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Re: Bilstein/Edlebrock/QA1 shock decision
[Re: autoxcuda]
#566412
12/31/09 04:37 PM
12/31/09 04:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,277
West Coast, USA
jbc426
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,277
West Coast, USA
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Quote:
Quote:
I used Koni's on my '68 convertible a-body and absolutley love them. I got them and some other suspension goodies through Firmfeel. Excellent customer service there as well.
The only thing I wish I would have added is the adjustable strut rods, as I only get just over 1 degree of positive caster with the stock strut rods and tubular upper control arms.
I'm really surprised you couldn't get more caster with the Firm Feel A-arms.
I was too. I think it's the rear super stock springs. I used two left hand SS springs and even with a 1" lowering block, it raised the rear end a bit. I like the look of the rake it has.
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
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Re: Bilstein/Edlebrock/QA1 shock decision
[Re: jbc426]
#566413
12/31/09 04:40 PM
12/31/09 04:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
I used Koni's on my '68 convertible a-body and absolutley love them. I got them and some other suspension goodies through Firmfeel. Excellent customer service there as well.
The only thing I wish I would have added is the adjustable strut rods, as I only get just over 1 degree of positive caster with the stock strut rods and tubular upper control arms.
I'm really surprised you couldn't get more caster with the Firm Feel A-arms.
I was too. I think it's the rear super stock springs. I used two left hand SS springs and even with a 1" lowering block, it raised the rear end a bit. I like the look of the rake it has.
Bummer, it doesn't look that jacked up. Are you running poly strut rod bushings. Shaving them down 3/16" or so will help some.
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Re: Bilstein/Edlebrock/QA1 shock decision
[Re: jbc426]
#566414
12/31/09 10:00 PM
12/31/09 10:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,516
Santa Cruz, California
Lefty
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,516
Santa Cruz, California
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Quote:
I used Koni's on my '68 convertible a-body and absolutley love them. I got them and some other suspension goodies through Firmfeel. Excellent customer service there as well. The only thing I wish I would have added is the adjustable strut rods, as I only get just over 1 degree of positive caster with the stock strut rods and tubular upper control arms.
I have the FF upper arms and could not get more than 1 degree positive caster also. I also have the Reilly Motorsports adjustable strut rods, but did want to use them to "pull" the LCA forward for more caster. I adjusted them to where the LCA "wanted" to be naturally to prevent any stiction. Not so sure if that was a good idea or not.  I talked to Dick Ross at FF and he asked which way the adjustment eccentrics for the upper A arm were set. I have not had a chance to follow up with Dick at FF yet. 
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Re: Bilstein/Edlebrock/QA1 shock decision
[Re: Lefty]
#566415
01/01/10 08:48 AM
01/01/10 08:48 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,277
West Coast, USA
jbc426
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,277
West Coast, USA
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Hey Lefty, you're right over the hill from me. I'd like to check out your ride one of these days.
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
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Re: Bilstein/Edlebrock/QA1 shock decision
[Re: autoxcuda]
#566416
01/01/10 02:53 PM
01/01/10 02:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,394
Pikes Peak Country
TC@HP2
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,394
Pikes Peak Country
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Quote:
I've been trying to figure this out. Is a Varishock just a retagged QA1. They look awlful similar. Or do they use the same body with differernt guts??
I don't know. They both are aluminum bodies with adjustment knobs at the bottom, so they are similar. The QA1 website is more difficult to use, so I haven't browsed around there a whole lot. QA1 does seem to offer a much broader range of style, types and fitment options. I know most the QA1 Stocker Star bolt in units are twin tube and the Varishock are monotube, but with the variety of available QA1s, I'd bet they have mono tubes as well.
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Re: Bilstein/Edlebrock/QA1 shock decision
[Re: jbc426]
#566417
01/01/10 02:57 PM
01/01/10 02:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,516
Santa Cruz, California
Lefty
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,516
Santa Cruz, California
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Quote:
Hey Lefty, you're right over the hill from me. I'd like to check out your ride one of these days.
Anytime... 
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Re: Bilstein/Edlebrock/QA1 shock decision
[Re: autoxcuda]
#566418
01/12/10 07:57 PM
01/12/10 07:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 48
Los Angeles
Hazwoy
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 48
Los Angeles
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After much consideration I am going with Bilsteins. Talked with Race Car Dynamics today, very helpful. I guess they are the source of shocks for Firm Feel and Hotchkis. Also check out XV Motorsports page, they probably have the best shocks ever made for our cars but ~$900/4 on up. Out of my budget for now. Best link ever on shock info here- http://www.xvmotorsports.com/media/XVLevelIShocks.pdfAutoXcuda- I only have 3/8" till my LCA hit my shaved bump stops. Total w/o stops about 1 3/4". I did check to see if I can go with drop spindles and they will work- my steering linkage completely clears the rim and tire if I drop. Back spacing is 6.0" with 18 X 8" rims. Have u ever bottomed out the front end on a bump? It seems to me no bump stops would be somewhat of a safety issue but your car is lighter and therefore has a higher spring rate.
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Re: Bilstein/Edlebrock/QA1 shock decision
[Re: Hazwoy]
#566419
01/13/10 02:01 AM
01/13/10 02:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
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Quote:
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AutoXcuda- I only have 3/8" till my LCA hit my shaved bump stops. Total w/o stops about 1 3/4". I did check to see if I can go with drop spindles and they will work- my steering linkage completely clears the rim and tire if I drop. Back spacing is 6.0" with 18 X 8" rims.
As long as your tie rod has room to move vertically 2" and not hit inside of the rim you are good.
Quote:
Have u ever bottomed out the front end on a bump? It seems to me no bump stops would be somewhat of a safety issue but your car is lighter and therefore has a higher spring rate.
Yes, I hit the mountain at Willow Springs. Put a slight bubble around shock support panel. I think I bent my steel 15x8 Rally rim at that time too. The QA1 shocks are the same height for A-body and B-bodies, but technically the A-body shocks are shorter. The QA1's have a C-clip near the top of the shock rod. The impact on the wheel moving up sheared that C-clip off. I didn't see any big marks in the frame to LCA area. Maybe the shock hit first.
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Re: Bilstein/Edlebrock/QA1 shock decision
[Re: Hazwoy]
#566422
02/18/10 04:28 PM
02/18/10 04:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
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Quote:
So I installed the new Bilsteins this week. Really really good but I think the XV's might just be worth the money.
Tough to make an accurate comment like that unless you have tried out XV shocks on you car back to back. They might very well be better. Or they might be the same or worse. Gotta try them first.
Quote:
My old KYBs looked fine when I took them out, no leaks, still resist, looked fine on outside. But they were completely worn out. Most noticeable on speed bumps and high speed dips. Would like my new shocks to smooth out potholes a bit better but I am running 45 series 18" tires.
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