Notices
944 Turbo and Turbo-S Forum 1982-1991
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Clore Automotive

Suspension for Dummies?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-25-2004, 04:04 PM
  #1  
Tom M'Guinn

Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
 
Tom M'Guinn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Just CA Now :)
Posts: 12,567
Received 533 Likes on 287 Posts
Default Suspension for Dummies?

As I add power, I've been noticing that my car is squatting more and more when I punch it. I feel like I'm driving an old hot rod. I like the HP, but what should I do (what mods) to keep the front from lifting so much under hard acceleration? It's an 86 951. Thanks!
Old 11-25-2004, 04:25 PM
  #2  
RKD in OKC
Rennlist Member
 
RKD in OKC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: In a tizzy
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Lifting or squatting? Two different things.

Compression is adjusted with springs.
Lifting is adjusted with shock rebound.

As you add more performance to your 951 you will need more rear spring to handle the incresed loading. Then you need more front spring to keep the car balanced off power. A vicious circle that performance. I Love it!
Old 11-25-2004, 04:54 PM
  #3  
Tom M'Guinn

Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
 
Tom M'Guinn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Just CA Now :)
Posts: 12,567
Received 533 Likes on 287 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RKD in OKC
Lifting or squatting? Two different things.

Compression is adjusted with springs.
Lifting is adjusted with shock rebound.

As you add more performance to your 951 you will need more rear spring to handle the incresed loading. Then you need more front spring to keep the car balanced off power. A vicious circle that performance. I Love it!
Hmmm... sorry for the bad terminology... hence the "dummy" disclaimer. When I punch it, the front end goes up, and the rear end goes down. Think '68 Malibu.
Old 11-25-2004, 05:17 PM
  #4  
gilwong
Instructor
 
gilwong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: vancouver, canada
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

When I added 100hp with my rebuild, my tired suspension definitely couldn't handle the new power. I put in new konis, set on maximum stiff and that fixed the problem. Ideally, you may want to upgrade your springs too. I had to rebuild my tranny, put in LSD to handle the new power. New cup clutch too.
Old 11-25-2004, 06:18 PM
  #5  
Waterguy
Three Wheelin'
 
Waterguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by gilwong
When I added 100hp with my rebuild, my tired suspension definitely couldn't handle the new power. I put in new konis, set on maximum stiff and that fixed the problem. Ideally, you may want to upgrade your springs too. I had to rebuild my tranny, put in LSD to handle the new power. New cup clutch too.
[Off Topic] Gil, who did you get to rebuild your tranny? I may be in the market for an LSD rebuild. [/Off Topic]

Tom, as RKD says, new struts would help with the front end lifting, and allow you to add stiffer front spings. Not much you can do for the squatting rear end except go for thicker torsion bars or coil-over springs to increase the rear spring rate.
Old 11-26-2004, 02:22 PM
  #6  
gilwong
Instructor
 
gilwong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: vancouver, canada
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Waterguy,

Bernd Moller at MB Euromotors (around 7th and Cambie in Vancouver) rebuilt my tranny with Quaife LSD and my engine as well. He's really good. He just finished rebuilding his own 78 930 this summer to 500hp. I went for a ride last week. I thought my car was fast (I'm at 370hp) but Bernd's was crazy fast.
Old 11-26-2004, 02:30 PM
  #7  
gilwong
Instructor
 
gilwong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: vancouver, canada
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ideally to utilize all that power in the twisties or on the track, I would upgrade the springs to 250 lbs. and definitely upgrade my stock seats to factory sports or aftermarket Recaros or Sparcos. The stock seats are very comfortable but don't have enough lateral support for fast cornering.



Quick Reply: Suspension for Dummies?



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 06:03 PM.