stecz

I ended up with an '83 944 project car (my son bought it and then decided he didn't have the time/money to deal with it and so I traded him another car for it)...

Anyway... The shocks and struts are shot, although there isn't any bad clunking or anything... This isn't a daily driver, but I want it to be a street car, so how does this sound...

-Koni sport shocks/struts
-weltmiester lowering springs (200 lb) - concern here is that 1.25" lower will mess with the suspension geometry alot (specifically camber gain will be gone on compression
-weltmiester t-bars (size?? 27? 28?) - a pain to install, but oh well.
- bushings - replace old bushing with new stock, the reasoning is that it's a street car and I don't want squeaky urethane or harsh solid bushings, does anyone make stiffer rubber one?
- control arms - replace with factory with new ball joints
- strut bearings - replace with factory

I'm planning on replacing the control arms/ball joints/strut bearings just because they have nearly 200k miles on them.

-Tires - stock fuchs wheels with 225/50/15s (lowering rotational inertia than going to 16s, plus the car is an inch lower without affecting suspension geometry)

sway bars - wait until later

Thoughts?

John S.
83 944 - rough but on its way...

Potomac-Greg

Springs don't age. If it's just a street car, why mess with the springs and t-bars (except to lower it)? Just do struts/shocks/bushings and you're ready to go. I wouldn't put a ton of money into a 200,000 mile 944.

m73m95

The paragon kits are the best deal, I believe... they're also on sale right now. They include everything you want.

They're overkill for the street, but you can't piece together a better kit for the money.

m73m95

Springs do wear out over time. Especially in 200,000 miles.

tifosiman

I would argue that after 200,000 miles of cycles, the springs are most definitely no longer as good as new.

stecz

The springs are mostly just to lower it and to get rid of the space above the tires with the smaller diameter 225/50/15s. Between the tires and springs it will end up 2" lower or so...

I'll probably be ordering everthing from Paragon... the Koni's are on sale, so I'll take advantage of that.

ritzblitz

Solid drop links would be a good addition.

WizPorsche944

I was think about going with a mix of OE and poly bushings on mine

tk's944

I would go with 26mm torsion bars, 28mm is way to stiff for 200lbs springs and 27mm would give you alot of oversteer.

schwank

If you're using 200lb springs and staying street use, stock torsions are fine. You can fine tune rotation with sway bars which are cheaper and easier to install. A good upgrade would be a set of used turbo bars at 26.8f/18rear, or for a bit more money 968 M030.

Get the Koni kit and new bushings for everything and it will make a world of difference. Torsions are a super pain and to do those right you'd want to replace those bushings while you're in there too. I think you'd be fine with new stuff at the 4 corners though.

Sterling Doc

I have a set of used 250lb Weltmeister progressive rate springs, new in box KYB strut inserts, a 26.8mm Turbo front antisway bar, and used 26mm rear torsion bar for sale. This would make a great setup - I had all of this stuff (except the KYB strut inserts), and a 944 DE car, and it worked well. All you'd need is rear shocks, and maybe a rear antiswaybar to have a complete package. $250 + shipping for the whole package. I also have a rear Weltmeister bar that has never been installed, but is missing it's drop links, that I'd consider parting with. Let me know

stecz

if I have lowering springs on the front, is there enough adjustment in the rear to lower it? If I'm going to have to drop the rear end to adjust, I figure I might as well stick new torsion bars in it....

Jason @ Paragon Products

Have to agree with Schwank, if you're going with 200# springs...and knowing your intended purpose, I probably wouldn't bother with torsion bars. You have a easy factory adjustment of the rear ride height that doesn't involve messing with the torsion bars...tech article:

http://www.tech-session.com/kb/index.php?article=37

The A Arms on the early cars are cheap if you want to replace them (you can knock out the bushings there while you're at it) as are the ball joints and strut bearings. I'd bet you'll need new sway bar bushings as well.

stecz

I already have the a-arms, all bushings, strut bearings, jounce bushings, dust covers on my list...

Thanks for the input...

b5audia4

I am thinking 200lbs Weltmeisters for the front and just adjusting the rear as I already have Koni yellows all around this spring. And upgrading the F&R sways as funds permit.