Decided to make a feedback thread as I haven't seen much feedback or info on the titled parts, figure I would create a thread that might be of use to other members and answer some of the questions I had when looking at these parts. When I was researching/deciding on these parts, I pretty much had questions related to the following: weight savings, quality, space savings, and general feedback. At this time, I only have real-world feedback for the Borgeson box but am in the process of installing the rest and will update the thread accordingly.
First up, weight considerations. Everything was weighed with an airplane baggage scale or a .1 lb accurate bathroom scale (if greater than 30 lbs). I made the following chart:
| Part | Weight (lbs) | Set (lbs) | Difference (lbs) |
| Stock K-member | 38.6 | - |
| QA1 K-member | 37.8 | - | -0.8 |
|
| Stock LCA w/ stiffening plates | 11 | 22 | - |
| QA1 LCA | 9 | 18 | -4 |
|
| Stock strut rod | 3.2 | 6.4 | - |
| QA1 strut rod | 2.05 | 4.1 | -2.3 |
|
| 1 1/8 SOLID sway bar (addco I think) | 13.4 | - | - |
| 1.25 QA1 hollow sway bar | 8.7 | - | -4.7 |
|
| | Total | -10.7 |
Size considerations:
QA1 Upper control arms - not really a selling point, they are about the same.
QA1 Dynamic strut rods - not really a selling point, they are about the same.
QA1 sway bar - bigger than stock, but that's the selling point
QA1 lower control arms - considerably slimmer and make it look a little cleaner, but don't think it's a selling point.
QA1 K-member: Side by side with the original k-member, it's pretty obvious the tubular K-member is a lot slimmer. The 'K' is more of an 'II' and it definitely will make some jobs easier. Any work around the engine from the bottom should be easier... offhand, I can think of the following (depending on configuration): oil pan removal, any motor mount work, oil changes (plus cleaner as there's only a crossbar for oil to drip), starter work, and even upper engine stuff like plugs might be easier now that you can go through the 'K' versus around it.
Borgeson gearbox: the box is an inch smaller in pretty much every direction. I didn't have any issues beforehand, but the box has more room around it which is always a good thing... the size is nice, but the weight savings associated with the smaller size is nicer.
Quality:
QA1 Upper control arms - Visually, the welds and powder coat look great. Bushings have grease fittings and all grease fittings came with nice little plastic dust boots to keep them clean. Overall feel 'high quality'
QA1 Dynamic strut rods - Not much to say, aluminum looks nice and the anodized knurled finish looks great too.
QA1 sway bar - Not much to say, just a powder coated hollow bar.
QA1 lower control arms - Read complaints about welds when CAP manufactured these and while the powder coat covers the welds, visually everything looks great.
QA1 K-member: All welds look great, powdercoat was nice, and it appears to be a well-designed. By the weight of the thing, it seems that QA1 could have made it lighter but they have said any weight savings would decrease rigidity and wasn't worth it - I like that they took that stance and like that it doesn't feel cheap. I also like that they took that stance and like that it doesn't feel cheap. I also like that they incorporated tow hooks on the front lateral... while I don't race and don't have a trailer queen, sadly I have had to be flat bedded home before.
Borgeson gearbox: the box 'addon' tabs are welded to cast which looks to be well done, did not have any issues w/ installation. Once installed, no tight spots or any issues whatsoever. For the price, would have thought it would be finished better - they went through the trouble cutting/welding/building the box, they could have inserted a powder coat step in there.
Reviews to come in next post...
Topic: Borgeson box & QA1 K-member, UCA, LCA, Sway bar feedback thread (Read 2079 times)
