Can I put on these shocks and then later if I decide to go with a coilover setup use them, or are the coilovers a single or different unit? I'd hate to spend the cash and then see it wasted 6 months down the road.
Thanks

 

From what I've been reading... Yes

 

Coil over shocks and non coil overs are usually different. Coil over shocks include lower and top spring cups and the spring is positioned between them. If they are adjustable it is usually the lower cup or plate that moves. The lower part of the shock is actually threaded so the cup and shock work together like bolt and nut.

I believe also QA1 has separate product lines for normal and coil over shocks as there is no point to manufacture the threading and spring cups to shocks which do not need them and then sell them for only 139 bucks.

So, to my knowledge you cannot just add coil over springs to normal C4 Vette type shocks. (Well you can and it has been done before Vette coil overs were available commercially but it involves expensive machine work and carefull planning).

Regards
Toni

 

Hmmm. Thanks Tony. Guess I should make up my mind before, not after. I'll call them directly to verify.


[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 9:04 AM 10/31/2002]

 

Maybe this coilover setup is different from QA1???




[Modified by Coupe89, 1:01 PM 10/30/2002]

 

i think you could buy their proma stars without springs and remove the spring cups, until you are ready. I'm sorry that i didn't do that.

 

I can clear this up. Here goes......

If you buy the QA1 C4 direct replacement shocks (part numbers TC3014P, TC3024P) you cannot add coil-overs to them later. These are smooth body shocks as opposed to threaded body shocks which are used for coil-overs.

QA1 has three lines of threaded body coil-overs shocks. The Proma Star, Aluma Star, and the Ultra Ride. The Proma Star is externally adjustable for rebound and compression. The Aluma Star is not adjustable and the Ultra Ride is externally adjustable for rebound only.

You could use one of the threaded body shocks on a C4 with the mono spring and upgrade to coil overs later. The caveat is that you need to measure the shock ride height on the front and rear. The shock ride height will dictate which shock you will need to use. From my testing and measuring, the stock shock ride heights are: Front 13", Rear 13 3/4". Assuming that you will lower the car, the shock that you will need to use for coil-overs for the front is a Proma Star DR4855P shock, SS110SDM stud top conversion, and UPR350 Upper t-bar kit (the t-bar kit allows stock mounting at the bottom of the shock). The rear is a Proma Star DR4855P shock and a SS110SDM stud top conversion. The DR4855P has an optimum shock ride height of 11 1/2" to 12". A C4 lowered by conventional means will have shock ride heights of approximately: Front 12", Rear 12 1/4".

To install the threaded body Proma Star with a mono spring would be the same as mounting a conventional shock except you would leave off all the spring retention hardware. The shocks would have to be removed later to install the coil-over springs. If you were going to go this route, it would only cost $160 for the coil springs and $200 for heim joint front end links to complete the coil-over conversion.

I hope this clears it up, if not email me privatly and we can discuss.

:cool: :cool: :cool:

 

Thanks :D

 

Hmmm. Great information guys. I guess I'll price the Promas. Sounds like they cost more than the standard ones if its only $360 more to get to full coilover. Gotta give them a call and decide what to do. This is going to be one of my winter "projects". Thanks again.


[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 9:04 AM 10/31/2002]

 

> I can clear this up. Here goes......

Thanks, that is interesting idea. Doing it in 2 stages i mean.

Just to be sure, there is one question more: do you know if dampening or valving is same rate in the direct replacement and coil over shocks? I mean the composite (base or Z51) springs surely have totally diffirent lbs rating and behaviour than coil overs. The QA1's are adjustable but it would not be nice if you need to wind them up to softest or hardest setting just to make them work at all and be left without any more adjustability??

BTW. Are the stud conversions needed in the direct replacement models or are they Vette specific with correct mounting HW?

Thanks,

Toni

PS. can anybody explain to me some valid reasons why one would benefit from conversion to coil overs? I mean C4 Vette has a record of achieving most G's by street car when in top notch condition. I haven't yet heard of coil over Vette busting that record or have i missed it? Do coilovers give better balance or easier adjustability to track conditions or what? Thanks.

 

I've been considering the coilovers because where I live the roads are full of potholes and bumps. Going around a corner and hitting a bump, pothole, or expansion joint, makes both tires jump instead of one and the car can kick out unpredictably. If I lived in a non-snow state where the roads didn't have this problem or just used the car on the track, I'd stick with the stock setup.


[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 9:04 AM 10/31/2002]

 

> makes both tires jump instead of one

What is the reason for this? The spring technology or bad shocks/wheel bearings etc.? I mean you have IRS. The back spring is mounted to your car from the middle and both sides operate independently - just like coil overs. Or is there something I miss here? Are the QA1 or other coil over springs progressive or something that makes them work different to composite?

Don't get me wrong - I am not against coil overs but I want to get the facts behind the hype. I don't want to spend 1K for something that is only superiour because marketing departments have made a good job saying I can't drive my car without them. You know - they also sell airfoil and throttle perf. switch etc. as serious performance enhancement products ;)

When I bought my car it also jumped sideways when I hit a bump but that was caused by Gabriel shocks which were totally wasted. No such thing with new shocks (until now when they have also gone bad).

Toni

 

If you are contemplating buying any QA1 products, I would not buy them direct. They are too expensive. The cheapest place I have found that offers QA1 product is Atlantic Speed. I have corresponded with a guy named Scotty.

Here's the link: Http://www.atlanticspeed.com

:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

 

I am not sure about the valving of the Proma Star and the C Series shock. With 12 adjustments, I don't think you would have a problem finding a few that suit you. I'm just guessing, but I don't think you would be on either end of the scale with no adjustability if you went with the Proma Star in anticipation of coil-overs.

The stud top conversion is not needed if you buy the C Series direct replacement shock. They come configured to bolt in like original.

 

You can get a progressive spring if you desire, but they only come in a few rates. Most use a constant rate spring becuase of predictability and handling at the edge.

I don't have any scientific proof that coil-overs are better than the stock suspension configuration, I can only give my experieneces as proof that they do handle and ride better. Two major reasons to use them is adjustability and utility. You can adjust ride height within a reasonable amount whenever you please and you can change springs easily and cheaply. If you don't like the way it rides, buy new springs. They're only about $45 each and you can change them in no time.

 

Shouldent the frame mount to the shock be reinforced? I would think that it wasent designed to take the full load of the car.

 

Are you talking front or rear? If your talking front, earlier in the thread I posted some info about a '95 coupe that has had the Exotic Muscle race coil-over kit on it for about 4 years. The car had been raced very hard. We took the coil-overs off and inspected all the areas around the frame and shock mounts. There were no cracks, bends or detrimental effects from the coil-overs. I was concerned about this at first, but after I saw this car all doubt was erased.

:D :D :D :D :D

 

Thanks, torch I just read the other post. Please keep us posted on your trials and tribulations. :cheers: :seeya