PCA 944

With the suspension in my 86' 944 feeling worn out, I'm considering refreshing the suspension for Christmas. The car is primarily used for street, but I'd like something that firm and could handle some track use. Any recommendations for what to buy and sources to buy from? A direct replacement would be ideal for my situation and a low ride height.

Attached is a photo of the current ride height. There seems to be a wealth of information on suspension upgrades on the board, but most seem more through than what I'm considering. As far as driving characteristics, I'm happy with the current feel of the car and would be willing to spend up to $1k on a full set of struts to replace the worn, and possibly original ones in the car.

hobiecat

You know.....I'd also be interested in this too. I'm looking to "freshen" my 944S suspension into something that would be relatively comfortable for the street, but still give me a little more on the track for DE days. As it is now, the car is bone stock. It's pretty fun as it is....but I know it has much more potential IF I do the right things to it.

I guess the question I have for those that know is....if you had a budget of $1000 - 1500 bucks, what would you do to it to give it that little extra??

chrisc

Went through this last summer with my 88 924 S. Car came with MO30 and was in great shape but had 80/K and 19 years on it. Started with front struts and rear shocks. Probably should have changed to stiffer coils but didn't. It 's going to be tough to stay within budget & do much other than struts, shocks and a good alignment including adjustment of the corner weighting assuming you do most of the work. Went through my receipts to date and wish I hadn't looked - it creeps up quickly. Boxed the steel control arms for safety.

black944inMO

I would start with Koni's in all 4 corners and maybe different springs in the front. Those with a new alignment should run you right at $1k depending on springs, but should come real close.

black944 turbo

I was in the same situation as you. I put Koni Yellows all around, 200# coil overs adjustable ride height kit from paragon, new ball joints track kit, and new tie rods. That is a great setup for the street and probably some light track use. Night and day difference from before.

xsboost90

my n/a had koni front and rear sport struts/springs and a paragon-products.com ride height adjustable coilover front kit w/ 200lb hypercoils- turbo sways and lowered ride height-low as possible w/ accentrics in the rear and slightly lower up front. Handled great and did awsome autox/track and street. www.paragon-products.com

PCA 944

For an OEM replacement I'm looking at the following:

Front
- Koni Sport Strut Inserts, Front @ $184.34 Ea x 2

Rear
- Shock - Koni Sport, Rear @ $131.27 Ea x2

Totaling out at $631.20.

Would it be worth the extra money to upgrade to the Koni Strut Assembly With Adjustable Dampening, M474, (944/944 Turbo (02/85-88)? Also with the non-adjustable struts/shocks listed above should I expect a change in ride height (compared to photo in first post).

black944 turbo

Same ride height, I would do the inserts that paragon sells. It is a better bang for your buck and they are adjustable.

v-tach

i also did the paragon adjustable in the front with fresh koni's all the way around. 200lbs hypercoils up front / dropped the rear- stayed with the factory torsion bars and upraded the sways..oh and an alignment and pretty happy with the results. in the future i prob will go stiffer in the front and upgrade the torsions in th rear.
v-tach

aben8057

I am going to be in the same predicament this winter. My plans are the Koni inserts with RHA kit on 350lb springs. A set of used M030 sways with new bushings.

Paragon (to buy)

Koni Inserts $350
Delrin F Bushing Kit $124
Delrin R Bushing Kit $99
Used M030 30mm ???

Have
coil over kit $219
Used M030 19mm $100
Used Struts $20
(to cut up)

$912 without the M030 30mm sway bar

I currently have the M474 option with 90K on them so I have yet see what my options for the rear is. The list above is my initial thought but I am sure it may change.

Giantviper

What do you guys think of Koni vs. Bilstens? I have herd good things about both.

Voith

SPAX krypton gas

http://store.blackforestindustries.c...sx28adcok.html

J Silverman

Bilstein uses a high pressure monotube damper. They react very quickly to suspension movements (this is why some people think that the shocks are harsh) and they are resistant to shock fade, but that only matters in a race type of setting. Bilsteins are typically non adjustable, and they are typically a little less expensive. The only bilsteins available for the 944 are HDs which are not meant to be used on lowered cars.

Koni uses a twin tube design which does not react as quickly to suspension movements giving them a softer feel. Koni sport shocks feature rebound adjustment, and are meant to be used in cars that are lowered.

Personally I prefer bilsteins, its too bad they dont have a sport shock available for the 944.

PCA 944

With my 86' I would have to cut the struts in order to use the strut inserts IIRC. If I were to go this route, would places such as Paragon modify the struts for me or would I be forced to use a shop to avoid doing the work myself? Strut inserts are significantly cheaper, but being unskilled myself I'm fairly sure a shop would do either a subpar job or charge me through the roof.

black944inMO

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