[quicksilver97ta]

Mostly street anyway. Any problems or complaints, at least outside of ordering the right spring rate? I want a good quality shock and spring set up with some adjustability for ride height and shock firmness and these sound like the right deal. I definitely do not want to order new replacement springs and end up with a ride height that’s too low or too high as I have read is a common problem and then there is no adjustability.
I think I know which ones I want, the street/strip stock height 450 lbs springs for 1900 lbs to 2100 lbs front end weight. If I have read correctly the ride height is adjustable 1” up and 2” down. Can someone confirm this?
Car is 68 Firebird 400/400, all steel, iron heads, iron intake, PS, PDB, No A/C or box, 4-core Harrison radiator, battery in stock location, Hedders in place of iron exhaust manifolds. I think that puts me over 1900 lbs but under 2100 lbs from what I have read here.

[BILTIT]

I have some with 350lbs springs but do not have them installed yet. They look to be nice pieces. Wish i could be of more help than that.

[JoePapa]

Get the little bearing piece that goes between the spring and adjusting nut.

I have these on my car and I'll say they're probably not that great for drag racing but they seem pretty good for handling. I belive my springs are 450lb and the down side is my car is about as stiff as my 3/4 ton truck. You can adjust them with the spanner wrench - just lift the front end up to take the weight off.

I will probably be taking mine off though - I think the stiffness is hurting my 1/4 mile performance.

[quicksilver97ta]

Originally Posted by JoePapa

Get the little bearing piece that goes between the spring and adjusting nut.

I have these on my car and I'll say they're probably not that great for drag racing but they seem pretty good for handling. I belive my springs are 450lb and the down side is my car is about as stiff as my 3/4 ton truck. You can adjust them with the spanner wrench - just lift the front end up to take the weight off.

I will probably be taking mine off though - I think the stiffness is hurting my 1/4 mile performance.

So that little bearing piece is not included as far as you know? How would you describe your cars weight/options compared to how I described mine? Also, I guess you have the shocks set on the softest setting?

Edit: I checked out your FGF page, sounds pretty close on the front end weight. A/C (heavy) but a alum intake and M22 (light) = maybe a little heavier but close. Is it factory A/C? Joe, you list the Race coil overs and I think I read they are stiff on compression, maybe that's why it's too firm? Also, about where do you have the springs adjusted up/dn?

[BILTIT]

I guess it depends on which model of shocks you are looking at, i think there are two: one for racing (R series) and one for street.

I have the racing series and was told that they were better overall ( for street/strip)and you will want 450 at most for springs. The 350's were good in a ventura and a guy has 250's in his 2nd gen bird and really likes them.

[quicksilver97ta]

Hmm.. well I'm sure the best thing to do is weigh the front end but beyond that I would hope that following QA1's weight guidlines would get it right. The most direct post I found for first gen front end weight was 'Hard Timess' who stated he weighed 1925 up front, similar but unsure of the cars exact details, and 3348 total. If anything I think I might be heavier as I wonder if he has PS or PB since he races (a stock class).
BILTIT how did you decide on the 350's?

[BILTIT]

The person i bought the QA1's from had them on my exact car and had 550's, he said they were way too stiff so he went with 350's and loved em.

[tiacguy]

You should call QA-1 they will help you select the correct spring. Its more complicated than overall front end weight. They will ask you for a measurement from the lower a-frame mounting bolt to the shock mount bolt and the angle of the shock at ride height. Do you know any dirt track guys that have scales?

[tiacguy]

You should call QA-1 they will help you select the correct spring. Its more complicated than overall front end weight. They will ask you for a measurement from the lower a-frame mounting bolt to the shock mount bolt and the angle of the shock at ride height. Do you know any dirt track guys that have scales? Weighing all four corners at ride height with driver is best. My front weight with driver is 1714 and Im running a 375 spring.

[steve]

i have the 450's and they are stiff but i like it. the car handles great with those and the global west tubular uppers (with aluminum bushings). you cant push down on the front of the car and get it to bounce at all....or even move that much for that matter unless you put your whole body into it. the car stays level when cornering. i do suspect that the rear needs to be stiffened a little to balance it out tho for even better handling. i havent done that yet. i have wondered if 350 would be enough. they ARE adjustable but it aint easy. i found the "spanner" wrench they sell to be kinda wimpy and hard to use but it can be done. thank god you dont have to play with them much after you set them. i do have the GM economy version...maybe they have a nicer set that costs a little more ? i think you will like them if you are used to a springy front end.

[quicksilver97ta]

Originally Posted by steve

i have the 450's and they are stiff but i like it. the car handles great with those and the global west tubular uppers (with aluminum bushings). you cant push down on the front of the car and get it to bounce at all....or even move that much for that matter unless you put your whole body into it. the car stays level when cornering. i do suspect that the rear needs to be stiffened a little to balance it out tho for even better handling. i havent done that yet. i have wondered if 350 would be enough. they ARE adjustable but it aint easy. i found the "spanner" wrench they sell to be kinda wimpy and hard to use but it can be done. thank god you dont have to play with them much after you set them. i do have the GM economy version...maybe they have a nicer set that costs a little more ? i think you will like them if you are used to a springy front end.

Are you happy with the ride height? and about where do you have them adjusted up/down? got a front wheel pic?

[steve]

well the height is adjustable so its more of a personal preference thing. i like mine more level not with the nose down. i also have tall tires so my nose is probably higher than others would like. the tire size is a big factor. i can post a bunch of pics later today or saturday....too busy trying to make some money today ! if i forget just PM me...

[BILTIT]

Originally Posted by steve

i have the 450's and they are stiff but i like it. the car handles great with those and the global west tubular uppers (with aluminum bushings). you cant push down on the front of the car and get it to bounce at all....or even move that much for that matter unless you put your whole body into it. the car stays level when cornering. i do suspect that the rear needs to be stiffened a little to balance it out tho for even better handling. i havent done that yet. i have wondered if 350 would be enough. they ARE adjustable but it aint easy. i found the "spanner" wrench they sell to be kinda wimpy and hard to use but it can be done. thank god you dont have to play with them much after you set them. i do have the GM economy version...maybe they have a nicer set that costs a little more ? i think you will like them if you are used to a springy front end.

I think that is where the torrington bearings come in handy.

[steve]

the bearings dont come with the kit ? i have some sort of metal plate if i remember right but i dont remember it called a "bearing". do you have a pic ?

[BILTIT]

No they are not part of the kit.

http://qa1.thomasnet.com/item/otorsp...1001&forward=1

[steve]

gosh you'd think they wouldn't miss the opportunity to sell more product. they were never mention to me.

[BILTIT]

I am not sure if the spanner wrench is included either? I assume it is. Here is the accessory page which shows some optional equipment.

http://qa1.thomasnet.com/category/ot...s?&plpver=1001

[johnTransAm]

I have QA1 coilovers with the 550 springs on my 78 TransAm. I am not impressed that 550 are all that stiff. My stock G35 rides stiffer than the TransAm. Overall, I really like them. They did not come with a spanner and they are very difficult to adjust until you have them about 1 inch off of the bottom, because it is difficult to get the spanner into the lower control arm.
John

[455wagon]

I have them in my 70 GTO and they are great. I did blow the bottoms out of the control arms however. I had to take the control arms out and weld in plates to strengthen them up and spread the load.
I kind of shocked me when I first looked underneath and saw the bottom of the shock punching through the bottom of the control arm. I guess after market arms would fix that.
If I was to do it all again I would go with a bag system as it has all the benefits of the QA1's and more. If semi's can use them for years then they must be good.
All reading I have done on an all bag suspension is positive and not negative.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[JoePapa]

455Wagon raises a darn good point and concern in the inherent design behind how these attach. Maybe they have an alternate solution. Don’t the stocker stars have a bracket that rides in the spring bucket?

In my purchase – the spanner wrench and bearings were not included but I’ve used them both and I agree that the spanner wrench is a little challenging. I did order the QA-1 R shocks because of the drag racing. So that will make it a little stiffer then normal. In my application, I have heavy duty springs in the rear as well and they actually raised the car. So until I purchase split mono’s the car rides a little taller. The shocks are set with the adjustment near the top to level out the car.

So the car does ride stiff and I know the QA-1’s are not the sole reason but for my application I don’t think this is the best solution. If I drove the car on the street more then the strip they would be perfect – assuming the attach point doesn’t weaken the lower control arms. I think they are good on the street.