Tips for installing air bags in a '67 GTO/Chevelle/GM A-body?

[Nikwho]

I have 2" Eibach lowering springs for the front of my '67 Pontiac Tempest Custom. I want the rear to be adjustable. I was planning on running Firestone 2500lb air bags. anyone have any experience doing this? Any tips or tricks? Pictures of your install? How you mounted/connected/fabricated your brackets? Also, how did the handling or ride quality improve, worsen or change? I am going to have each bag fill individually, so as not to let air transfer from one bag to the other as this will worsen body roll. Any pictures, opinions, tips or tricks that you guys have will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Nik

[wmhjr]

I have a '66 Pontiac A-Body.

What you're describing is perhaps the furthest thing from a performance suspension. No disrespect intended, but it sounds as though you're going for a particular "look" rather than trying to impact performance. The air systems that some here use, like "Ride-Tech" are about as similar to a 2500lb Firestone air bag as is a helium balloon. If performance and handling is your goal, you need to start at the front with understanding roll center, bump steer, the inherent poor geometry of the 1st Gen A-Body upper and lower A Arms. Lowering springs lower your car. They don't fix your handling issues. A lowering spring will lower your CG, but will also reduce travel, and in some cases actually make some of the poor handling symptoms get worse.

In the back, if you want air, call one of the vendors that specializes in high performance designs using air as a spring. At the end of the day, it's a spring, and needs to have certain spring rate, volume and travel characteristics. If you want massive adjustability to raise and lower height, you're going to give up performance. But in no case is a 2500lb air bag - essentially a truck component - a performance suspension.

JMHO.

[marolf101x]

What you are talking about is our Cool Ride kit:
http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspen...ar-system.html

You will notice we do not use the 2500lb air spring in this package. This is due to a few things (custom mounts are required to fit the stock packaging without cutting everything up, and a double convoluted air spring provides too much spring rate and will diminish ride quality.)

As posted above, if you want that thing to REALLY handle well you should take a look at the suspension package as a whole. We make quite a few parts for that car (if you've not seen our blue 66 you need to do some searching as we've thrashed on that car for years and is still one of the best in our fleet):
http://www.ridetech.com/store/muscle...tures_hash=V40

[Northcoastnovas]

I have air ride in a daily driver goin on 7 years.The valves get debris in them and stick open allowing 150psi to fill the effected bag.Moisture eventually damages the aluminum and they leak.Very irritating when you have some place to be and you have to deal with these problems.I've spoke with ride tech,their answer was just buy new valves at over 250 bucks a pop.I need 2 sets.My compressor burnt up,same thing we don't deal with them,you can buy a new one or call Viair maybe they can rebuild it for you.I don't think I'd put another system in a car knowing the problems I've dealt with or the support I received.I got the feeling unless I was spending 5 grand don't bother us.I'm sure every one's experience is different,mine was maybe a 4 out of 10.Did I mention the monroe shocks that wore out prematurely?

[bret]

Originally Posted by Northcoastnovas

I have air ride in a daily driver goin on 7 years.The valves get debris in them and stick open allowing 150psi to fill the effected bag.Moisture eventually damages the aluminum and they leak.Very irritating when you have some place to be and you have to deal with these problems.I've spoke with ride tech,their answer was just buy new valves at over 250 bucks a pop.I need 2 sets.My compressor burnt up,same thing we don't deal with them,you can buy a new one or call Viair maybe they can rebuild it for you.I don't think I'd put another system in a car knowing the problems I've dealt with or the support I received.I got the feeling unless I was spending 5 grand don't bother us.I'm sure every one's experience is different,mine was maybe a 4 out of 10.Did I mention the monroe shocks that wore out prematurely?

If you are experiencing debris in your sealed system, it has to be coming from an unfiltered compressor inlet. Over time the air compressor will undoubtedly ingest some dirt that will eventually cause both the compressor to work harder [and possibly burn up] and eventually gum up the airvalves. The solution is simple...clean out the system and put the air inlet filter back on the compressor.

I would sure like to know who you talked to for help. Your problems are NOT typical...IF you are using our equipment. I say that because we've experienced [and resolved] these kinds of problems with valves [and compressors] during development...that is why we made the neccessary refinements before releasing them to the public over 14 years ago. It is also why we carry rebuild parts for the valves for those who DO end up with dirt in the system.

What we DO find in many cases is that the air suspension in question is not actually our system, but a generic "air ride" system that has been assumed to be from Air Ride Technologies [now RideTech]. In those cases we still do as much as we can to help resolve problems. Sometimes that includes recommending that the customer buy new parts.

As far as encountering the lazy customer service attitude you have indicated at RideTech...well, you are simply mistaken about that.
My guys on the phone have been here anywhere from 6 to 14 years. They know exactly what they are doing and what they are talking about. They may not have given you the answer you were hoping for, but I can absolutely guarantee that it was delivered with courtesy and effeciency.
I also have 2 guys who are "in training"...meaning they have worked here for over a year and are now sitting right beside our more experienced tech guys learning exactly how to handle these kinds of problems in the most positive manner possible. They routinely deal with not only hotrodders, but military and industrial customers who have absolutely no tolerance for unsatisfactory service and who continually give us excellent grades on both product and service.

If you want your suspension done right...or fixed after it wasn't...we will gladly assist.

[Northcoastnovas]

Bret I appreciate your response and as mentioned every persons experience is different.I have never ran my compressor with out a filter.The compressor came with a replacement filter as well.I think the debris is more of an issue of moisture in the tank creating rust.Which eventually is blown through the system.My compressor is mounted in the trunk which is a pretty clean environment.

You imply my system was installed wrong which that's pretty tough to do.
Your last comment is similar to the response I received when calling for assistance.It implies you are right and I am wrong.

Quote:"If you want your suspension done right...or fixed after it wasn't...we will gladly assist."
So here you ASSume or imply my system was installed wrong.This is why I give your customer service a 4 out of 10.Not to mention I was told to just buy new valves.Not hey we might be able to rebuild them,let's see what we can do.
This system was purchased directly from ridetech(air ride technologies)not another company and assumed to be from ridetech.