These systems provide an aggressive yet functional muscle car stance. A first for Ridetech, both coilover and air systems now feature a rubber isolated spherical bearing design that minimizes NVH noises commonly associated with performance oriented suspension systems.

This additional compliance strikes a happy medium for those who want all the performance benefits of an adjustable suspension without sacrificing ride quality or comfort. As such, they are equally at home applying Gen III Hemi power to the pavement at the drag strip, autocross, track day, or a spirited drive carving corners on canyon roads.

Both coilover and air systems are sporting a fresh new look, featuring black and gray anodized finishes that pair nicely with the rest of the hardware. Fine-tuning of suspension responsiveness is accomplished via the 24-position rebound adjustable HQ series coilovers with Fox Factory valving and internals.

While these two systems are the first to release for these applications, Ridetech’s triple-adjustable TQ-series coilovers for dedicated track builds are coming soon. Stay tuned!

The post Featured Products: Ridetech Late Model Mopar Coilovers & Air Suspension Now Available! appeared first on BangShift.com.

In the heart of Hesperia, California, a rust-covered gem lay waiting to be transformed into a roaring street racing legend. Rodger of Ironworks Speed and Kustom had just acquired the skeleton of a 1967 Camaro – a blank canvas that held the promise of being something truly extraordinary. Little did he know that this Camaro would not only undergo a remarkable transformation but also bear the stamp of a long-time Fairway GM dealership owner, Greg Heinrich.

As the story goes, Rodger’s phone rang on the way home from his Hesperia acquisition. It was Greg Heinrich, a loyal client of Rodger’s, who couldn’t contain his curiosity about the newly acquired Camaro. Greg was known for his affinity for Summit white, a classic GM color, earning it the affectionate nickname “Heinrich White” among his peers. The conversation that ensued was a mix of excitement, vision, and humor, as Rodger playfully joked about Summit White’s alternative moniker.

20/20 Vision

The vision for the Camaro began to take shape at the SEMA Show, where the LT4 engine was unveiled. Without hesitation, the decision was made to order one, along with GM’s eye-catching “self-illuminating bowtie,” which had generated quite a buzz. With these new acquisitions in hand, the stage was set to create a street race car that embodied the essence of power, speed, and handling— a vehicle that could easily land you in jail if pushed to its limits.

Ironworks Speed and Kustom, known for its innovative automotive creations, stepped in to turn this vision into reality. They introduced several groundbreaking features that set this Camaro apart from the rest. Machined engine bay parts, interior panels, and an extensive use of 3D-printed components brought a touch of innovation to the project. Sean Smith’s contribution to the interior design, including a magnet base panel, was a game-changer in the customization of the car’s interior.

Guts ‘n Glory

The aesthetics of the Camaro were equally as impressive as its engineering. A set of 19″ Forgeline monoblock wheels were selected to give the car a modern and aggressive appearance. Meticulous work was done to ensure perfect wheel fitment and be able to fit a 305/30/19 Michelin tire in the front and massive 345/30/19 Michelin tire in the rear. 

Behind the Forgeline wheels are a set of Wilwood 14″ brakes with highlighter yellow calipers, reminiscent of Porsche Carrera design cues. These brakes compliment the wheels and suspension package.

Underneath its sleek exterior, this Camaro boasts Speedtech front and rear suspension, with a torque arm rear, and ridetech coilovers, ensuring a balance between comfort and high-performance handling. 

The LT4 engine makes 640HP and 630 lb-ft. of torque right out of the box. Backing the powerhouse is a T56 transmission which offers buttery smooth shifts and double overdrives. All those ponies travel through a Gear FX Ford 9″ differential while a Rick’s Fuel Tank feeds the beast.

Finishing Touches

The Camaro’s interior received special attention with carbon fiber Sparco seats, painted and recovered by Sid Chavers, showcasing a distinctive Houndstooth interior design. The interior is right at home on the car show circuit, but it’s all business. The seats are designed to hold you in place during cornering. 

Even something as simple as a door panel, Rodger went above and beyond. With help from Sean Smith, they created the first magnet base door panel. There’s no screws or janky clips holding the custom door panels on, it’s all done with magnets. 

Dakota Digital Gauges, fitted within a custom billet gauge cluster, provided the driver with essential information in style. A Vintage Air AC system provided some comfort in the midst of the speed and adrenaline.

The Camaro’s front grille was custom-made, and the lower front valance was extended, not only for a distinctive appearance but also to accommodate a larger diameter fog light. The body was sprayed in Henrich’s favorite PPG Summit white paint, ensuring the car’s appearance was as stunning as its performance.

This masterpiece made its debut at the Mobil 1 booth at SEMA 2017, where it garnered the attention of General Motors and earned a GM Design Award. The 1967 Camaro, a symbol of precision engineering and craftsmanship, was not just a vehicle; it was an embodiment of Greg Heinrich’s vision and Rodger’s dedication to turning a rusty shell into a white-hot street racing marvel.

The post Greg Heinrich’s 1967 Camaro: A Speed Demon in White appeared first on BangShift.com.

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2011 SEMA Daily Update 2 Bret Voelkel sent in the 2nd report from Tuesday, after completing day one of SEMA: “The crowd at SEMA this year is huge! I’m told buyer registration is up by 20%. I believe it judging by the difficulty in getting through the aisles. I spent most of the day bouncing back and forth between the 48 Hour Camaro, our display booth, and the Optima corral outside where most of the participants for the Optima event were parked. As part of the Optima event on Saturday, I had to do an interview for the upcoming TV show.  Of course they always want to know how I think we will place. I always try to be realistic. We’ve always had a top ten car at that event. The 48 Hour Camaro is our fastest entry yet, but every one else has gotten faster as well.  I think we’ll end up somewhere between 7th and 10th. We’ll see!   I also had to move the camaro over to the Hilton for the ARMO banquet. It was as big a hit there as it’s been everywhere else.   I got to see Albert Melchior’s new 70 trans am today for the first time. Great car! It was built by Scott Mock and will be driven on Saturday by Scott’s son Kevin Miller. He said he had it out last weekend for testing and was completely impressed with his new triple adjustable coil overs. Thanks Albert!   Tomorrow we are shooting 8 customer testimonial videos with the guys from Bangshift. We’ll be talking to Jimi Day, Troy Trepanier, Alan Johnson, Albert Melchior, Goldberg, Curt Ukasic, and several others at the show. Look for those videos to start showing up on our website in the next 30 days or so.   I’ve been stunned by the number of customers who have come by the booth to request our “wheel trophy” signs and decals for their cars. Very gratifying…love happy customers…they always buy more stuff!   The big thing here this year seems to be new Camaros and old Mustangs…must be 200 of each… Glad our Gen 5 Camaro system will be done shortly!  The other big thing seems to be the absence of booth babes. I guess the first thing that gets cut when things get tight.   Anyway…here are some pictures from Tuesday. Until tomorrow…” – Bret Voelkel (Read this story online) Not sure exactly what this is, but it’s Australian, and the metalwork is just killer. Hard to get a picture, too many people! VERY cool 66 charger from Alan Johnsons shop. You’ll see more of this one. Mark Rife’s 63 corvette with an ls7, C4 suspension, and our triple adjustable coilovers. Mark is racing with us on Saturday at Optima. One of my favorites so far…2nd gen Camaro from the Ring Brothers. 48 Hour Camaro on display at the ARMO banquet. Albert Melchior’s new 70 trans am. Albert is racing with us as well on Saturday. He is so excited!

The post The Ridetech Report: SEMA 2011 from a Hot Rodders Perspective appeared first on BangShift.com.

Driving his Optima Batteries One Lap Camaro, James Shipka also took home the Street Machine Category win with the quickest single lap of the weekend. His biggest challenge came from the newest Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Invitee, Terry Neuville, who brought his beautiful Camaro up from Lousiana for a weekend of fun. The two battled all weekend long but the win went to James by only 4 thousandths of a second. 53.620 to 53.624. Now that is close racing action.

In addition to the photos below, we’ve got a gallery of show car action for you to check out here.

The post Event Coverage: Goodguys Lonestar Nationals including Ridetech Autocross Win appeared first on BangShift.com.

The Forgeline Hot Lap Challenge was decided by the single quickest lap around the track at Putnam and was separated into two run groups, Intermediate and Novice. Ridetech’s Bret Voelkel wheeled the infamous 48 Hour Camaro to the number one spot in the intermediate group, while Detroit Speed’s Stacy Tucker came through with the number three spot in her ’69 Camaro just behind Brian Finch. Meanwhile Spectre Performance’s Brandy Morrow finished in the number two spot in the Novice group behind the wheel of the Spectre Carbon Camaro. 

In the Speed by Spectre “Top Speed Challenge”, the tables were turned as Stacy Tucker took the top spot from the boys and Bret Voelkel brought home the number three spot behind Brian Finch. Brandy Morrow did the company proud by finishing third in the Top Speed Challenge for the Novice group.

On Sunday, the event changed gears and moved to Lawrenceville for the Baer Brake Speed Stop Challenge where James Crosby, now behind the wheel of the 48 Hour Camaro, took the number two spot behind Billy Utley and ahead of Brian Finch. During the days Bowler Transmissions/Royal Purple Street Challenge Autocross, Spectre again ran a Top Speed Challenge and James Crosby and Stacy Tucker tied for third. 

Overall it was a very good event for BangShift Sponsors, and we’re glad they were able to make us proud as usual. Complete event results for the Midwest Muscle Car Challenge are available at MidwestMuscleCarChallenge.com.

The post BangShift Sponsors tear it up at the Midwest Muscle Car Challenge appeared first on BangShift.com.

The Kansas contingent was well represented by “Fast” Kevin Miller who took the top spot in Street Machine, in a battle that had him leading for the overall top time right up to the end. The competition was incredibly fierce as Truck class winner Tyler Gibson battled for not only the top spot in the Truck class but also the overall in his crazy insane double throw down bitchin we gotta have one shrunken ’47 Chevy pickup. Meanwhile in the Street Rod class, Donnie ” Do you want fries with that?” Freise was tearing up the course way quicker than anyone should in a solid front axle equipped ride. What do all three of them have in common? Ridetech’s new coilovers. Triple adjustables are on both Kevin and Tyler’s rides while Donnie makes use of the single adjustable models. 

Congratulations also go out to BangShift Sponsor Kyle Tucker, from Detroit Speed and Engineering, who was able to ultimately take the top time overall and the win in the Vendor class, he had to earn it in a big way. Driving Detroit Speed’s ’63 Chevy II, he had his work cut out for him to take down Kevin for the overall fast time. Now there is no trophy for overall, it’s only bragging rights, but these guys were out for blood. Kevin Miller was also driving “Big” Jim Shipka’s Optima Batteries One Lap Camaro in the Vendor category, also equipped with Ridetech coil overs, and took the number two spot. 

To say that Ridetech’s coil overs are working well would be an understatement. All three drivers have noticed major improvements since installing the Ridetech shocks. Meanwhile, Ridetech was on site at the Midwest Muscle Car Challenge and results from that event are available here. 

Full Kansas Goodguys Autocross Results are below the winners photos.

To check out Ridetech shocks and suspension systems, visit Ridetech.com.

Winner’s photos are below. Photos courtesy of Goodguys.

Goodguys Autocross Friday and Saturday Results

Goodguys Autocross Sunday Shootout Results Note: Roger Burman’s winning time came in after official competition ended.

The post Ridetech takes 3 of 4 class wins at Goodguys Kansas Autocross…Full Results Here appeared first on BangShift.com.

The September issue is available on newsstands now, and you can download this one story below as well.

For more information on any Ridetech products, visit Ridetech.com here.

Air Ride Install, Classic Trucks Article

Just in, Classic Trucks has just released a new in-depth RideTech
suspension install article in its 2011 September issue. The article
documents our select series shockwaves being installed on a ’57 Chevy
pickup. The goal? Greater stance and performance all at the push of a
button. This is a great read for those who are just getting interested
in air suspension technologies or for someone who has just begun an
install. Keep an eye out for more, this is just part 1 of a multiple
part series.

The article can be found at the nearest magazine rack or by downloading it [ here ].

The post Check out Classic Trucks’ Ridetech Air Ride Install appeared first on BangShift.com.

Weigh Your Rod at 2011 NSRA Louisville

Ridetech’s Impact-Forged Monotube Shocks

Intercomp Racing Scales

2010 Louisville Ridetech Booth

Are you curious about coilovers, but frustrated with trying to figure
out just what stroke lengths and spring rates will work best on your
ride? Have you tried coilovers before, only to give up after trying
several different springs and still not coming up with the right combo?
Here’s a chance to figure it out the easy way!

Coilovers can seem complex and mysterious when working on a custom
streetrod. Often, builders may become confused on what will work well
with their rod. Many times they turn to companies who make blind
decisions and provide springs rates that are either too light or too
heavy, which can result in more downtime or disappointing ride quality
and performance. Fortunately, that’s not the case with every coilover
company! Developing proper coilover fitments for specific applications
has been a major priority for Ridetech. Using data from our own hands-on
research, we’ve developed an easy-to-use spring rate calculator and we offer many vehicle-specific coilover packages
for musclecars. And with the 2011 NSRA Louisville event coming up, we
want to offer our assistance to the attending streetrods! Ridetech has a
new project that will help educate and provide streetrodders with
proper coilover fitments and spring rates LIVE at the event!

Heres how it will work:
• Ridetech will be bringing its outdoor display trailer to the 2011
Louisville NSRA event. Using Intercomp Racing Scales, we will measure
any vehicle that is brought to the booth… for FREE!
• Ridetech’s tech staff will use this data to calculate recommended
spring rates and appropriate part numbers for products (ShockWaves or
Coilovers) that will enhance ride quality.
• Coilover recommendations and car weights will be printed off and given to each participant at NO charge!

This will be a great opportunity for anyone curious about coilovers
or improving their ride quality. It is also a great way for Ridetech to
introduce its new monotube impact-forged aluminum coilovers to the
streetrodding market. So if you are bringing a car to the show, make
sure you bring it by the Ridetech booth!

And if you don’t bring a car (or just prefer to stay in the A/C),
Ridetech will also have an indoor display at the show. Our
brand-spanking-new indoor display will be showing off all of the
Ridetech product lines including the NEW TruTurn steering system and our
Triple Adjustable coilovers. You don’t want to miss this display…and as
an added bonus, the 2011 Ridler award winning 1956 Ford owned by Bruce Ricks
(which has Ridetech Shockwaves installed) will be displayed on a lift
at our indoor booth! So stop by and let us help you figure out your
ride, or see us in the booth for a chance to see new products and one
gorgeous car!

August 4th-7th 2011 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.

The post Ridetech weighs your rod free at the 2011 NSRA Nationals in Louisville appeared first on BangShift.com.

The post Video: 48 Hour Camaro Highlights including Air Conditioning Tech appeared first on BangShift.com.

The Chevy II, named the “Innovator”, certainly turned heads. With a grill, taillights, and headlight bezels that looked like circuit boards, the cars styling is certainly extreme. Project manager Jeremy Gerber told us that the only stock sheetmetal on the car was the roof. It doesn’t surprise us after looking at it. Body lines, rocker panels, and features that Chevrolet never invisioned are present on the ’67 and leave no doubt as to why the car is named the Innovator. 

The car is a runner too, and relies on 720 horsepower from a GM LSX combo which is then channeled through a new Roadster Shop Fastrack chassis setup. Phil Gerber ran the car through the Goodguys Autocross course three times during the weekend, and was the quickest of all Street Machine of the Year competitors despite only having one mile on the car prior to the weekends event.

Again our congratulations go out to Alex, his family, and the entire Gerber team for once again putting the Roadster Shop front and center in everyone’s mind. 

The post Video: Roadster Shop and Covington Win Optima Batteries Street Machine of the Year in Columbus appeared first on BangShift.com.