EDIT - Lots of updates since this first post. - EDIT

Long story short. I wanted to do coil overs, lots of options. Though I could use a Mustang II setup, but the shocks are wrong. Many posts, more research and I am still looking at options.

--- original post below ---

I was doing some research on coil over front suspension options and I realized that I really don’t need the adjustability that you get with it, I decided I like the spring setup I have now, and I like the ride height, so why go with a coilover? But, I do need to upgrade my shocks, so I started looking into shock options, and now I’m asking for some advice.

I know we all have several different shocks to pick from, KYB, Monroe, Belstien, AC Delco and Koni to name a few. And I was really looking at the Koni option but then I found out that they no longer make them for the 88 cars. I know that WCF has a kit to convert another shock to fit the 88 LCA, but it requires cutting/welding or bolting in a plate on the LCA and I’m just not sure I want to do all that.

I was looking through the archives and came upon this thread. https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...120111-2-091747.html and the original poster, wrote the following “the stock shock measures around 7.5 inches completely compressed and 11.5 extended”. So the three things I need to find is a shock that is the correct length (compressed/extended) has a nut/bolt top mount and has a “T” bottom bracket so it bolts up to the stock LCA.

While I was doing some research I found that QA1 sells a shock that has the same measurements. Here is the link: http://www.qa1.net/qa1_moto...m/non-coil-over.html the shock comes in “double adjustable, single adjustable, “R” and non-adjustable. It has the “Bolt” top and the “T” bottom, so on first look I think I have a winner.

So my question is can anyone see why this shock would not work?

In all the research I did for coilover, the main beef with the stock LCA is that its not strong enough to support the weight of the car on the thin steel area that the shock bolts up to, but in this case, the coil I am using will fit in the stock spring pocket, im just going with the QA1 shock. Has anyone else used this shock in their car? If the original measurements for the stock shock are accurate, then this should work.

Let me know what you all think.

Rob


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88 Coupe, CJB T-TOP, LS376 and a GT clip
Build Thread: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/083204.html
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAH9yjw6XR0
Web Site: http://www.vafieros.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pag...ciation/471024735229

[This message has been edited by qwikgta (edited 03-04-2012).]

Only potential issues I could see are:

1) The hole spacing on the "T" end of the shock being different than what the 88 Fiero has. Could possibly be resolved with a hydraulic press to swap the mount bar if the hole spacing does not match.
2) If the dampning rate of the QA1 shock is very differnt than the Fiero's shocks it could really change the characteristics of the front suspension.

Both good points. I would think that there would be a "standard" size for the lower "T" mount, QA1 sells a "univirsal" lower T bracket, and it is used to convert those with the loop style to the "T" style mount.

The dampaning effect is what I am after. The QA1 is adjustable and allows for multipal valve rates, so you can tune your rebound/jounce effect. I have KYB now and with the 400# springs I get too much bounce from the front. I need a better/stiffer shock.

Thanks for the input.

rob

bump for the day crew

Guys,
I build a setup for my 88 6 years ago and used a QA13855 unit.
Fabricated a lower and upper mounting plate that is not welded to the A arm and a rod extension for the piston rod.
I can try to get some pics
The lower end of the shock protrudes through the A arm (cut out the round center section) about 2 " and still allows the adjuster knob to be accessed.
Been working great on my autocross car and built a set up for a buddy.

quote Originally posted by mcguiver3: Guys, I build a setup for my 88 6 years ago and used a QA13855 unit. Fabricated a lower and upper mounting plate that is not welded to the A arm and a rod extension for the piston rod. I can try to get some pics The lower end of the shock protrudes through the A arm (cut out the round center section) about 2 " and still allows the adjuster knob to be accessed. Been working great on my autocross car and built a set up for a buddy.

I agree if I want to pay for a kit to modify my LCA, could run several different shocks, my point with this thread is that I can't see why this one wont work, and i'm hoping that the smart folks out there can see something i'm not seeing. Several of the Fiero vendors offer modified LCA, or kits to modify the LCA to fit KONI, or other shocks. I could buy HT Motorsports Tubular LCA and run their Coilover setup too. But its over $900 bucks. If these QA1 shocks fit, they are double adjustable, high performance shocks that FIT the stock 88 LCA with no mods. If the measurements for the stock shock are accurate, then these will fit, but I cant seem to find out if anyone else has bought them and tried.

Thanks for the input and I'd love to see the build pics of your setup.

Rob

quote Originally posted by mcguiver3: I can try to get some pics.

Would be very interested in seeing pictures of your setup. Been trying to build something for my track car.
Don

the beauty of QA-1 shocks is you can order any length , any mount style top or bottom and any adjustability . you do not need coilovers , you can replace your stock shocks with QA-1 ' s by just measuring your stock shocks and matching your mounts top and bottom .go to their website , so many choices .

quote Originally posted by wftb: the beauty of QA-1 shocks is you can order any length , any mount style top or bottom and any adjustability . you do not need coilovers , you can replace your stock shocks with QA-1 ' s by just measuring your stock shocks and matching your mounts top and bottom .go to their website , so many choices .

Totally agree. I guess this is what I was asking with my original question. I guess I just didn't say it. I went to the QA1 site and found this shock http://www.qa1.net/qa1_moto...m/non-coil-over.html and if what I understand is the length of the stock shock (7" - 11") then these fit. This specific shock already has the correct top/bottom mounting. When doing the research, I also noticed that you can change the top/bottom mounting of most of the QA1 shocks, like you pointed out. I think thats great too.

I guess I should modify my original question and ask for help figuring out the compressed/extended length of the stock shock. I will have to do some additional research.

Cheers.

Rob

I found three different replacement shocks with measurements for the '88 front. Monroe #5821- extended 11.75", compressed 8.00", stroke 3.75". KYB #343127- extended 13.58", compressed 8.66", stroke 4.92". KYB KG4513- extended 13.03", compressed 8.58", stroke 4.45". KYB shows to measure from the center of the T-bar mount to the washer like protrusion where the upper bushing is supported. All of these are designed to fit alot of other vehicles with the Monroe's being the most specific and probably closest to GM's OEM shocks. If 2002z28SSconv measurements of extended 11.5 and compressed 7.5, that would give you a 4” stroke. Those QA1's in question are extended 11.00", compressed 7.63", stroke 3.37". I think your QA1 shocks in question might limit travel.
Have you thought to call QA1 ask if the QA1 DGMP1 (now QA1 GD401-series) could be purchased without the springs? It is known to allow the suspension to fully compress and extend by 2002z28SSconv. That coilover shock setup can also be bought non, single and double adjustable.

quote brembofiero I did some research and found a old OEM front shock. Here are the results of the measurements: Upper Mount: T-Bar Lower Mount: Eyelet Compressed Length: 230mm = 9,05 inch Extended Length: 330mm = 12,99 inch (+ more measurements)

if these are correct, the qa1's will not give you full extension, but if your car is lowered, that might not be all bad. i installed suspension stops to keep the front from extending fully. it helps keep roll down.

i vote: go for it

quote Originally posted by ricreatr: if these are correct, the qa1's will not give you full extension, but if your car is lowered, that might not be all bad. i installed suspension stops to keep the front from extending fully. it helps keep roll down. i vote: go for it

I am running a 1.5" dropped spring in the front. So my travel is already limited. I was going to crawl under my car and measure what my shock is at now.

Thanks

Rob

OK, So I was able to get out into the garage this AM, and found my old GR-2 KYB's. THey only have about 2K on them and I was using them to measure things out. Looks like the original poster on the other thread I was using was WRONG on the size of the shock, extended / compressed. So all my research being based on those measurments was for nothing.

The shock body itself is like 8.25" long, so there is no way the shock can be 7" compressed. The best I could figure is 9" compressed, and 13" extended. I have pictures with all the measurements that I'll post later.

So, now I will go back to the drawing board at the QA site, or in the end, just go with the WCF Koni setup and dropped spindles from HTM.

Stand by for more later.

Rob

Since your car is lowered, you probably want to target a shock with a compressed height 1" less than stock. I have bottomed out the front shocks before and bent the T-bars, so I run 1/2" spacers (move the t-bar 1/2" below the lower a-arm) to gain a little more travel.

quote Originally posted by Lonster: How about the QA1 TD505 Stocker Star Double Adjustable: Stud/T-Bar, compressed- 8.75", extended- 13.5" (almost exactly the same as the KYB #343127 replacement front shock). $229 ea. at Jegs

Variants of these are available in non-adjustable and single adjustable...

quote Originally posted by fieroguru: Since your car is lowered, you probably want to target a shock with a compressed height 1" less than stock. I have bottomed out the front shocks before and bent the T-bars, so I run 1/2" spacers (move the t-bar 1/2" below the lower a-arm) to gain a little more travel.

I noticed that on my KYB's with less than 2K on them both had slightly bent "T" bars. When looking at my extra 88 LCA I have in the garage I couldn't help but think that the design is just poor. The thin metal that makes up the mounting position for the shock is just thin in my opinion. Not that i'm a metal's expert. Plus the shock is held on the LCA with two screws and a sheet metal nut. I am going to drill out the holes and use some grade-8 nuts/bolts when I do change this all out.

If I had welding skills, i'd design a new mount for the shocks, I'd cut some 1/4 steel the size of the "ring" the spring mounts into on the LCA. I'd remove the lip on the LCA that holds in the spring, and I'd weld a new ring onto the 1/4 plate so the spring had a place to rest. Then i'd cut a hole in the middle of the 1/4 plate to allow the shock to travel through. Finally i'd weld some tabs, with holes, to the bottom of the 1/4 plate approx an inch or so down and allow for the shock to use a "shock bolt kit" and "bushing kit" like on the QA1 site. http://www.qa1.net/qa1_moto...-shock-bolt-kit.html



One other possibility is to do the same thing, except forget the ring for the stock shock, and run some coil overs. Using the thick area of the LCA where the spring used to sit would be strong enough for the coil over to work. Since this would be mounted to the LCA from the inside, it would also be using the weight of the spring against the LCA to its advantage. The WCF Koni bracket is a bolt on from the bottom, its almost the same thing, except that the bracket is being held on by three bolts.

Someday i'm going to buy a welder and try to make all the things I have in my head.

Rob

[This message has been edited by qwikgta (edited 03-03-2012).]

When you get around to it, there are off the shelf washers that will accomplish most of what you are looking for:

Yea, that would help out. Thanks, I remember seeing them in your other thread about your spring / shock setup.

Pictures of a 88 shock (KYB GR-2)









Rob

[This message has been edited by qwikgta (edited 03-04-2012).]