QA1 Torque Arm - Any reviews?

[The_Bishop]

Looking to swap out the adjustable torque arm on my car for a non-adjustable one. Don't need the adjustability, want to increase the undercar clearance and reduce unsprung weight.

Summit has the QA1 torque arm for $189, which is significantly cheaper than any of the other options. Anyone ever run one of these? Pros/Cons?

[KirkEvil]

What TA do you have on there now?

[The_Bishop]

Looks like it's an older UMI adjustable, was on the car when I got it. Nothing wrong with it aside from the fact that it hits the bottom of the car on hard bumps due to the car being lowered.

I really don't need the adjustability and I'd like to simplify things/lighten up the unsprung weight.

[KirkEvil]

I dont have any experience with the QA1 but I dont think its worth changing yours and I think the adjustability is more important since you're lowered. Work the underbody and get the clearance needed to allow the torque arm and suspension to work correctly if it is hitting.

Not sure of your rear combo, but I had to massage the underbody bucket seats and cut the TA mount to clear with an S60. It was completely worth it to get rid of the banging plus the pinion angle only needed adjustment once after that and my 60' improved both in time and stability.

[The_Bishop]

Honestly, I'm not too keen on the idea of beating the hell out of the floorpan with a sledgehammer to make clearance for the torque arm mount. Rear is a standard 10 bolt.

I set the pinion angle when I got the car as it was wrong and never touched it again. It's somewhere around -1 degree.

The car is driven 99.9% of the time on the street. In fact, lately it's been spending *far* too much time sitting in the garage and going nowhere... To the point that I've gone down there, looked at it, and asked myself: "Do I really need to keep this car?"

With that in mind, if I decide to part ways with it it'll be far easier to do so if there's no knocking and banging from the suspension hitting the floorboard. Also, I'm OCD about noises and it drives me nuts on the rare occasions that I do drive the car.

Also, I can sell the adjustable one and recoup some of the expense of swapping them.

On top of that, the QA1 just arrived. Looks good, should provide as much, if not more clearance than the factory arm does.

[sweetbmxrider]

Does the current torque arm use 2 different mounting holes? If so, the first set of holes kick the arm too far over especially with an aftermarket rear. I'm sure its close with a 10 bolt too. If the qa1 solves that mounting issues, :)

[The_Bishop]

Yeah, the mount has two sets of holes on the adjustable one, but the only ones at fit are the outers... The inners are nowhere close.

The QA1 one mounts like the stock one, so it should tuck in a lot closer. It's noticeably lighter, too. Should be able to get on the install tomorrow.

[sweetbmxrider]

Yeah, the mount has two sets of holes on the adjustable one, but the only ones at fit are the outers... The inners are nowhere close.

The QA1 one mounts like the stock one, so it should tuck in a lot closer. It's noticeably lighter, too. Should be able to get on the install tomorrow.

Nice. Kirk had cut the outer holes off so the inners would then reach and it eliminated his banging. Take some pics of the new one installed.

[Paul Huryk]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't QA1 purchase the suspension catalog of Edelbrock and now sell the parts under their own name?

[The_Bishop]

Yes, they did.
http://www.qa1.net/about/news/qa1-acquires-edelbrocks-suspension-line

[//<86TA>\\]

So they sell the old edelbrock arm? That thing was pretty cheesy, why not just use a stock one?

[The_Bishop]

It's still stronger than the stock one, it has a slight pinion angle improvement, and I didn't have a stock one?

A couple of images:

First, the damage done to the tunnel from the old torque arm:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VjJjEb3r1Xunn_GNYwq1WdRhhSLFqP8V5bgkG_k5THUQWBQh8w qVdZ1ojjQeq6feEdItVwZpgLB5pu9W4DeW_rVidL2krfaoljUe-j1qejVPGIjKWotflLNZP4IgPsK7zPOG_x28gHmLiIRhjsavs4w lLdzqz4FlN09XERjx0FwqSpYLFFLnxzvHut8IWP6eUL-gpcC9Da9HZfV0u2oKYrM2AHqQByyIlgOhUEUlTZ95OU2PH_EH1 wUy4eQHGcV_kVfRkIad_VrjDnVC4PNdw6S6e9lEGAQzzZDP6Bk gZZ8pL8ZIU-1QX15ghpSQj-0cqwuhjZlhmY-wrD9e_Lp3Vwmv2lZ2adsrpibqpgP0iEY30De_u9ujKHLEU0MfY WDhNx4Ekr80Kd9qGYlKlX3kvXuQQNgdrliat9gAnw-G1jffFp-T5Do-K0guiH1n0cgLeHkXxYHYI1X_-14ntDPGT2atXUgOwpkHaJQrBg1xPbXnDFf7KsmoV_el3OcElMs 0EbJoCkyDFayXBAE2ZeiVoDuVibJZMS3Kg8fZ9TXn9Xr6W92HE J-6CLpLmjq60EAHXeJO=w1296-h729-no

It wasn't only hitting in the back, by the pinion (the creases) it was also rubbing the tunnel. Wouldn't be an issue if the car wasn't lowered.

A comparison pic of the two, adjustable one is an older UMI piece:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3eX5nVhdYIzG2M5DREHdafkTB8H9mhJcaJPkd6pT1FNvFy4ELG AxkmgGI5fWwLRqYRyIA4sA_WdGZtwxETnWYEtc6VRlUw_fu9oN vmjZRweQE0jNaNc5W8rE5XsW-wpBylea6USWAlUAhZuZpUTBvlzgtNYpbWoRLBcqWNvhnvh0cuZ rVtYGKCxMjWxyMfAcH8nw5U-2m_16WpZ1uBpEktDTaLWe5ikss8Fxc3OXhBXprPpSCJ-BSS88eZ-USCpbIdkJiISbeU18AhUp-C_lZUN2TmLjviRXlCfiCciQhZgqZy3n4KnMpwmUbb0Z8e3uIRl 2ubyquGX-YCDgNOsFWtzP5rfwFKu-KHQRjjwyms6eEStHvlk_pu2pExJFOfLuDk7P2kvGg8QHctXeM6 jhrIvBb7fdZfTPrN4qR6MAdktedPJdpRZoyJBqwJFWBw42RBfb 7YV3rP_JGvyK5vLwCX0pKXQvLkBgIxVooA7hqCyzjVZjm21Wac ZrMEYQLtD2u3NMrMg0maMDB0jpkYT2HISzoSjoR6UV6TS6kEbL HYBWLNsLYBX9wCtOli7aPu0zwBsc=w411-h729-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/80ioZIZdM5U6A_HcF9DOJkuPczmhQDNx7HENRXr_alUylNjc3M DTuwi4Ryym236b-WX2LHe5qJCmuDWCN4fhXMsmrEmYvm-tR3hJsmJkHc2NCQMRAnMWiQeH62fRtxnNO_22wwoH4Gawx8vfP H81SDhmkJk-nQXkI67vNtZH4o5ZZgI0HYroW95WAh6yl2BbRaMHhOCW6sWt7A 4ELp8weD2Rabezv_3ehjzPAo6qt1NgeGiVpO7a19m4bBVxFjy5 ZcsJdawsNiZUb234eAXfpACq5ma-LpwMsD6sjbkZLfuKxAfMs1rxH8FkzDEONH6q0lnkWp6EprG12m cpKMA4x-4_d0gXkkc2VmiBRIfWXEoe1-dwFDF0dA1uDi8eMIZuCs2Vm15wUMQcfADY1FJBMxJa8dMMKo2h sP65zxYketp14WADwMp7D6aO5Uumqj1ODvT8TUHMf_xauCSACK DBdcE1RYcrhbRxFBr3EmErfx1Qy2-eBq_uzxGMCR69Yisk6EMYHkjgeBdci8AX5khxHE8AC74cl8tzg Tkxhtn7f5g7Y8p5Hu-MF6fedj6Z76ZqJvO1=w411-h729-no

Now, there's tons of room:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iOrYGOZ0sZtJZoNHI5gp8Z1BerocZr-kmvOsAk1iGSAFqkwONpgc_UCwkJVqOjjtDRM5uvhEeDihEpt3r bS6_DDuUZB_ryXY6nKbaVG2K4kHoziiUMUjMbI0KtzupoVfp66 1lvEo3w3LT6pNm0NtpGrJwcayUgDPe_SnxhYkyqxgV4GLMXGd0 up9hm0EwZuRH_rf4PRSLnRuGHbo2gSBgAGmfNLY3MkmHJSvve-L4OgU-dqvMfji7F2yWPFtDptVcblpc62TY2PFM3--Dhs5OyMDcu2KV3Kt8DbQ8V6azACPRKt2WF1yvkS4u_mi4AmfjF T9PD7_kXHACPB2kozrMt-D6excJkutxezQQIY7D7LRjdqiIGpVU_Dz99yMrdMl1wi5Zb_ef za3bLdqa7bA-mo2nwKVr8kBQzCKDYGzaAK9GAJ5VJaWl5N49F7ueLWpVDq8aZ2 7Pg0oG8F8MqtCHCKwfqa0EO5yTDc9NuUvv9R8yuwcdNM8WD1ZK TyWIrXKSPxpFsmRpX4pVm37d_RqhtBw4fpVD3G6Ov5GZiLn6Oy DcYN2c8jlx0-v541c3B6Q8TmX=w1296-h729-no

It mounts much closer to the differential:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YPY2VJKmmCWxe5FR8pMX-KX0MrqITjMXcXmdikYyXfY1d4nt90mUE5ZZdMCNJL8UGTaYDHB pbipG3qdis1HSGX96Am_3kmkN9PzjMnjqm703VZk_gRymh-hD2PzTH8LIt_T1Y82asWuRMXOUp8xpTsyTRq5n0ohHntcruQWq OwbqaPyMrtXc2gMcmu5uL6CywvjJXndVMcp1zyvn6dyTLO5h_3 G6lVuojE5mjNjxNkG3RRQ7ecfI42Di0bHAjA3cpKTlqiRhjllC fES8_yFah8fRRifnhEozXYAY7J2rHXitDdlRXTZ0rbV8koKtzZ lfzOCbIupVVLTTAgDKaXgfLmyh0g5CRmLLgkTQM8g7cNNIvrPa YC9Qx2Rs920LljSf5P2Vihdgdiwy0ruBdIB3t0Hq43aUKzBDcd 3OnOYEgtpifEHJZWh4edpIVl042G6GiVRiM3EVf-T5uCwVrzqpwKJqWNc_T4NBIgbcfG3gheZcjZ9QFJxTNNHHY5IW BRlrqQ2tomShQdaBsLgU9G57e2wVKSsn1pTE8Qzy_DQyFDm6B1 MOEmdZ2wHUaLA9C9auzVXV=w1296-h729-no

Thankfully, I didn't have to change the front bushing as I already had a polyurethane one in there. That means I have a shiny new one to go with the adjustable arm when I sell it.

[LTb1ow]

Images are not working for me?

[The_Bishop]

Fark. I was worried about that. Need image hosting, thought Google Images would work.

Images are here for now:
https://goo.gl/photos/k92jfJdRk2XsGVsr9

[V]

Pics worked fine for me before

[sweetbmxrider]

The dent I see looks like the dent they all get from bottoming out. Cutting off the holes to pull the arm closer to the rear should remedy this. Let it go long enough, you get a window :lol:

[The_Bishop]

Window? Don't you mean trap door?! ;)

I thought about cutting and grinding to use the second set of holes, but decided I'd leave it alone. If I modify it and it doesn't work out, I ruined it. If I replaced it, I can sell it and recoup a chunk of the replacement cost.

The new arm is a lot lighter, especially at the axle end which should, in theory, help handling by reducing unsprung weight.

The test drive today should make clear whether I wasted my time or not. At least I know it won't hit anything now!

[sweetbmxrider]

Yeah I understand in your case, this is the best option. I meant more as an informative post on dealing with aftermarket torque arms.

[The_Bishop]

Ah, ok. Understood.

Well, after a 30+ mile test drive that included windy mountain roads, some bumpy local roads, and some highway... I'm happy. No more rubbing, banging, etc. The rear definitely seems to react to bumps better which I'm attributing to the weight difference at the axle end. An 'acceleration test' revealed no wheelhop and as far as I can tell on street tires, it's grabbing the same.

Now to clean up the adjustable arm and put it up for sale...

[sweetbmxrider]

That's great! Your pics of Barney on the windy mountain roads aren't showing up for me?

[The_Bishop]

That's because it's hard to enjoy said winding roads from behind the wheel and take pics simultaneously. When I figure out how, will advise.

Also, f*** this weather.

[sweetbmxrider]

:lol: gopro! and 100% agree. This weather is stupid.

[The_Bishop]

So I'd like to post a followup to this:

No issues whatsoever. Still no noise, traction on street tires seems to be unchanged from the adjustable one. Was under the car checking the arm, nothing looks out of place and the bolts are still nice and tight.

[Jersey Mike]

I'm going to need you to go to the track & report back. IIRC, you 60'd fairly well for your setup. I'm curious where you're at now with the nonadjustable QA1/Edelbrock.

[The_Bishop]

It *should* be the same, as the pinion angles are virtually identical. Need some new(er) drag radials, though. Mine are old enough to legally drink.