QA1 Shock Absorbers

[Merv and Sharon]

Thanks Paul. My AVOs have spherical bearings at both ends, 1/2 I think. Yours seem different at the bottom?

I would like to use my existing springs and shock absorber mounts, if possible. I have had a few sets of Bilstein in the past, but the QA1s may be a better value alternative.

[Merv and Sharon]

And also Paul, I think your (QA1) springs have a wider diameter (65Mm) so the QA1s may not fit mine after all. I am not that keen on changing the shocks, springs and then the upper arms to accommodate the wider springs. I might have to hunt around for shocks that will fit the current set up.

[sambo]

But Merv... the QA1 bling will match your wheels!

[Merv and Sharon]

Hmmmm. I gather that the QA1s have a larger diameter? They only thing on their spec sheets that they don't have is diameter. I will check out Koni as well and some other brands.

[strida]

After advice earlier in this thread I eventually purchased QA1 single adjustable Proma Stars from Summit US, when I needed springs I spoke to Neil Streeting who put me on to Rob of Eibach springs at Warriewood NSW (Manly area). I also used softer helper springs to prevent the springs from unloading, similar to what Andrew mentioned above

Merv, I needed to get 2.5" ID springs to fit the QA1 shock collars which made fitting to the CR suspension a bit on the tight side with the larger OD springs, particularly on the front.

A belated thanks also guys for the advice I received early on in this thread and all the other info I've picked up along the way.

Dennis

[Merv and Sharon]

Thanks Dennis. I am also looking at the Summit stuff. I looked at both the existing springs 2" and the 2.5" King springs and QA1 springs yesterday and in actual diameter there seems to be only 3.5 mm difference for some reason. When that is split each side they should fit through my rear upper arms. The QA1 501s are 17" extended, which is longer than my AVOs at 16".

However, in the mean time I will check out the QA1 fronts - the DD403s (which have a 15" extended length rather than the DD401 that only has 14"). The matching QA1 springs are 10" at the front I believe. However, there are heaps of varying springs lengths available. I think I will stay with my relatively 'soft' set up of 300 F and 250 R.

I will have no problems, I believe, at the front on the Harrison with spring diameter. Thanks for the advice re the helper springs - will check that out too.

[DaveW]

Dennis, have you got new style cr front end or previous, any pics with the shock fitted ?

Merv
Heres a pic with DS401 and a 2.25" spring, with machined seats.



Machined Seats



appears to be a common mod on the 4x4 and nissan forums, the 4x4 are fitting spring rates up to 750 lp

Dave

[Merv and Sharon]

Yes Dennis, that is a good idea. I could trim the seats down to fit the current springs. I was looking at some machined seats that Murray had made for his Harrison QA springs yesterday for 2.25s. He made them in steel however.

I think I will try the QA1 300lb springs (they are only $35 each now) for the road, as I do like the softer front end and I also want enough droop (up to 30% approx) in my shock at rest to ensure that it going to work in its best zone on the road.

[strida]

Dave,
I have the new chassis with VZ Commodore front end and Ians fabricated upper and lower arms.
No pics yet as I'm dumb as dog @#%& with computers and even with Boxheads picture posting 101 I think my pictures are lost in space???

[DaveW]

Dennis,
How tight is tight ?, where, is there any fowling anywhere, or just tight space wise to insert ?
This is where i'm up to at the moment, need to update my thread.



Dave

[Rog246]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Hmmmm. I gather that the QA1s have a larger diameter? They only thing on their spec sheets that they don't have is diameter. I will check out Koni as well and some other brands.

Merv, what about some Billy Stein's ?

[Merv and Sharon]

Have had those on several Mercs I have restored. Nice but the QA1s look good too and have great reports from those who work them hard. Looking at US (Summit, JEGS, Car Shop Inc) and Australian (VPW) prices.

[Krait]

Merv,

Give Murray Coote a call and sound him out, he's up your way. Meant to do myself before we left....so little time.

Murray Coote Automotive
(07) 5494 8177
144 Lower Mt Mellum Rd
Landsborough QLD 4550

Cheers

[Merv and Sharon]

OK Thanks Geoff - will do tomorrow.

[Merv and Sharon]

Murrya Coote builds his own shocks for rally and race cars. They are very good, tailor made and expensive. More than I need. He does know his stuff.

There are also these, very similar to QA1, and available in Sydney from Andrews Race Cars. They are also very knowledgeable.

Andrews Race Cars

[Rog246]

Merv are these gas or straight Hydraulic ?

[Merv and Sharon]

Hydraulic Rog, but (I am certainly no expert) I gather that most nowadays have gas included as a way to control foaming of the fluid at high temps.

File Name

[DaveW]

Strange Engineering in the US puts out thier own range of shocks based on QA1 and Koni, They are moded versions of existing shocks,

Strange Engineering

Didnt know they were in OZ, what was pricing like in comparison.

[Merv and Sharon]

Yes Dave - I spoke with Rod Andrews, their agent here and he was very helpful and frank. He has a lot of experience with cars like ours. Prices (as above) was $260 each, which I thought was pretty reasonable.

[DaveW]

Gee, that pricing is very competative with US prices, and the Strange have the heavy duty eyelet and ball.
In the US they appear to be aimed at the drag racing market, whats the difference ?

Did you chat about valving and spring rates ?

Dave