Our friends at QA1 have been putting out impressive new parts, for a ton of applications, over the past few years. They never seem to sleep over there, and have been introducing clean, comprehensive, and effective systems for your favorite cars and trucks. For the 2024 SEMA show, the gang at QA1 has five cool new systems and components they are going to debut. We’ll be highlighting all of them, but the one we’re starting with is their new 3rd Gen F-Body systems. Kits are available in several performance levels, for both handling and drag racing applications, to serve every 3rd Gen performance enthusiast. We can’t wait to see all this stuff in person next week in Las Vegas, but until then, check out all the info from QA1 below.
QA1 Handling And Drag Race Suspension Kits For 1982-1992 GM F-Body
When it comes to upgrading the performance of your 3rd generation Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird (1982-1992), suspension is one of the most critical components.QA1 has engineered the most complete and advanced vehicle-specific suspension kits available for this platform, providing unmatched performance, handling, and traction for both street and strip applications. These kits are designed to optimize the performance of the 3rd gen F-body, allowing enthusiasts to enhance the capabilities of their cars without the need for major modifications or relying on mismatched components. Whether you’re looking to improve cornering on the track or launch harder at the drag strip, QA1 has the solution.
“When we looked at what the market had to offer, we noticed that there were a lot of options for individual parts, but no complete solutions,” explains QA1 Product Manager Jesse Cowles. “Our engineering and product teams rose to the challenge and aimed to take the guesswork out of selecting all those parts one by one. We designed everything from scratch, then hand-picked the combination of parts we would use on our own cars and bundled them into easy-to-order kits for both drag and handling applications.”
Handling Kits: Elevating the 3rd Gen F-Body’s Road Performance
The 3rd gen F-body’s factory suspension design was already a significant improvement over previous generations, offering better handling and ride quality. However, for those looking to push their Camaro or Firebird to new heights in both road and track performance, QA1’s handling kits are the perfect solution.
The Level 1 Handling Kit is ideal for drivers looking for a balance between street comfort and track performance. It features adjustable coilovers that allow you to dial in compression and rebound for improved control and handling. The tubular sway bar and Wonder Bar stiffen the chassis, providing better response to driver inputs and more consistent handling. This kit is perfect for enthusiasts who want to lower the car’s ride height for a more aggressive stance without sacrificing ride quality.
For more advanced performance needs, the Level 2 Handling Kit takes it a step further. Designed for serious track enthusiasts and autocross competitors, this kit includes upgraded coilovers, a tubular K-member, and adjustable control arms, providing even more adjustability and performance benefits. It offers greater camber adjustment and increased wheel and tire clearance, making it ideal for those who need their Camaro to handle tighter corners and maintain optimal tire contact. The Level 2 Kit’s lightweight components help reduce overall vehicle weight, further enhancing the Camaro’s handling capabilities while maintaining its streetability.
With QA1’s handling kits, 3rd gen owners can fine-tune their suspension to match their driving style and performance needs. Whether it’s carving up backroads or attacking the autocross course, these kits offer exceptional control and adjustability.
QA1’s Level 3 Handling Kit is designed for serious track and autocross builds, offering double-adjustable front struts and four-way-adjustable MOD series shocks in the rear for the ultimate in F-body performance. A lightweight K-member stiffens the chassis and simplifies engine swaps, ideal for competition. Subframe connectors and a tubular Wonder bar improve chassis rigidity, preventing flex under aggressive driving. Adjustable trailing arms allow fine-tuning of pinion angle and wheelbase, while front and rear sway bars enhance cornering and control. The MOD shocks provide 24 clicks of high-speed compression and rebound with modular valve packs for quick suspension adjustments, perfect for high-performance pro-touring and track applications.
Drag Racing Kits: Dominate the Strip with Maximum Traction
For Camaro owners looking to maximize straight-line performance, QA1’s drag racing kits are the ultimate solution. The 3rd generation F-body was built with handling in mind, but with QA1’s drag-specific kits, it can be transformed into a formidable machine at the drag strip.
The Level 1 Drag Racing Kit is designed for cars with stock or mildly modified engines. It includes key components like adjustable trailing arms, a Panhard bar, and double-adjustable coilovers, all designed to improve traction and reduce wheel hop. With this kit, Camaro and Firebird owners can fine-tune their vehicle’s wheelbase and pinion angle, ensuring optimal alignment for better launches and quicker 60-foot times. The adjustable Panhard bar and trailing arm relocation brackets provide additional control, allowing drivers to optimize the car’s weight transfer during acceleration.
For serious drag racers with more significant horsepower upgrades, the Level 2 Drag Racing Kit offers even greater performance enhancements. This kit includes a lightweight tubular K-member and control arms, significantly reducing front-end weight for better weight transfer during launches. The double-adjustable coilover shocks allow for precise tuning of compression and rebound, giving racers full control over how the car hooks off the line. With these upgrades, the 3rd gen F-body can handle larger engines and power adders, making it the perfect choice for enthusiasts looking to push their cars to new performance levels at the strip.
QA1’s drag racing kits not only enhance performance but also provide peace of mind by strengthening critical suspension components that can fail under the increased stress of drag racing. These kits offer a complete solution for any 3rd gen owner looking to improve straight-line performance, making them an invaluable upgrade for serious drag racers.
Unlock Maximum Performance with QA1’s High-Quality Torque Arm Suspension Upgrades
The 3rd gen’s factory torque arm, which attaches to the transmission’s tail housing, is often the weak link when you start adding serious power. It can crack the tail housing and even bend under pressure—clearly not built for high-performance upgrades. If you’ve enhanced your engine’s power and need to move the torque arm off the transmission tail housing—an essential step for performance-minded builders—a stronger aftermarket torque arm paired with a dedicated transmission crossmember is the upgrade that will unlock better performance and give you the peace of mind you need.
QA1 offers its torque arms separately from its popular handling and drag racing kits, so you can customize your setup based on your specific driveline package. Whether you’re upgrading your factory suspension or enhancing your QA1 3rd gen handling or drag kit, QA1’s tubular torque arms are the perfect match for stock GM 12-bolt rear differentials or aftermarket Moser S60 12-bolts, ensuring your build is ready to handle serious power and performance. QA1 offers transmission crossmembers and driveshaft loops for a range of popular performance transmissions to fit your specific application.
With QA1’s 3rd gen F-body suspension kits, enthusiasts can unlock their vehicle’s full potential, whether they’re chasing cornering precision on the track or looking to dominate the strip. These complete vehicle kits are unmatched in terms of performance, adjustability, and ease of installation, making them the ultimate choice for any serious Camaro owner.