Coil Over Upgrade Options: Aldan Double Adjustable vs SAAC RideTech

Do some research on Aldan shocks, they are hot rod shocks, good for show n' shine and junk IMO, Hall used to sell them as part of their kit, they always leak.

I'm surprised your Carrera (QA1) shocks have failed, I have them on 2 Pantera's and the GT40 and would be my recommendation for a standard double adjustable shocks as I have no experience with the Ride Tech.

Not sure of the worth of street Aldans for 'vigorous' driving. They have an external damping screw that is often the leak source. Hall used to get one or two a week back for leak fixes when he was selling them. He once described the fix:

* Remove the shock and rotate it upside down, then unscrew the damping adjuster until it comes completely out of the shock body. There is a tiny o-ring on the end.

* Replace o-ring (maybe with a higher quality), lube it and reassemble. If you try doing this without tipping the shock upside down, all the remaining fluid inside (if any) will run out.

Old time motorcycle shops sell shock oil in various viscosities. Not sure how much oil or what weight should be inside; that's why Gary was in business! Too much will likely blow the shaft seal out on a big bump.  I think Aldan was sold at least once since the good ol' days.

Thanks for the responses Joules and Boss Wrench. After being gone for 10-15 years it's great to see you both still here.  @joules that was my suspicion on the Aldans. Thank you for confirming. I won't be buying Aldans.

As for the Carreras, can they be rebuilt? I was told by QA1 that the non-adjustable version (ride height only) that I have on my car they were basically throwaways. Mine feel like rocks but maybe that's the springs. Sounds like I should be looking into Carrera Adjustables.

Which ones are you running, Joules? (model/length) Would the spring rates be the same for a narrow body vs your GT5?

Other than SAAC are there any additional options before moving to an external reservoir Moton type shock?

I've heard nothing but good things about the SACC / Ride Tech shocks. People who have them, rave about them. I have aluminum bodied Koni's from Pantera Performance. They are single adjustable (rebound only) and high pressure gas charged. I bought them about 20 years ago and have had zero issues.

FWIW, given that I've spent an ungodly amount of time lightening up our whole car and improving the handling, I like Koni's yellow single-adjustable-damping high-pressure gas shocks with heim-joint ends. They are quite a bit lighter than stock or the older red Konis, springs are $45 a set, they are rebuildable, have ride height adjustment and they can be mounted upside-down for an additional small unsprung wt savings. Damping adjustment is still a chore just like the red Konis but my experience is, street guys find a setting they can live with and never touch it again. So usually its a one-time problem. No trouble in 15 yrs.

@bosswrench do you have a part number for the Koni's and spring weights you could share with me?  I'd like to look into those as well. Thanks!

@bosswrench Am I on the right track here?  The shocks are the high quality Koni 30 Series that are designed for racing applications and are fitted with your choice of the well known quality Hyperco springs.  I went for 450# springs on the front and 550# on the back.

Unless I'm way off on the part #s that's four Koni coil over shocks with springs for $880 to my door. I would still need spacers and bump stops.

The 30 series Koni’s are available in aluminum too. You should use double bump rubbers with the Koni’s as they have more travel than OEM shock absorbers.

@davidnunn Thanks, David. Do I have the correct length, compression and pound, shocks and springs? Are you sure you don't mean 3012 series?

Not sure. I think you attached the wrong documents to your e-mail. That being said, I’m not sure about the shocks. I bought them from Dennis Quella, so I didn’t pay any attention to part #’s or specs. That was 20 years ago too. I’m using 500/700 lb springs and my ride is still very comfortable. In fact, much more comfortable than a stock 996TT!

Welcome back, old friends are always welcome! The photo's you posted don't seem to be relevant?

The QA1 part number changed but the double adjustable is the DD501 (bushing) or DD502 (Poly), single adjustable DS501 and DS502 respectively. The Double adjustable are $244.50 ea at Summit and single adjustable $169.50.

The bushed shocks will require a spacer either side of the eye and most aftermarket shocks will have a 1/2" dia eye, not a 12 mm (0.471") Pantera shock bolt dia.) so there is slight mismatch that the stepped spacers take up. I can send a drawing if you go that route and need to get the spacers made up. You can of course drill out the shock mounts and use a 1/2" dia bolt.

I am running 550/450# spring rates on the GT5 and would opt for 450/350 on the L when I get to it. Springs are $51.75 ea so not terrible cost if you want to play around with a couple spring rates.

I have the SAAC Ride Tech Shocks and Springs 300#/500#, they work well for Me. Scott was very Helpful! It interesting to hear all the Different Spring rate People like. Seems the Older I've gotten there's Less Spring in My Butt! LOL

Whoops, lol sorry about that. I posted the wrong screenshots! @joules @davidnunn @cuvee thanks for your inputs

More info- my gas Koni shocks are #30-5436 as sold by D Quella in Co. They still list them on www.koni-na.com along with their current catalogue etc. Since my Pantera is 600 lbs lighter, I use 2-1/2" OD 275 lb front springs & 350 rears and the car does not bottom during open track events. These shocks are pressurized to 300 psi so add 40 lbs to your springs to account for the assistance from internal gas pressure. I had to go to the POCA Archives to retrieve the article I wrote Aug 2008 on installing them, just before a 500 mile road trip with an open track at the end.

Note they are NOT specifically for a Pantera- we are far too small a market for a special shock! Therefore, there's some minor fiddling to mount them where the stockers once fit, but Quella supplies all the necessities. I think frt & rear shocks are the same but the bump rubbers are different.

These are steel body- Quella says each aluminum body equivalent is 12 ounces lighter... for $300 more. The 4 steel assemblies save 26 lbs over stock (29 lbs for aluminum) and will work upside down- which makes ride height adjustments easier. They do not use jam-nuts on the adjustable ride height nut. Instead Koni uses a pointed-end setscrew to lock the single adjusting ring-nut. All spare parts are individually available from Koni-North America in Kentucky.

Oh dear- wish I had read this just a few weeks earlier as I have purchased a set of 4 off for the rebuild - marked Aldan American 10-700 on the springs,  from Halls. Halls  said this was their recommended premium drop in shock replacement.

Ah well the information on the Gary leak repair method  may  well come in handy in future Bosswrench - most appreciated !!

I must say they do look like a very good quality product - Beautifully finished, but the road will eventually reveal all!

I will update once I actually  have an informed opinion on the performance.

Still slogging away on the back suspension rebuild! All bushes , bearings in but still waiting on some small parts for the lower shaft reassembly. Getting there.

@pantera2040 posted:

@bosswrench Am I on the right track here?  The shocks are the high quality Koni 30 Series that are designed for racing applications and are fitted with your choice of the well known quality Hyperco springs.  I went for 450# springs on the front and 550# on the back.

FWIW, I followed the Mike Daily Pantera Place coilover shocks advice and purchased the same from Pantera East back in 2009. Couldn't be happier for street performance, adjustability and ride for past 10 years.

-they still look like new ! Thanks !

@joules, @bosswrench & @rlee63a4 What are the lengths of the springs respectively for QA1 and Koni, 10"? 

Yes, 10”

@Percy posted:

-they still look like new ! Thanks !

That's when they were new, and I had just installed them in 2009.   Although, they still looked pretty good in 2019 during my rear brake caliper rebuild project and again in early 2020 during my Ball Joint Boot repair project given over 10,000 summer-only, weather-permitting miles driven since winter 2009-2010.

Can you give me an idea of the front and rear settings you are running on them ?

@Percy posted:

Can you give me an idea of the front and rear settings you are running on them ?

I actually don't know the settings other than Marino at Pantera East (Long gone) set them up as complete assemblies for Panteras to simply install. I just followed Pantera Place's Mike Daily's lead, including the same spring rates, after Mike told me the Konis were working out "very well". That was good enough for me.

Pantera East Koni Coilover System (panteraplace.com)

FWIW, Peter- my shock settings might not do you much good given that our car weighs 2690 lbs ready to drive and my springs are lighter. But generally with four-click damping, you'd try the lighter fronts on one click and the heavier rear on two clicks, then go try it somewhere that has bumps and curves. Then adjust  a second time as req'd to not bottom anywhere while still having a comfortable ride.

OOOPs- didn't notice you weren't speaking to me- sorry, Mr Lee!

Jack, I believe you'll find only the rebound is adjustable on the Koni's. As you turn the shaft clockwise, with the adjusting button depressed, you're increasing rebound resistance as opposed to compression resistance. After a bit of trial and error, I found the best compromise was full rebound resistance at the rear (3 clicks clockwise) and only 1 click on the front. This also helps to minimize weight transfer under heavy braking.

Aldan make a fine product for most street cars including the Pantera.  I have a set from Gary Hall that still serve my purposes just fine and do not "leak".

Thanks Patt !

I too have Aldans on all four corners.  They work great.