Hello again, TAC!
As noted in my last post...Going into season #4 with my 'finished' TTA I finally got coil-overs installed on the front end!
I'm going to try something new today. I'll get right to the main observations right up front. Only then will I ramble on about my mistakes, what I -really- think of this coil-over 'conversion kit', stuff I think might help someone else, and some useless details. Proceed at your own risk.
Summary:
1) The installation of QA1's "Pro Coilover system" (Summit PN GS501-10400C) was not complex or difficult.
(But it did take me 2 tries and some customization/tweaking.)
2) I would recommend reading and following the instructions.
(I didn't follow them closely, which (in part) lead to an R&R session after the initial test drive.)
3) I didn't get the ride quality improvement I had hoped for.
(But ride comfort/quality is marginally improved. Maybe 20% 'better')
4) I did notice an improvement in feel/cornering/performance.
(But, that has had unintended consequences)
5) I did get the front-end ride height where I like it.
(But (at this stage) the car is more likely to rub a front tire on big dips then it was before.)
6) I may end up moving up to a 450lb spring.
(But, not this season)
7) I would recommend them to others
(But my very high expectations were not quite met.)
Before (top) and after(bottom): Both front and rear are 1/2" lower now than they were before...
Recently Updated by
Tom Sherer, on Flickr
Still here? OK. Here's some additional details about the install...
The installation was pretty straightforward. Just 5 steps!
1) Remove the shocks
2) Disconnect the sway bar end links
3) Separate the lower control arm from the spindle
4) Remove the stock springs
5) Put the new coil-over where the old shock and spring were
Pro Tips: -Remove the sway bar entirely. This makes -more- work, but provides more room
to work -in-.
[Really the reason I removed the bar is that I sort of skimmed over the instructions this
first time through. So, maybe this first one isn't such a 'Pro' tip.
Know what? Leave the bar on the frame, or remove it. Dealers' choice.]
- Removing the little bump stop on the lower control arm provides more space to swing a
hammer at the ball joint area of the spindle.
- Estimate about 2 hours from start to finish for the first front corner.
[Add another 1 Hr. 45Min. to remove and reinstall both front coil-overs when you realize
That you did something wrong. (Practice makes perfect!)]
The bar at the bottom of the coilover rides on top of the lower control arm. The nuts that the stock shock bolts screw into from the bottom of the control arm will interfere. They need to be removed.
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Tom Sherer, on Flickr
My very late 1981 Van Nuys car just J-Nuts (or whatever these are called) for the lower shock mounts. These pop right off:
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Tom Sherer, on Flickr
Apparently, some cars have nuts welded to the lower control arm for the lower shock mount. If your car has welded-on nuts there, they need to be ground/cut off
Here's how the lock nut and spring seat/adjuster nut install onto the coilover body:
[I really wasn't aware how exactly they piece together, exactly. Your knowledge may vary.]
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Tom Sherer, on Flickrr
Run them all the way to the bottom and leave them there. (Just like the instructions say).
Then install the (optional) thrust bearing set sandwich on top of the spring seat adjuster nut thing.
Nut...Washer...Bearing...Washer like this:
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Tom Sherer, on Flickr
Finally, with the shaft fully extended, drop on the spring:
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Tom Sherer, on Flickr
Oh...Here's something someone might actually find helpful...
I used a couple of large Phillips screwdrivers to orient the lower shock mount tabs on the coilover with the shock mount holes on the lower control arm. while jacking up the lower control arm.
Like this...
by
Tom Sherer, on Flickr
Untitled by
Tom Sherer, on Flickr
I mentioned that by the 4th one I was under an hour to remove and reinstall one of these things. Each Front coil over was installed twice. r Here's the mistake to lead to all of that practice....
The initial test drive made it about 1.5Mi. before we had to stop driving. A constant squeak quickly developed from the front end. Not an occasional, light squeak. No...ANY movement of the lower control arm introduced a VERY loud, VERY high pitch squeaking sound. We stopped in a parking lot @ Valley Forge National Park where I found the noise was coming from the top shock mount area. It appeared as though the stock shaft was slanted inboard several degrees...
Untitled by
Tom Sherer, on Flickr
And..If you look closely at the pic above you can see a witness mark where the washer was rubbing against the shock mount.
So, I limped it home. Jacked it up...took the coilovers out, and reinstalled them. This time I carefully followed the directions. This process helped straighten the shaft and get the bushings seated better up top.
BUT...the top washer still looked like it would rub the frame. A comparison of the QA1 washers with the washers I had installed on the stock ACDelco shocks showed the QA1 washer was just a bit larger. Maybe 1/16 - 1/8 In. bigger diameter.
My Dremel solved that problem by trimming a bit off the washer...
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Tom Sherer, on Flickr
(Note: The lighting in the pic above makes it look more like I took more off that washer than I actually did. I took off somewhere between 1/16 and 1/8th of an inch.)
I guess that was the only real problem we ran into:
Installer error combined with a clearance problem created a terrible squeak. The second installation, performed in accordance with the instruction document (pretty much) corrected the problem.
STILL HERE!? OK...Here are some more subjective impressions:
1) The adjustability is definitely noticeable. Per the instructions, I started on the softest setting. And...It was really soft.
2) I made probably 6-8 adjustments on the knob and spring before settling where it is now.
3) I am asking a LOT of these coil overs:
a.) I wanted the front end just a little lower than it was before.
-This was a win.
b.) I wanted a 'softer' ride. Less harsh impacts on pot-holes.
-This was a slight improvement
c.) I needed a+b with no rubbing on the 245R17 front tires.
-This is a draw. It will rub on severe dips at higher speeds.
d.) I expected a+b+c with improved cornering.
-This was a win. The turn-in and set is much quicker and tighter.
*BUT...Now the back end feels loose.
e.) I expected a+b+c+d with an improvment in road feel.
-This was a win.
4) I'm glad I got the single adjustable shocks. 300+ settings on the doubles would've driven me crazy.
AWESOME! You made it all the way to some Random details and Bonus 'After' pics:
How'd I pick a spring rate?
My '81 with a LS1/4L60E has 1950 lbs. on the front end. I contacted QA1 for spring rate recommendations. After explaining that improved ride comfort is high on the list of targets for this install, they recommended 400 lbs springs. QA1 Tech said that if I hadn't mentioned that softening hits on the front end and improving crushing comfort as key goals, they would've recommended 450lbs springs for an LS1 swapped 2nd Gen F-Body.
What's the coil-over 'conversion' cost?
I paid $660 something for QA1 Single adjustable shocks and springs. They are really nice parts. My only complaint is that they don't come with the spanner wrenches and thrust bearing set. They should at least throw in the spanner wrenches on your first set. Alas, they are not included, So...Add $60 for the bearing and spanner wrenches.
The shocks really do look and feel like good, quality stuff...
BONUS After Pics:
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Tom Sherer, on Flickr
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Tom Sherer, on Flickr
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Tom Sherer, on Flickr
Was it worth it?
All in all, at this stage, I'm happy with the investment. We'll see how they hold up.
What's next?
Driving! In addition to dialing in the coil over install, over the past couple of weeks we've spent a lot of time just going over everything to get ready for the season. We had some stuff come loose, a couple of grounds that needed cleaning up, and windows and weather stripping that needed some tweeking.
Hopefully everything's dialed in and water-tight 'cause our first outing for 2023 is a trip to Nashville via VA and NC (Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway). That trip starts (most likely in the rain) this weekend!
Thanks for checking in guys! And if you made it all the way here...I hope found a little something useful or interesting.
Take care!
-Tom
