Does any one have experience with single vs double adjustable shocks? Is the extra cost of the double adj shocks worth the extra cost? I'm considering QA1 (D)DR5855B shocks.
Mark
5461 & 5481
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It likely depends on your intended use of the car, how you drive it and how fanatic you are on getting it spot on handling wise and how flush with $$ you are.
If you use the car on track and you have all the other stuff dialed in e.g. larger sway bar, heim ball ends, camber & castor set up etc. then you'd probably benefit from double adjustable shocks. If on the other hand it is relatively stock street driven car then the single adjustable will likely be sufficient and you'd be better spoending the money on some of the other handling aspects. I think most here are running the single adjustables.
If you use the car on track and you have all the other stuff dialed in e.g. larger sway bar, heim ball ends, camber & castor set up etc. then you'd probably benefit from double adjustable shocks. If on the other hand it is relatively stock street driven car then the single adjustable will likely be sufficient and you'd be better spoending the money on some of the other handling aspects. I think most here are running the single adjustables.
I'm glad this topic has sufaced again. I've looked at just about every previous discussion on shocks and spring rates and am more confused than ever. 
Too many variables, I know, but there's got to be a middle-of-the-road solution for those of us who drive the Pantera on the street, to work, to cruise-ins and such.
So, let's say I plan to buy the single adjustable QA1 shocks for a street-driven, narrow-body Pantera with Pantera East Campys (16x8 front, 17x11 rear):
- From what I've read, DR5855P is the correct shock, but why not buy DR4955P (Front/Rear application) for the front? Aren't the stock front shocks shorter than the rears?
- And for what seems to be the toughest question of all, what is the best spring rate for front and rear? The rate combinations seem to be all over the map but, in general, tend to approach 400/550 for a firm but not harsh ride on the street.
All opinions and comments welcome, and I thank you for your time.
Ron
#3336
Too many variables, I know, but there's got to be a middle-of-the-road solution for those of us who drive the Pantera on the street, to work, to cruise-ins and such.So, let's say I plan to buy the single adjustable QA1 shocks for a street-driven, narrow-body Pantera with Pantera East Campys (16x8 front, 17x11 rear):
- From what I've read, DR5855P is the correct shock, but why not buy DR4955P (Front/Rear application) for the front? Aren't the stock front shocks shorter than the rears?
- And for what seems to be the toughest question of all, what is the best spring rate for front and rear? The rate combinations seem to be all over the map but, in general, tend to approach 400/550 for a firm but not harsh ride on the street.
All opinions and comments welcome, and I thank you for your time.
Ron
#3336
I am not an expert on this but suffice it to say that there is no right answer to this question. How you drive (on or off track, smooth roads or back pot-holed roads, within the speed limit or taking sweepers at 100+ at night) -all play heavily into this question. If anyone says they have the answer they are only telling you what has worked for them, which is fine. Critical to answering the spring rate is knowing what shocks you are running, they need to be matched. Your best bet is to call the person who manufactures the shock and tell them about your intended use, then they can give you a reasonable recommendation for spring rate.
As for the above question I think you really need to be able to shake the car down with a repeated handling situation (racetrack) to get the benefit of double adjustables, many racers start with single on their race car until they've figured out their car, then upgrade to double adjust later.
As for the above question I think you really need to be able to shake the car down with a repeated handling situation (racetrack) to get the benefit of double adjustables, many racers start with single on their race car until they've figured out their car, then upgrade to double adjust later.