New RideTech computer controlled shocks - "Instinct Electronic Shocks"

Scott had electronic shocks that you could have a "street and a track" setting with.

I believe that he had them on his white Pantera?

I have the ridetech air shocks up front. I need to set up an indicator of ride height. My air dam is pretty low. I took an on ramp yesterday and must have been too low. It scrapped 2x.

The shocks Richard is referring to are actually an "active" technology. That means, they know what the car is doing, and keep it "flat" all the time. As an example, if you're accelerating, the shocks will automatically increase compression stiffness in the rear and increase rebound stiffness in the front. The opposite will occur under braking, which would be a huge improvement to a Pantera, as there's no anti-dive designed into the front suspension. Same goes for cornering; a left hand turn will cause the right side shocks to increase compression stiffness and the left side shocks to increase rebound stiffness.

Some modern exotics (eg. Mclaren) that use this technology don't have anti-roll bars because they don't need them.

Scott, you'd better get a set in your Pantera ASAP, so you can tell the Forum how they feel!!!

quote:

Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
Scott had electronic shocks that you could have a "street and a track" setting with.

I believe that he had them on his white Pantera?

Yes, I was considering them a while back but since Zonkey was up on blocks (still is) at the time that's all I did. He no longer carries them and I can't find them on the RideTech site so I'm guessing they were discontinued.

You got NO help from Scott because he doesn't sell it anymore? I'm shocked?

quote:

You got NO help from Scott because he doesn't sell it anymore? I'm shocked?

Doug, I'm not sure what you are trying to say. I didn't contact Scott about the old electric shocks (called the "Select Series"). After a little googling, it looks like they were discontinued around 2013.

Anyway, before I started this thread, I emailed him to ask what he knew about them and if one of the 3 available sizes would work on the Pantera. He replied yes and that he's not going to carry them but can get them on special order for owners who want them.

Great. You can get 'em then. There ya' go.

I don't think you are going to use the track setting often though?



The double adjustable shocks are by far enough unless you are going to try the Silver State? Only someone who has run at that level though will be able to tell you. I can't.

I would presume that Scott can probably. Probably BossWrench as well? For sure, "Mad Dog". Larry Stock would be another person that could advise.



That's all very serious "LeMans" type heavy duty and will have trade offs on a street car that I am not aware of?

I think that the level of tune with them "on" is going to require a very "tuned" driver which basically means you practice with them every day on a closed course?

They MAY also be useful on an "autocross car" that you run through the course at 7,000 rpm or more in first and second gear as well? I gave up on that 30 years ago. Let "them" blow up the race only 911's just for fun. Those cars and drivers love that.



The computerized system would be ideal for everyone but is a very expensive system and the maintenance on it is an unknown as well.

It would REALLY bring the car up to current technology suspension wise though.

Now consider this though, think about all the five year old exotics that are for sale. Ridiculously low miles. Like new.

Ask yourself why? Let me suggest an answer. What do you think parts for an '06 Aston Martin are going to cost you for say the oxygen sensors or maybe the cats?

Who is going to rebuild that Porsche PDK transmission for you for less then $20,000?

I think that those questions are pointing to an answer? When those cars are coming out of factory warranty protection, you deal them.

The only way you can service them is at the cost of the manufacturer under warranty.


The "active suspension" controlled by a CPU is case in point. If you can afford the parts, understand the system and can service it yourself at your own time schedule then the thing is for you...probably. If not, go the simpler route.

You are getting into dependability issues otherwise and I can tell you that systems on active military aircraft have a replacement service number of around 90% and that's on a daily basis, or near it.


Another thought...if you are going to go to that level I would expect that you are going to NEED TO seriously beef-up the mounting points, tabs on the Pantera for the suspension mountings. Even the suspension arms themselves probably may need to be beefed also like on the "Trans-Am" Mustangs.

You are just pushing the car way beyond what Dalara considered back then. In the past when some of those issues occurred under extreme duress, the severity of the wreck didn't even indicate what failed.

The GT40 J car with Ken Miles driving it is an example. To this day it is not known what broke because the wreck was so severe. Now we all have the power to build our own 2,500 pound land cruise missiles. For me, I'm worried about the limit.