear-end also for you. This way you know everything will work together in one shot. Whether you go the 9" or the 10-bolt.

Check out the SpeedTech Toque Arm. They offer it will the Ride Tech coilovers and the install is pretty easy if you get their 9" housing with the brackets all ready welded in place. If it were my coin, that is what I would run and plan to run here in the near future.

I did think of SpeedTech's Torque Arm, its a great piece and is close to TCI's pricing. I do like that its welded vs.bolted.

Thanks
Travis

Torque arms good for street and autocrosses, they just dont have the adjustablilty to be a great drag race suspension. If you can packaging them correctly and can get as close to 100% antisquat then you will be pretty happy with your launches at autocross events. An adjustable 4-link is a little easier to package and can go from 50% to 150% A/S.

They both will handle about the same, a tri-4link will usually have a higher roll center than a T/A with a watts or panhard. A higher roll center means you will have more roll stiffness and less adjustablity.

Either suspension will need to be balanced with the front setup.

Speed tech proves how well their torque arm works with their killer Nova. Ridetech suspension is proven as well .. Both great companies with excellent customer service.

I have the ridetech 4link with there coils and i love the setup and it can be welded in just like i did. there and plenty of guys now running ridetech parts on autox just look and the recent PHR.

Kevin Miller is running the Ride-Tech 4-link & Triple ajustable coilover's in his his 69 camaro and he's as Fast as Kyle Tucker And Brian Finch.:thumbsup:Scott M.Ride-Tech Dealer

I got alittle time today to call TCI and talk to Sal! Sounds like they are only able to fit a 315 tire not the 335 that I want. He said theres not quite enough room on the 67'-68' camaros with there TA,so I'll be looking more at SpeedTech's TA :_paranoid vs. G-link. Sal's a great guy and sounds like they have great products, just not quite what I want.

Travis

I am guessing you are running a DSE tub? Even DSE doesn't recommend a 335 tire for a track car on a '67-'68 regardless of what suspension is under it.

-J

Well I've decided to go with the TCI set up which my car is currently undergoing the work to install it and a lot of other stuff. Wish I could report on the results. I will say, I've been very impressed with how well the TCI Camaro has performed at the events I've seen it at in person (RTTC, Goodguys, etc.) which is why I chose their set up.

However, on the 315 vs 335 I question if you and Sal are on the same page. I've had this conversation with Sal multiple times. To me he has made it pretty clear that he recommends the 315 size because of the limitations of the TUB, not the torque arm.

Sal has seen my specific tub job and recommended I stay with a 315 knowing I track the car on road courses and the car will see hard turns at over 100 mph. He personally has measured my wheel wells with 335's mocked up and I'd have good clearance with a 335 but at those speeds and loads he wasn't comfortable with ANY chance of rubbing.

Chad,
I may have miss understood Sal on the tub vs. TA clearance.
What I'm wondering though is if SpeedTech and RideTech have clearance issues? I've seen the 48 hour Camaro on video and they have 335's and I'm sure Bret has tested it at 100MPH +? Maybe we can get Bret and Blake to give there experience with 335's on the 67'-68' camaros.

Travis

Travis, I'm sure Blake or someone from Speedtech and chime in here but I was thinking about this more after I posted yesterday since I don't want to mislead you or anyone else. The only thing I could come up with that would impact tire clearance on the TCI kit vs the Speedtech kit is the crossbar that the coil overs and panhard bar attach to.

The speedtech kit being a weld in kit attaches to the inside and a little bit of the underside of the frame rail only. The TCI kit wraps around both the inside and outside of the frame rail and does have two bolt heads that protrude in that area. So I could see loosing maybe ~ 3/8" of clearance this way.

Of course it is easily solved by welding in this part for the TCI kit. I know on my car we are using countersunk holes and bolt heads in this spot to achieve maximum clearance.

Here is a pic of the TCI kit with a red circle on the area I'm talking about.
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/1...itorquearm.png

Here is a pic of the Speedtech torque arm. See the area I've circled in red.
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/9...htorquearm.jpg

Hope that helps and good luck with your decision. I doubt you can make a bad one when looking at these torque arm kits.

I think at this level it's splitting hairs. All 3 companies are great. I personally have experience with Speed Techs customer service and can say it's fantastic. I can't comment on the others, but hear great things about both.

I do like the way the Speed Tech system installs. And how the arm itself is fabricated. And its performance in a well sorted car speaks for itself.

The Ridetech has great range of adjustment, is very well made and has a proven track record too.

TCI looks to be a well made system with great on track results too.

Figure your budget, ease of install and overall use of the car.
You really can't go wrong with any of them.

But I have to say if it was my choice and my money, I would go with Speed Tech. Unfortunately they don't have a T/A system currently for second gens. (but I hope they do this year ;). )

Both great companies from experience.