Does anyone have any experience with them? I'm seriously considering getting a set of their 12-way adjustable shocks mostly so I can easily adjust them for racing at the drag strip. I was wondering if anyone has used them for drag racing and how much, if any, improvement they saw with their use. Thanks!

 

Same here
Dave

 

I have been running them for about a year. I switched them out from a set of Z51 shocks. I use the car mostly on the street and at shows and it sees track time about 6 times a year. I have only drag raced with them, but I plan on doing autocross also.
The flexibility of being able to dial in the ride was what attracted me to them. I also am lowered a little more than 1" so I purchased shocks that were 1" shorter. The ride is better than stock. The car feels lighter and seems to handle road surface changes better. I have found that setting them to 5-6 is great for driving 'normally'. 8 is about as tight as I would go for 'spirited' or 'autocross', and I have experimented with from 1 to 5 in different combinations for dragging. The best combination on my car was 2 in the rears and 3 in the fronts. I got my best 60' 1.9 on Pilot Sports, and my best light .000 I don't think that was the shocks, but more just dumb luck. Also, they look great being polished aluminum, and it gives me something to fiddle with.

 

Well i drag race a lot and got the Hals in the middle of last season. I'm sure a lot of guys love them but for 1k I dont know if I would do it again, FYI I run the fronts at 0 or 1 and the rears anywhere between 4-6. That way you transfer weight to rear of car for traction. On the street for me at 5 there really stiff. IMO.

 

My car is lowered about 1.5 inches and I am thinking about getting a custom length set of these shocks. Do you think I will notice any improvement in ride and/or handling?

 

I am not overly impressed by them, if given a choice to purchase them again..I would not. They are just OK for the type of shock they are.

I liked the Bilstein HDs way better, but my next set of shocks will be Custom Penske adjustables or Koni.

 

Really??? I was about to purchase the Bilstein sports, but it seemed like everyone said they were no better than the stock Z06 shocks. So should I just get the Bilstein Sports???

 

In order of stiffness, it's Bilstein HD, then Bilstein Sports.

In any case, I'm not sure how anyone could like any non-adjustable shocks over any 12-way adjustables though.

 

I just installed these on my car and so far they are AWESOME.

 

Thanks for the information, fellas. It's very helpful!

I'm thinking maybe the double adjustables for the front would be a good idea for the drag strip as they let you adjust the dampening and the return rate so they can be set to keep the nose up as long as possible.

 

I don't drag race or track but I do like my HAL Q1. I run 5 front and 8 rear and handles well on street.

 

Its pretty simple if you understand the differences between mono tube shocks and the way the pistons work. The detailed data on them can be reviewed by reading the "shock dyno" results for each individual piston. The stock 02 Z06 shocks are better for street driving and launching then the 01 shocks.

To simplify it for you with regards to HAL QA1s is that when you are selecting a stiffer setting (greater rebound and dampening) you are trying to simulate those qualities found in a shock which is designed for that sole purpose. When you start looking at Penske or Koni you are in a whole different Zip Code. You get what you pay for.

The QA1s are great for drag racing, as for being a 12 way and asking them to perform at the level adjusted for road course over a shock that is only designed for that type usage. It is no comparison. One is operating within its designed range the other is merely attemping to. I am only referring to the HALs vs. Z06 vs. Bilstein Sports or HDs.

As mentioned above when you start talking about Penske or Koni adjustables..they are way above any of the others.

If I couldn' afford the Penske's I would look for some 02 Z06 shocks or Bilstein HD/Sports.

 

I understand what you're getting at now. Thanks for the explanation.

So, do you think that for normal touring and drag racing I'd be satisfied with the HAL's? I do no road racing and have no intentions to.

 

Oh yeah...I think you will be fine for that. Thanks for not taking me wrong. The HALs have worked great for what I have wanted them to do..which was make the car squat when launching..helps get more power to the rear wheels which is challenging as HP increases.

On the street the HALs have been great too. I run the adjustment for the street on (F/R) 5/5. Its firm enough so that the front end doesn't bounce over every speed bump or dip in the road and scrape on everything (my car is also very low) but it is not as stiff as the Bilstein HD/Sports. So they have been a great shock for adjusting soft settings. But so are the 02 Z06 shocks..there is just a little more room for adjusting the rebound/dampening with the HALs..so you can tailor it to your driving style a little more.

If I was road racing 25% of the time, and on a budget I would buy some Bilsteins HDs or Konis. The reason I like the Penskes is because they are an adjustable shock that can be totally customized to different driving road conditions. I talked to a Guy named Guy last year @ A&A's Grand Opening..he was the number one SCCA guy. He showed me all the shock dynos from various shocks (stock included) and it was almost just too much information just talking to him..he did all the talking for about 35 mins...I just shut up and tried to absorb it.

The Penskes are the real deal..but they cost a pretty penny..if I work up $2500-2800 someday I will buy them.

 

Again, thanks for the great explanation. It's a great help to me.

Concerning the Penske shocks, I'm in complete agreement. If you are into road racing, they're the real McCoys.

 

We have sold alot of QA1 shocks for C5s and almost everyone is very happy. One of the unhappy guys was running the softest C5 springs and was autocrossing on Dot Competition tires and he was trying to get the shock to make up for a spring that was too soft. When I convinced him to put in a Z06 spring package he was suddenly happy with the shocks.

We are experimenting with the twin **** double adjustables on one of the really fast Auto-x guys Zo6 running in SS and he says that they are great.

The single **** units are about $900 for all 4 and the twin **** units require our special mounting kit for the rear as the oil port and the QA1 mounting yoke would need to occupy the same space if QA1 used their current C5 mounting method.

Give me a call next week if I can be of assistance.

 

That's a great price, Mark! I'll be in contact!

 

Do these come in a coil over version? if so, how much more are they?

 

I have them on my car for some time now. run 2 font and 6 rear for drag racing and I get a quite a few passes in a month.

I like being able to fine tune the shocks for varying track condition but the that is what it is, a fine tune, not a miracle worker.

Talking hundreths here.

With all working together I have manager a slight wheels up launch seen below.

 

Great pic Redgar How much of a change did you see going to these on your short times??? Thanks again
Dave