Need Help With Shock Settings

[Scoobum]

Okay, I'll have the engine back from Joe in 3 weeks. My plan was to give it my all for the points series but I'd miss the first two races...so I'm shelving that plan till next year...so I'm just gonna cruise the car this year.

I have QA1 single adjustables on the rear I use for drag racing. I grabbed a pair of QA1 single adjustables for the front for when I retired the car from racing to cruise it. There are something like 10 to 13 settings from soft to firm. I want the car to drive on the soft side. Shoot me some front and rear settings to start out from.

I realize there's weight distribution from front to rear when you hit the brakes...so school me on how to set these things up.

[nocooler]

Singles are tricky as you are controlling rebound/compression on the same knob and it may not be at the same rate.


0 being full loose, counter clockwise


The fronts I have singles, I'd start out at a 2 or 3, and if you need to slow the front down add a couple clicks more. I find 3 is good on the fronts, if I want it to handle - I'll go 6 or 7 anything more is way to firm for my liking. On the rears my car is completely different at the track and on the street. Street I run compression 1, rebound 4 and the track is c6/r11. So start at that 2-3 zone again and it might benefit from a few clicks tighter on the track.


Just gotta play with it and find out what it likes.

[Forzfed]

I'm thinking of buying some new shocks for my T with the 4.1.  Thinking of either the QA1 or some bilstiens.  What do you guys think?

[Scoobum]

Drag Racing-I run cheapass 90/10's up front and single adjustable QA1's in the rear. Easy adjustability for any track condition.

KYB's-I've run these on the street and they give a nice firm ride...but not overly harsh.

Bilsteins-I've run these on the street...but they were a little to stiff for my liking.

On a side note. Have your engine balanced when built...get your tires balanced right on the money...and get an aluminum driveshaft. The aluminum soaks up vibration. This GN of mine at 60 MPH is as smooth as silk.

[Steve Wood]

I'm thinking of buying some new shocks for my T with the 4.1.  Thinking of either the QA1 or some bilstiens.  What do you guys think?

I have replaced KYB shocks with Bilsteins three times on regals.  I have always found that the Bilsteins gave much better control in both directions whereas the KYBs tended to feel like they locked up on rebound on uneven roads.  The Bilsteins initially feel stiffer, but that translates to better control and I have grown to like the feel of being stuck to the road under all conditions.  In other words, to me, it feels like the car follows the surface of the road without losing contact.

[Grumpy]

X2 on the Bilsteins. Had em on a 27k Limited I bought.. Wasn't a believer in them till I drove the car for a while. Don't know as far as drag racing with them. I will say adjustable shocks can drive ya crazy till ya find a sweet spot. Then the track changes and your adjusting again 

[gusszgs]

Bilsteins on my Ltd.....quite happy with them and catching 1.50's 60' times

[Forzfed]

Apology to Brad for hijacking his thread.
But thanks guys.  I will probably get me some Bilstiens!    

[Scoobum]

Apology to Brad for hijacking his thread.
But thanks guys.  I will probably get me some Bilstiens!

No problem dude. We both got answers. It's all good.

[daveismissing]

Dave's webshopping suggestion:- buy them from Summit

[Steve Wood]

For Brad, I would go about 33% firmer on both ends from full soft and see how that feels

[Forzfed]

For Dave, a local speed shop owner usually sells me parts at the same price if not a bit less than Summit.
And he still hold NHRA records till this day.  He was the first small block in the 6's and first one to go over 200mph.
 

[daveismissing]

That is a good deal the 'cuz Summit is $100 less per 4 than our vehicle specific vendors.

[TexasT]

they gotta make a living.

[Forzfed]

I was given a price of $120/shock for the Bistein.  That isn't from the owner.  The owner always gives me a much better price but I have to talk to him.