spazegun2213

so again in my quest to know everything about these cars I want to know about the suspension differences in the pre and post 85.5 suspension. I "think" some of the differences include
1) different front A-arm, knuckles
2) from 1, different front strut pickup points
3) different rear "arms" (i donno which or what)

the only reason i ask, is if i ever get a faster 944 (and oh yes, odds are it will be another 944) for racing I would like to be able to pull as much suspension off the current car as i can, and put it on the new car. This way its cheaper and I will already know how to adjust the suspension.

this may not be something that can be done but if it could, that would be great!

schwank

From some recent reading on my part, the strut is different for early vs late cars as well. Earlies had replaceable strut inserts, late models had one piece struts. Also the width of the bottom strut mount is different between the early/late cars to accommodate the changes in the control arm mount.

I'm still rocking original suspension on my 87, so if anyone has any kind of updated late components for sale, especially converted strut bodies, let me know!

spazegun2213

the reason i ask is if i throw a butt load into coilovers, I better to be able to throw them on another (later/turbo) 944!

tifosiman

Rear coilovers for early pre-85.5 cars will be different than post 85.5 cars. They will not swap over due to the different rear trailing arms and the way the shock/coil-overs mounts to them. The upper mounts are the same though.

Front struts are the same for 83-86 N/A's. 87-onward N/A's and 86-onward turbo's have different mount points than the 85-86 N/A cars and are not really interchangable.

Of course you know the a-arms are different. 83-85 have steel early offset. 85.5-86 (all) have alu early offset. 87-onward have alu late offset.

There are some other subtle differences in spindles, spindle widths, and brake caliper mount points for various years too.

M758

check this out.

http://www.944spec.org/944SPEC/Techn...E918D4377.html


This is on our http://944spec.org website

spazegun2213

Thanks guys!!!

and joe, really, you might want to write a book titled "everything anyone EVER needed to know about 944 suspension... unabridged"

M758

Nah... not the time yet. I think I may have chapter 1 down, but there is still alot to learn.

spazegun2213

ROFL!!! if you are only though with chapter 1... that means I cant read

Z-man

Aren't the front spindles different as well? I believe the driver's side spindle on early cars were hollow to accomodate the speedo sensor, while on the later cars, the speedo sensor was incorporated into the tranny. (I think).

-Z

Legoland951

Z man is right though you still can install an 83-85/1 hub/spindle on an 85/2 - 86 car but not the other way around unless you drill a hole to mount the speedo cable.

tomrc

OK so what are the advantages of the aluminum suspension parts over the steel? I assume it's lighter but can't find anything to corroborate that. Easier to manufacture? I doubt it, definately not cheaper. Stronger? Not from what I've read. Corrosion protection maybe?

M758

I think the aluminum parts are stiffer (less deflection while cornering/braking) and they might be lighter. I am not really sure.

Legoland951

From what I have seen, the aluminum has higher ultimate strength (probably due to faster annealing process of the aluminum) than the steel. They are "stiffer" but more brittle than steel so they will break before they bend. I have seen many bent steel control arms and even some broken but never seen one broken without bending. I have never seen an aluminum arm bent. They either break or stay in shape and one piece.