Suspension
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Suspension
It's getting to be time for a change in shocks for my 74. The current KYBs are almost 20 years old and I'm considering upgrading them. Obviously the problem is which shock to go with. Here are some of my considerations...
1. The rear has a TRW 340 lb. fiberglass spring and Van Steel offset trailing arms with a VB&P heavy duty sway bar.
2. The front has been converted to a VB&P monoleaf suspension using their upper and lower A-arms and their heavy duty sway bar.
3. The tires are 255x60x15 BFG T/A radials mounted on 15x8.5 inch Fenton Fanjets.
4. The front tends to bounce over bumps and generally feels uncontrolled on rough surfaces. I don't think the shocks are keeping the tires planted.
5.The rear, while better controlled, has the typical bounce of the fiberglass rear spring and will occasionally bottom over large dips.
Now, I can go with KYB GR2s which supposedly control the rear a little better or I can go with a Koni or Bilstein as an upgrade. What I'm afraid of is that once the shocks are installed you get what you get. This is why I'm considering QA1 adjustable shocks which would give me a choice of 12 settings to choose from. What are your thoughts and has anyone had experience with the QA1s. Here's a link to the shocks.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
1. The rear has a TRW 340 lb. fiberglass spring and Van Steel offset trailing arms with a VB&P heavy duty sway bar.
2. The front has been converted to a VB&P monoleaf suspension using their upper and lower A-arms and their heavy duty sway bar.
3. The tires are 255x60x15 BFG T/A radials mounted on 15x8.5 inch Fenton Fanjets.
4. The front tends to bounce over bumps and generally feels uncontrolled on rough surfaces. I don't think the shocks are keeping the tires planted.
5.The rear, while better controlled, has the typical bounce of the fiberglass rear spring and will occasionally bottom over large dips.
Now, I can go with KYB GR2s which supposedly control the rear a little better or I can go with a Koni or Bilstein as an upgrade. What I'm afraid of is that once the shocks are installed you get what you get. This is why I'm considering QA1 adjustable shocks which would give me a choice of 12 settings to choose from. What are your thoughts and has anyone had experience with the QA1s. Here's a link to the shocks.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 2
From: Plumas Lake CA
QA1's are good shocks. The only negative thing I've heard about them concerns their use in cold climates. The seals in some early shocks would leak after being used in sub freezing temps. I'm not sure if this is still an issue with newer versions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
If you're not interested in a home equity loan to pay for a set of QA1s, I'd recommend Bilstein HDs. My setup is like yours except that I have a TRW/AO Smith 315 rear spring and the HDs are much better than the Bilstein Sports or KYB GR-2s ( I have tried both).
With the transverse front spring, make sure that you have clearance between the rubber bumpers and frame on the front. Inadequate clearance will not allow enough wheel motion for your shocks to react since the bumper will hit the frame before the shock can react.
After I cut most the bumper away and increased clearance to about 1.5", my ride quality improved considerably.
With the transverse front spring, make sure that you have clearance between the rubber bumpers and frame on the front. Inadequate clearance will not allow enough wheel motion for your shocks to react since the bumper will hit the frame before the shock can react.
After I cut most the bumper away and increased clearance to about 1.5", my ride quality improved considerably.
