Front Shock Choice

njk53 · 08-22-2008, 09:33 AM

I need some help in choosing of a front shock. My brother and I are new at Stock eliminator racing and could use a bit of advice. We currently have QA1 adjustable shocks on the rear and Lakewood 90-10 on the front. The Lakewoods are getting old along with being told the Lakewoods are not a good choice to buy new. I really can't afford a set of AFCO's but will spend up to $150 each. I just need an opinion(s) to help us make our decision. I was kind of leaning toward the QA1 units.

Thanks

Mike Pearson · 08-22-2008, 10:01 AM

Its great to hear of new guys getting started into stock and super stock racing. My advice to you is to save your money and get a good set of double adjustable shocks for the front of your car. I went the Route with the QA1's. They are only single adjustable. When you loosen the extension it also loosens the compression. I have a set of Santhuff shocks on my car that work very good. The AFCO double adjustable are an excellent choice also. The QA1 shock will be better than what you have but in the end they are not what you need. Hope this helps you make a decision

Dave Goob Cook · 08-22-2008, 11:02 AM

I really like my QA1's, but would make a different choice on the valving if I had it to do over.

There is a "R Series" which are looser on the extension, but have no experience with them.

All of the QA1's can be custom tuned, and they are a nice piece for the money.

SSDiv6 · 08-22-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njk53

I need some help in choosing of a front shock. My brother and I are new at Stock eliminator racing and could use a bit of advice. We currently have QA1 adjustable shocks on the rear and Lakewood 90-10 on the front. The Lakewoods are getting old along with being told the Lakewoods are not a good choice to buy new. I really can't afford a set of AFCO's but will spend up to $150 each. I just need an opinion(s) to help us make our decision. I was kind of leaning toward the QA1 units.

Thanks

It would help if you share the make of car. Depending on the car make, I recommend AFCO, Koni SPA-1 or the new Calvert Shocks.

Detroit Bob · 08-22-2008, 11:46 AM

Car is a 71 Chevelle wagon 402ci,natural k/sa.

Jeff Lee · 08-22-2008, 11:21 PM

I've heard very good reviews on the Calvert front shock from guys that replaced their old Chassis Engineering or even QA1's. Based on what I have heard, and my budget was $300 or less, I would get the Calvert's. Ideally I would wait until I had enough money for the AFCO's or even Santhuff's.

cyclecyko · 09-30-2008, 01:31 AM

The story I get from an NMCA/NMRA chassis builder is that QA1's are prone to leakage and of a lesser build quality than what is ideal. They are however affordable

Bud Lefevre · 09-30-2008, 05:39 AM

Calvert

Dusty Lowell · 09-30-2008, 08:49 AM

I have the QA1 R series single adjustable fronts. They have worked great but it would be ideal to have the double adjustable shocks. They make a huge difference over the inexpensive comp engineering or lakewood style shocks.

08-22-2008, 09:33 AM	#1
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Front Shock Choice I need some help in choosing of a front shock. My brother and I are new at Stock eliminator racing and could use a bit of advice. We currently have QA1 adjustable shocks on the rear and Lakewood 90-10 on the front. The Lakewoods are getting old along with being told the Lakewoods are not a good choice to buy new. I really can't afford a set of AFCO's but will spend up to $150 each. I just need an opinion(s) to help us make our decision. I was kind of leaning toward the QA1 units. Thanks __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345

08-22-2008, 10:01 AM	#2
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,417 Likes: 596 Liked 1,880 Times in 562 Posts	Re: Front Shock Choice Its great to hear of new guys getting started into stock and super stock racing. My advice to you is to save your money and get a good set of double adjustable shocks for the front of your car. I went the Route with the QA1's. They are only single adjustable. When you loosen the extension it also loosens the compression. I have a set of Santhuff shocks on my car that work very good. The AFCO double adjustable are an excellent choice also. The QA1 shock will be better than what you have but in the end they are not what you need. Hope this helps you make a decision __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

08-22-2008, 11:02 AM	#3
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front Shock Choice I really like my QA1's, but would make a different choice on the valving if I had it to do over. There is a "R Series" which are looser on the extension, but have no experience with them. All of the QA1's can be custom tuned, and they are a nice piece for the money.

08-22-2008, 11:46 AM	#5
Detroit Bob Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Grosse Pointe Woods Mi Posts: 89 Likes: 0 Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Front Shock Choice Car is a 71 Chevelle wagon 402ci,natural k/sa. __________________ Bob Kowal STK 345

08-22-2008, 11:21 PM	#6
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Front Shock Choice I've heard very good reviews on the Calvert front shock from guys that replaced their old Chassis Engineering or even QA1's. Based on what I have heard, and my budget was $300 or less, I would get the Calvert's. Ideally I would wait until I had enough money for the AFCO's or even Santhuff's. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

09-30-2008, 01:31 AM	#7
cyclecyko Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: houston tx Posts: 36 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front Shock Choice The story I get from an NMCA/NMRA chassis builder is that QA1's are prone to leakage and of a lesser build quality than what is ideal. They are however affordable

09-30-2008, 05:39 AM	#8
Bud Lefevre Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 250 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front Shock Choice Calvert __________________ Bud Lefevre 3075 STK IHRA World Record Holder

09-30-2008, 08:49 AM	#9
Dusty Lowell Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kensington, NH Posts: 103 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Front Shock Choice I have the QA1 R series single adjustable fronts. They have worked great but it would be ideal to have the double adjustable shocks. They make a huge difference over the inexpensive comp engineering or lakewood style shocks. __________________ Dusty Lowell #1773 STK F/SA