1986 944 Suspension Upgrade Street/Track
12-23-2007, 04:42 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
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You appear to be correct. Paragon does the conversion for you for a cost, but only for 87+ 944s and 86+ 951s. Going with inserts should reduce the budget a bit.
Here is the process from Paragon. If you can change your oil, you can do this. it's not that difficult. Have a shop take the springs off for you though, but you can do the rest. Plus you can clean & paint the housings if you wanted to as well.
Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I thought that the 86NA had inserts. But the 86 turbo & everything after that had sealed struts. I dont think you should have to do this. But I'm sure Paragon would do this all for you if you wanted to pay them to do it. Call them next week and find out. Never hurts to ask, right?
http://www.tech-session.com/kb/index.php?article=36
Correct me if I'm wrong guys, but I thought that the 86NA had inserts. But the 86 turbo & everything after that had sealed struts. I dont think you should have to do this. But I'm sure Paragon would do this all for you if you wanted to pay them to do it. Call them next week and find out. Never hurts to ask, right?
http://www.tech-session.com/kb/index.php?article=36
12-23-2007, 05:03 PM
#17
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12-23-2007, 11:37 PM
#18
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I used the paragon koni inserts on the front of my 87 944S with Weltmeister 250 lb. springs and koni adjustables on the rear. I think they'e great. I paid a mechanic at a muffler shop with a chop saw and press to do the inserts for me but Paragon will also do it. If I had it to do all over again though I'd go with the adjustable height spring kit and a heavier spring because I only use the car for AX these days. I don't think the 250 lb springs are too harsh for the road though.
11-25-2009, 05:32 PM
#19
2nd Gear
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I'm thinking about doing this very same thing. Is this post still relevant 2 years later? I'm guessing so since the car in quesiton is 24 years old, but you never know.
I'm also a completely car n00b and hoping to do this project by myself. Any advice or tips? Thanks in advance!
I'm also a completely car n00b and hoping to do this project by myself. Any advice or tips? Thanks in advance!
11-25-2009, 07:09 PM
#20
Nordschleife Master
Yes it is still relevant... and a great bang for the buck...
I just set the fronts full stiff on my 951 this morning... I am also running the adjustable ride height kit from paragon... ride height changes take all of about 10 minutes!
I just set the fronts full stiff on my 951 this morning... I am also running the adjustable ride height kit from paragon... ride height changes take all of about 10 minutes!
11-25-2009, 07:51 PM
#21
Nordschleife Master
Both Paragon and Ground Control sell "coil over" kits for early cars.
The ground control kit seems to be cheaper, but what's the better buy?
I've been planning on doing a complete suspension swap on my car for the last year, but every time I get ready to pull the trigger, something happens in my life that takes up my money ..... but it WILL happen... someday
The ground control kit seems to be cheaper, but what's the better buy?
I've been planning on doing a complete suspension swap on my car for the last year, but every time I get ready to pull the trigger, something happens in my life that takes up my money ..... but it WILL happen... someday
11-25-2009, 08:43 PM
#23
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The best and least expensive upgrades are the bushings. Check out Elephant Racing. BTW that will look after the first $1000 you have in the budget.
11-25-2009, 08:59 PM
#24
Nordschleife Master
11-25-2009, 09:20 PM
#25
I am also interested in upgrading the suspension on my car. It is an N/A and I'd rather spend money upgrading the suspension than the brakes or engine. I'm considering anything from the adjustable konis from paragon, the any of the GC kits to the KW V3's. What would be recommended? would the higher end coil-overs overkill? I'm not opposed to spending the money if I get my money's worth.
Also: the site that I found that sells the V3s for the 944 says they come with 340lbs/in fronts and 550lb/in rear springs! isn't that way too harsh?
Also: the site that I found that sells the V3s for the 944 says they come with 340lbs/in fronts and 550lb/in rear springs! isn't that way too harsh?
11-25-2009, 10:00 PM
#26
Burning Brakes
If you have an early 944 the struts correspond to 924 Turbo (931) and that corresponds to VW parts! Get on some VW performance sites and find some coilover's that will literally bolt right in. I know several who have done this and the parts are nice! It will give you a Bilstien or Koni shock, ride height adjustment and a stiffer spring. Somewhere in the 200's?
11-25-2009, 10:03 PM
#27
Rennlist Member
Forget the monoballs, but if you overlook the bushings you are not going to get advantage of upgrading the shocks. If you go to stiff suspension without looking after the bushings you will have train wreck handling.
