QA1 coilover problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 191
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From: Athens GA
QA1 coilover problem
I have a 96 Corvette with QA1 coilovers attached to the stock shock towers. The rear of the car is far too low. My side pipes are almost touching the ground when I have a full tank of gas.
What can I do aside from replacing the shocks and springs to gain an inch or two in height? Would something like Hard Bar's Upper shock mount clevis help? If so, what do I need to do to convert my QA1s?
Thanks for any advise!
What can I do aside from replacing the shocks and springs to gain an inch or two in height? Would something like Hard Bar's Upper shock mount clevis help? If so, what do I need to do to convert my QA1s?
Thanks for any advise!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,839
Likes: 291
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
The clevis would work, but after you covert the top, you might find that it rides a little too high.
Where in the shock travel are you?
If your not in the middle, you can adjust the pad until you get the ride height you want.
Where in the shock travel are you?
If your not in the middle, you can adjust the pad until you get the ride height you want.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,839
Likes: 291
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
it has a bolt that sticks through just like the shock did.
Call QA1 and see if they have a conversion kit.
a female rod end would work, but it will REALLY raise it up.
If they don't have a conversion kit, see if they will trade them for the shocks for the earlier cars which need a rodend on top.
Call QA1 and see if they have a conversion kit.
a female rod end would work, but it will REALLY raise it up.
If they don't have a conversion kit, see if they will trade them for the shocks for the earlier cars which need a rodend on top.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Athens GA
Thanks for the information. I will talk to Hard Bar Monday about their clevis.
I've had the coil overs for years but I had to be overly careful about bottoming out. A few weeks ago, I busted the fiberglass side pipe cover. It's time to lift the car.
I've had the coil overs for years but I had to be overly careful about bottoming out. A few weeks ago, I busted the fiberglass side pipe cover. It's time to lift the car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Athens GA
That's not a bad idea. Should the spacer go between the shock and the top of the shock tower or between the hat and spring? Or maybe between the lock nuts and the hat?
Since I have no machining skills, I'm hoping there is a predeveloped and reasonably cheap product out there that will meet my needs.
Since I have no machining skills, I'm hoping there is a predeveloped and reasonably cheap product out there that will meet my needs.
Last edited by cdsmith; Jul 18, 2010 at 02:56 AM.
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Race Director
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From: Indianapolis IN
Should be an easy thing to do,,, if the mount pad is bolted on like have seen some of the guys do, you could use longer bolts to bolt the pad to the frame, but you would put spacers under the pad before your bolted it on.
Or have a new set of pads made with a piece of 1" or 2" thick steel etc, welded to the top of the pad
On my coilovers, I have the clevis up top and I used this QA1 Extension which comes in 1" and 2" long
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HA...-163/?rtype=10
Or have a new set of pads made with a piece of 1" or 2" thick steel etc, welded to the top of the pad
On my coilovers, I have the clevis up top and I used this QA1 Extension which comes in 1" and 2" long
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HA...-163/?rtype=10
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Yes, yes we have coilovers we would love to help you.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Athens GA
Before coilovers (better days)
After coilovers
Close-up of front coilovers
The close-up of the back shocks were too dark. They are the same type but just a bit longer. I can provide part numbers if needed.
Btw, the paint is really not that bad. The car has been sitting for a while and it's covered in pollen and crud. I'm getting motivated to get it back in order.
Last edited by cdsmith; Jul 20, 2010 at 03:06 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Athens GA
I got my parts list a few years ago from a CF memeber. Mo_Bandy
He was extremely helpful and answered all of my questions during the conversion. Props to him.
http://www.ndneyes.com/mo/index_files/Page393.htm
I wouldn't have a problem with the ride height if it wasn't for the side pipes, but I do love the sound and look.
He was extremely helpful and answered all of my questions during the conversion. Props to him.
http://www.ndneyes.com/mo/index_files/Page393.htm
I wouldn't have a problem with the ride height if it wasn't for the side pipes, but I do love the sound and look.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 191
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From: Athens GA
They are adjustable but I was barely above an idle when I sheered off the side pipe cover. The only compression on the springs were the weight of the car, me, and a full tank of gas. I can barely get my hand under the side pipes, much less a jack of any kind.
I have to ask you, PLRX... What is your problem with me? I've been on Corvette forum for quite a few years. I asked a simple question about a problem I have and you called me a troll. If you don't want to add value, then don't.
I have to ask you, PLRX... What is your problem with me? I've been on Corvette forum for quite a few years. I asked a simple question about a problem I have and you called me a troll. If you don't want to add value, then don't.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
They are adjustable but I was barely above an idle when I sheered off the side pipe cover. The only compression on the springs were the weight of the car, me, and a full tank of gas. I can barely get my hand under the side pipes, much less a jack of any kind.
I have to ask you, PLRX... What is your problem with me? I've been on Corvette forum for quite a few years. I asked a simple question about a problem I have and you called me a troll. If you don't want to add value, then don't.
I have to ask you, PLRX... What is your problem with me? I've been on Corvette forum for quite a few years. I asked a simple question about a problem I have and you called me a troll. If you don't want to add value, then don't.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Athens GA
So, the extension simply screws on to the top of the shock? Is it that simple?
That makes my day
That makes my day
Should be an easy thing to do,,, if the mount pad is bolted on like have seen some of the guys do, you could use longer bolts to bolt the pad to the frame, but you would put spacers under the pad before your bolted it on.
Or have a new set of pads made with a piece of 1" or 2" thick steel etc, welded to the top of the pad
On my coilovers, I have the clevis up top and I used this QA1 Extension which comes in 1" and 2" long
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HA...-163/?rtype=10
Or have a new set of pads made with a piece of 1" or 2" thick steel etc, welded to the top of the pad
On my coilovers, I have the clevis up top and I used this QA1 Extension which comes in 1" and 2" long
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HA...-163/?rtype=10
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Athens GA
You posted a very nice gif that said troll on my profile. This one: http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...lertUpdate.gif
Get on with your life if you have nothing to add.
And I have only 1 username
Get on with your life if you have nothing to add.
And I have only 1 username