Im shopping for new shocks and springs. All I need is a nice set-up for a street car. And what lb. rating for springs ? Recommendations ?
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C,mon guys.....surely someone here has some ideas on spring ratings and shocks......
I have needed new shocks and springs for years now. I call around and the cheapest stuff I could find was $800 bucks. I will need new shocks and springs for several more years it appears. I do know you are supposed to use 400 lb fronts and 600 lb rears, but there will be a big debate spring up over it. But those will work ok.
DeTom, Yeah...posting what you think is a good set up will invite debate. But I would like to know what others are using and how they like them. It is a LOT of money to shell out. How am I to know I will like what I buy ? I cant believe no one is replying.......
Well it is a Saturday so they are probably all out driving around. I just got back from a ride in fact. I am sure there will be a big debate on what kind of shocks are best. I will tell you right up front I don't know. 
Mike,
Call Dennis Quella and talk with him. Tell him what you are intending to do with the car, and how you want it to ride and feel. He'll set you up with what you need.
You are NOT going to do this at Pep Boys or Kragen. You will spend much more money than the buy 3-get the fourth for free deals that Sear's auto departments advertise.
And since it will be $$$$, go to someone who knows the cars and will see you get the right items - the first time.
I have Koni gas, compression adjustables that are about 10 years old from Dennis, with the GT5 F/R springs, full poly bushings, and F/R sphere balls with 1" F/R sway bars. Running 245/45x16 and 335/35-17 Pilot Sports The car handles, and rides, great.
Do this right - go through a vendor, and be prepared to spend $1K or so.
Larry
Call Dennis Quella and talk with him. Tell him what you are intending to do with the car, and how you want it to ride and feel. He'll set you up with what you need.
You are NOT going to do this at Pep Boys or Kragen. You will spend much more money than the buy 3-get the fourth for free deals that Sear's auto departments advertise.
And since it will be $$$$, go to someone who knows the cars and will see you get the right items - the first time.
I have Koni gas, compression adjustables that are about 10 years old from Dennis, with the GT5 F/R springs, full poly bushings, and F/R sphere balls with 1" F/R sway bars. Running 245/45x16 and 335/35-17 Pilot Sports The car handles, and rides, great.
Do this right - go through a vendor, and be prepared to spend $1K or so.
Larry
I have a set of Koni's for the rear. For some reason, my car still had the stock front shocks but they ugraded the rear. They do not sell Koni's for pantera's any longer, but Koni will still rebuild them. If you want them, name a price. Have Koni re-build them while they are out of the car. They used the stock springs, or you can go with a stiffer aftermarket pair.
Hey m-e Mike,
My Pantera is equipped with the series 30 Konis & Hyperco springs, the spring rates are supposed to be the same as a GT5 (450 pounds per inch in the front, 550 pounds per inch in the rear). The shocks were on the car when I bought it. They were purchased from Collectors Choice. I like the set up, have no desire to change a thing. The car is lowered, the springs are higher rate than the stock springs, yet the ride is very compliant. Any harshness felt in my car is due to the low profile tires, and is felt at low speeds on cracked asphalt, cobble stone & bricks, that sort of thing. Once up to speed, no complaints whatsoever.
I like a firmly dampened ride, and I have always like the dampening of Koni products & have run Koni shocks in every vehicle I have owned for which Konis were available.
Externally adjustable shocks are advantageous in that you can easily taylor the ride to suit your preferences, once set you'll most likely never think of it again. My best advice is that you don't "need" all that adjustability unless you're racing it.
My off road motorcycle has fully adjustable suspension, I spent a couple of rides fussing with the "clickers"; once I got it dialed in for my style & speed of riding, I haven't touched them since. But I can't argue it wasn't nice having the ability to dial it in.
Have I confused you enough?
Your friend on the PIBB, George
My Pantera is equipped with the series 30 Konis & Hyperco springs, the spring rates are supposed to be the same as a GT5 (450 pounds per inch in the front, 550 pounds per inch in the rear). The shocks were on the car when I bought it. They were purchased from Collectors Choice. I like the set up, have no desire to change a thing. The car is lowered, the springs are higher rate than the stock springs, yet the ride is very compliant. Any harshness felt in my car is due to the low profile tires, and is felt at low speeds on cracked asphalt, cobble stone & bricks, that sort of thing. Once up to speed, no complaints whatsoever.
I like a firmly dampened ride, and I have always like the dampening of Koni products & have run Koni shocks in every vehicle I have owned for which Konis were available.
Externally adjustable shocks are advantageous in that you can easily taylor the ride to suit your preferences, once set you'll most likely never think of it again. My best advice is that you don't "need" all that adjustability unless you're racing it.
My off road motorcycle has fully adjustable suspension, I spent a couple of rides fussing with the "clickers"; once I got it dialed in for my style & speed of riding, I haven't touched them since. But I can't argue it wasn't nice having the ability to dial it in.
Have I confused you enough?
Your friend on the PIBB, George
George,
I would like to have an adjustable shock. I understand Konis are adjusted by removing them and turning the end ? Doesnt sound very user friendly to me. Does Koni make one with a knob or screw ? Im familiar with off road motorcycles and atv. They have lots of adjustments...more than most people need. Do you know what the # rating on the original springs is ? Wish i could get more feedback on spring ratings.
I would like to have an adjustable shock. I understand Konis are adjusted by removing them and turning the end ? Doesnt sound very user friendly to me. Does Koni make one with a knob or screw ? Im familiar with off road motorcycles and atv. They have lots of adjustments...more than most people need. Do you know what the # rating on the original springs is ? Wish i could get more feedback on spring ratings.
Mike,
The stock spring rates are about 235# per inch on the front & about 355# per inch out back. What the vendors sell is approx 400# per inch up front & aprox 500# to 700# per inch in the rear. The new shock/springs assemblies ride BETTER than the oem stuff. You have to think of the shock & spring as an assembly, I would not advise running old springs with modern gas shocks. The vendors HAVE done their homework. My advice would be don't stress yourself out over something that has already been engineered for you.
I agree, if you want to fiddle with adjustments, the series 30 Koni is not the shock to buy.
your friend on the PIBB, George
The stock spring rates are about 235# per inch on the front & about 355# per inch out back. What the vendors sell is approx 400# per inch up front & aprox 500# to 700# per inch in the rear. The new shock/springs assemblies ride BETTER than the oem stuff. You have to think of the shock & spring as an assembly, I would not advise running old springs with modern gas shocks. The vendors HAVE done their homework. My advice would be don't stress yourself out over something that has already been engineered for you.
I agree, if you want to fiddle with adjustments, the series 30 Koni is not the shock to buy.
your friend on the PIBB, George
Thanks everyone for the replies......Dennis Quella set me up today. VERY nice guy...he answered all my questions and then some. Great guy to deal with.