When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi all,
Great news. We just released two new bolt-on suspension systems for 1989-1996 C4 Corvettes:
Streetgrip System: Adjustable shocks, sway bars and self-lubricating delrin bushings. - This system retains your existing transverse springs
Coilover System: Same as above but substitutes adjustable coilovers with bolt-on conversion brackets in place of traditional springs and separate shocks.
Sway bars, Shock absorbers and delrin bushings are also available separately.
Has ride tech ever considered making offset lower control arm bushings for C4's? Imagine the C4 with camber in the front. It shouldn't be a big thing since your already doing Delrin for them anyhow?
Just a thought. I'll offer up the control arms you can test them in.
I have the ridetech shocks along with vbp sway bars and have to say its one of the best suspension upgrades I ever made, If I did not already have them I would go for your kit.
Has ride tech ever considered making offset lower control arm bushings for C4's? Imagine the C4 with camber in the front. It shouldn't be a big thing since your already doing Delrin for them anyhow?
Just a thought. I'll offer up the control arms you can test them in.
Can you guys take a look at a tubular k member for LS conversions that either utilizes C5/C6 upper/lower control arms but maintains the C4 steering rack?
A tubular k member could definitely strengthen the front of these cars, create enough room for ac compressors in the LS location and make additional suspension advances including the use of better bearings and brakes.
In the rear you could design your own toe, camber and trailing arms using the R-Joints and follow that up with a rear knuckle brake caliper mount that also uses C5/C6 mounts.
There are a lot of these cars still on the road and the price point for making them really fast is much better than an X Body or an A Body or even an F Body of similar eras. There are the same number of people who would be willing to spend that kind of money on a C4 as there are a C3 or C2 suspension upgrade.
ALSO - Kudos to you guys for developing what you have!
Last edited by SpedRacr93; Nov 18, 2019 at 09:07 PM.
All,
Thank you for the positive feedback. We developed these C4 parts out of pure passion, That sounds like sales-speak, but the reality is that we were not exactly sure how the market would react as far as demand is concerned. We developed the parts anyway -- just because we were thrilled with how well the cars responded to improvements. The more we tweaked and drove our hot-rodded versions, the more we liked the potential.
At some point, our brains did kick-in when arguing about developing six different kit variations (84-87, 88 and 89-96) x 2, so we chose a path (88-96) and pulled the trigger. Then something funny happened this past weekend: We worked Goodguys Scottsdale immediately after launching the C4 line last Thursday. Sure enough.. there were SEVEN C4 vettes on hand. I realize that this is 100% coincidental, but wow.. what a good feeling. (pics below - a coupla cars not shown).
I'm not at liberty to tell you what is coming down the pike yet. Rest assured, I have and will continue to share your feedback with our New Products Team. ...and you'll be the first to know as more parts approach the finish line.
Steve
Yes. 100% bolt-in for your 93 and any 89-96. Remove your leaf springs, install the conversion brackets and the coilovers bolt right on. Once installed, you can fine-tune ride height to your personal preferences, then tweak shock valving to suit your driving style and tire selection.
Steve
Really cool stuff! I appreciate you all investing in part development for an old platform such as the C4, especially in today's landscape. Shows passion for the applications.
Has ride tech ever considered making offset lower control arm bushings for C4's? Imagine the C4 with camber in the front. It shouldn't be a big thing since your already doing Delrin for them anyhow?
Just a thought. I'll offer up the control arms you can test them in.
Let me second this idea! VBP used to offer them in polyurethane, but they of course are out of business and Delrin is probably better for that anyway. They are easy enough to make - the center hole was just drilled 1/8" off center.
Let me second this idea! VBP used to offer them in polyurethane, but they of course are out of business and Delrin is probably better for that anyway. They are easy enough to make - the center hole was just drilled 1/8" off center.
I have them on my 93. Yes, I can get quite a bit of negative camber. Had 3.5 degrees once..for autocross. 1/4 toe out. too, good times...
I really love my Ridetech shocks, and I can only imagine how well the coil over setup and sway bars would work.
Steve, if I wanted to purchase the complete Coil Over setup is there any chance of having my Ridetech shocks upgraded to the coil overs? This way I wouldn't take a complete monetary loss in the original purchase of the shocks.
Last edited by grandspt; Nov 21, 2019 at 10:25 AM.
Remove your leaf springs, install the conversion brackets and the coilovers bolt right on.
It's worth mentioning that this is the first C4 coilover kit I've seen that addresses the concern about the cantilevered rear shock mount off the lug on the stock aluminum knuckle. There are reports that mounting coilovers directly to the lug - or worse to an extension off the lug for clearance between the spring and trailing arm - will break that lug right off the knuckle. The steel brackets included in the Ridetech kit address this issue by reinforcing the knuckle and also offsetting the lower shock mount. The only other time I've seen this addressed has been on Chris Ramey's recent OUSCI C4 build ("theseal" here on this forum). He fabbed his own bracket. So kudos to Ridetech for doing this right!
Love it when new aftermarket development happens for our cars
I watched your video; while the 80's theme was a nice touch you sped through some great installation segments. Do you have that footage uploaded somewhere at regular speed?
Also, the streetgrip package retains our transverse leaf but uses the same (beefy) 1140lb swaybar as the coilover kit. Doesn't the leaf add swaybar effect?
I really love my Ridetech shocks, and I can only imagine how well the coil over setup and sway bars would work.
Steve, if I wanted to purchase the complete Coil Over setup is there any chance of having my Ridetech shocks upgraded to the coil overs? This way I wouldn't take a complete monetary loss in the original purchase of the shocks.
Thank you for your kind words. Smooth body shocks cannot be upgraded to coilovers. You can, however, transfer the balance of your 1,000,001-mile warranty to a new owner, so you may be able to sell your shocks for a decent sum.
Steve
Hey Steve@Ridetech, show us early (84-87) C4 owners some sweet ridetech love brother . I know that I want to upgrade my suspension on my 85 vette to coil overs/control arms. Thanks for making a sweet suspension kit for the other C4. You guys going to do an air ride system? I like seeing new stuff come out of all these older cars.
Hey Steve@Ridetech, show us early (84-87) C4 owners some sweet ridetech love brother . I know that I want to upgrade my suspension on my 85 vette to coil overs/control arms. Thanks for making a sweet suspension kit for the other C4. You guys going to do an air ride system? I like seeing new stuff come out of all these older cars.
Same! I want something for my 85. I really want to lower my car some more. My dad said the lower your car is, the more women will fall in love with you
I was looking at the front suspension on my 1987 and noticed the front shock lower attaching bolts up to a weak bracket. I am relatively new to the C4 world but was thinking why wouldn’t they make a kit for the early cars and after looking at the arms , I am thinking that’s the reason. I was planning on swapping the entire front end to the later front end.
I threw in the towel and now starting with a 1989.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
New C4 Corvette Suspension Systems by Ridetech
. I know that I want to upgrade my suspension on my 85 vette to coil overs/control arms. Thanks for making a sweet suspension kit for the other C4. You guys going to do an air ride system? I like seeing new stuff come out of all these older cars.
