RideTech ShockWave vs. "normal" coil over

[out2kayak]

Hey all,

This Thurday I'll be pulling the trigger on ordering my shocks and springs.

I'm still struggling with the decision to go with "regular" coil overs or ShockWaves.

Here is the thinking at the moment:

ShockWaves:

Pros:

1. Ability to adjust the ride height as I drive. This is compelling so the body does not drag on curbs, speed bumps, etc. I don't intend on "dancing" the car.
2. Looks really cool


Cons:

1. A lot more weight with the compressor, etc.
2. A lot more stuff that can break when racing
3. A lot more expensive
4. A lot more effort in installing it (electronics, pneumatics, etc.).

The car will be used for autocross, street, and shows. Handling is king for me. If I do drag race, I can tune both so I figure it's a wash.

Any other pros / cons? Would you spend your money on a set if money was not an issue?

Thoughts?

[speedjohnston]

Since 'handling is king', ask yourself what would a race car work best with. I, and this is a personal opinion only, would use the regular coil overs.

[wellis77]

I'm going with Shockwaves in my build because I like the adjustability and everything I hear is that the ride is second to none.

[Richio1]

Look at the how well the Ridetech cars have done in the autox events... That is the reason I went with their complete set up. Added the airpod upgrade which made the install way easier and it doesn't add that much weight.

[71RS/SS396]

Originally Posted by Richio1

Look at the how well the Ridetech cars have done in the autox events... That is the reason I went with their complete set up. Added the airpod upgrade which made the install way easier and it doesn't add that much weight.

Have you driven your car yet? I am not a fan of shock waves on light cars, the ride quality isn't that great, maybe it's my combination but I have not been that impressed ( I have them on a 69 Camaro and on a 67 Nova ) . The digital controllers are a pita the ride height seems to be inconsistent at the same pressures. One other piece of advice I can give is, don't use the flexible plastic line and pushlock fittings they are leakers. The plastic line has a leak down rate if you look at the mfr. specs. I just finished a 62 bubbletop and did all the lines in steel and used braided ss where they had to be flexible and that car can sit for months and not loose air pressure. Just my .02

[out2kayak]

Unfortunately, I can't take my car for a ride (I received it in several crates and have parts everywhere in the house -- from the attic to the basement).

So, my only recourse is to ask those who have gone before me for their recommendations.

Just for fun, here are the weights posted around the web for the Camaro, Nova, and my 'Vette:

3765 lbs 69 Camaro
3,180 lbs 64 Corvette Convertible
3,145 lbs 67 Nova

[bret]

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

Have you driven your car yet? I am not a fan of shock waves on light cars, the ride quality isn't that great, maybe it's my combination but I have not been that impressed ( I have them on a 69 Camaro and on a 67 Nova ) . The digital controllers are a pita the ride height seems to be inconsistent at the same pressures. One other piece of advice I can give is, don't use the flexible plastic line and pushlock fittings they are leakers. The plastic line has a leak down rate if you look at the mfr. specs. I just finished a 62 bubbletop and did all the lines in steel and used braided ss where they had to be flexible and that car can sit for months and not loose air pressure. Just my .02

While ride quality is a subjective opinion, as is the definition of pita...the idea that the DOT approved airlines and DOT approved fittings have a "leakdown rate" is simply wrong. The Department of Transportation specifies that these components be "bubbletight", which is a technical term that means less than
.1% [one tenth of one percent] per 24 hour period. [I am going from memory here...I will dig up our original research data] By this criteria this means at 100 psi it will take at least 30 days to leak down 3 psi. That would be 36 psi per year. My tires leak more than that.
If there is a leak it is because the installer has either A. failed to use thread sealer on the pipe threads of the fitting, or B. failed to cut off the DOT approved airline correctly [as in clean and straight]. If both of those criteria are met, then you will not have a leak.
Notice that I have repeatedly specified "DOT approved". There is a significant difference in both design and price. Non DOT components might work. DOT approved components WILL work.
As far as ride quality on a light car...MOST of the time poor ride quality is caused by A. driving the car too low [too low of air pressure] and allowing the car to bottom out [or close to it] or B. a poorly tuned shock absorber. Ride quality is a broad and subjective issue...too long for this thread, but we do have some general tech information on our website about that. http://www.ridetech.com/info/
From the post above I don't have enough information to address the digital controller issue, but will certainly do so. Some of the information referred to above might be relevant.
As usual, I respect everyone's opinions here...just trying to distribute solid information.