QA1 Suspension Install

[MSRacing89]

Just wanted to let you guys know that QA1 signed me up to help give them some feedback and get the word out for their new line of Mopar suspension parts.  As of yesterday I have the first run of the new K-Member and associated parts.  Here is a quick list of what will be going on the car:

-UCA's
-LCA's
-Adj Strut arms
-(4) double adj shocks
-Torson bar adjusters
-Misc shims and spacers for proper shock fitment

Now I have slated this install to start in a few weeks.  Should go fairly quickly, but I will keep some updates on this thread.  If anyone has any questions I can answer them.  Quick summary....This is a tubular K-Member that uses torsion bars and stock PS box.  The weight is fairly similar to a stock K, but you obviously get added strength and clearance.  In combination with the tubular arms, it makes for a nice complete set-up from one Manufacturer.  I have been supplied with double adjustable monotube shocks that will be an added bonus for tuning.

Hopefully next month I can get some real feedback after we hit the road and track.

[MSRacing89]

Some pics

[JB400]

Looks like some quality pieces.  Have to wait and see how the perform

[MSRacing89]

More Pics!

[MSRacing89]

One more for now.

[tan top]

   looking forward to seeing up dates , 

[Dino]

Those are some good looking pieces!  Looking forward to your feedback.

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Very Cool stuff!

Can the tubular lower control arms be used with the stock K member? And will the sway bar tabs work with a Hotchkis sway bar? They look further in on the arm than stock?

I like that strut bar     looks easier to adjust than my hotchkis one. 

What are you using for steering rods?

[MSRacing89]

Very Cool stuff!

Can the tubular lower control arms be used with the stock K member? And will the sway bar tabs work with a Hotchkis sway bar? They look further in on the arm than stock?

I like that strut bar     looks easier to adjust than my hotchkis one. 

What are you using for steering rods?

Both UCA's and LCA's can be used with stock K's.  I not sure I would suggest the LCA unless you going with the new K.  The sway bar is the only issue I am having with this set-up currently.  The LCA's and K-member are designed to accept a 1970 and newer E-body type bar.  You and I know that they only offer an 1¼" bar for this.  Not nearly enough for what I do.  I am going to attach tube to the bottom of the K and run a Spline bar.  That way I can get even more bar under this thing then I currently have.

[Mike DC]

How did they change the dimensions of the UCAs?  Caster?  Camber?

[MSRacing89]

How did they change the dimensions of the UCAs?  Caster?  Camber?

They will have 3º of + caster built into them off the shelf.  You can get a new set of bolts and cams with them that should allow to adjust some more in there if need be.  My experience tells me you should not have a problem getting up to 5º+ of caster and 1½º + of camber.

I will see if I can get some additional information once I get them on the car.

[TexasStroker]

Looks like some good pieces...I'll follow along and see how it goes together.

[moparguy01]

If you get a chance you should ask them if they are planning on making anything for us later B body guys. 73 and 74 b bodies.

[myk]

I'm officially jealous.  I wish some hi-po company would use my '69 as a guinea pig for their pieces...

[MSRacing89]

If you get a chance you should ask them if they are planning on making anything for us later B body guys. 73 and 74 b bodies.

I will check and let you know.

[1970Moparmann]

Congrats!  When do you expect to test these pieces out?

[71charger_fan]

Here's the K-member slightly modified to accept the stock sway bar in my '71. I installed the K-frame before QA-1 bought the business from CAP. I see they modified the upper control arms as they were the only component in the set that I didn't like. There's a pad now to contact the bumper.

[71charger_fan]

Here's the kit as delivered 5 years ago. The upper control arms have changed a lot.

[MSRacing89]

Congrats!  When do you expect to test these pieces out?

I think as long as I can give them some positive feedback, it would be very soon.  I expect to have the pieces on this week.  Just working on gathering up everything to make this all come together. 

[MSRacing89]

Very Cool stuff!

Can the tubular lower control arms be used with the stock K member? And will the sway bar tabs work with a Hotchkis sway bar? They look further in on the arm than stock?

I like that strut bar    looks easier to adjust than my hotchkis one.  

What are you using for steering rods?

Both UCA's and LCA's can be used with stock K's.  I not sure I would suggest the LCA unless you going with the new K.  The sway bar is the only issue I am having with this set-up currently.  The LCA's and K-member are designed to accept a 1970 and newer E-body type bar.  You and I know that they only offer an 1¼" bar for this.  Not nearly enough for what I do.  I am going to attach tube to the bottom of the K and run a Spline bar.  That way I can get even more bar under this thing then I currently have.

I made some calls this week on the sway bar for this set-up.  Hellwig is going to send me there 1¼" hollow bar ('70 E-body style) as test to see if it works well with the combo.  I would like to thank them for doing that, very nice people over there.  It makes 690 lb/in, but because the mount on the LCA is inboard of the Strut arm, it takes a lot of the rate away.  None the less, it is worth a try.  For most builds, this would be plenty of bar, so I would definetly consider them in the future.

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Any updates? I'm curious to hear how it performs. 

[MSRacing89]

We completed a Popular Hot Rodding Tech photo shoot/ article a few weeks back on the install.  All went well on the overall ease of installation.  There were a few things I wanted to see different on the LCA arm dimensions and bracket locations for the B-body applications.  I just received the revised arms late last week.  They are going on the car tomorrow night, so everything should be buttoned up at that point. 

I am looking to schedule a date to test the front end real soon.  All things are pointing to some real improvements. 

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Sounds good. Popular Hot Rodding sure is stepping up their Mopar game. Seems to have something good mopar related every month. Can't wait to see it.   

So did they change the lower arms so they can use 68-69 sway bars?

[MSRacing89]

Sounds good. Popular Hot Rodding sure is stepping up their Mopar game. Seems to have something good mopar related every month. Can't wait to see it.   

So did they change the lower arms so they can use 68-69 sway bars?

No they did not design it for the B-body bar.  That bar is IMHO so ineffiecient, that I agree with some of their strategy there.  They were just a bit off on the mounts.  Nothing major, but a few adjustments just to make the track width and sway bar mounts spot on.

If all goes well, QA1 should be offering a 1 3/8" bar option with this kit.  I am going to do the final fitment tonight and if everything looks perfect then they will make me a test bar. They can make them in house so, to me, its a no brainer.  Not to mention it gives some of the E-body guys a place to go for a a bigger bar if need be.

[2Luke2]

Sounds good. Popular Hot Rodding sure is stepping up their Mopar game. Seems to have something good mopar related every month. Can't wait to see it.   

So did they change the lower arms so they can use 68-69 sway bars?

No they did not design it for the B-body bar.  That bar is IMHO so ineffiecient, that I agree with some of their strategy there.  They were just a bit off on the mounts.  Nothing major, but a few adjustments just to make the track width and sway bar mounts spot on.

If all goes well, QA1 should be offering a 1 3/8" bar option with this kit.  I am going to do the final fitment tonight and if everything looks perfect then they will make me a test bar. They can make them in house so, to me, its a no brainer.  Not to mention it gives some of the E-body guys a place to go for a a bigger bar if need be.

I guess we should have read the fine print, are you telling me that we won't be able to user our sway bar with this k member? I ask because we just bought it a few minutes ago.