Ridetech Coilovers just Installed 2000 Trans Am
#1
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Through a strange set of circumstances, I ended up purchasing a set of Ridetech Level 2 coilovers for LS1 F body this past week. While going to do a DMS lowering spring install I realized my front struts were seized with rust and decided to take the mod bug route, and give the new product from Ridetech a try. I have probably 60 miles on the setup and I have to say, I am impressed.
The real test will be on the strip, my car is a street/strip car and I was looking to improve the stance, ride quality, and 60' times with this setup. I chose this over a QA1, Viking, or Strange for the 1 million mile warranty, and customer support the Ridetech company offers. Here is some pictures and things I ran into during the overall successful install.
Here is the link to the kit from Ridetech that I purchased.
http://www.ridetech.com/store/1993-2...m-level-1.html
A big shoutout goes out to Hubbard Racing Inc as well for the assistance in the install, You can check out there page at the link below:
http://hubbardracinginc.com/
I installed Midwest Chassis Transverse Shock Mounts at the same time for my Moser 9," to rotate the shock 90 degrees and provide superior shock position eliminating binding at launch.
Ridetech Front and Rear Coilovers unboxed
![Name: 10170980_10152433341969274_9154015330522922064_n_zpsc4d53a3c.jpg
Views: 10152
Size: 65.6 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606639d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10170980_10152433341969274_9154015330522922064_n_zpsc4d53a3c.jpg)
New vs. Old Front Setup
![Name: 10155816_10152433341894274_6266383058519245851_n_zps62a86b49.jpg
Views: 11033
Size: 79.6 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606640d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10155816_10152433341894274_6266383058519245851_n_zps62a86b49.jpg)
The front coilover setup appealed to me because it eliminated the rubber upper shock mount that is prone to rust, as mine was when removed. Here is the solid mount provided
![Name: 10295666_10152433338864274_5270591274730264013_n_zpsf31aaaeb.jpg
Views: 9970
Size: 70.0 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606641d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10295666_10152433338864274_5270591274730264013_n_zpsf31aaaeb.jpg)
The front coilover setup was basically a bolt-in setup, the only modification required was drilling out a hole for the bumpstop placement. The hole drilled appears in the picture below
![Name: 10341424_10152433339914274_2693630488044346420_n_zps90f1e32e.jpg
Views: 9158
Size: 62.2 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606642d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10341424_10152433339914274_2693630488044346420_n_zps90f1e32e.jpg)
Here is a picture of the front coilover assembly fully installed
![Name: 10153074_10152433338784274_7443418905800227969_n_zps5ff0dd76.jpg
Views: 9854
Size: 58.8 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606643d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10153074_10152433338784274_7443418905800227969_n_zps5ff0dd76.jpg)
The rear assembly caused more of an issue, mainly due to the incompatibility of the Ridetech product with the Midwest Chassis transverse mount. The Ridetech product provides a larger diameter stud for mounting to the stock lower shock mount, which would require drilling out if you used the stock location as you can see in the picture below
![Name: 1661695_10152433338774274_6723926762592056830_n_zps34a7dd28.jpg
Views: 9051
Size: 53.0 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606644d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-1661695_10152433338774274_6723926762592056830_n_zps34a7dd28.jpg)
Instead, Ridetech shipped me a 1/2'' ID spacer to adapt the Midwest Chassis Transverse Shock Mounts to their kit, the spacer required to use the transverse shock mounts look like this.
![Name: 1013872_10152433337219274_4378167723848093614_n_zpsb83a2a4f.jpg
Views: 9057
Size: 49.1 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606645d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-1013872_10152433337219274_4378167723848093614_n_zpsb83a2a4f.jpg)
The Midwest Chassis Transverse Shock mounts use the factory shock mount hole for the lower bolt, but you will need to drill out a hole for the top mount, they use a two bolt mount as opposed to the single from most other setup.s Here is a finished picture of the shock mount
![Name: 10330286_10152433341964274_2577903039126736973_n_zps99acecef.jpg
Views: 8892
Size: 36.5 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606646d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10330286_10152433341964274_2577903039126736973_n_zps99acecef.jpg)
Due to the fact that our cars have separate shock/spring assemblies in the rear, the Ridetech kit uses a upper shock mount that distributes the weight across the factory rear spring perch.
![Name: 10172574_10152433338754274_8267756430717916076_n_zps185c75ac.jpg
Views: 9159
Size: 38.3 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606647d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10172574_10152433338754274_8267756430717916076_n_zps185c75ac.jpg)
Here is the rear coilover setup installed with the Midwest Chassis transverse shock mounts
![](http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy159/04BorlaBee/Ridetech/10300023_10152433337359274_2965713405526944581_n_zps8f4819e3.jpg)
![Name: 10172798_10152433337254274_6491103922266581732_n_zps4ab61b78.jpg
Views: 11368
Size: 82.7 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606648d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10172798_10152433337254274_6491103922266581732_n_zps4ab61b78.jpg)
Overall I am pleased with the ease of install, we ran into a few snags but nothing major. The customer support from Ridetech was superb throughout the install process and continues to be so from then on. I am running the spring rates that came with the kit, which I may change down the road if I do more weight reduction for the track. They are 350# front springs and 200# rear springs. They are 30 setting single adjustable and seem to perform superb thus far. I have removed my front sway bar and the car handles better now with this setup than it did with a swaybar.
Between the product quality, customer service, and ease of install I would not hesitate to recommend these to anyone looking for a premium suspension upgrade to their F Body Camaro or Trans Am.
Be sure to checkout Ridetech for ALL of your suspension needs, Check them out on Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/ridetech
Ethan Hubbard from Hubbard Racing Inc was a pleasure to work with throughout the install process and providing not only knowledge and assistance, but an overall demeanor that has made me a return customer. Check him out for your F body performance needs on Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/HubbardRacingInc
The real test will be on the strip, my car is a street/strip car and I was looking to improve the stance, ride quality, and 60' times with this setup. I chose this over a QA1, Viking, or Strange for the 1 million mile warranty, and customer support the Ridetech company offers. Here is some pictures and things I ran into during the overall successful install.
Here is the link to the kit from Ridetech that I purchased.
http://www.ridetech.com/store/1993-2...m-level-1.html
A big shoutout goes out to Hubbard Racing Inc as well for the assistance in the install, You can check out there page at the link below:
http://hubbardracinginc.com/
I installed Midwest Chassis Transverse Shock Mounts at the same time for my Moser 9," to rotate the shock 90 degrees and provide superior shock position eliminating binding at launch.
Ridetech Front and Rear Coilovers unboxed
![Name: 10170980_10152433341969274_9154015330522922064_n_zpsc4d53a3c.jpg
Views: 10152
Size: 65.6 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606639d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10170980_10152433341969274_9154015330522922064_n_zpsc4d53a3c.jpg)
New vs. Old Front Setup
![Name: 10155816_10152433341894274_6266383058519245851_n_zps62a86b49.jpg
Views: 11033
Size: 79.6 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606640d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10155816_10152433341894274_6266383058519245851_n_zps62a86b49.jpg)
The front coilover setup appealed to me because it eliminated the rubber upper shock mount that is prone to rust, as mine was when removed. Here is the solid mount provided
![Name: 10295666_10152433338864274_5270591274730264013_n_zpsf31aaaeb.jpg
Views: 9970
Size: 70.0 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606641d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10295666_10152433338864274_5270591274730264013_n_zpsf31aaaeb.jpg)
The front coilover setup was basically a bolt-in setup, the only modification required was drilling out a hole for the bumpstop placement. The hole drilled appears in the picture below
![Name: 10341424_10152433339914274_2693630488044346420_n_zps90f1e32e.jpg
Views: 9158
Size: 62.2 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606642d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10341424_10152433339914274_2693630488044346420_n_zps90f1e32e.jpg)
Here is a picture of the front coilover assembly fully installed
![Name: 10153074_10152433338784274_7443418905800227969_n_zps5ff0dd76.jpg
Views: 9854
Size: 58.8 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606643d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10153074_10152433338784274_7443418905800227969_n_zps5ff0dd76.jpg)
The rear assembly caused more of an issue, mainly due to the incompatibility of the Ridetech product with the Midwest Chassis transverse mount. The Ridetech product provides a larger diameter stud for mounting to the stock lower shock mount, which would require drilling out if you used the stock location as you can see in the picture below
![Name: 1661695_10152433338774274_6723926762592056830_n_zps34a7dd28.jpg
Views: 9051
Size: 53.0 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606644d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-1661695_10152433338774274_6723926762592056830_n_zps34a7dd28.jpg)
Instead, Ridetech shipped me a 1/2'' ID spacer to adapt the Midwest Chassis Transverse Shock Mounts to their kit, the spacer required to use the transverse shock mounts look like this.
![Name: 1013872_10152433337219274_4378167723848093614_n_zpsb83a2a4f.jpg
Views: 9057
Size: 49.1 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606645d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-1013872_10152433337219274_4378167723848093614_n_zpsb83a2a4f.jpg)
The Midwest Chassis Transverse Shock mounts use the factory shock mount hole for the lower bolt, but you will need to drill out a hole for the top mount, they use a two bolt mount as opposed to the single from most other setup.s Here is a finished picture of the shock mount
![Name: 10330286_10152433341964274_2577903039126736973_n_zps99acecef.jpg
Views: 8892
Size: 36.5 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606646d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10330286_10152433341964274_2577903039126736973_n_zps99acecef.jpg)
Due to the fact that our cars have separate shock/spring assemblies in the rear, the Ridetech kit uses a upper shock mount that distributes the weight across the factory rear spring perch.
![Name: 10172574_10152433338754274_8267756430717916076_n_zps185c75ac.jpg
Views: 9159
Size: 38.3 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606647d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10172574_10152433338754274_8267756430717916076_n_zps185c75ac.jpg)
Here is the rear coilover setup installed with the Midwest Chassis transverse shock mounts
![](http://i787.photobucket.com/albums/yy159/04BorlaBee/Ridetech/10300023_10152433337359274_2965713405526944581_n_zps8f4819e3.jpg)
![Name: 10172798_10152433337254274_6491103922266581732_n_zps4ab61b78.jpg
Views: 11368
Size: 82.7 KB](https://ls1tech.com/forums/attachments/suspension-brakes/606648d1501314924-ridetech-coilovers-just-installed-2000-trans-am-10172798_10152433337254274_6491103922266581732_n_zps4ab61b78.jpg)
Overall I am pleased with the ease of install, we ran into a few snags but nothing major. The customer support from Ridetech was superb throughout the install process and continues to be so from then on. I am running the spring rates that came with the kit, which I may change down the road if I do more weight reduction for the track. They are 350# front springs and 200# rear springs. They are 30 setting single adjustable and seem to perform superb thus far. I have removed my front sway bar and the car handles better now with this setup than it did with a swaybar.
Between the product quality, customer service, and ease of install I would not hesitate to recommend these to anyone looking for a premium suspension upgrade to their F Body Camaro or Trans Am.
Be sure to checkout Ridetech for ALL of your suspension needs, Check them out on Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/ridetech
Ethan Hubbard from Hubbard Racing Inc was a pleasure to work with throughout the install process and providing not only knowledge and assistance, but an overall demeanor that has made me a return customer. Check him out for your F body performance needs on Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/HubbardRacingInc
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#8
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (35)
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For corner carving I'd go with 500 lb.in.front spring rate, for the rear 175 lb.in. spring rate.
Since the front springs are 14" in length, 500 lb.in. is the highest rate I found available. With the rear springs being mounted forward the standard 200 lb.in. rear spring rate is more like 175, so if you want with a 175 lb.in. rate it would be more like a 150 spring rate in the factory rear spring position.
BTW the rear springs are 12" in length.
Beautiful car, but please clean-n-paint those rusty *** front upper A-arm mounts!
![Cheers!!](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_cheers.gif)
![Barf](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_barf.gif)
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Last edited by 99Bluz28; 05-02-2014 at 02:22 AM.
#9
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (35)
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IndyRPM TransAm, so how much preload did you put on the front springs..?
Also how much thread length is above the front spring lower spring seat right now..?
FYI,
I'm just trying to figure out if 12" spring are long enough to allow plenty of preload, and upward height adjustment .
Also how much thread length is above the front spring lower spring seat right now..?
FYI,
I'm just trying to figure out if 12" spring are long enough to allow plenty of preload, and upward height adjustment .
#11
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
IndyRPM TransAm, so how much preload did you put on the front springs..?
Also how much thread length is above the front spring lower spring seat right now..?
FYI,
I'm just trying to figure out if 12" spring are long enough to allow plenty of preload, and upward height adjustment .
Also how much thread length is above the front spring lower spring seat right now..?
FYI,
I'm just trying to figure out if 12" spring are long enough to allow plenty of preload, and upward height adjustment .
![Nod](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_nod.gif)
Looks great bud, thanks for the install pics and finished product! Let me know if you have any questions!
#12
FormerVendor
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Overall this was a great product with a very smooth install. The only thing to note, as Tyler mentioned, is that if you plan to run the transverse shock mount setup you will have to get another set of the 1/2" bearing spacers with your kit as the included ones were not meant to work for the aftermarket mount.
I am honestly impressed with the quality of this product!
I am honestly impressed with the quality of this product!
#16
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Any updates on how they car does at the drag strip? I am trying to choose between Ridetech and Viking coilover kits. I want something that doesn't ride terrible on the street.