QA-1 Adjustable Shocks Good/Bad? at Drags?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: South Lake Tahoe Ca.
QA-1 Adjustable Shocks Good/Bad? at Drags?
I've been looking for hours on the CF, and can't find out how these are working on the drag strip, vs stock Z06 shocks I have the 2002 with 403 rwhp.
Have you installed the QA-1's after getting a good base ET then tyied them out? Hoo's the manufacture?
Help!
Have you installed the QA-1's after getting a good base ET then tyied them out? Hoo's the manufacture?
Help!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
I have QA1's, but I race on road courses not drags. What I like about the QA1's is you can dial-in the firmness you want. I would assume that at the drag-strip this will be an advantage wherein you can soften the rear to provide the desired weight shift off-the-line.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: South Lake Tahoe Ca.
Thanks for the info.
Ya that's where I'm going to use them but tring to figure out if the
$650. worth it. All I need is more problems with less money
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 27,897
Likes: 9
From: I have no tolerence for liberals and fools, but sometimes i repeat myself
CI 3-5-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08
The QA1's are some of the best shocks you can buy. They are a great all around shock that can be used street/track/strip and all you have to do is turn a ****. I have them on the C3 drag car, my C4 race car project, and contemplating a set on the C5. Of course i get a pretty good deal on them as well
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 1
From: Mohegan Lake New York
I bought my 03 Z/06 new and I drag race in the corvette challenge 'the MPH was always there but the et's were all over the board, I tried all my tricks I've learned over the years(add weight add to one side than the other , shift weight side to side ,lower,raise ride height ect. ect. ect.)much more than I care to admit. Then as i stopped or lessened tire spin another totally unacceptable monster reared it's ugly head wheel hop at times severe so I bit the bullet and bought QA 1's I admit it was a tough decision a thousand bucks for four shocks but son of a b#%#* those suckers flat out worked.I picked up 2 to 3 tenths short times went from 2.00 to mid 1.7 best et prior 12.20 ,and I've gotten into the elevens and I've only started to play. And is sooo cool you can adjust for the street ride you want... going out W/ the old lady set 'em down for a soft ride spirted driving set 'em hard drag set front soft back hard no bite at the track?set the back softer the possibilties are endless so am I happy with them? yes I am, but a grand for a set of shocks is a tough nut to swallow
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: South Lake Tahoe Ca.
Thanks, K RIPPER
What helps a lot! Do you half to jack the car up or get on a hoist to adjust?
When you did the fronts did you change the sway bar in any way, or disconnect it?
What helps a lot! Do you half to jack the car up or get on a hoist to adjust?
When you did the fronts did you change the sway bar in any way, or disconnect it?
Last edited by soblad; Jun 2, 2008 at 10:41 AM. Reason: Add
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
I have cut 1.42's on the stock shocks with et streets and rwhp between 400-420.
Some of the c6Z guys feel they help with wheelhop.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 1
From: Mohegan Lake New York
On C5 no jack up to adjust but you have to lay un ground to adjust plus on fronts adjuster **** on inside,& for ease of acess turn wheel hard right then hard left to adj. each side rear adj. **** on inside.QA1 tech. (Dave) recomend disconnect sway bar for best results (I didn't) R&R on rears no prob.on fronts tie down shocks W/tie wraps or wire gas charged shocks expand when disconnected & cannot get shock out .reuse stock bushing F&R I didn't reuse front plastic spacer(?) before install stand shock right side up push full open & close (elim.air bubblesbut prob. not necessary but can't hurt)I marked lower control in rear direction to adjust but **** on inside & outside(adjuster) it gets confusing I found as the **** gets easier to turn you are going toward the soft setting , harder to turn going to hard setting I recommend buuy & install al 4 same time but if $ is a prob. buy fronts first GOOD LUCK!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: South Lake Tahoe Ca.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
I wrote an article on launching a c5Z. It is in the Corvette challenge web articles somewhere.
Basically with et streets I used to launched from 5500-6500 depending on track conditions, etc.
If you are running et street radials you can probably launch around 5000rpms if you do a good burnout.
It all depends on how serious you are about achieving the best et you can with the car understanding the risks of breakage.
Tell me your specific setup and tires and I'll put you in the ballpark.
Include your goals with the car (ie. Whether your looking for an 11 second pass or 10 second pass).
I'll pull up a video if you like.
Basically with et streets I used to launched from 5500-6500 depending on track conditions, etc.
If you are running et street radials you can probably launch around 5000rpms if you do a good burnout.
It all depends on how serious you are about achieving the best et you can with the car understanding the risks of breakage.
Tell me your specific setup and tires and I'll put you in the ballpark.
Include your goals with the car (ie. Whether your looking for an 11 second pass or 10 second pass).
I'll pull up a video if you like.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
Here's a video of an 03Z06 with around 410rwhp and stock shocks on et streets.
Launch ~ 6000rpm's
View My Video
Launch ~ 6000rpm's
View My Video
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: South Lake Tahoe Ca.
I wrote an article on launching a c5Z. It is in the Corvette challenge web articles somewhere.
Basically with et streets I used to launched from 5500-6500 depending on track conditions, etc.
If you are running et street radials you can probably launch around 5000rpms if you do a good burnout.
It all depends on how serious you are about achieving the best et you can with the car understanding the risks of breakage.
Tell me your specific setup and tires and I'll put you in the ballpark.
Include your goals with the car (ie. Whether your looking for an 11 second pass or 10 second pass).
I'll pull up a video if you like.
Basically with et streets I used to launched from 5500-6500 depending on track conditions, etc.
If you are running et street radials you can probably launch around 5000rpms if you do a good burnout.
It all depends on how serious you are about achieving the best et you can with the car understanding the risks of breakage.
Tell me your specific setup and tires and I'll put you in the ballpark.
Include your goals with the car (ie. Whether your looking for an 11 second pass or 10 second pass).
I'll pull up a video if you like.
Neat video, really was just curious more than wanting to do that high of a leave. I live 100 miles away from my nearest strip so breakage at 8-9 PM is not a possibility or an allowable item.
I've been leaving at 3-3500 RPM using Rangers techniques for about two years (may be 60 runs) I have a 12.70 average ET, 2002 Z06 Corvette. It don't out at 403/390 torque. My 60' times usually 2.10 don't make sense. Got a couple of 1.94 & 1.96's in at 388 rwhp. But now with 403 rwhp and MT's (new) not old hard ones 2.10 (1 run) the rest (4) at 2.21+
Tuner felt clutch gone, I decided time to go automatic doing a RPM level 4 at this time. Very expensive but I'm a senior not to much more race time left. Hoping for 1.75 60's and low 12's as far as my goals. Will be out racing in the all Corvette races Sunday the 8 th. with no test time. But I'm convinced with no shifts missed, and no water on the line I'll take home the King of the Hill"
Thanks, for your help!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
ROBZ,
Neat video, really was just curious more than wanting to do that high of a leave. I live 100 miles away from my nearest strip so breakage at 8-9 PM is not a possibility or an allowable item.
I've been leaving at 3-3500 RPM using Rangers techniques for about two years (may be 60 runs) I have a 12.70 average ET, 2002 Z06 Corvette. It don't out at 403/390 torque. My 60' times usually 2.10 don't make sense. Got a couple of 1.94 & 1.96's in at 388 rwhp. But now with 403 rwhp and MT's (new) not old hard ones 2.10 (1 run) the rest (4) at 2.21+
Tuner felt clutch gone, I decided time to go automatic doing a RPM level 4 at this time. Very expensive but I'm a senior not to much more race time left. Hoping for 1.75 60's and low 12's as far as my goals. Will be out racing in the all Corvette races Sunday the 8 th. with no test time. But I'm convinced with no shifts missed, and no water on the line I'll take home the King of the Hill"
Thanks, for your help!
Neat video, really was just curious more than wanting to do that high of a leave. I live 100 miles away from my nearest strip so breakage at 8-9 PM is not a possibility or an allowable item.
I've been leaving at 3-3500 RPM using Rangers techniques for about two years (may be 60 runs) I have a 12.70 average ET, 2002 Z06 Corvette. It don't out at 403/390 torque. My 60' times usually 2.10 don't make sense. Got a couple of 1.94 & 1.96's in at 388 rwhp. But now with 403 rwhp and MT's (new) not old hard ones 2.10 (1 run) the rest (4) at 2.21+
Tuner felt clutch gone, I decided time to go automatic doing a RPM level 4 at this time. Very expensive but I'm a senior not to much more race time left. Hoping for 1.75 60's and low 12's as far as my goals. Will be out racing in the all Corvette races Sunday the 8 th. with no test time. But I'm convinced with no shifts missed, and no water on the line I'll take home the King of the Hill"
Thanks, for your help!
Make sure you heat them up with a good burnout and I would start around 20 psi. That should give you 1.7x's.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
The QA1's are some of the best shocks you can buy. They are a great all around shock that can be used street/track/strip and all you have to do is turn a ****. I have them on the C3 drag car, my C4 race car project, and contemplating a set on the C5. Of course i get a pretty good deal on them as well
I have no real input or experience with the product..Im just amazed how diffrent things are between "cultures".
Ive always thought the if the QWA1's were such a bad choice how could they keep selling them Obviously they do the job and do it well....Intresting
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: South Lake Tahoe Ca.
3rd or 4th run.
I started at 20lbs then went to 16 lbs. Best 60' was 20 lbs. with only 2200 RPM's (a 2.08 was my second pass).
Will let you know after the week end's race.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,308
Likes: 157
From: NJ
If your auto now and can't come out higher than 2200 then you should air up the tires until you don't bog. You'll get it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 4
From: Ringgold GA
Here's a video of an 03Z06 with around 410rwhp and stock shocks on et streets.
Launch ~ 6000rpm's
View My Video
Launch ~ 6000rpm's
View My Video