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Nov 1, 2014 | 10:46 AM

spirit1411

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Teching In

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new items?

I was reading through superchevy and came across an add for qa1 remote reservoir 4 way shocks. These are supposed to be fairly new? However the add does not really go into the tech behind them? Has anyone else seen these and would they be any good for handling applications? The add does say they offer high and low speed adjustment. I am gonna be in the market for new shocks in the spring and I am wanting to go in a handling oriented direction with my camaro. I currently have strange coilovers on all four corner's.

Nov 1, 2014 | 01:50 PM

JD_AMG

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Joined: Jan 2004

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From: St.Charles MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by spirit1411

Never heard about them, but by judging with the previous junk they have made I would steer clear. Stay away from non-gas charged shocks like the QA1s, Strange that you have now, afco or the vikings, as they are drag shocks made for weight transfer, basically the exact opposite of what you want. Just because something has "adjustments" and can be made "stiff" doesn't mean it will handle/feel good or hold together on a real track (one with turns) with any loss of dampening because of being not gas charged. Not all shocks are valved the same and not all shocks are adjusted in the same way (are you changing how the oil flows through the piston of the shock?)

For the same money or less you won't find a shock that can hold a candle to these:
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=20&ModelID=7

Full package for amazing handling:
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=90&ModelID=7
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=67&ModelID=7

Nov 4, 2014 | 07:40 AM

UMI Sales

FormerVendor

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The QA1 has independent Compression/Rebound adjustment for high and low speed, hence 4-way. It will react differently to a pothole then it would a long sweeping turn. It is far from a drag shock. QA1 had a rough patch years ago and they have really been working on bringing out some great products to change that.

Viking/Afco are used exclusively on our house cars on auto-x and road race applications. We have had Viking on our 79 Monte Carlo, and our 99 SS Camaro. And we installed a prototype Afco coilover system on our 5th Gen Camaro, and Pro-tour Elite Shocks on our 72 LeMans! They all are a vast improvement and the adjustability definitely helps the car react well around the track if you can find the proper settings.

I would think these QA1 shocks would be an excellent upgrade over your factory shocks. They may not be the absolute best on the market, but an excellent upgrade. Also, they may not come in a direct bolt in replacement for an F-body car.

Nov 4, 2014 | 01:50 PM

spirit1411

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Teching In

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Thanks for the opinions and info!
I am very much interested in keeping the adjustable height option I currently enjoy with my strange coil overs at all four corners. However I have come to understand that the Strange units are not really what I need for the direction I am going in with my Camaro, which is handling cornering oriented. It sounds like these might be an option. I talked to someone over at qa1 who said they will retail for 599 a shock. This seems like it might be a really good option for a twin tube with gas assist. Especially with the level of adjustment available. I am just wanting to confirm these would be an improvement for the direction I am going with the Camaro?