Technology
- Shocks and Struts
- Carbon Fiber Driveshafts
- Ball Joints
QA1 utilizes many unique processes and components in QA1 shock absorbers and struts to stay on top of the latest suspension technology. Every component used in QA1 products is crafted by QA1 engineers to give you the highest performing shock. Read more about the technologies that we use in QA1 shocks below.
- Street Performance & Racing Twin Tube Shocks
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QA1 offers twin tube shocks and struts for the street performance, drag racing, autocross and road racing markets. QA1 twin tube design is unlike many other twin tubes.
Advantages of QA1’s Twin Tube Shocks:
- No rod force from gas charge, eliminating “artificial” spring force being added to the vehicle from a high pressure gas charge
- Rod force is consistent at any shock position because you are not compressing pressurized gas
- Can be run upside down
- Dents in the shock body from debris don’t interfere with piston movement
- The valving in QA1 twin tube creates an oil flow that circulates around the shock in a pumping fashion instead of flowing through the same oil over and over. This circulation allows the shock to cool itself better and maintain more consistent damping
Below is a cut away diagram that shows the construction and performance features of a QA1 twin tube shock absorber.
- Circle Track Twin Tube vs Monotube Shocks
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Many people wonder what the difference is between monotube and twin tube shocks and what will work best for circle track racing. It really comes down to preference.
Generally speaking, monotube shocks have the benefit of a larger diameter piston. The larger piston can react to bumps and ruts quicker than a twin tube piston, which can result in increased consistency. Monotube shocks are generally preferred on rough tracks but can and do work well on slick tracks as well.
On the other hand, twin tube shocks provide a more direct feel to the driver. Drivers commonly describe being able to feel the bumps of the track better and can easily tell when and how much throttle to apply.
The biggest distinguishing feature between the two styles is that in a monotube, the piston rides directly on the inside wall of the shock body. In a twin tube, the piston rides inside a compression tube which is spaced slightly in from the wall of the shock body.
Monotube vs Twin Tube Cut Aways:
These cut away images show the difference between a monotube and a twin tube shock construction, and the performance features of a QA1 circle track shock absorber. The monotube vs. twin tube debate will go on forever. We manufacture both styles of shocks in order to support both preferences. Both styles of QA1 shocks are designed to get all drivers to the ultimate destination – Victory Lane!
- Adjustability
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Valving Options for Circle Track Shocks QA1's circle track shocks are offered in a variety of valvings. QA1 rebuildable circle track shocks allow racers to even change the valving on any shocks with a tuning kit, so you can get exactly what you want should your valving needs change.
Multiple Valvings for Street Performance & Racing Shocks and Struts
No matter if you drag race, autocross, road race or just go for the casual cruise, QA1’s shocks and struts are available in several different valving configurations to give you the perfect ride and performance based on your situation. Each click on QA1’s adjustable shocks and struts has been carefully and precisely defined from extensive research, testing and real-world experience to provide the perfect setting for each adjustment.
QA1’s shocks and struts are optimized to enhance performance by providing a soft, comfortable ride at the low end of operation or a firm, high performance ride at the high end of operation. Changing the valving on adjustable shocks and struts is as simple as turning the knob on the base of the shock, giving you the versatility to go from the strip to the street without ever removing the shock or strut from the vehicle.
ADJUSTABILITY OPTIONS:
4-Way Adjustable
- Truly independent compression and rebound
adjustment at high and low shock speeds - 18 positions of high speed rebound on one knob
and 18 positions of low speed rebound on the
other knob on the shock body; 18 positions
of high speed compression on one knob and
18 positions of low speed compression on the
other knob on the shock reservoir - Fine tune for low shock speed situations,
such as corner entry and exit, and
high shock speed situations,
such as hitting bumps or curves
Drag “R” Series
- Rebound and compression adjusted together
on one knob with 18 positions, with stiffer
compression valving - Lower rebound in the front allows weight to
transfer to the rear when launching and
a higher compression keeps the front end from
slamming back to the ground - Designed for drag racing front applications
Double Adjustable
- Truly independent compression and rebound
adjustment - 18 positions of rebound on one knob and 18
positions of compression on the other knob,
providing 324 valving combinations - One shock allows for the ultimate in fine-tuning
for any application
Single Adjustable
- Simultaneous compression and rebound
adjustment on one knob - 18 valving positions
- Perfect for performance street driving or
autocrossing or for the rear in drag racing
Rebound Adjustable
- Comfortable compression setting with a wide
range of rebound adjustment - 18 valving positions
- Great for smooth-riding street rods
Non-Adjustable
- Fixed compression and rebound valving
without external adjustability - Provides the best self-adjusting ride possible
- Perfect for the driver who wants to upgrade to
performance shocks without the adjustability
- Truly independent compression and rebound
- Deflective Disc Valving Deflective Disc Valving
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All of QA1’s rebuildable shocks utilize QA1 deflective disc valving technology for optimal shock valving on both the compression and rebound strokes. Deflective disc valving is a series of individual discs stacked together to create a valve stack, which creates your valving resistance. This technology increases sensitivity in valving response, control and consistency, giving you a better performing shock.
With QA1 racer rebuildable circle track shocks, you can easily change the valving in your shocks by adjusting the number and thickness of the discs, so you can fine-tune your shock absorber to fit your specific driving and handling needs.
- High Performance Pistons
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It’s imperative that the internal components of your shocks and struts perform flawlessly every time you touch the gas. At QA1, we take time to focus on the intricate details and workings of even the smallest parts, including QA1 precision machined aluminum pistons.
QA1 precision machine QA1 pistons out of billet aluminum and use a PTFE piston band to create an accurate piston-to-cylinder wall seal, improving valving consistency and increasing durability. By machining these in-house, QA1 can control the finite tolerances that are necessary for shock pistons. They are then hard anodized for the utmost in durability and precision.
- Three Step Sealing System
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All QA1 shocks and struts are built with QA1 three step sealing system, which features a hard anodized aluminum sealing gland, a buffer o-ring, advanced aerospace double lip seal and low drag wiper seals. This system eliminates seal drag and dirt intrusion and keeps the oil inside. By keeping your shocks and struts operating at this optimal level, it saves you money and keeps you on the road or track.
- Rebuildable & Revalveable
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Street Performance & Racing Shocks and Struts
All of QA1's street performance and racing adjustable shocks and struts are manufactured to be serviceable and rebuildable, should the need arise. With trained and talented QA1 authorized rebuilders throughout the nation, you can get up and running again in no time, saving you more money down the road.
Circle Track Shocks
QA1 has engineered racer rebuildable and revalveable shock absorbers in both twin tube and monotube styles in the circle track market. For example, if you bend or damage a piston rod, you don’t have to throw the shock away or send it into a repair shop to have it fixed. The average racer can buy the necessary tools and parts to rebuild a QA1 shock without needing a shock dyno. With just a few tools and a few minutes, you can fix or tune a QA1 shock, saving you money and keeping you racing.
Raising the Bar with American-Made Driveshafts
QA1 is redefining industry standards by performing QA1 filament winding in-house, in QA1 Lakeville, MN facility - a necessary process to design and produce the correct torsional stiffness specifications for world class carbon fiber driveshafts. It is imperative to have control over the entire filament winding process, and by having the specialized equipment in-house, QA1 is able to customize tube length, wall thickness and pattern, enabling products such as carbon fiber driveshafts to be designed and wound for specific applications. QA1 designs, engineers and manufactures unique composite components, enabling the customization of tube dimensions for customer requirements.
Cutting Edge Capabilities
Equipped with sophisticated 3D modeling programs and machines such as a torsional dyno, balancer, tensile tester, filament winder, robotic welder, coordinate measuring machines, CNC machines and tube benders, we're able to take projects from initial design concept to complete assembly, all under one roof.
- Benefits of a QA1 Carbon Fiber Driveshaft
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What sets a QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft apart from the rest?
In-House Design
QA1 designs and models each driveshaft in-house to meet very specific performance goals. Simulations help to ensure the design is optimized before getting to the prototype phase.
In-House Filament Winding for Customized Driveshafts
By having control over the entire filament winding process in-house, QA1 is able to customize tube length, wall thickness and pattern, enabling QA1 driveshafts to be designed and wound for specific applications. Because every vehicle is different based on use, driveline, engine and other upgrades, QA1 is also able to design custom application-specific driveshafts. Instead of cutting a premade tube to length, we make each driveshaft specific to what it's being used for.
Wound with Exclusive 3M™ Matrix Resin
3M™ Matrix Resin uses spherical nanoscale silica that provides improved abrasion resistance and longevity, higher compressive strength and minimal water absorption for increased torque capacity and longevity. This resin is exclusive to QA1 performance driveshafts and gives them their distinctive blue tint.
Thoroughly Tested Throughout Manufacturing
Not only are the finished driveshafts torsion tested, balanced and serialized, but the materials are tested throughout the process as well. Some tests include tension, compression, shear, three point bend and surface roughness. We also analyze the composites for fiber volume, layer analysis and to avoid potential void content.
High Speed Balanced for Smooth Operation
Precision balance tolerance ensures a vibration-free shaft, which also extends universal joint life.
Reduces Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH)
Harmonic testing is done to determine the natural frequency of the driveshaft and a modal analysis is performed to ensure the composite driveshaft meets the applications’ requirements for NVH.
Track Tested
QA1 works very closely with several professional race teams from across the country for feedback and to ensure the driveshafts perform on the track. This allows for continuous improvement, as well as data gathering for future designs.
Increased Safety
Most of us have seen the damage that a steel or aluminum driveshaft can do to the cockpit of a racecar. In the unlikely event of a failure, a carbon fiber driveshaft shreds like a broom, so there is no damage to the racer or other parts of the car.
- QA1 Carbon Fiber Driveshafts Dissected
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What are the specific features of a QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft?
QA1-Exclusive 3M™ Matrix Resin
3M™ Matrix Resin uses spherical nanoscale silica that provides improved abrasion resistance and longevity, higher compressive strength and minimal water absorption for increased torque capacity and longevity. This resin is exclusive to QA1 driveshafts and is what gives a QA1 driveshaft its distinctive blue tint.
Uniform Wall Thickness
QA1’s in-house winding machines provide a uniform wall thickness that is created by optimum fiber lay up to ensure high RPM stability as well as extreme torque capacities.
Surface Protection for Aggressive Environments
QA1 thoroughly engineered surface protection withstands extreme racing environments and provides worry-free performance.
Precision CNC Machined Forged Tube Yokes
Specially developed for QA1's bonding technology, these 7075 forged aluminum tube yokes are CNC machined to ensure proper axial alignment to prevent high RPM unbalance.
11 Step Bonding Procedure
QA1 has developed a proprietary 11 step bonding procedure that utilizes a high strength structural adhesive. This process ensures a better balance and minimal material waste.
High Strength Universal Joints
QA1’s driveshafts feature high strength alloy universal joints that provide durability, high torque capacity and are sealed for maximum strength and no maintenance.
High Performance Slip Yokes
QA1 offers high performance car and light truck transmission slip yokes, with more application options being added all the time all the time.
- QA1 Driveshafts vs The Competition
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QA1 Carbon Fiber Driveshafts vs Steel & Aluminum Driveshafts
A QA1 carbon fiber driveshaft accelerates faster than a steel or aluminum driveshaft due to its lighter weight and lower inertia. In this test, using 55" long driveshafts approximately 3.125" in diameter, the steel driveshaft (blue line) weighed 15 lbs with a wall thickness of 0.083" and the aluminum driveshaft (green line) weighed 7 lbs with a wall thickness of 0.125". In contrast, the QA1 driveshaft (red line) weighed less than 6.5 lbs, even with a thicker wall of 0.110". The lighter QA1 driveshaft was capable of handling nearly twice as much torque as the steel or aluminum driveshaft.
QA1 vs. Dirt Late Model Competitors
This graph shows torsional test data collected for 38" dirt late model driveshafts. The horizontal axis is displacement or amount of twist in degrees and the vertical axis is amount of torque in lb*ft. Each line represents a different driveshaft and each part was tested to failure. You can see that some of the lines are fairly straight up to a certain amount of torque then they start to curve. The point where the curve starts is actually where the driveshaft starts to yield or take a permanent set or twist. If the part was removed and checked anywhere in the curved area, the end yokes would be twisted out of phase. This is especially apparent for steel or aluminum. This testing shows that QA1's carbon fiber driveshafts (represented by the red line) are far stronger than other competitors' carbon fiber driveshafts, and aluminum and steel driveshafts as well.
QA1 2.25" Driveshaft vs. Competitor 2.25" Carbon Fiber and Steel Driveshafts
This bar graph shows the amount of torque required to yield or permanently deform various carbon fiber and steel driveshafts. This data was collected for 38” driveshafts with either a 2.25” O.D. (carbon) or 2" O.D. (steel). This testing shows that QA1’s carbon fiber driveshafts are not only stronger than competitors’ carbon fiber driveshafts but also far stronger than steel driveshafts as well. In addition, QA1's 2.25" driveshaft is 12% to 20% lighter than both other carbon shafts and 38% lighter than the steel shaft.
Rebuildable Ball Joints, More Performance for Your Dollar
QA1’s Ultimate Ball Joint has a unique patented design that is strong and extremely wear resistant. It’s available in bolt-in, press-in and screw-in styles for all of the most popular racing applications.
