SEMA 2014: QA1 Introduces New Suspension System And 4-Way Shocks

QA1SEMA32QA1 brought us front suspension components for classic Mopar A, B, and E body cars, and this year at SEMA they outdid themselves with a coilover rear suspension set up that is geared towards making Mopar A bodies handle far better than leaf springs can provide. The application fits 1967-’79 Mopar A body cars, with choices for soft, medium, or firm coil springs, and the option of single, dual, or their new four-way adjustable shocks.

QA1SEMA26The kit is brand new and just introduced at SEMA this year, but the amazing part of this six-link suspension system is that it was designed to be bolted into the car with no welding or cutting required. A few holes drilled into the rear subframe will provide the necessary means to install this kit. Having this kit in production will provide the basis for possible other body styles within Mopar, or even GM applications.

The kit utilizes existing shock mounts for the upper support, and the different spring rates and choices for shocks means that multiple kits are available for the street or performance enthusiast. The kit is designed to fit the popular Mopar 8-3/4-inch rearend, and clamps to the differential housing at the factory perch location, locking into place with a locating pin that mates with the perch.

Installation can be done in a weekend for an enthusiast with intermediate skills, with the car supported either in a garage or driveway – no need to take it to a shop to be installed. They have been working on this design for the past year, and wanted to be sure that it could be installed without a lift. Easy to follow instructions are included to complete this conversion.

When adjusting the shocks, it’s not completely based on compression, it’s based on the stored energy in the shock absorber. -Dave Kas

As mentioned, the choice for coilover shocks includes QA1’s brand new four-way adjustable Quad Shocks, which allow fast and slow rebound and compression adjustability. Dave Kass, Customer Service Manager at QA1 says that the new Quad Adjust shocks may be overkill for street use, but are designed to expand into the growing Pro-Touring and performance market. Double adjustable shocks will allow adjustments for compression and rebound, however the four-way adjustability will allow finer tuning for coilover shocks for either drag racing or road racing, and can improve lap times.

Fast compression is usually set softer, for times when there are bumps or ruts on the track surface to absorb the impact better, while slow compression can be set stiffer for hard cornering. This additional adjustability takes into consideration that there are times when you want the shock to absorb the impact, and other times when the shock needs to react to compression forces differently, such as in cornering.

QA1SEMA38The rebound side works similarly with how the shock reacts to those fast or slow impacts. Kass said, “When adjusting the shocks, it’s not completely based on compression, it’s based on the stored energy in the shock absorber.”

In addition to the new Quad Shocks, QA1 introduced their line of shocks for Hollywood Hot Rods, and had award winning custom car and hot rod builder Troy Ladd on hand to sign autographs and meet with the crowd. Ladd’s numerous awards include 2012s LA Roadsters “Builder of the Year”. This exciting new relationship brings the QA1 name to custom builds from this famed and talented builder’s custom hot rods and street rods.

QA1 also showed us a new coilover conversion for GM G body cars that is designed to bolt into place, removing the factory coil spring and shock absorber. With so many new products introduced at SEMA 2014, QA1 is expanding to cover a larger cross section of applications for all enthusiasts. Be sure to check out QA1s website for all of their new products, and a look at their extensive coverage of existing products.

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About the author

Michael Harding

Michael is a Power Automedia contributor and automotive enthusiast who doesn’t discriminate. Although Mopar is in his blood, he loves any car that looks great and drives even faster.
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