QA1 or UMI or???

[docrocket1967]

Should I go QA1 suspension or UMI or something else like bilstein or summit racing brand for a complete suspension kit. Example: Shocks, springs, sway bars and the other odds and ends. Can you tell me which one you guys prefer or have heard more about. QA1 I have heard alot about and its all been good. Im looking to have really stiff suspension when I want it and be able to adjust it to a nice smooth ride on longer trips. As for sway bars i want it to be tight with next to nothing on the sway.

Let me know what you guys think and pictures of what you got after its installed. Thank for the help

 

[trocutlass63]

I've heard good things about both. I know that the QA1 kit was the Edelbrock system before they sold off their suspension line to QA1. I'm currently looking at the UMI stage 3 kit for when I get enough funds to start on my car, it's a good price for all the components you get and the spherical rod ends are a huge plus with a factory four link set up.

 

[docrocket1967]

That stage 3 kit is that the one on there web site for like over $2k? If you were to buy that kit im assuming u could drage race with it but also autocross is that true or nO?

 

[trocutlass63]

That stage 3 kit is that the one on there web site for like over $2k? If you were to buy that kit im assuming u could drage race with it but also autocross is that true or nO?

Yes it's their top kit and it's the ideal set up for autocross/pro touring with a stock style suspension, for drag racing it would be a bit of overkill. It is pretty pricey but still cheaper than most other comperable kits.

 

[docrocket1967]

Interesting- thanks for the reply- now im new to the whole suspension upgrade idea usually everything i had previous that i did this type of work to was 72 or older so im new. What are the coilovers and the benefits of aftermarket coilovers like the ones on UMI's website

 

[UMI Performance]

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for considering the UMI product line, we appreciate it 🙂

We sell and use a lot of the QA1 shocks and coil over kits, they are a nice set up for the price. The QA1 suspension items like mentioned above is Edelbrock's old line, they bought it and renamed it. I think in a price comparison we will come in a little less and offer more options for your set up.

Our Stage 2 and 3 kits are nice pre-assembled kits, we can substitute items if needed and adjust the kits. We can offer QA1shocks instead, coil over ect... what ever you would like.

Autocross and Drag racing are two opposite sports, so to make the car great for one you will need to sacrifice in the other. The best thing to do is find a happy medium that works for all types of driving. The Stage 3 kit would be good for this, the suspension items in the rear will help to improve traction while the Delrin bushings eliminate deflection found in the suspension.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I will be glad to help. Thanks!
Ryan

 

[Chevytruc1658]

Has anyone tried Spohn suspension products? I have been looking into them, they have real competitive prices. I would just like to know if anyone has any experience with them.

 

[docrocket1967]

I know several people that ran them on fbodys and they tell me thats the best wayto go

 

[UMI Performance]

Spohn makes nice products.

The differences you will see our minor but are important. For example on the front a-arms the UMI a-arms feature additional caster built into them, improved ball joint angle for lowered cars and taller upper ball joints. With out these types of changes you are installing basically the same items you took off, in other words- no change no gain. The UMI upper a-arms feature up to 6 degrees of positive caster and an aggressive camber curve. We have our curve data on the front page of our site. Our upper a-arms also come standard with Delrin bushings and chromoly cross shafts... all built right here. Our lower a-arms feature a few extra features as well such as steering stops and bump stops.

On the rear suspension items the UMI Roto-Joint is built entirely in our shop, it is not out sourced to other manufacturers. We build every part of the joint here, this allows us to control the quality and cost. Also our spherical ball is a one piece design not a 4 piece design like our competitor. I feel that type of set up may cause some additional noise. More about our Roto-Joint can be seen here- http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/i ... roto_joint

I hope this helps some,
Ryan

 

[Chevytruc1658]

It does very much, thank you. How much lower does UMI front end suspension products effect the stock height in the vehicle?