A 1600-Mile Test: Speedtech and QA1 Mods on the Road and Track

Recently, we embarked on an unforgettable journey from St. George, Utah, to Pleasanton, California—over 1600 miles across diverse landscapes and road conditions. What made this trip exceptional was that we weren’t just road-tripping in any cars; we had two Speedtech Performance-equipped Camaros, both fitted with independent rear suspensions (IRS) and QA1 mod shocks, ready for a true endurance test.

Our first Camaro was Jeremy’s ’67, which now boasts Speedtech’s overhead cantilever IRS setup, a 6.0L LS engine with twin turbos, and the QA1 mod shocks. Jeremy’s car was more than ready to stretch its legs on both the open highway and at the autocross event waiting for us in Pleasanton. Alongside it, Project Red Zed—a longstanding member of the Speedtech family—also came equipped with the IRS and QA1 mod shocks, beautifully showcasing the same attention to detail and high-level engineering that Speedtech is known for.

The Road Trip Experience

We hit the road at 5 a.m., driving through a mix of heavy rain, lightning storms, and eventual clear skies. The first 30 miles outside of Vegas already proved how well these cars handled under different conditions. The modern engines in both Camaros allowed us to get impressive fuel efficiency, with Roger’s Camaro averaging 19 miles per gallon.

Despite the weather and challenging road surfaces, both cars rode exceptionally well, absorbing imperfections that might have jarred a lesser suspension. Jeremy commented, “It was incredible to feel the amount of traction the car had and how stable it was at any speed.” He couldn’t help but notice how the QA1 mod shocks gave him confidence through tight corners, especially after the rain cleared.

From the Street to the Track

What makes this road trip stand out is that Jeremy’s Camaro wasn’t just for show—it raced in the autocross at the GoodGuys event after 730 miles of highway driving. The QA1 mod shocks required minimal adjustment: a simple bump in the compression and rebound settings, along with some camber shims, and the car was track-ready. The versatility of the shocks meant that they handled both long highway miles and aggressive track driving with ease.

I found myself pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the ride was throughout the trip. “I kind of anticipated, you know, that long of a drive being difficult to get out of the car, but I didn’t have any of that—it was like you were just ready to drive more even when you were there,” I mentioned to Jeremy, highlighting how well the Speedtech IRS and QA1 shocks handled rough patches of road without making us feel every bump.

A Lasting Impression

One of the best parts of the journey was the reaction from people we met along the way. From gas stations to spectators at the show, everyone was excited to see two classic Camaros that not only looked great but also made it through such a long trip without issue. The highlight for many came when Jeremy’s Camaro hit the track after the journey, proving that these cars weren’t just built for looks but for performance too.

Ultimately, this trip was a testament to the quality of the Speedtech Performance IRS and the adaptability of QA1 mod shocks. Both cars made the 1600-mile journey and hit the autocross track without a hitch, reinforcing that these components can handle the best of both worlds—comfort for the road and precision for the track.