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qa1 vs. magnum force

Started by cuda hunter, May 31, 2020, 10:26:47 AM

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cuda hunter

I didn't put this in the suspension section as these are aftermarket parts.
Figured someone here could advise me the best way to go.

I've been researching a K member and suspension upgrade for my A body, but figured maybe I should just spend the money on my ebody instead.

It seems that Magnum force has a lot more options and parts for a full suspension change and also appears to drop more weight than the qa1 set ups.  Prices are comparable.  qa1 does not have a 440 or Hemi level 3 set up where as the magnum does accommodate for those motors. 

Is magnum force the best way to go for a complete front suspension and K member change out? 
Is there another company that would be better? 

http://www.magnumforce.com/magnumstore/shop/item.aspx?itemid=136  without rear set up.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/qa1-hk03-cra1/year/1971/make/plymouth/model/barracuda  with rear set up
"All riches begin as a state of mind and you have complete control of your mind"  -- B. Lee

Chryco Psycho

Personally I would retain the T bars as the weight is lower & along the frame over changing everything to coil over so I would use the QA1

RUNCHARGER

Yes: I consider coil springs a downgrade actually. They are part of unsprung weight whereas torsion bars are not.
Sheldon


cuda hunter

I"m a fan of keeping the T bars as well. 
But with loosing 150 pounds on the magnum force set up that makes the weight issue a mute point, correct?
I have coil overs on my 98 trans am and that thing can corner like mad. 
And the new vipers use a coil over suspension as well. 
since what I am considering here is not a "restoration" I'm not scared to change the dynamics of the T bar.
Nothing against them. 
"All riches begin as a state of mind and you have complete control of your mind"  -- B. Lee

cuda hunter

So, in both of your opinions I should go with a qa1 set up instead of a magnumforce. 

Specifically due to the coil over system.

Is there a better upgrade than qa1 for my ebody?  Not that I have any issues with qa1, I just want to have the best that I can buy if I'm spending the money there. 
After all, it's not all just about the look of the car or the cosmetics.  It's about being able to drive it like a maniac and not exceed the limits of the car.  well, easily exceed anyway.
"All riches begin as a state of mind and you have complete control of your mind"  -- B. Lee

JpRngr

Do you make it over to the Denver/Littleton area at all? I have the MagnumForce on the front of my Challenger & love it. If you are ever over here, hit me up. I can put it up on the hoist and you could get a good look at it and I could take you for a ride.

Corey

cuda hunter

every couple of months I get a reason to come to the big city.
I'll gladly take you up on that offer. Sounds like fun and I would like to experience what I am considering.
"All riches begin as a state of mind and you have complete control of your mind"  -- B. Lee


JpRngr


Chryco Psycho

IMO yes the T bars are the better way to go , , coil over works but not what I would do on my car especially if you get into front steer with rack & pinion , I believe QA1 is the only system that retains the T bars .

HP2

Other options:

Reilly Motorsports: https://www.reillymotorsports.com/

Hemi Denny: http://www.moparsuspension.com/

Control Freaks: http://www.moparsuspension.com/

Extreme Velocity: https://xvengineering.com/

Ridetech Suspension: https://www.ridetech.com/

One thing going for the QA1 front system has going for them is that while they are only slightly less weight than stock, they have significantly increased rigidity of the system over stock.

Coilover vs t-bar has been beat up pretty well in here if you do some digging. Principles are the same regardless of which body class you apply them to.  The biggest advantages coils have over t-bars is cheap springs, rates in 50# increments, ability to quickly change rates, strong secondary market for even cheaper springs or reselling springs.  These are all great if you are racing at tracks that require rapid change sin set up. Some of these systems may also alter some geometry for secondary improvements.

The biggest obstacle to a great t-bar suspension is the interdependent caster/camber relationship, bump steer and the lack of choices in t-bars. Geometry can be addressed with various aftermarket control arm and tie rod kits. Not much can be done about the available rates of t-bars. but, with the trend t soft spring/big sway bar set ups, even some relatively minor t-bar rates can be set up to handle well with customized sway bars. However, this requires uber capable shock control and high end shocks costing a couple to few hundred bucks are required.

Brads70

I've seen some weld failures with the magnum force k-frames. A local guy had one on a 68 Charger and it broke.  It was the drag racing version, not the one you linked to.

Here is one HP2 missed . Spent some time talking to him at Carlisle one year. Seems like a good guy.
https://gerstsuspensions.com/products/front-suspension/


Even if I had the money to spend I'd still stick to the stock k-frame , tried and true..... Common complaint I here is the reduced turning radius  with rack set ups? Never personally had one just what I've read?
That being said I'm building my own set up for my Javelin using a rack..... I had it already so it's more of a " use up some parts I've had on a shelf for years"
https://forum.e-bodies.org/whats-it-worth/15/what-do-you-think-guys-71-amc-javelin/3046/msg211518#msg211518