QA1 coilover

[mac71ss]

I have purchase the hal GMP14 kit for my 71 Nova and after looking at my control arm i am a little worried about putting them on. All the wieght of the front of the car sits on the two shock mount bolts and i think this might be a little to much. Should i run these? Would a aftermarket lower control arm be stronger than stock? How low will i be able to get the front end with these?
Thanks for any info!
Shaun

[baz67]

I have purchase the hal GMP14 kit for my 71 Nova and after looking at my control arm i am a little worried about putting them on. All the wieght of the front of the car sits on the two shock mount bolts and i think this might be a little to much. Should i run these? Would a aftermarket lower control arm be stronger than stock? How low will i be able to get the front end with these?
Thanks for any info!
Shaun

Yes, GW makes a tubular lower specificly for the Qa1s. However, you could weld in some 10ga steel to reinforce the lowers where the shock mounts to the LCA.

[NvrDun71]

I have purchase the hal GMP14 kit for my 71 Nova and after looking at my control arm i am a little worried about putting them on. All the wieght of the front of the car sits on the two shock mount bolts and i think this might be a little to much. Should i run these? Would a aftermarket lower control arm be stronger than stock? How low will i be able to get the front end with these?
Thanks for any info!
Shaun

Mac71ss...I just purchased the same kit for my 71' Nova. I also had similar concerns and decided to modify and reinforce my stock LCA's, rather than drop the $550+ for coilover specific tubulars. QA1 will tell you they will be fine however if you ask any knowledgeable suspenion guru on the forum they will say otherwise. In an effort to strengthen my LCA I drew up a template to strengthen the LCA mounting points w/ some 3/16" steel plate.
I had a good friend of mine take my Autocad drawing and transfer it to his waterjet and this what we came up with:


This will be welded to the underside of the LCA and the bolts will be bolted from the top down and back nutted from the underside once the plate is welded in place. This will provide increased support and distribute the weight of the car much more evenly. Once welded up I will get some pics up of the final product.
Heres a couple more pics of how it will go together on the LCA:





- Also if you do a search I made a thread on this exact topic several weeks ago which has some good info in it and pictures of some other options for modifying your LCA.

[CHILI442]

While you're at it I would box in the ball joint area too. The A-body lowers have been known to crack and fail across this area.

[mac71ss]

Thanks!!!!!!! That is some great info!

[NvrDun71]

Say man got any pics of your Nova? BTW what wheels are you goin with and whats the rest of your plans for the front suspension?

[Skip Fix]

Man that is a slick re inforcement plate. You ought to sell them!

I just picked up a coil over QA1 system and the shocks and springs feel lighter than plain springs for my second Gen F body!

[mac71ss]

Say man got any pics of your Nova? BTW what wheels are you goin with and whats the rest of your plans for the front suspension?

Below is link to cardomain I have a few pics of the car there. I have a picture of it at the bottom with the new wheels on it before lowering. We cut the springs in front for now to lower it down. I do have my qa1's in but i am really undecided with what i am going to do. I might not even install them because I might do a DSE coilover this winter. I am installing the touring classics disk brake kit on the car right now. Almost done with it but i am waiting for my pas. side rear caliper to come in I was accidently shipped 2 driver side ones. When i get the brakes on i will post updated pics.

[NvrDun71]

Below is link to cardomain I have a few pics of the car there. I have a picture of it at the bottom with the new wheels on it before lowering. We cut the springs in front for now to lower it down. I do have my qa1's in but i am really undecided with what i am going to do. I might not even install them because I might do a DSE coilover this winter. I am installing the touring classics disk brake kit on the car right now. Almost done with it but i am waiting for my pas. side rear caliper to come in I was accidently shipped 2 driver side ones. When i get the brakes on i will post updated pics.

I'm an idiot man...I completely missed the cardomain link Man your plans sound identical to mine as I am planning the same setup, Brake kit, and Rim combo. Don't want to venture to far from this threads intended purpose but if you don't mind shoot me a PM with your rim/tire specs if possible. I Am wanting to place my order soon. Good luck w/ the buildup and the decison making process I think I have finally got everything together for my suspension setup......BTW car looks great should look awesome with a drop.

[NvrDun71]

Man that is a slick re inforcement plate. You ought to sell them!

I just picked up a coil over QA1 system and the shocks and springs feel lighter than plain springs for my second Gen F body!

Thanks for the compliments....I had contemplated that. I'd be glad to help anyone out with a similar setup if the demand is there....