Jeff N.

Hi,

Need some real world feedback on how to transition my mostly stock 951 setup to an improved track setup. As you can see from this picture, have a little work to do!

http://cars.eggroller.net/2007-08-31...ckday_184.html

Current setup:
- 86 951; no M030 option, does have LSD
- Stock springs, torsion, sway
- Newer Koni shocks, no front adjustable perch

Planned use:
- non-daily around town driver + lapping day use.
- have lots of track experience; instructor rating.

Limitations:
- budget conscious
- likely a full coilover setup is out due to budget
- need to be able to move in some steps; likely can't just do it all.
- likely will use 16" rims as they are in hand

Key questions looking for advice on:

- what is a good front spring rate I should start with for the front end? Understand that rear torsions are generally matched to this. Or maybe a better question is what is a good spring / torsion matchup I should use?

- what is a good first 'grouping' of upgrades for a balanced setup? My current thinking is that I would like to do springs, torsions, and front camber plates as step one. Install and then take to a shop for an alignment + corner weight. Is this a reasonable grouping or might there be a better grouping of ...say... springs, torsions, sways...

- I have a second set of wheels and can run an 8" rim in front. Is this recommended? I like this idea as I can run matched tires/rims on all 4 corners which of course helps manage tire wear.

Any other suggestions on how to set a good plan and move head on a budget?

Thanks!!

Jeff

M758

Since you are on a budget I suggest the following.


Front
coil over kit with 400lbs springs an camber plates
Weltmeister 28 mm sway bar
Stay with the Koni's

Rear
30mm t-bar (solid)
Weltmeister 22 mm sway bar
Koni's.


Replace bushings with delrin or red poly graphite as you mod the suspension (ie take parts off/on)

Then align to your specs.


This is very much a 944 spec suspension and works well on our cars. You can go stiffer, but then will need to spend lots on shocks to control that. Plus it will be more complinant on the street when you need it to be. Our race cars are too stiff for the street given their ligther weight.


My suggestion is to mod the the car as follows

Bite the bullet and do front and rear springs/bushings first. I really don't like big sways with stock springs.

So (All prices approximate)
$210 400lbs springs with the Paragon coil over kit
$230 Paragon Camber plates
$150 Plastic/Delrin front control arm bushings
$300 - 30 mm solid t-bars
$150 - Plastic/Delrin bushings from t-bar carrier only. You can get alway with out the $160 trailing arm bushing for right now.

Total cost $1040 or so.

In round 2 buy the welt sway bars.
for about $700 total.
As for how it feels on track and street contact Z-man. He did something very similar to his S2. He also runs 245/45 R16's on 8" wheels in all 4 corners.

spazegun2213

Joe outlined a great setup. I have almost the same setup on my cup car and love it.

I'd also say if you wanted go a little higher on the front spring rate, like 450 or something. The Turbos have a little more junk up front.

Van

All good advice. 968 M030 sway bars would also work with that setup.

reno808

well first off what is your budget????

xsboost90

paragon kit for the front
400lb front springs
delete rear torsions
500lb rear springs- i actually reindexed my rear torsions and have 375's in rear
968MO30 sways
solid upper strut mounts- i have an 86 and the early mounts are junk
968 castor blocks- no matter what size wheel you have
you can get some serge droplinks on here or ebay - 45 bucks.

Weston Dillard

IMO, you can go a long way without having to replace the front sway bar. Stick the 968 M030 in the rear (it's cheap), stiffen the springs like everyone suggests, and I bet you'll have a pretty neutral car.

West

Jeff N.

This is a perfect list. I can work to $1000.

Can anyone give me some feedback on how stiff 400lbs springs are on the street? How many teeth a day would I rattle out?

944CS

I wouldn't bother with the weltmeister bars - with 400lb springs you dont need $700 dollars worth of stuff that just adds to weight transfer

xsboost90

the four hundred in the front isnt bad- its the matching # in the rear that makes the ride rough.

schwank

My setup on the track car (87 NA) will be essentially what Joe outlined, except I skimped and used cheaper oem sway bars. Other than that, dead on. I did get some good camber plates which are damn expensive, along with a set of sergey's drop links.

On my 86 951, I'm going to run koni's with adj kit in the front and go to a coilover in the rear. I'm not so concerned with following some class restriction on the turbo and I'd rather have coils than the torsion bars. Probably around 350 front spring, monoball front strut bushings, and again with M030 sways.

And I wonder why I am always broke. Every free penny I get goes into these damn cars!

Tay-Tay

So, if my suspension’s stock except Yellow Konis all-around would you guys say Paragon’s adjustable kit and springs or MO30 sways? I’m leaning toward sways because I have a good bit of body roll.