Anyone using QA1 da's fronts for drag ?

[Warhorse]

I have this thread in the suspension section but thought I may get more responses here.

Just installed new set with the only optional "250 lb. spring rate".
Began test with Compression 16 out of 18 stiff, rebound 0 out of 18 full soft. I thought this setting would offer an abundance of lift to start with. Front ride height 1 1/4" lower than rear. Been running BMR 15" conversion with Hoosier 29x10.5Wx15's stiffs and skinny's. See sig. Rear setting unchanged from previous best setup.

Front end does not lift as much as the stock spring/struts. I feel the springs are too stiff. Installer commented on how much stiffer they felt than the stock springs.

Made several test hits on clean concrete (I do understand a prepped track would offer better results) Same pavement I use to test setup and tune prior to new struts. Car is set up for some pretty serious street and will probably never see strip. I take my hobbies to extreme and do not desire to get the bug for chasing numbers.
I enjoy the challenge of making car as quick as possible on street but seemed to have hit wall.
Would appreciate some recommendations or help from those experienced with similar setup?

[Pro Stock John]

Front sway bar off?

[Warhorse]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Front sway bar off?

Yep, No sway. QA1 tech said they shipped with a 9" 250 lb spring.
I would like to find out what others are running as far as front spring.

I'm pretty sure I could adjust settings to hook on prepped track but lately feel setup will need be substantially different than strip settings. Many times we have time for VHT / Trackbite which helps but have found not all concrete is alike. Smooth pavement with little grain is desired, depth of brushed grooves and coarseness of surface all play major role in traction.
Weight transfer with prepped track may not be as important with the right tire wheel combo as it is on marginal surface at best.

I feel like anything I can do to get the weight on back tires will help.
Lately, been moving to slightly softer compression at rear to actually initiate additional squat. (Many on this forum seem to disagree with squat for our IRS platforms) But as long as I can adjust and maintain optimum alignment to maximize tire contact patch and keep my LCA's off my inner barrel of the weld wheels I may be alright.

I was hoping the QA1 da's would allow a lot more lift with adjustments toward very little to 0 rebound setting and tighten up compression to almost maximum 15-16 clicks as to minimize front end settling too quick and cause unweighting rear 15-20ft out. Front springs as purchased with strut system from QA1 seem very stiff and thought maybe a softer, longer spring as to create some stored energy may help.

[62nalide]

I know I don't make as much power as you but with just the 15" conversion and removing my front sway bar my car squats and hooks pretty good on a track. In the street I have to run 13lbs on both tires and lay down some pimp juice and flame it until it gets hot. That's the only way I can hook 1st gear before it spins in 2nd though.

[Mr. Nasty]

I still have stock shocks but I pulled the front sway bar out over two years ago. I transfer all weight needed to rear. With what I think is enough rear squat for traction cut high 1.40 and low 1.50 60'. I also run on 5 different tracks.

You may do better with removing the sway bar then changing the shocks for drag racing. Some say its bad to pull it but I am fine driving with out it.

As you can see even out about 30' I still have rear squat and front lift. I'm the left lane car.

[Warhorse]

Originally Posted by 62nalide

I know I don't make as much power as you but with just the 15" conversion and removing my front sway bar my car squats and hooks pretty good on a track. In the street I have to run 13lbs on both tires and lay down some pimp juice and flame it until it gets hot. That's the only way I can hook 1st gear before it spins in 2nd though.

Yeah, I think I may have met you before. I have found 13 1/2 lbs works decent but have not gone lower. I haven't been stingy with the VHT but admit I keep changing things (Trans Shift settings, pulling timing down low, nitrous progression, etc.) Car seemed to like the rear compression to be stiffer but again I may be accepting the "stiff theory" too easy as most on this forum seem to recommend but they are on prepped track.

Read that you are making major changes?

[Warhorse]

Originally Posted by Mr. Nasty

I still have stock shocks but I pulled the front sway bar out over two years ago. I transfer all weight needed to rear. With what I think is enough rear squat for traction cut high 1.40 and low 1.50 60'. I also run on 5 different tracks.

You may do better with removing the sway bar then changing the shocks for drag racing. Some say its bad to pull it but I am fine driving with out it.

As you can see even out about 30' I still have rear squat and front lift. I'm the left lane car.

I had sway bar removed not to long after the wheel tire conversion. Yes, I also found increased and quicker lift in front after removal. Felt substantially better. Removal may not result in decreased 60's on prepped track as some have commented but I sure realized more weight transfer on marginal surfaces with limited traction. I feel a sticky track could minimized the need for "Hook on gravel road" setups and could allow for sub par shock/spring adjustments or stock suspensions to work. Thus the reason for adding the QA1 fronts and work on increased weight transfer. I know I will never find the "perfect" setting as even like a track, all surfaces are different and require albeit even subtle refinements in suspension tuning.

I hope with the help of some here like yourself and others that have gone through the rigors of testing, find a better front spring combo if available.

[62nalide]

Originally Posted by Warhorse

Yeah, I think I may have met you before. I have found 13 1/2 lbs works decent but have not gone lower. I haven't been stingy with the VHT but admit I keep changing things (Trans Shift settings, pulling timing down low, nitrous progression, etc.) Car seemed to like the rear compression to be stiffer but again I may be accepting the "stiff theory" too easy as most on this forum seem to recommend but they are on prepped track.

Read that you are making major changes?

That is correct I will be running Boost next. I also want to play a little more with my suspension as well. But I won't be leaving as hard in a way. I'm going to run a TH400 and a ZL1 3.23 rear end.

[Pro Stock John]

Jegs has this spring rate chart:



How long have the QA1s been out? I've run them on past 4th gens. Are you running some on the back too?

[Warhorse]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Jegs has this spring rate chart:


How long have the QA1s been out? I've run them on past 4th gens. Are you running some on the back too?

I think QA1 double adj. fronts have been out a while now for the 5th gen's. I have strange da's on rear that come with the BMR drag suspension and 15" wheel conversion package.

Thanks for the chart. Maybe what I have is the best for my setup already. I really don't know. I was looking for someone that could recommend which pressure/pound & spring length combo that's works. Seems a longer less pound spring rating would be better. One without producing spring bind before bottoming out and possibly have enough stored energy to allow for more lift even on marginal surface. I'm thinking less travel or lift is less weight transfer to rear. Could be over thinking though.

[Pro Stock John]

What are the stock springs rate-wise?

[bowtienick]

How do you like the BMR setup? I'm thinking about going that route.

[Warhorse]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

What are the stock springs rate-wise?

I really don't know. My installer of the QA1's just made a comment on how much stiffer they felt over the stock springs. I will probably need to call QA1 and talk to another tech guy to see what's available. I have already spoke to one QA1 rep and he told me the package they sell was probably for all around use and not drag specific. He did say that some people want to lower there ride height more than the QA1's ability. He mentioned 1" lowering capability. I told him what purpose I would be utilizing them but he did not offer any other recommendations. They do appear to have more travel than the stock struts, at least on there spec sheet. I really don't see a reason I could not go to a longer/softer spring but just don't know which spring.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by bowtienick

How do you like the BMR setup? I'm thinking about going that route.

That's the best route for sure..