Coil overs on stock control arms

[ih8z28s]

I've got a 1980 Firebird Trans Am, currently the front suspension is all stock, I've been looking at swapping the front shocks and coils to the QA-1 coil overs, QA1 GS501-10500C: Pro Coil Front Coil-Over System Single Adjustable Shock - JEGS High Performance (https://www.jegs.com/i/QA1/122/GS501-10500C/10002/-1?gclid=Cj0KCQiAk4aOBhCTARIsAFWFP9FmSire9ET8kPtGFB vzGeUtGd9RAOMqeLylz2YbdfNCxlWi9-Uc7JcaAji3EALw_wcB) I really don't want to have to swap out all the control arms as the car is simply for cruising on the weekends, but the front end sits to high IMO, I just want to be able to adjust it to the height I want and only have to take it apart once. I am a little concerned about the lower mounting to the stock control arm, will this need to be reinforced at all? I plan to also replace the rears with the QA-1single adjustable shocks as well. I want a comfortable but safe ride to haul the grandkids around in. I want quality parts and these seem to fit my budget perfectly. 194846194847

[Just 1 More]

I used coil overs in a Chinese tubular arm which has the same style lower mounting, 2 threaded nuts. I used a large thick washer from an industrial hardware store, removed the welded nuts and drilled holes. I tapered/beveled the side of the washer to fit better in to the underside of the A arm and then welded the washer to the underside of the lower spring pocket. I didn't get any pics after it was all welded.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/12/32193727457_c5eed45e24_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/R3Rgyv)20190126_123025 (https://flic.kr/p/R3Rgyv) by F G (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153250783@N04/), on Flickr

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/12/40170684883_d8ef4a1371_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24cKg6e)20190126_123327 (https://flic.kr/p/24cKg6e) by F G (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153250783@N04/), on Flickr

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/12/47135670311_93e51192c3_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ePdCAT)20190126_104503 (https://flic.kr/p/2ePdCAT) by F G (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153250783@N04/), on Flickr

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2021/12/40170685443_4ccff35200_b-1.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24cKgfT)20190126_104427 (https://flic.kr/p/24cKgfT) by F G (https://www.flickr.com/photos/153250783@N04/), on Flickr

[79T/Aman]

depending on what you want to do with the car that spring rate is not much more than stock and can cause bottoming out if you lower the car, what engine do you have in the car?
Stoc arms can be re-enforced as well but welding is required.

[ih8z28s]

Car has a Pontiac 400 in it, no A/C, I used the chart on QA-1 website to roughly determine the spring rate, but would actually weigh the front of the car before ordering. I thought about just cutting the coil down to lower the front an inch, but thought the coil overs would eliminate any guesswork, was just concerned about where the lower mount is in the control arm, the thought of thin metal and 2 bolts holding up all that weight makes me think it needs reinforcing. I don't ever plan to autocross or race it, maybe a little spirited driving, but nothing else. I like how Just 1 More modified his, may just go that route for some piece of mind.

[Just 1 More]

Car has a Pontiac 400 in it, no A/C, I thought about just cutting the coil down to lower the front an inch, but thought the coil overs would eliminate any guesswork, was just concerned about where the lower mount is in the control arm, the thought of thin metal and 2 bolts holding up all that weight makes me think it needs reinforcing. I don't ever plan to autocross or race it, maybe a little spirited driving, but nothing else. I like how Just 1 More modified his, may just go that route for some piece of mind.

Joe, I came across these on the interweb .. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tubular-Lower-Control-Arm-Coilover-Reinforcement-Plate,343193.html?sku=9103610&utm_medium=CSEGoogle&utm_source=CSE&utm_campaign=CSEGOOGLE&gclid=CjwKCAiAtouOBhA6EiwA2nLKH3Dj6K85OnWineItfOEH jzRSqEUrm2dCIhq9qp0WaOVXT9wFPHcjCRoCiZUQAvD_BwE

[79T/Aman]

Car has a Pontiac 400 in it, no A/C, I used the chart on QA-1 website to roughly determine the spring rate, but would actually weigh the front of the car before ordering. I thought about just cutting the coil down to lower the front an inch, but thought the coil overs would eliminate any guesswork, was just concerned about where the lower mount is in the control arm, the thought of thin metal and 2 bolts holding up all that weight makes me think it needs reinforcing. I don't ever plan to autocross or race it, maybe a little spirited driving, but nothing else. I like how Just 1 More modified his, may just go that route for some piece of mind.

Unfortunately that chart is useless, we PTFB will have a better Coil over set up in about a week, this may sound like a sales pitch but we invested in getting springs made that will allow the front to be lowered and have a better spring rate to avoid bottoming out and will be packaged with Viking double adjustable shocks for $649.00

[chevelletiger]

Well,don't tease us.
PICTURES.

[79T/Aman]

Well,don't tease us.
PICTURES.

as mentioned in about a week, the springs went to powder coating last week.

[ih8z28s]

Very interested, will you have non-adjustable & single adjustable available? I'm not going racing, just want a little bit of adjustable height and ride quality while keeping my stock control arms.

[JJ 109]

If you just want to lower it, I would just cut the springs.

No guess work, it’s a 2:1 ratio. Cut off half the amount you want to lower it.

[dueling73s]

My car is also just for cruising, from experience I would strongly recommend a dual adjustable shock over a single. I run 600# springs and started out with single adjustable QA1s. Nothing wrong with the shock just could never dial in the ride quality I was looking for. I am now running the dual adjustable Vikings and am much more satisfied with the ride quality I was able to get.

[79T/Aman]

Very interested, will you have non-adjustable & single adjustable available? I'm not going racing, just want a little bit of adjustable height and ride quality while keeping my stock control arms.

we combine our springs with Viking shocks and they only make double adjustable, I should have word tomorrow on when the springs will be here.

[SPLATT71MC]

Definitely want to reinforce the mounting pad on a factory control arm when going to coilover shocks.

[ih8z28s]

we combine our springs with Viking shocks and they only make double adjustable, I should have word tomorrow on when the springs will be here.

Any new developments on these?

[79T/Aman]

Any new developments on these?

YES!!!!! the truck finally showed up today!!!!


195480

[ih8z28s]

I'll volunteer to be the test bed for these! I copied this from the website, is this the kit pictured above?

True coil over system.
True coil over conversion for your 70-81 F-body, this system allows a true coil over to be used in a stock
frame with minimal cutting and welding involved, self locating brackets also add re-enforcement to the
upper A-arm mount, two position adjustable upper mount gives you a total of 4" of ride height
adjustment without running the risk of over extending or bottoming out the shock as hybrid kits do.
Comes with weld on brackets and Viking double adjustable Warrior coil overs and choice of spring rate.

70-81 Warrior shock 2CS-400W $699.00
70-81 Crusader shock 2CS-400C $859.00

[79T/Aman]

no that is not the same as the product I posted a picture of, right now the True coil over kit is on hold because of parts shortage and the price has gone up $100.
The pic I posted is of the hybrid kit it is $639.00
This kit requires no cutting or welding.
Send an email [email protected]

[ih8z28s]

no that is not the same as the product I posted a picture of, right now the True coil over kit is on hold because of parts shortage and the price has gone up $100.
The pic I posted is of the hybrid kit it is $639.00
This kit requires no cutting or welding.
Send an email [email protected]

So when will this kit be ready for order? do you have matching rear shocks?