All Out Drag Suspension Discussion

[LT1B4C]

First off, I hope the Amount of questions I will be asking here does not scare anyone off from reading, or replying to my thread. I'm asking questions to gain more knowledge about some drag setups I’m interested in.


QA1 Generation ''F'' Coil-Over Shocks & Springs - Does Anyone Run these Shocks/And Springs Front and Rear? The Fronts look like Coil Over’s. If they are, What is the proper technique to adjust them? Is this a good Drag racing Shock/Spring? For the back springs, I would probably just use the stock back springs.

http://www.jegs.com/i/QA1/122/RC7855P/10002/-1


Rear LCA Relocation Brackets - Is this even worth Installing on a Stock 10 bolt? And For future Reference how do you install this? I already Own the Spohn LCA. That is the only suspension Upgrade I have, and I’m sick of planting 2.2 60’ times. If anyone here has this upgrade on a stock 10 bolt, did you notice a big advantage or not?


Tubular Adjustable Torque Arm - Long Tube Headers/Y-Pipe - If anyone here runs on of these, What is the proper way to adjust something like this? What advantage’s does this have, being able to adjust this?


Panhard Bar - Tubular Adjustable with Poly Bushings - If anyone runs this, lol again what is the proper way to adjust this? Sometime when I buy parts, Not everything comes with directions, and even if it did, Maybe there are some tips or tricks someone else has done that makes the process easier that’s why I ask what the proper way to adjust things. What is the advantage of running an adjustable Panhard Bar rather than a stock one? This pretty much consist of my drag setup for now, as fund can only supply.


Thanks, John

[joelster]

Your car can't hook up right now? Hrmm.....I never had a problem hooking up with a good set of tires until my car was in the low 12's. What kind of tires do you run? Once you KNOW that you have adequate traction, then each weak suspension part MAY rear it's ugly head. My car runs boxed lower control arms, a modified torque arm (it's shorter) relocation brackets (made a BIG difference in the launch), and a stock panhard bar. I also run a new set of stock rear springs and Competition Engineering 3-way rear shocks. I have a set of QA1's for the front, but they aren't installed yet. I run Hoosier 275/50/15 DOT slicks and cut 1.60 60' times, with zero wheelspin (that I can feel)

The relocation brackets made a noticeable difference. When you do a small brake-torque you can feel the rear rise up 3-4 inches, this helps to plant the tires hard on a launch.

[LT1B4C]

Joelster - The tires i currently run are Kumho AST's or something, 275/45/17. What rearend do you have in your car? Im scared to put any kind of slick on the back for right now untill I upgrade the Rear.

Whats in it now is a Stock 10 bolt, with 4:11, and the Stud kit. I was thinking a drag radial because I launch around 2K and break the tires loose threw first and second If i Stay in it. But I guess I can't get a good feel for anything yet because my clutch is majorly slipping.

[joelster]

I have a Dana S60 rear. I can't help you with your 10-bolt. Some last and some don't. M6 cars are especially hard on them, no sugar coating it. It will be hard to address your suspension woes when you have no traction and your clutch is slipping though. Sounds like you should get those things taken care of first. Those Kumho's you run are just street tires, and I wouldn't expect them to bite under the power of an LT1! LOL

[LT1B4C]

Lol, Thanks for the input Joelster, I know my car has some issue's that need worked out.

I made this thread to see if people like/or run some of the components I listed, And how to adjust them. I would like to know how to setup Coil over's, and panhard bars, and torque arm's and such. So now in the future I can look back to this thread and find out how to adjust something.

[SSSC]

QA1 here front and rear 300 lbsb front springs stock rear. Theres better shocks out there strange,afcos SA or double. Setting them depends on your power levels loose on the front stiff in the rear for weight transfer, Tweak from there.Panhard Bar keep your stock one for now. tublar LCA adj are nice.Runing umi here.Rear LCA Relocation Brackets theres bolt in and weld in. Should help. bolt in you can take with you if you upgrade rear end.Wouldnt worry about 10 bolt till it breaks.
Tubular Adjustable Torque Arm .Must have in my book. just follow the info they give you with it. You want -1 to - 4 pinon angle. Personal pref here.The best way to adjust it is with the driver in the car sitting on pavement Assuming that your motor and transmission are level in the chassis your pinion angle is the difference betwean the diveshaft and the pinion.>>>>>Place your angle finder on the driveshaft and make a note. Then place it on the flat of the yoke and adjust the rear so that it is pointed two degrees down from the driveshaft.<<<<Bet i start a war with that<<<<<<:claps: Loose the 17s go to a 15 inch wheel get you some MTDR. Headers Y pipe .That for your motor hp increase and tq. I still run Stock exhaust manfolds and running high12s low 13s on a stock 3,23 rear gear. Hope that helps WOW if your a M6 Car uh i would be doing any high RPM launches on that 10 bolt

[LT1B4C]

SSSC- Thanks for the input, Do you have the Drag shocks from QA1?

[SSSC]

yes

[SSSC]

But there's better out there.

[LT1B4C]

What did'nt you like about the QA1's?

[mpe331lx]

Good info!

[Shon Herron]

I have used the F shocks and the R shocks. I ran the F shocks and the 275# front on the bolt on car, I liked them just fine, I am not running the R series and like them just the same, I am told my spring is a 275 but not sure if that is true or not but it is not worth changing really. I drove the LS1 swap more on the street than i did the LT1, I have the fronts set in the middle of the options and I like the way it drives with skinnies on the front.
As for the rear springs, I have stockers. I had stock springs/shocks on the rear when I was an LT1, i found a deal on all 4 shocks so now I have the 12ways on the rears. I set them full loose on the street and like it, full tight on the track and it pulls 1.51-1.49 with a bolt on LS1/10bolt/4.10s.

Someone mentioned AFCOs, and it is the best drag racing shock there is but it also has a price tag on it and if you are not going to have a dedicated track car I am not sure the AFCOs are needed. But that is up to you. I have also set some cars up with Strange 10 ways, they are like the QA1s, just dont hear alot about them.

The LCA relocation brackets are good for lowered cars for sure. I have seen them on non-lowered cars with success. it's what ever you think might work for you, it also depends on how much squat you are getting when you leave the line, if alot then this will help keep the LCA angle like it should be but in my opinion the car needs to stop squating first. Squating is waste of motion/energy that you could use to be going forward rather than down and out.

The Adj TA is great for setting the pinion angle and it reduces wheel hop.
Again, as the car leaves things want to move in a fashion that is not great for drag racing, ie better 60's. so this also keeps the PA at a point that is best for traction and forward motion. and again you do not need to squat, this changes the angles.

PHR is good too b/c it allows you to center the car over the rear end and it does not flex as much as the stock stuff and this helps in traction. to set it up to begin with I take the stocker and make the new one the same length, install and check to see if it needs to be moved, if it does i adjust the PHB so it centers everything up.

There is alot more I could add to this but this is what you had questions about so if there is more let me know.

SH


QA1 Generation ''F'' Coil-Over Shocks & Springs - Does Anyone Run these Shocks/And Springs Front and Rear? The Fronts look like Coil Over’s. If they are, What is the proper technique to adjust them? Is this a good Drag racing Shock/Spring? For the back springs, I would probably just use the stock back springs.

http://www.jegs.com/i/QA1/122/RC7855P/10002/-1


Rear LCA Relocation Brackets - Is this even worth Installing on a Stock 10 bolt? And For future Reference how do you install this? I already Own the Spohn LCA. That is the only suspension Upgrade I have, and I’m sick of planting 2.2 60’ times. If anyone here has this upgrade on a stock 10 bolt, did you notice a big advantage or not?


Tubular Adjustable Torque Arm - Long Tube Headers/Y-Pipe - If anyone here runs on of these, What is the proper way to adjust something like this? What advantage’s does this have, being able to adjust this?


Panhard Bar - Tubular Adjustable with Poly Bushings - If anyone runs this, lol again what is the proper way to adjust this? Sometime when I buy parts, Not everything comes with directions, and even if it did, Maybe there are some tips or tricks someone else has done that makes the process easier that’s why I ask what the proper way to adjust things. What is the advantage of running an adjustable Panhard Bar rather than a stock one? This pretty much consist of my drag setup for now, as fund can only supply.


Thanks, John

[jakesz28]

.

Someone mentioned AFCOs, and it is the best drag racing shock there is but it also has a price tag on it and if you are not going to have a dedicated track car I am not sure the AFCOs are needed. But that is up to you. I have also set some cars up with Strange 10 ways, they are like the QA1s, just dont hear alot about them.






In all honesty the afco are not that much more money. Depending on how you do the installation. If your car was like mine with the upper strut mounts being more then 10 years old and the the struts rusted to the point that you don't want to mess with taking them apart. I was going to need the upper strut mounts and shock isolators. These 4 peices would have added $130 plus tax to the price of the QA1's but these are not needed with the AFCO's. So since the afco's only cost about $100 more(each) and there are extra parts needed for installation it comes down to a difference of $70.

I have afco's on the front and QA1's on the back both of them being double adjustables and the rears only having about 6 passes on them I would love to sell them and buy afco's for the rear. The afco's had a solid detent when adjusting and just felt better.

[LT1B4C]

Thanks for the great info Shon and Jake, Does anyone know If the QA1 Gen F front shocks for the Drag Only are they coil overs or Not? The body of the shock looks like its threaded like a coil over.

[jakesz28]

Yes they are a coil over.

[LT1B4C]

Sorry for my ignorance, but How do you set up Coil over's From the moment you purchase them to install, to final tune?

[claysdad]

In all honesty the afco are not that much more money. Depending on how you do the installation. If your car was like mine with the upper strut mounts being more then 10 years old and the the struts rusted to the point that you don't want to mess with taking them apart. I was going to need the upper strut mounts and shock isolators. These 4 peices would have added $130 plus tax to the price of the QA1's but these are not needed with the AFCO's. So since the afco's only cost about $100 more(each) and there are extra parts needed for installation it comes down to a difference of $70.

I have afco's on the front and QA1's on the back both of them being double adjustables and the rears only having about 6 passes on them I would love to sell them and buy afco's for the rear. The afco's had a solid detent when adjusting and just felt better.

What do you run your rear QA1's set at? I just switched my car to drag radials and installed a set of da QA1 on rear and don't have a starting point.

[Shon Herron]

What do you run your rear QA1's set at? I just switched my car to drag radials and installed a set of da QA1 on rear and don't have a starting point.
IMO: a car should not squat, therefore I set my rear shocks to full hard.

[1FASTSS]

What do you run your rear QA1's set at? I just switched my car to drag radials and installed a set of da QA1 on rear and don't have a starting point.

I would start pretty stiff...maybe 8 to start with and keep going up from there one click at a time.

[Jeffz28]

Is there anyone using these
Santhuff 15 Degree Super Stock Double Adj Struts (18 3/8)

http://www.racecraft.com/bmz_cache/1/1099586185999d2ee2071b53693dccaa.image.122x122.jpg
larger image (javascript:popupWindow('http://www.racecraft.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=504')) http://ltxtech.com/forums/bmz_cache/1/1099586185999d2ee2071b53693dccaa.image.122x122.jpg
larger image (http://www.racecraft.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=504)
Starting at: $2,772.00

Santhuff 15 Degree Super Stock Single Adjustable Front Struts. (18 3/8) Will work with 79-04 Mustang & 82-02 Camaro.



Or should I just stick with tubular uppers and lowers, drop spindles w/ a D/A coilover??

[jakesz28]

Doesn't that just fit the 82-92 cars?

There are a few companies that sell somthing like that.

[Jeffz28]

Doesn't that just fit the 82-92 cars?

There are a few companies that sell somthing like that.


No they make them for 4th generation as well. Like I said I just was wondering about durability. Alot of all out drag racer suspension and certain drivetrain parts aren't really made with any sideload in mind. It won't get much street use but I don't want to worry about driving a couple of miles every once in a while.

[AChotrod]

I just ordered up my shocks. I went with the Strange DAs and springs up front, and Comps out back with stock springs. Rear drag bar will be next.

[LT1B4C]

I just ordered up my shocks. I went with the Strange DAs and springs up front, and Comps out back with stock springs. Rear drag bar will be next.

How do you like your suspension so far? Looks like the car launches good in your avatar.

[AChotrod]

I dont like it.......untill I get it tuned. The car car doesnt settle down and kills the 60ft and ET. Ill try and get to the track tomorrow for more testing/tuning them Im tearing it down for a new cam

[LT1B4C]

How are the QA1 SA generation F shocks on height adjustment? I was wanting to have the adjustability for the strip but yet still have the option to lower it for street use.

[Shon Herron]

most of the time you set it once and be done.

[LT1B4C]

Well i was just asking cause i've heard of some people installing coilovers, I think the qa1's to be exact, and see that the lowest adjustablity on the coil overs was stock ride height.

[96lt1m6]

Girls squat!
Cars launch!

[LT1B4C]

Girls squat!
Cars launch!

Thats why im going with adjustable coilovers, I can have it set up for drag style/ and then for street have it lowered.

[black heartbeat]

I know this is a really old thread but some of you said guys use afco shocks and I couldn't seem to find any specific to the the 4th gen f-bodys but I found some drag shocks just wondering what kits you guys were using?

[Pro-jection Eng]

my car is pretty slammed... you want the car low to cut through on the top end. My car transfers plenty of weight...