RideTech is doing some revolutionary work for hot rodding by collecting a huge database of suspension measurements across a wide selection of cars ranging from turn-of-the-century hot rods to late-model street machines. And while at first blush offering a free weigh-in might sound like an easy swipe at making a quick sale, there's a lot more to the RideTech weigh-in program than meets the eye. We'll get to that in a minute, but first, here's the bare bones of the RideTech Weigh-In program.
If you're at a Goodguys event,...
If you're at a Goodguys event, or any hot rod car show and you see this sign, here's your opportunity to have the suspension experts at RideTech take a look at your suspension. It won't cost a dime.
RideTech is conducting its free Weigh-In service at most Goodguys shows, the NSRA Street Rod Nats, and Pigeon Forge car shows this year. (Most of those events are finished for 2011, but RideTech tells us the program will continue into 2012.) Anyone can bring a car or truck of any vintage and level of modification to the RideTech booth at participating events, and have his or her car evaluated. (Check the RideTech website for participating venues.) Your car will be weighed at all four corners on RideTech's Intercomp digital scales, and then the RideTech crew will take suspension measurements of the front and rear of your ride. The weight and suspension data are combined in RideTech's database with the specifics of your make, model, current suspension, and powertrain. RideTech will then use that information to fine-tune existing products, to help make better recommendations on their phone hotline, and to identify new opportunities for product development.
Greg Wiedeman and his '67...
Greg Wiedeman and his '67 Chevy II is a perfect example of a guy who just wanted to have his car weighed. RideTech found no suspension issues, but should Greg want to upgrade in the future, RideTech will have his car on file for a recommendation. Greg's car will also add to RideTech's Nova database, and aid other customers with similar cars.
Visitors to the RideTech Weigh-In will get a data sheet on their car, which contains overall weight, four-corner weight, and any suspension issues. Some visitors to the RideTech weigh-in have suspension problems that they need help in identifying, but other car owners just want the verification that they've done things correctly. RideTech can diagnose all types of suspension ailments, from camber curve problems, to turning geometry issues. Think of it as a free doctor's check-up for your hot rod's suspension. Ridetech also saves your information and should you need to contact them in the future, RideTech salespeople will be able to look your car up and make extremely accurate recommendations-because they've already checked your car out and made precise measurements. As an added bonus, get your car weighed at a RideTech Weigh-In and you'll get a free RideTech t-shirt. You don't even have to be a RideTech customer-everybody's welcome to participate.
Those who can't take part in the Weigh-In can also benefit. The information collected (minus personal information) is available for any person, shop, or vendor via the RideTech website. Building a '64 Chevelle with an LS3, T56, and Baer brakes? Just look for similar cars on the RideTech database to find out how much it weighs, what suspension is on it, and which mods were recommended for it.
Greg's 283-powered Nova weighed...
Greg's 283-powered Nova weighed in at 3,220 pounds. Non-stock mods consist of a 5-speed Tremec, a 12-bolt rear, and a Fatman front suspension. It's necessary to know the mods as they affect weight distribution, spring rates, and shock damping. Two cars-even the same year, make, and model-are rarely alike.
RideTech's Tony Bicknell is...
RideTech's Tony Bicknell is not taking a midday nap, but is collecting measurements from Greg's suspension to add to the master suspension database.
Here, Tony is checking the...
Here, Tony is checking the strut length and angle on the Fatman front suspension in Greg's Nova. Everything looks fine!
In the back, Tony measures...
In the back, Tony measures the shock absorber length and angle. The angle is important because it needs to be the same for both shocks, and the angle also determines the shock's damping effectiveness. Greg's Nova checked out just fine, however, should Greg decide to move to a more performance-oriented suspension later on, RideTech will have his fact sheet on hand.
Here's what the corner weights...
Here's what the corner weights from Greg's '67 Chevy II look like on RideTech's Intercomp computer. This four-corner readout tells Ridetech if there are any problems with uneven cross weights, which can cause the car to turn differently in different directions.
All the weight data is printed...
All the weight data is printed out on a form for the car owner to take home. Participants in the Ride-Tech Weigh-In also get a cool t-shirt.
Most of the Goodguys events...
Most of the Goodguys events that RideTech attends also have the Street Challenge Autocross. Show goers can see RideTech project cars-such as the 48Hour Camaro-in action on track, then get recommendations for their own car at the RideTech booth. At the Indy event where we shot our story, we found the RideTech crew eagerly helping customers with their on-track set-ups as well as conducting booth weigh-ins.