Lets talk shocks...

I have heard legend that the Stock Aristons can be rebuilt with progressive valving and are basically the same as the original Konis.

I also heard this can be done by Pat M's "Future Auto".

Has any one done this, and any estimate of the cost?

Thanks -

Rocky

Mooso,

Hall's Alden kit used 4" diameter springs, where modern replacement shocks would be 2.5" diameter. Hall supplied them with a 680lb rear and something like a 450lb front, which IMO is too much spring for a street car, as it soudn you are finding out. The other downside is that the Aldens are quite notorious for leaking.

Koni's are good shocks but expensive, IMO Dennis Quella is the best one to talk to for Koni's.

I am using QA1's on both Pantera's (400lb front and 500lb rear on wide body Pantera's) and a GT40, personally I don't think they can be beat for the money. Available from some Panetra vendors (Larry Stock Pantera Parts Connection sells them) or via Summit Racing in both single & double adjustable versions. The benefit of getting them from a vendor is the spacers that are required for mounting, although I have a dimensioned drawing if you want to get your own machined. Various springs are readily available for around $30 each from Summit so switching is not a big deal.

If you want to retain the Aldens you could search out 4" springs in lower rates, or possibly even move the front spring to the rear and source just two new springs up front. Alternatively Alden should be able to supply spring perches to convert to a more readily available 2.5" diameter spring.

Julian

Shock absorbers have more of an effect on ride quality than springs do. High quality shock absorbers do an excellent job of damping the suspension and controlling high spring rates.

I have aluminum bodied Koni gas shocks (from Pantera East) and can attest to the fact that the ride is very comfortable with them. When I put 18" wheels on the rear of my Pantera, I developed a minor rubbing problem under full suspension compression. In an effort to reduce suspension travel under compression, I removed the 475 lb springs I had been using and installed 700 lb springs. Much to my surprise, I could barely tell the difference, from a ride quality perspective. As per Dennis Quella's advice, I also installed an extra set of bump rubbers in the shocks, which is what I believe resolved my rubbing issue.

My Pantera, with Konis and 475 lb (front)/700 lb (rear) springs, has a more comfortable ride than my bone stock, daily driver, Porsche 997S!

That being said, if I were doing it all over, I'd either follow Julian's advice and try double adjustable QA1's or I'd go with Ridetech double adjustables.

quote:

Shock absorbers have more of an effect on ride quality than springs do.

+1 on that

I went from leaking "Hall Pantera" shocks to Koni 3012s with 550 lb/ 650 lb springs. I find the ride quite comfortable.

quote:

Originally posted by mooso:

... Am I never going to be satisfied with the Aldens ...

probably not

quote:

Originally posted by mooso:

... Is there any alternative brand that gives a decent ride, but is still up to spirited canyon carving in the Rockies ...

How about the Ride Tech shocks sold by Scott at SACC Restorations?

http://www.saccrestorations.ne...e-performance-shock/

These are really a great alternative to the Aldens and the Konis. The only feature that I don't see is adjustable ride heights, but I might have missed that.

I need to do shocks and springs too. Don't tell Scott I said anything. He might have a stroke from the shock... so to speak.

He also has air ride. Those work great, that what I bought from Scott.

OK, great info so far. A few more questions...

Does anyone that has bought the Ride Tech shocks have an opinion about their ride quality and durability. This looks like the safest choice because the parts selections have been made for a Pantera.

On the QA1s, what model name/# and what shock height am I looking for? There are lots of choices with QA1s and I'd like to narrow the search down to what works.

On the Konis, the only price I could find for the 3012s, complete, was $3500. While I'm sure Quella has a better price, I'm not going to bother him because this is just too high a price point for me.

Thanks, Mooso.

Does anyone have a reference on the Electronic Adjustable Performance Shock?

http://www.saccrestorations.ne...e-performance-shock/

They are in high price range, but seems to solve the ride/handling for different conditions.

Mooso,
Dennis Q. sells Koni 3014's, which are the single adjustable version of the 3012's, and the steel bodied version of the 3014. Both are significantly cheaper than the 3012's.

quote:

Originally posted by mooso:
OK, great info so far. A few more questions...

Does anyone that has bought the Ride Tech shocks have an opinion about their ride quality and durability. This looks like the safest choice because the parts selections have been made for a Pantera.

On the QA1s, what model name/# and what shock height am I looking for? There are lots of choices with QA1s and I'd like to narrow the search down to what works.

On the Konis, the only price I could find for the 3012s, complete, was $3500. While I'm sure Quella has a better price, I'm not going to bother him because this is just too high a price point for me.

Thanks, Mooso.

QA1 have recently changed all their part numbers, here is the selection of correct for a Pantera single or double adjustable and heim bearing (DS/DD501) or poly bushed (DS/DD502) ends at Summit Racing;

http://www.summitracing.com/se...-length-in/17-000-in

Julian

Today's shocks are mostly not built for mid-engine performance cars. I suspect my gas-charged Koni rear shocks are more lightly valved than the fronts- as they would be if used on a heavy front-engine car. Also, as received the bump rubbers are longer on the 'front' shocks and short on the rears- backwards to what a mid-engine car needs, as shock travel in front should be a little longer before hitting the rubbers. I suggest changing at least the bump-rubbers end for end, and setting front shock adjustable damping one notch lighter than the heavier rears, for any Pantera shocks. On our car, I mounted Koni's 'rear' shocks in front.

By actual measurement, the high pressure anti-foam gas (350 psi!) inside my Koni shocks give about 45 lbs of springing all by themselves, which is additive to whatever the steel springs yield. Remember to take that into consideration when choosing springs for high pressure gas-charged shocks (some gas shocks are low-pressure-charged). Most gas-charged shocks can also be mounted upside-down for a small decrease in unsprung weight and maybe extra convenience in adjusting spring heights.