V2Rocket

Like the title says...I am interested in people's thoughts on how (not why) to make the 944 ride better. I realize the short wheelbase and the torsion beam suspension are not the greatest for riding smoothly but I'm sure there are ways to work around this.

This is not a track car or raced in any way, just driven hard on the street daily.

It is jarring over speed bumps, potholes almost hurt, and rough road (of which there is quite a lot here in SoCal) makes everything rattle and makes me bump around the cabin.

Driving other cars, trucks, vans whatever, even cars of similar size produces nothing quite so extreme even on the worst of roads. In the 944 it is certainly not UNcomfortable, it still deals with bad roads well, but I would like to see if it can be made better.

Suspension setup is stock rear end with OE replacement Boge shocks and a 18mm swaybar. Front is 200# lowering springs, OE replacement Boge shocks and a 25.5mm swaybar. All bushings are factory or factory replacement rubber. Tires are 225/60 BFGoodrich in the rear and 215/60 Falkens on 15" wheels.

I have read that reducing unsprung weight will help improve the ride a little so I am looking at my options there such as XSChop's aluminum rotor hats, different brakes (a single NA caliper weighs probably twice what the 951 brakes weigh) etc.

What else?

Jrboulder

KYB shocks, 140# 924 springs, 20mm front sway bar, and no rear sway bar

Jrboulder

And get some alloy suspension from an early offset series 2 car.

odurandina

bone stock 968 suspension on the later cars. but your car being like, 30 years old with the old ironwerks under there.....

1985mb

I was just going to say

J1NX3D

i wouldnt recommend that solely because that was my stock setup and its much more comfortable cornering flat with bigger sways front and rear than motion sickness from the bodyroll per the stock setup!

VirginiaF1

Buy a new set of Kumho 4X's.... great review on Tirerack and very well priced.
V2, I find my ride VERY well-sorted... even on Richmond's battlefield they call a road system.

bad_monkey

+1 Turbo S swaybar improved my ride comfort on corners.

Reducing wheel weight (bbs rs) has helped response to fast bumps a bit, but I've also removed sound deadening and weight, so now it just *sounds* bumpier.

Bigger profile tires take out a lot of the small high frequency bumps - and I've certainly noticed that the slight stretch I've put on the tires has made things noisier.

You could just buy another car?

Van

Stock springs and stock ride height. With the lower ride height, there is only a wee little bit of suspension travel before the shock bottom out and hit the bump stops - thus the big bangs with speed bumps and potholes.

Van

p.s. if you're not willing to change the car setup, change your driving style. E.g. go slower and avoid obstacles more.

V2Rocket

Are the KYBs any good? I've heard they're junk...
front and rear wooden leaf springs, and paddlewheels on either side...my engine runs on coal and steam and my face is always black from soot
the front tires i have are the same as on my Q45 which rides superbly. The rear tires are a bit sportier but perhaps not made so comfy.
in my searching in dec i did not find a kumho tire in a 15" size that i wanted...is that tire in 15"?


These springs lowered it maybe an inch...think that has enough of an effect?

James Chimney

+1

ZR8ED

Fastest way to improve road "comfort" is to drop down a wheel dia size and use taller profile tires.

After tweaking my suspension to firm up the ride, I spent an enormous amount of money on custom wheels and low profile tires. They looked awsome, stuck to the track like glue, and I felt every little road blemish. I then spent time/$/effort to soften the suspension...what a waste in the end. If you do track events (I know you said you didn't) then keep a second set of wheels/tires. and keep something a bit softer for daily street use.

CurtP

You heard right - they're junk. The only thing they have going for them is they're cheap, but they're still a waste of money.

JohnKoaWood

OK, having read through the thread.... I am struck with the feeling that this is the most appropriate NEW take on the clasic oil thread...

Ride comfort is subjective, and one persons "jarring" is another persons "ideal"... while another person wont find either comfortable!