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Old 11-18-2009, 12:09 PM   #1
HP_Addict
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Default C5 Suspension:QA1s or Coil-overs

So I was at the tack on Sat and I think I have reached the point where I have more power than my stock suspension can handle. I am looking at adding QA1 shocks all around or coil-overs. Which is preferred with the racing crowd? If coil-overs which brand?
Thanks
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Old 11-18-2009, 01:39 PM   #2
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Have 03 z/06 battling wheel hop last couple years pfadt trans brace,QA1 All around poly bush in rear all have helped none cured.Made it a point to seek out the brightest corvette drag/road race guys,chassis guys and professional race car builders all have recommended coil overs esp. if you go for more HP.Knowing what I know now if I had to do it over I would put in coil overs,all name brand coil overs are good but QA1 are helpful,good to do business with and they make a very nice piece
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Old 11-18-2009, 04:48 PM   #3
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I have had both Qa1's shocks and now Pfadt coil overs, and there is no comparison, the coil overs are so much better. The street ride is much better, and my car cutting 1.28 60' times IRS sums it up pretty well.

I believe we have them in stock ready to ship if your interested.
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Old 11-18-2009, 06:53 PM   #4
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Default coil overs

just had mine installed, the phadt units...I recently had the phadt inverted shocks on the car...the coil overs are just truly awesome...there really "IS NO COMPARISON", none...
vinny
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Old 11-18-2009, 07:11 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOUG @ ECS View Post
I have had both Qa1's shocks and now Pfadt coil overs, and there is no comparison, the coil overs are so much better. The street ride is much better, and my car cutting 1.28 60' times IRS sums it up pretty well.

I believe we have them in stock ready to ship if your interested.
Do they come with bracketry,are they bolt in? Do I assume correctly the shocks are double adjustable? Where do they mount? on a scale 1-10 how difficult and how big of a PITA is it to install how much grunt work?I'm a retired mechanic got the know how and the tools but lack the strength and stamina.I'll give you a call f/price and avail.thanks
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Old 11-18-2009, 08:23 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by K RIPPER View Post
Do they come with bracketry,are they bolt in? Do I assume correctly the shocks are double adjustable? Where do they mount? on a scale 1-10 how difficult and how big of a PITA is it to install how much grunt work?I'm a retired mechanic got the know how and the tools but lack the strength and stamina.I'll give you a call f/price and avail.thanks
Their direct bolt in, no basketry needed. They are 16 position single adjustable. The springs come pre adjusted for the ride height, but have wrenches included for additional adjustment.

You'll need to have the car on jack stands. The mono spring (under the carriage) gets deleted. You need to unhook the upper A arms from the frame to slide the shocks in. Then jack the lower A arm up to compress the shock to reattach the upper A arms (not hard at all) You also need to unbolt the coolant expansion tank & WW fluid tank to access the top of the front shocks.

They also require you to drill a small hole in the trunk/storage compartment straight up from the top of the rear shocks, so you can get to the adjustment on the very top of the shock. I cut a little x slice in the carpet. (that you can't see)
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Old 11-18-2009, 09:34 PM   #7
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Guys thanks for the info. I will definitely consider the PFadts.

Will the QA1s work on a lowered car? My car is lowered about 1.5" My stock shocks would bottom out, but the Bilstein sports are a bit shorter and work better.
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Old 11-19-2009, 04:28 AM   #8
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TUNING TIPS
Shocks are just one of many suspension variables on a race car. However, a current trend is to focus on the importance of the effects of shocks on the performance of a race car. With this in mind, we have included a few tuning tips and observations about our series shocks.

Virtually every car will separate at the launch. The rear suspension system forces the chassis upward while pushing the axle housing down. This is typically the first movement for most drag cars. For this reason, the extension, or rebound control, of the shock is extremely critical. The chassis tuner will need to have a shock that has a broad range of adjustments--a shock that will make a noticeable change in suspension characteristics when the shocks are adjusted.

The key elements to tuning the chassis are how quickly and with how much force the axle housing separates and drives the tires into the starting line. Starting lines that are bald, slick, or extremely hot will usually lack good traction. Therefore, a shock that has had the extension (rebound) softened will create more traction (greater separation). As the tire wraps up, the axle is driven down, and the chassis pitch rotates, the sidewall of the tire is compressed. At some point, the torque from the engine will decrease or the chassis will reach maximum pitch rotation. When this occurs, the tires will start to return to their original form perfectly round. This action can cause wheel hop or can "unhook" the tire. Here is where the compression setting becomes critical. The compression valving can now be set stiffer to hold the tire down on the track. This method of shock tuning is used by many of the most successful drag racers in the sport today.






CONSISTENCY
Currently the largest number of competitors in drag racing competes in some form of E.T. (bracket) racing. The premise of bracket racing is to predict the E.T. of the car as accurately as possible. The race car must be setup with quality components that promote consistent E.T.'s run after run. Common areas for tuning have included tire pressures, new tires, and launch RPM. The link between the chassis and the track is the shock/spring combination. A high quality suspension system will load the tires evenly from run to run, thereby promoting more consistent E.T.'s and allowing E.T. prediction to be more accurate. More accurate E.T. prediction equals more round wins equals more success and money.






AN INVESTMENT IN PERFORMANCE
The world of technology is ever changing, and in drag racing this is also true. A quick check of the competition will reveal that many have improved their programs, race cars, or teams. The goal is to better last year's performance or records. With that in mind, a constant evaluation of the combination is a must. From Pro Car to Competition, from Super Stock to Super Gas to Super Comp, from Super Street to a bracket car, a high quality set of shocks can and will improve the success ratio and will return its investment many times over. Drag shocks will last for several seasons. If the cost/value relationship is evaluated over time, the initial investment price can be justified by the opportunity for improvement that the shock provides. AFCO shocks will make a positive impact on your racing success!
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Old 11-19-2009, 07:31 AM   #9
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those of you with pfadt coilovers, are you using the regular kit or the drag setup they now offer? what shock settings are you using? thanks!!!
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Old 11-19-2009, 05:33 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Higgs Boson View Post
those of you with pfadt coilovers, are you using the regular kit or the drag setup they now offer? what shock settings are you using? thanks!!!
The drag setup is softer springs in the regular front coil overs. If you have them you can convert easy.

I started in the middle setting and only made one change so far.
(fronts are on 7 now)
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Old 11-19-2009, 06:40 PM   #11
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I just had Pfadt coil overs and sway bars installed on my 05. I race it a dozen times a year on the drag strip. The ride and handling on the street is unbelievable. It rides like a new car. The shocks are adjustable with 16 settings. On the strip I changed the settings and got my best 60 foot times with no wheel hop. went from 11.70 to 11.50 just with suspension and seat time. I don't know anyone who installed Pfadt didn't like them.
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Old 11-20-2009, 08:17 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by C6-13thPilotCar View Post
I just had Pfadt coil overs and sway bars installed on my 05. I race it a dozen times a year on the drag strip. The ride and handling on the street is unbelievable. It rides like a new car. The shocks are adjustable with 16 settings. On the strip I changed the settings and got my best 60 foot times with no wheel hop. went from 11.70 to 11.50 just with suspension and seat time. I don't know anyone who installed Pfadt didn't like them.
How is the clutch doing?
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Old 11-20-2009, 11:39 AM   #13
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How is the clutch doing?
Guess you imply the bite and 60' times should some remarkable impovement,good ,,just a couple more questions must front and rears be done at same time?(x mas next month taxes ,Jan. 1st.,Ins. due Jan.)you get the picture.And last I know there are no guarantees in life but will I connquer wheel hop once and for all as that is of the umost importance to me as that can put a hurtin' on my vette and I just finished major ddriveline repair/upgrade.I used a complete C6 Z/06 clutch setup had a sprung hub metallic disc and hated it your opinion on the C6 clutch am I safe foor now...thanks for taking tne time and answering these rookie questions
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Old 11-22-2009, 09:17 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris@East Coast Supercharging View Post
How is the clutch doing?
Big difference, turned by best times with it so far.
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