Good points George.
I did fail to mention my Anti roll bars are 1" hollow heavy wall items, which give the charactaristics of a 7/8" solid bar, but without the physical weight.
So it could still lift an inside wheel I guess on really hard corners.
But I have not been able to obtain those G’s as the Tires let go before that happens.
The down side to 15” rubber.
Yes there are limits to how far you can take the soft spring approach.
This would be greatly limited by the individual cars wheel/fender set up & how much suspension clearance exists.
regards,
Tony.
Tony, the softer spring comments you've made make sense to me. I don't need a bone jarring ride, just compliance and shortish spring travel.
As a streeter with no pretense of tracking the car, I'm wondering what the 'stock' spring rates were. Certainly less than the 550 often quoted for rear. Anyone know?
As a streeter with no pretense of tracking the car, I'm wondering what the 'stock' spring rates were. Certainly less than the 550 often quoted for rear. Anyone know?
quote:As a streeter with no pretense of tracking the car, I'm wondering what the 'stock' spring rates were. Certainly less than the 550 often quoted for rear. Anyone know?
I will measure the stock spring rates and let you know.
My new shocks will be available hopefully by next week. For those that want to play with spring rates, I will be offering a service where I send you a few different springs for you to play with. More details on that later...
My new Shocks fit the Pantera VERY nicely and are a product produced via a joint venture between FOX racing shocks and Ride Tech known for their high tech Air Ride suspensions!
From Ted Mitchell's web site:
stock front spring rate= 235 lbs/in
Stock rear spring rate= 355 lbs/in
Note that after 40 yrs, OEM springs have likely weakened somewhat. GT5's used heavier springs frt/rear.
ALL stock Pantera suspension data is on Ted's free, no-log-in website, by the way.
Gas-charged Konis give 45lbs/in extra force just from the 350 psi gas pressure inside the shocks, so add that to your chosen spring rate.
As George says, ideal springs depend on how and where you drive, and I'll add, how heavy the car is. On our Pantera with 700lbs removed (so far), I use 300 frt/350 rear springs, plus the extra 45 lbs at each corner from the gas Konis. Larry Stock uses the same springs on his full-weight street/race Pantera.
Stock Koni bump-rubbers are larger in front than in the rear. BBSS racers 'tune' their suspension by adding/changing bump-rubbers. The main advantage of BBSS setups is, aerodynamics has more effect at lower speeds; downforce occurs sooner. The secondary advantage is more ride comfort and possibly more controllability.
stock front spring rate= 235 lbs/in
Stock rear spring rate= 355 lbs/in
Note that after 40 yrs, OEM springs have likely weakened somewhat. GT5's used heavier springs frt/rear.
ALL stock Pantera suspension data is on Ted's free, no-log-in website, by the way.
Gas-charged Konis give 45lbs/in extra force just from the 350 psi gas pressure inside the shocks, so add that to your chosen spring rate.
As George says, ideal springs depend on how and where you drive, and I'll add, how heavy the car is. On our Pantera with 700lbs removed (so far), I use 300 frt/350 rear springs, plus the extra 45 lbs at each corner from the gas Konis. Larry Stock uses the same springs on his full-weight street/race Pantera.
Stock Koni bump-rubbers are larger in front than in the rear. BBSS racers 'tune' their suspension by adding/changing bump-rubbers. The main advantage of BBSS setups is, aerodynamics has more effect at lower speeds; downforce occurs sooner. The secondary advantage is more ride comfort and possibly more controllability.
Wow BossWrench, I didn't even know of that site. Thanks very much for sharing and for looking that up.
I'm leaning toward lighter springs, in the 400-450 range (rear) to hopefully gain the ride advantage I notice in some other performance cars with great cornering manners but good streetability. Helpful stuff. Thanks again.
I'm leaning toward lighter springs, in the 400-450 range (rear) to hopefully gain the ride advantage I notice in some other performance cars with great cornering manners but good streetability. Helpful stuff. Thanks again.
On the the aluminum Alden, anyone know what the top adjustable top and bottom adjustable knobs do?
quote:Originally posted by DOES 200:
On the the aluminum Alden, anyone know what the top adjustable top and bottom adjustable knobs do?
On my set the bottom knob was the adjustment for ride firmess. Mine did not have the top adjustment knob, but it is my understanding that it controlled rebound.
I just measured my stock springs. Fronts were 450 and the rears were 700.
The new shocks are installed on the front and fit GREAT!
I started with 550 in the rear and 450 in the front. I think I will change the rears to 450 and try 350 on the front.
Also installing new brakes...
They are a bit bigger then the stock brakes.
The new shocks are installed on the front and fit GREAT!
I started with 550 in the rear and 450 in the front. I think I will change the rears to 450 and try 350 on the front.
Also installing new brakes...
They are a bit bigger then the stock brakes.