jclark4449

Just wondering what the significance of lowering the car to European specs is?

Peter Zimmermann

Pros: Better stance, aesthetics, and handling. Improved high speed stability. The first step toward expensive modifications. Easier to wax the roof. Easier to get in if you're short.

Cons: Exposure to park-by-brail drivers with cars that have higher bumpers. The first step toward expensive modifications. Increased difficulty in seeing past the huge dually pick up truck in front of you in traffic. Harder to get in if you're tall.

Amber Gramps

jclark, now send Peter the $100 labor rate you owe him.

Peter Zimmermann

douglas: LOL! Thanks, as soon as I get the check I'll send off your book keepers fee!!

jclark4449

Thanks Peter.

Just purchased my first Porsche. I pick it up tomorrow. 1985 Targa that has been lowered and has phone dial wheels, guards red.

Thanks to all on the forum. Just reading helped me make the right decision, I hope.

M491

The biggest significance is lowering ONLY to Euro spec. Most 911s that get lowered get slammed down some ridiculous amount far lower than actual euro spec.

BReyes

Congratulations!

I like it just under Euro height. That is just right with proper rake. Loweriing and alinging and corner balancing it, it along with proper negative camber will make it scream around curves.

Are the phone dials forged?

Have fun!

jclark4449

Not sure if they are forged. Will try to find out today.

John G.

I had my '77 lowered to Euro spec about three months ago and I actually notice quite a bit of difference around corners. It feels planted and not quite as on-rails as before. The car also just looks better, and I smile every time I look at the rear tires and see how they fit perfectly under the fenders instead of there being an inch of space between the tire and fender.

Also, easier to wax the roof. Or put on faux leather protective goop on my Targa top, in my case.

-JG

1977 911S Targa

Jay H

This board has recently mentioned the handling gains (especially at speed) of having a nose down attitude to a 911. I've had both of my 3.2's dropped in the front just slightly with no change to the US spec ride height of the rear. It's a very nice modification to the US spec ride height that is definitely noticeable.

My brother has two Euro SC's that were brought into the country and raised to US specs. After a few short months of time, both cars were dropped to proper Euro specifications. Definitely noticeable in terms of handling and stability at speed with the new ride height.

One of his SC's has recently received a completely new suspension system down to the torsion bars and then was dropped to Euro spec. The car rides exceptionally well and handles extremely well for street driving. I think many people forget how good these cars were in terms of ride comfort and handling when new...

Jay
90 964, 84 3.2

der Mond

Also, a lot of people are spooked by thinking the ground clearance at Euro will be a problem on the road (I was initially) but my experience is that it simply isn't, perhaps especially with Bilstiens but at any rate the new Honda Fit I looked at is lower to the ground...

srf506

Clearence is no issue on the road at Euro height. You do have to watch driveway and parking lot ramps. If they're steep you can get the fornt overhang. I always try and take those at a diagonal. I agree with all of the comments regarding the lowered car's appearence and handling improvement when dropped. Mine is actually just a little lower than euro.

Jim P.

Pavegeno928

New guy to suspension questions so be gentle please:

I've had my 88 911 for almost 10 years. I'm currently stationed in Stuttgart and have been taking my car to Porsche Classic for service. This is the factory shop for the old models. I've had my brakes redone recently and they look amazing. I am having the shocks and some control arms replaced in the coming weeks with them.

So, if I want to have them lower the car from US to Euro spec, what specifically does that mean in a mechanical sense and how is it done? I have driven the car on the Autobahn many times to the beginning of the red line (about 135 mph) and it handles great. What benefits will I see on mountain roads and at high speeds?

Thanks!

theiceman

The process is not really difficult and you must be saying you have a US speced car in Germany .

They will reindex the torsion bars in the front and rear most likely and take the spacers out of the front shocks if they are still there.

Pavegeno928

Yes, US spec car...and thanks!

So it's reversible if I want to return to stock then?