Qa-1 2nd Gen Front Coil Overs / Yes No ?

[Phil's 71 Z]

I have heard good and bad about these kits. one concern was all weight on shock mounts of lower control arm not ideal. other concerns were install problems. I still would like to try them. any imput ? ride difference?
I read this month's camaro performance mag which actually had a tech article about the system. they claim 2 hour install.

[Lowend]

Crappy shocks, load placed upon areas they shouldn't be, and a royal PITA the adjust.
Take a pass

[tony byram]

After much researching and debate I bought the QA1 front coil system for my big block powered 72 Z28. I also got the thrust bearing kit, it makes it alot easier to adjust them. I like them myself. They work great for me. The cars handles a lot better. Just my 2 cents. I think you would like them, and will see an improvement in your cars handling over stock.

[70bird]

I am using them on my 2nd gen and they work fine so far.
The adjustability for ride height is cool, but a PITA, and once you get it set your not going to change it anyway as this will change your alignment (camber) and you will never get it back exactly without re-aligning.

Also, the mounting points for the original shocks were never meant to support the entire weight of the vehicle. The lower control arm is a relatively easy fix to modify for strength. Just weld in some 1/4" plate to beef it up or use aftermarket arms designed for coil-overs. The upper shock mount should be reinforced as well. I have not beefed up the upper mounts yet, so I'm no help there.
Maybe someone else here has done this or has an idea for it.

[dropit69]

well i am putting these on as we speak and i am thinking about just throwing the money out there for some tubular arms while i am at it..but i bought my shocks from someone that got them new so i saved some money there..what are the best arms for the second gens?

[MikeDVC]

..what are the best arms for the second gens?

I have Global West, they are very nice

[dropit69]

are you running coilovers on them or regular springs? i am trying to find the best match for the qa1;s..

[1969CamaroRS]

I went with the Global West upper and lower tubular control arms with QA1 double adjustables and the thrust bearing kit. They are fairly easy to adjust and have had no problems yet with them. My car is not quite on the road yet, but they look like quality pieces to me.

I have no experience with them in stock control arms. I also went with QA1s in the rear as well.

[MikeDVC]

are you running coilovers on them or regular springs? i am trying to find the best match for the qa1;s..
Running regular springs.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We sell mostly Speedtech arms. Less money then Global West and just as good or better quality then the others.
As for the coil overs. They are OK if you do not plan to lower more then 1 1/2". If you go lower then 1 1/2" you will konck the shocks out.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Free shipping right now on Speedtech

[SHANE 73Z]

Any arm that moves the lower ball joint. When trying to get decent caster numbers out of the 2nd gens, you start running into clearance problems at the rear of the front wheelwell.

I believe the SPC are designed this way & maybe DSE as well.

Shane

[ks71z28]

Any arm that moves the lower ball joint. When trying to get decent caster numbers out of the 2nd gens, you start running into clearance problems at the rear of the front wheelwell.

I believe the SPC are designed this way & maybe DSE as well.

Shane

Interesting note. I have 6* Caster, and the tires are moved toward the rear of the fenderwell significantly. It would be nice to find a set of lowers that add caster like Shane said. It can really cut the front tire sizing on the front. I run 285's with 5.5" of BS and it rubs near full lock. As for Control Arms. i would run Speed Tech. I run Global West, and am a dealer for both, but 2 sets of Global Wests have had the ball joint boots fall apart, yes it was embarassing. My Customer was furious, I checked mine and they were completely split, dried rubber as if they were 30 years old. Quality of the Arms are the same, maybe Global West is cutting corners My 2 cents!

Keith
Custom Works
530 864-5846

[ks71z28]

thanks

[dropit69]

i just wanna make sure before i buy the speed tech upper and lowers that it wont give me problems hitting fenders and such..or should i go with one of the other 2 mentioned..spc or dse?..

[ProdigyCustoms]

We use and install a lot of Speedtech arms and it does move the wheel back. Increasing caster does that, but we have no rubbing issues if we do not get stupid and go for a crazy amount of caster

[dcozzi]

Crappy shocks, load placed upon areas they shouldn't be, and a royal PITA the adjust.
Take a pass

+1

Haven't heard they are very good. Have been told to go with a Bilstein with a good coil or spend the $ on Penske if you want the best.

Keith, you have rub at near full lock with 285's? Somehow, I cannot feel sorry for you.
Kidding of course!

[ks71z28]

+1

Haven't heard they are very good. Have been told to go with a Bilstein with a good coil or spend the $ on Penske if you want the best.

Keith, you have rub at near full lock with 285's? Somehow, I cannot feel sorry for you.
Kidding of course!
The biggest issue isn't tire width, but actually offset and diameter. My tires are less than 26" tall, which is where you should be. My car is also fairly low. If you are careful, you can gain some clearance with a BFH, I was able to get about 3/8" with little effort, helps keep the tire from rubbing all the paint from there.

My 2c

Keith

PS Global West sent be new Ball joint covers, and swears that only Moog ball joints are used. I have the ability to sell both, I can offer Speed Tech at a better price. In my Opinion they are apples to apples

[cdoggy81]

"Any arm that moves the lower ball joint. When trying to get decent caster numbers out of the 2nd gens, you start running into clearance problems at the rear of the front wheelwell.

I believe the SPC are designed this way & maybe DSE as well."

***

"We use and install a lot of Speedtech arms and it does move the wheel back. Increasing caster does that, but we have no rubbing issues if we do not get stupid and go for a crazy amount of caster"

----------

Hmmm.... So the Speedtech arms would be ok then?

_

[dropit69]

thats what im trying to find out too i wanna order some this week and am thinking speedtech..but want to make sure before i drop 1k bucks.i am only running a 245 on the front. 17x8 with a 4.5 bs..

[cdoggy81]

Frank, I posted on your GP site for a $ quote on the Speedtech lowers
& QA1's. I bought DSE uppers when they were on sale. Will they work together if I get the Speedtech lowers???

[HWYSTR]

Ok, back to the original question: Coil-overs, yes/no pros/cons? I'm a little old-school, have to admit, but have no problem adapting to latest technologies. I'm a little skeptical, since over the years, I've seen the 'hot new stuff' come out and just plain not work, or work as well as it did before. That said, on my 2nd gen, I chose to stay standard type coil springs.

It was once explained to me (his intials we HA), that the coils on a coil spring (standard) are like an arm, and the longer the arm, the more granular the compression and rebound, or the 'rate' increase/decrease is more linear. (Improved tracking) This can become 'amplified' when going to higher rate springs, and produce what's considered a 'choppy' ride. Again, explained to me, why so many race cars use coil-overs, is the reduced gross weight, and the 'controlled' surfaces these cars see in action. The lighter the platform, the spring can be reduced in diameter without dramatic affect on overall performance.

Example: Why do new cars use springs that are still fairly large in diameter? (compared to coil-overs)

Better example: Graph the spring rate to compression and look at the curve.

..

[cdoggy81]

Phil,
What did you end up getting?

[Phil's 71 Z]

sorry for late response, but I did go with the QA-1's and I'm so glad I did! The ride is incredible as is the handling. The istall was easier than I thought. The only issue I had was spring weight> They come in 200,300,400 and 500 pd ratio's. first went with the 300 ones affter speaking to a tech there and explaining my set up. but they were too soft and adjustment was max'ed. So they sent me the 400's which were perfect.

[1offwizard]

sorry for late response, but I did go with the QA-1's and I'm so glad I did! The ride is incredible as is the handling. The istall was easier than I thought. The only issue I had was spring weight> They come in 200,300,400 and 500 pd ratio's. first went with the 300 ones affter speaking to a tech there and explaining my set up. but they were too soft and adjustment was max'ed. So they sent me the 400's which were perfect.
Do you have pics of ride height? Thanks!