Vettegineer

I need some advice--after many hours of research, I picked the Speed Direct Shark Bites for my 78's front suspension. I expected the QA1, but I received Viking Performance shocks. I was frosted.

Speed Direct was a class act though, and told me what I wanted to hear--they will swap the QA1s for the Vikings--but they believe that with the QA1's built off-shore, the Viking Shocks are better--and made in the USA by the same technical guys who have left QA1 to start Viking! (which is supported by the fact that they are pretty close together in MN.)

Eric (at Speed Direct) told me I wasn't the "first" and other guys out there have put them in, and so far no returns or complaints.

So help me out guys--what do you think? Are Viking Performance semi-coil overs as good as the QA-1's, has the quality of QA-1's dropped?

I have a few days to return them.

Choices:
1. Return all the Speed Direct stuff--buy Van Steel or VBP systems
2. Keep the Shark Bite and other components giving Viking a chance,
3. Accept the QA1 replacements from Speed Direct?

Thanks! Les

resdoggie

QA-1's are built in the USA according to their website. So, whose distorting the truth? I have the QA-1's and am quite pleased with them.

diehrd

I would go with what you wanted to begin with , you had to like what was offered as far as brands , you ordered it and got shocks you did not expect . Let them exchange them and you should be set

Vettegineer

I emailed both Viking Performance and QA1--you both make valid points. I asked Viking about their product innovations that make them "better than" QA1. I asked QA1 where their products are made.

Here is the rub--if SD thinks Viking is a better product, why don't they say so on their site? Eric explained their site is behind because they are so slammed with business. I guess this makes some sense--but not lots--I mean the pics are still of the QA1 shocks. Chances are I just swap for the QA1--but a small part of me is saying ship it all back and buy from a different forum partner. Though SD has handled the results of this perfectly, I'm afraid I've lost some respect, and wonder if I want to be quits. I'll consider thru the weekend. I'm leaning toward swapping and build as planned--but not sure. Especially if QA1 confirms that they are not offshore. I checked too--and I couldn't tell for sure--seems like final build of shock is in MN--but not sure where the parts come from. Thanks for your advice--I hope to get other thoughts--I've been wanting to build this for many years--don't need BS now!
Les

Joey Nieves

There is a universal constant "vendors = say anything and sound convincing". It all comes down to what did you order and what did you get. When I was a kid there was a Ritz TV commercial (now there called ad's) that they would say the "it's the same size, same amount of holes, but they don't taste the same. you wanted QA1 you should get QA1. If you have doubts about what they told you call QA1, they should be able to tell you what you need to know about there product and they may be able to send you a comparison chart.

7t9l82

speed direct is a good company with a good reputation, i doubt they would risk it on reduced quality parts. qa1 probably has a good market share and raised prices, viking is the new guy with a comparable product keeping costs low, or maybe qa1 can't meet demand. i would keep the viking shocks, in a year the will likely be the ones everybody wants

gkull

I have the QA-1 dual adjust front semi coil overs with speed direct 600# springs.

What did you go with?

I don't know about Viking shocks. do they also have a **** for adjustment?

Vettegineer

I ordered the double adjustment with 450lb springs--I increased the front bar to 1.125, and recently changed to 400 in the back (as I recall?) It is supposed to be an every day driver that I can autoX with if I want when I'm done--doing the LS3 swap now too...

I didn't look to see if they had a **** for adjustment--I boxed them back up as I was a bit sideways. I haven't ever seen any forum member complain about their QA1 shocks. Speed Direct/Van Steel/VBP people have favorites, but no one seems to complain once they have the QA1's on.

jotto

From the QA1 web site,

Corvette Shocks
High Performance Handling for 1963 – Present Corvettes

QA1 has stock mount non-coil-over and coil-over shocks engineered specifically for your Corvette. Select from a variety of valving options, including double adjustable, single adjustable, “R” series and non-adjustable. Every shock is made in the U.S.A. and 100% dyno tested and serialized before it leaves our Minnesota factory.

Seems Viking are US made as well.

gkull

I had the VB&P 550# for 20 years. I want something with less dive when you got on the brakes. I also have the 1 1/8th with spring end links

Vettegineer

I have learned a few things--QA1's are DEFINITELY Made only in the USA. Let their be no question--I've heard from their sales manager, and they are very passionate about this (seems like gearheads aren't high on "Chinese" car parts!)

As for me, I initially decided to go with the QA1's, but now have decided to return the entire Speed Direct kit. I still think they are a good company with good designs--I have their Steeroids, and found them to be a good bolt-on design.

I also learned that you cannot powder coat their control arms after assembly. Their assembly involves press fit components that can't be re-used if disassembled. If you want powder coat on their control arms, work with them in advance.

Thanks for your help--this really helped me firm up my opinion and make a decision. In a couple years, we will find out Viking make THE shocks to own--LOL. The new system I order will have QA1's.

7t9l82

so, you took a salesman's word as proof?

diehrd

I goggled QA1 and found several claims there made in china , Personally I would not care but you did state that was a concern, Assembly is USA but the shock spring and rod are apparently made overseas. So it is a mixed bag which allows both the claim China made and USA made and both would not be a lie. ( Fox body guys are the main source I found stating China parts are used in QA1 shocks)

Anyway , good luck with the mods !~!~!~!~!

AirborneSilva

I'm interested in finding out the performance difference in both as the Viking is considerably less expensive, if they perform comparably then the Viking sounds the way to go