Smoother Highway Ride for Coilover Conversion

[NOVA]

I have the Ridetech Coilover Conversion W/HQ Shocks,W/Truturn on A 72 Nova, its all original Ridetech components/shocks etc. that came with the Kit, nothing has been changed, I have tried some adjusting on the shocks, it does not seem to really do that much, kit has been on the car for about 3 years now, I think it is the latest/current generation, but not positive on that.

I do notice when I push down on the rear bumper for example there is very little give, very little travel ?
I am wanting a smoother Highway / Cruise ride, one thought I had was maybe a different (lighter?) spring rating OR is it shocks ?

I know there is a ton of knowledge here for some positive feedback, just looking for a few possible suggestions to accomplish a smoother highway / cruising ride for my Coilover set up.
I did do a search and found one link but it was from 2013, maybe there is some newer more current info on this subject.

Thank you

[dhutton]

First thing to do is make sure your shocks are roughly centered in their travel at ride height. Is your car super low? Post up a pic of your ride height and maybe pics of your shocks at ride height if you can.

Don

[NOVA]

Originally Posted by dhutton

First thing to do is make sure your shocks are roughly centered in their travel at ride height. Is your car super low? Post up a pic of your ride height and maybe pics of your shocks at ride height if you can.

Don

Yes it sits low, I would say not super low, happy with the ride height, I have no pics at the moment, I'll need to look at the shock positioning, Thanks for the reply / suggestions.
This pic is on the Ridetech site and for comparison wise this is pretty close to my height https://www.ridetech.com/product/coi...968-1972-nova/

[CraigS]

As dhutton said checking how much travel you have is step #1. I like to have a little more travel in compression than extension if I can. If that is OK, then it's on to shocks or springs. You need to figure out exactly what springs and shocks you have so people w/ similar car and suspension can compare yours to theirs. SHocks adjustable?

[NOVA]

Originally Posted by CraigS

SHocks adjustable?

Thanks, yes they are adjustable & set at 6

[NOVA]

Originally Posted by dhutton

First thing to do is make sure your shocks are roughly centered in their travel at ride height..

Don

I was able to look and they are centered, thanks

[dhutton]

You could go lighter springs but then you have to run higher preload to maintain your ride height. I find that a lot of preload can lead to poor ride quality.

The reason shock adjustment doesn’t do a whole lot is because it’s rebound only. According to Ridetech the spring rate is so high that adjusting the compression damping has very little affect because the spring rate dominates. So they don’t offer compression damping adjustment which is difficult with a monotube shock anyway….

I put the whole Ridetech level 2 package with Truturn on my wife’s 69 Camaro. Hated the ride, it was harsh. Sold the car because of it.

Don

[NOVA]

Originally Posted by dhutton

You could go lighter springs but then you have to run higher preload to maintain your ride height. I find that a lot of preload can lead to poor ride quality.

The reason shock adjustment doesn’t do a whole lot is because it’s rebound only. According to Ridetech the spring rate is so high that adjusting the compression damping has very little affect because the spring rate dominates. So they don’t offer compression damping adjustment which is difficult with a monotube shock anyway….

I put the whole Ridetech level 2 package with Truturn on my wife’s 69 Camaro. Hated the ride, it was harsh. Sold the car because of it.

Don

I would agree with both adjustment & ride.
honestly, I cannot tell much difference turning the knobs one way or another, not really much there for adjustment wise to really make a significant difference, and the ride, not what I was thinking I would have as far as comfort, also agree about changing springs, I do not feel it would be worth it and do not think it would really change it that much to make a big enough difference in my case.

Now, it did lower it and it does handle like a slot car (I feel) but I do no course racing, it really is just a driver, but it does handle for sure.
Thanks

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by NOVA

I would agree with both adjustment & ride.
honestly, I cannot tell much difference turning the knobs one way or another, not really much there for adjustment wise to really make a significant difference, and the ride, not what I was thinking I would have as far as comfort, also agree about changing springs, I do not feel it would be worth it and do not think it would really change it that much to make a big enough difference in my case.

Now, it did lower it and it does handle like a slot car (I feel) but I do no course racing, it really is just a driver, but it does handle for sure.
Thanks

Yes it did handle well. But any discontinuity in the pavement was jarring.

Don

[piratebaseball]

Originally Posted by dhutton

You could go lighter springs but then you have to run higher preload to maintain your ride height. I find that a lot of preload can lead to poor ride quality.

The reason shock adjustment doesn’t do a whole lot is because it’s rebound only. According to Ridetech the spring rate is so high that adjusting the compression damping has very little affect because the spring rate dominates. So they don’t offer compression damping adjustment which is difficult with a monotube shock anyway….

I put the whole Ridetech level 2 package with Truturn on my wife’s 69 Camaro. Hated the ride, it was harsh. Sold the car because of it.

Don

I could be wrong, but did you go with Art Morrison front clip and IRS rear suspension? How does it compare to the ridetech ride? I've got the coilover system and 4 link, but it is the older style from back around 2008. Not really pleased with the ride quality of it.