Shocks/coilovers

Interested in hearing about your Porsche track car specs...Mark

here's a couple pics of my old race car. Ran in GT2, one of the most developed, fastest 914's in the world. Still winning races on the East Coast today.

here's a pic of the sweet engine. Twin plug 3.2 punched out to 3.5, 13 to 1 compression, 1800 pounds.

It was a rocket.

1800 pounds with that 3.5l engine and PMO carbs ... I understand

I use to own a Porsche 914-6, probably just a "little" slower than yours ...Mark

quote:

Originally posted by mike the snake:
here's a pic of the sweet engine. Twin plug 3.2 punched out to 3.5, 13 to 1 compression, 1800 pounds.

It was a rocket.

Was the engine a dry sump?..if so...5 or 6 stages?...Mark

All Porsche flat 6 engines were dry sump. Mine had a Turbo oil pump with an extra auxiliary filter,5 gallon sump tank in front. Not sure how many stages the pump was.

There is a lot of discussion on this board about the QA-1s. Apparently the stock number of the shock has changed....

NOTE: I have been looking for shocks for a Narrowbody Car.

OTHER NOTE: I am not advocating the QA-1s - Just reporting on what I have read.

My discussion and research shows there is a general consensus on the 11.6" (Compressed) and 17" (extended shock length), using a 12" spring - but there are some who suggest I consider a shorter shock, and a shorter (10" spring). Right now, I am trying to decide on Wheels and tires - shocks and springs will then follow.

There is also discussions about the spring rates - it seems that some (many?) setups are much more heavily sprung than the stock rates. Anyway - there is much information on this board if you search.

I would be interested in what you find.

All the vendors have "engineered" spring and shock packages. Dennis Quella has a Koni package - recommended (or would have been) by Carroll Smith.



Here' s some of the data I have found....

Thread on Suspension / Shocks

(Old Part Numbers for QA-1s)
QA1 DDR5855B - Double adjustable, 17"" extended, 11.6"" compressed
QA1 DR5855B - Single adjustable, 17"" extended, 11.6"" compressed

Link to Summit Shocks

Spring Information:

HAL-12-XXX - 12"" spring XXX signifies # rating.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hal-12-450
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hal-12-550"



Rocky

Thanks for the info.

I'm sure the shocks on the car I'm considering to buy are up to the task as the car has been raced/tracked since the 90's.

I was just curious, as I really haven't seen much discussion on shocks and setups.

It seems that because there's so many combinations of wheel/tire sizes and staggers, that most serious shocks setups are probably built to suit.

I've much research to do!

I know I can have a set of shocks custom made and valved to my specs without any problems, just $$$$$.

It's NEVER a matter of "How fast do you want to go??!!"...it's ALWAYS a matter of..."How MUCH do you want to spend??!!"...Mark

Our Pantera had early Konis on when we got it 30+ yrs ago, so that, plus Carroll Smith's comments in his books- "Koni makes shocks. Others make toys that break", when I replaced them I went with high-pressure gas-charged Konis. Compared to the early ones, they are 6 lbs/corner lighter, no more difficult to change damping than the earlies and springs- in 5 lb increments- are less than $50/pr. They can mount upside down for another small unsprung wt savings and that positions the coil platform adjuster at a more convenient point.

Drawbacks: the shocks' heim-ends need bolt adapters to use stock Pantera mounting bolts, and Koni 'fronts' should go in the rear & vice-versa 'cause they are meant for a front-engine car, not a mid-engine. The valving and damper rubbers are switched.

I've always liked the performance of Koni shocks. They are well dampened but never harsh. Any car I've ever owned, if Koni made replacement shocks for it, I installed them.

My Pantera is equipped with steel body, gas charged Konis, Hyperco springs, GT5 spring rates, and the optional spring pre-load adjusters for adjusting ride height. I know this is not the highest performing, highest technology or even close to the most expensive choice, but I feel it makes a suitable modern replacement for the OEM shocks, and the ride leaves me wanting for nothing (as Konis always have).

If I were starting from scratch I'd probably investigate the aluminum body RideTech shocks with external rebound adjusters sold by SACC Restorations. About the same price as the steel body Konis.

Konis' ain't Angels from Heaven. Probably irrelevant to this discussion but I put a set on my Datsun 200sx when it was new in '82. Gas struts. If they were working as designed THEN I vote them as garbage. Expensive garbage. The car constantly bottomed out with them no mater what setting they were on.

The other set is on my 68 GT350. S1MS Ford part numbers and all. Fronts are on soft and work fine there. The rears needed to be replaced with Cure-rides. The rear axle was not controllable with the Konis. Rode like it had concrete tires and jounced around constantly. With the Cure-rides in the rear and Konis in the front weight transfer is just right the rear acts like it is has a vacuum device holding it to the pavement AND is very quiet and comfortable.

My Pantera still has it's original shocks and springs in the car. Only has 30,000 on the odometer. Logically it would seem that I should consider changing them sometime soon? I would say at this point, I am not an advocate or fan for Koni. In regards to a customers car I spoke to them about rebuilding a set. They were pretty nasty on the phone and hung up on me after issuing a take it or leave it edict. I'd prefer avoiding or having the possibility of having to deal with them ever again

I like the idea of the adjustable ride height system.

I'm following Rockies post on this as long as I can hear it without the freakin' cowbell?

Doug, where did you get your cure-ride for the 68'?
.

Global West.

Thank you

How many teaspoons full of Cure-ride do you take before a 5-6 hour run?

Actually, I have not heard of it.... But that's not surprising.... I'm pretty new to this business.

Rocky

quote:

Originally posted by Rocky:
How many teaspoons full of Cure-ride do you take before a 5-6 hour run?

Actually, I have not heard of it.... But that's not surprising.... I'm pretty new to this business.

Rocky

Cure-ride was known for their drag racing shocks. In '66 they did a project with Shelby for the 66 GT350 drag cars.

In the case of my GT350 I think they work better than the Koni because they use a larger diameter piston with less pressure.

It just happens to work out better.

You can always paint them Chevy orange and put a Koni decal on it. No one will be the wiser.

Carroll Smith made that comment back in the 60s. There wasn't much around as a high quality shock back then. Bilsteins were popular on the Euro imports.

Just like spark plugs, every manufacturers tech numbers are not always right on for every application. Few actually test their products themselves for every application.

Not to change the subject but I use Champions to find the right heat range the engine needs, then I cross it over to a better quality plug. For the Ford applications I have always found them accurate.

Interestingly enough, I have found the Champion plug has a better heat range for the Ford engines than the Motorcrafts do. Champion is probably one of the cheaper plugs made but so what, even the platinum plugs that are supposed to go 100,000 miles don't. So get a cheaper plug and change them when need be. No biggie at all.