Quella Aluminum Koni Shocks

Mark, I have the Aluminum Koni set-up. I'm sure Dennis still has them because Koni still makes the shocks. Be aware that only rebound is adjustable. Even with 450/725 lb springs and double bump rubbers, the ride is comfortable. I know what you're thinking: "what does that mean?". My daily driver is a completely stock 2006 Porsche 997S. The Porsche has a much firmer ride than my Pantera. If I was to do it again, I'd probably try double adjustable QA1's. Julian has the appropriate part numbers although I recall thinking that I'd want to try the next size shorter than what Julian is using. Julian?

That's my cue I guess

What most people use (and Pantera vendors sell) are the Proma Stars, single adjustable model # DR5855B with a bearing end (rod end) or equivalent poly bushed model is DR5855P. If you want to go double adjustable the part #'s
are DDR5855B/P. These shocks take a 12" spring and extended length is 17", compressed 11 5/8" close to oem shock specs.

My GT5 is set to ride as low as I can go (rubber touches the flares on occasion) and the spring perches are maybe an inch from the bottom, so as David suggests you can probbaly go down to the next shock a DR4955B (or DDR4955B for double adjustable) which is 15" extended and still 11 5/8" compressed, but uses a 10" spring and then have it further up the perch to achieve ride height.

More info here; QA1 Proma Star

I noted recently that both Jegs and Summit have dropped the 'B' versions, but they still show on QA1's catalog. They require mount spacers as the mounts are considerably narrower than a stock shock mount. I can supply a drawing of what's required (and what the Pantera vendors supply) or you can choose to slightly modify the mounts as I posted on the e-mail list;

The difference between the rod end internal diameter (0.5" dia.) and the bolt (19mm head = M12) is 0.7mm (0.02") so to save yourself a bunch of work machining spacers you can choose to drill out the metric shock towers on the Pantera body and a-arm mounts to 0.5" (currently 0.471" imperial equivalent) and source an imperial bolt with 0.5" shaft. Then all you will need is a length of tubing of 0.5" internal diameter and 0.1" wall thickness to cut into 0.6" lengths as spacers each side of the shock rod end. You'll need 16 of them to complete the job.

Julian

I just bought a set of the Koni's from Quella last week. I have not had a chance to put them on the car yet, so I can't give you my opinion on the ride quality.

So David & Julian,

Am I going down the correct path with these Konis? Like I have said, I have the Aldans in the car right now that I hate -- but I do not want the Cadillac feel, nor do I want an all out race car either as I am going to be driving this thing hours at a crack on the street.

So it sounds that Konis that are double adjustable might just be the ticket? Can you educate me on the aluminum aspect of what Dennis offers; and in your opinion, is this aspect worth the cost?

Thank you,

Mark

Mark,

I don't have much experience of the modern Koni's, but if the aluminum body is purely a weight saving measure (no shock performance increase) then I'd probably wouldn't go to the extra expense on a street car (what is the cost differential?)

That said (and I assume this is for your GP4 at Wilkinsons) your car is far from stock, so what works on a relatively stock Pantera may require some trial and error with the modified chassis, Ford GT motor and Ricardo box. Do you have modified a-arms? That said once you have a good set of shocks, its relatively easy to play around with settings and change spring rates. I guess what I'm saying is, if I were you at this point I'd go for the best available double adjustables knowing that it will have sufficent adjustment to tweak to the uniqueness of your car.

I do have experience of the Aldan's and totally agree with you.....

Wilkinson sells the QA1's so maybe worth a second opinion from him too.

Off topic a little but my experience of wide body cars is put your emphasis on the front suspension and steering or you'll never enjoy driving for hours. I recently purchased a '73 and forgot what a pleasure a narrow body car is to drive in comparison to my GT5's white knuckle ride. It wasn't until the Si's, which had longer a-arms that this was resolved.

Good luck,
Julian

Hi Julian,

Yes, it is for the GP4 car at Wilkinson's. When I bought the car it had aluminum a arms front and rear on it that Wilkinson installed. 10 spoke wheels are installed on the car with the flairs, and the offset was the variable to get the rims and wheels in the correct spot in the bodywork. The front caster modification will be able to be done on it -- so it should handle well at speed.

For the front end, other than the caster adjustment, is there anything else that I should be considering doing to make a great ride?

Thanks for the information,

Mark

Can you please clarify what you both do not like about the Alden shocks? Just curious. If I am not mistaken both Hall and PI sell these. So I'm sure thare are many in use right now.

I do not care for the Aldans as they are limited on how they may be adjusted, and I know for a fact that mine had been rebuilt just before I purchased the car -- and I am sure with use mine would start leaking again.

Does anyone have a measurement on the diameter of the Quella aluminum or steel coilovers -- in the largest dimension?

Thanks,

Mark

I'm sure the Konis that Quella sells are high-pressure gas charged, and as such have the capability of working longer and harder than 'regular' shocks, by avoiding foaming of the shock oil inside. Gas shocks can also be mounted upside-down both for convenience in spring-height adjustments, and a small amount of unsprung-weight reduction. The aluminum shock bodies are each 14 oz lighter than equivalent steel bodies (according to Quella), for a considerable price increase. Your call there. The double adjustment (jounce & rebound) feature is nice but 99% of owners set them up once and never again touch the adjustments. Konis are rebuildable but its seldom needed unless you actively race. There are 30-yr-old Konis running around on street cars with no leaks.
As others have said, proper wheel alignment is key to enjoying a wide-tire Pantera, and stock alignment specs will not allow that to happen. Feel free to experiment- at low speed at first- but start with twice the stock amount of caster adjusted into your front end. There are several ways to do this, not all of them expensive.

Mark,

I bought the aluminium bodied Konis from Denis. The weight with the spring is less then half the weight of the big old original oil filled Telecar shocks fitted to my car form the factory. I noticed an immediate improvement in body control and the front end grip improved under hard braking. The quick response of the gas shocks keeps the tyre in contact with the road and makes it harder to lock a wheel. They are only single adjustable as far as I know. You have to hold a button down and turn the chrome rod. This means you have to take them off the car to make adjustments, not very convenient!

I am very happy with them but chose the wrong spring rates for the rear. I chose 450 front and 550 rear. I could feel the car was softer sprung than original the first time I drove it. I will probably change to 650 on the rear at some point but want to see what it's like after I install my (not yet built) aluminium DART engine as this will be aprox 140 lbs lighter than my all iron Cleveland.

Johnny

Johnny, you're correct. Only rebound is adjustable; not compression. I also have an aluminum block (Fontana) based engine but went all the way to 725 lbs at the rear (450 lbs front). I know that sounds pretty stiff but it's still quite comfortable. In fact, when I switched from 550 lbs to 725 lbs, at the rear, I hardly noticed the difference.

Hi David, I think I will take your advise and go to 725 then. You are a lucky man having a 911 997 as a daily driver. I have an 84 3.2 Carerra and love it to pieces!

Regards, Johnny

Johnny, I forgot to mention, when I ordered my aluminum Konis, I ordered them with the next step up in compression valving stiffness. Since you already have them, it's possible to send your shocks into Koni to have the valving changed at any time. After jumping from 550lb to 725lb at the rear, and the increase in spring rate not causing the ride to be noticeably stiffer, it seems that the shock absorbers have more impact on ride quality than the springs do. This is reinforced by the fact, if you pair your new Konis with springs that have the stock stiffness, your ride will be softer than stock.

Johnny, i love the color of your pantera. Would you send me a reply on the colors name and paint code. thanks, mike

Hi David. Thanks for the advise. I have a lot to learn about shocks.

Mike, the paint is House of Kolor candy brandy wine over solar gold. My paint guy had finished the paint according to the spec sheet and applied the clear coat (the clear coat contains the sun screen). I was not happy with the colour because I felt it was not dark enough so I asked him to apply more candy. He shot 4 more coats before I was happy with the colour and cleared it again. My car has a lot of paint! for this reason it has a very deep shine. You would think having 4 extra coats of colour plus the extra clear would cause problems down the line but it didn't 10 years later and the paint still look fantastic and is exceptionally tough and resistant to stone chips. I have always thought that the more paint you apply the easier it chips off, this is not the case with House of Kolor. Apparently their clear coat is very soft.

Johnny

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Woods:
Mike, the paint is House of Kolor candy brandy wine over solar gold.

That is the color I have too on #5645, only it is over silver.

Julian