Monte Carlo Shocks - Adjustment And Testing

With the enlarged hole the QA1 shocks slipped through the bottom and installed just like the factory shocks. Make sure to install the shocks with the adjusting knob facing the front of the car. The fronts are not as easily adjusted as the rear because the coil gets in the way. We found the best method was to use one finger through the hole in the control arm and another slipped between the coils.

With the enlarged hole the QA1 shocks slipped through the bottom and installed just like t

Hotchkis Performance Test Data
Monte Carlo
Yokohama AVS S/T
225/55R17s & 255/50R17s
Tire psi. F40 / R37

Shocks (setting)	Pass MPH	AVG
Comments: Good balance with predictable and manageable handling.
KYB shocks	1	56.59
	2	59.23
	3	58.78
	4	58.19
	5	58.61
	6	59.29	58.44

Comments: It was immediately evident that the rears were too stiff with choppy ride quality; the car had slight oversteer when changing direction.

QA1 Front: 6	1	53.23
QA1 Rear: 8	2	55.33	54.28

Comments: We adjusted the front to full soft to see if the above characteristic of oversteer would increase dramatically, but it was only a small increase in oversteer. Speeds increased from previous runs, but ride quality was the limiting speed.

QA1 Front: 1	1	57.13
QA1 Rear: 8	2	57.96
	3	58.24	57.77

While we had the coils out, we figured that there was no better time to adjust our ride height up front a little. Hotchkis has designed their coils to provide a slight drop over stock, but we wanted a little more; lucky for us, they have overbuilt their coils to handle some trimming without suffering any ride or handling loss. Using a bandsaw, we trimmed 3/4 of a coil off the top.

While we had the coils out, we figured that there was no better time to adjust our ride he

Comments: We adjusted the rear down which gave added grip, front and rear, with less oversteer. Big ride-quality improvement and a more balanced feel was experienced when changing direction. We could feel the rear springs working while the rearend was more compliant to changing road surfaces.

QA1 Front: 1	1	57.78
QA1 Rear: 5	2	58.91
	3	59.29	58.66

Comments: We adjusted the rear down again. We continued in this direction because the overall balance was getting better and better. The front and rear were working well together through slalom with good front bite at turn-in. The rear was confidence inspiring with the best grip of all runs.

QA1 Front: 1	1	58.98
QA1 Rear: 2	2	60.53
	3	60.94
	4	61.16	60.40

Comments: Overall, the trend on the Monte was to a softer shock setup, allowing the front and rear to work together, as they need to with a larger vehicle. The final product is an example of a balanced vehicle where the rear does not over-power the front. In the end, it was easy to drive. It felt like a much smaller vehicle with a high fun factor!

To maintain consistency in our testing we once again went out to California Speedway and called upon the services of the crew at Hotchkis Performance to weave the Monte through the cones. Check out the chart to see just how much we gained. Thanks to the Hotchkis suspension, the QA1 shocks, and the Yokohama tires, the Monte is a blast to drive. We had to practically drag Mark Hotchkis out of it so we could make a few passes ourselves.
To maintain consistency in our testing we once again went out to California Speedway and c
Here's the stance before the front was lowered...
...and here it is down a little. The front end came down on both sides exactly 1 5/8 inch. We really like the new stance and think it made a big improvement in the Monte's attitude. Now it's time to hit the track to see if the shocks are worth the time.
...and here it is down a little. The front end came down on both sides exactly 1 5/8 inch.

SOURCES
Center Line Wheels N/A www.centerlinewheels.com	QA1 Motorsports 800-721-7761 qa1.net
Hotchkis Performance 12035 Burke St., Ste. 13 Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 877-466-7655 www.hotchkis.net	Yokohama Tire 800-722-9888 http://www.yokohamatire.com