odurandina

i've asked a few questions on the 968 forum, but hardly anybody up there seems to know very much about substituting less outrageously priced 944 parts where desireable... also, been calling around........ i am very pleased to have found a parts dealer with great (maybe the best) prices on suspension parts for my 968...


there are several 968 parts that are quite expensive. my first question is about

the [Rear Mount with Bushing for Front Suspension Control Arm]....


(most parts houses sell it for about 100 bucks per side... Zims has it for WAY less.). ok, 1st win !


but, anyway, question: can anyone identify the bushing on the right ? it looks pretty stout....


is it interchangable with what i assume, is the same factory installed part (left side) on my 968 ?


should i maybe be trying to locate one. does anyone sell this part ?


or is it just stock for a 944 ? a few more questions coming..... thanks !



/

odurandina

i also want to change to 944 struts, lowering springs for about a 5/8" drop, get out of having to pay 500 + dollars per side for new 968 upper strut mounts/plates (yap, that's what i'm being quoted), almost 350 + dollars per side for 968 struts, and also avoid the "zero-availabilty" context of lowering components without changing to M030....


oh and while we're at it, those 500 dollar throwaway, 968 control arms. wtf ?? !!!


in effect, change over some or all of it to 944 ? is any of this feasable ?


naturally, in sourcing a package that will both


1. lower the car,

2. get out of this 'break-the-bank' suspension refresh....



in way over my head here.... so, if all else fails, anyone have any suggestions for a good suspension guy anywhere between indiana and kansas, wisconsin and oklahoma, where i'll be working for a couple of months... ???



thanks,


od.

Eric_Oz_S2

The caster mounts on the right are the old style 944 ones that have a lot of flex. The 968 ones are much better and are required by Porsche when 17" (or larger) wheels are fitted. I wouldn't downgrade to the old style if I were you. Why would you want to swap the old one out - is it really worn?

Struts - just get the ARHK from Paragon, GroundControl, etc. $230 IIRC.
Why do you need new upper strut mounts - the 968 ones don't really wear out. If you have to change just get some Ground Control Caster plates for $300.

Shocks - just get some Koni inserts and fit to the old struts.

samluke

968 suspension is the same design as late offset (87+) 944. Parts are interchangeable. 968 A arms have an extra piece of aluminum to attach the brake cooling scoop that the 944's don't have, but its not critical and the brake cooling scoop can be attached with a simple bracket or even tie wraps. Brakes etc are the same as the S2 or non S Turbo.

The 968 caster block (one on the left) superceded the 944 ones (the one on the right). If changing its best to use only 968 ones.

odurandina

thanks,


the car is a florida 968, so it spent the early part of its life on easy, no-pot-holes road conditions, but the last 45 k miles running horrible new england, new york, new jersey highways and secondary roads, so i was thinking to change out that second bushing in addition to the control arms.


a while back i installed a brake adaptor kit for 928 calipers.


cool that i would likely not be needing to change the upper strut mounts. (the car has 122 k miles so i just figured why not just have all new rubber and other high stress pieces replaced)... but if this is the case, then i'd be okay getting the 968 lower arms since i was able to find a better price for them at Zims. (about 450 dollars per side).


wasn't having any luck locating Koni inserts. i was also told that lowering a 968 even 1.2 cm (about the amount desired) would introduce some problems....


there's also the matter of tie rods, (and outer tie rod ends). would i likely, be looking to do a refresh there, as well ?


thanks a lot.




/

Oddjob

Dont need to put in new control arms and strut mounts unless the balljoints have gone bad or the strut bearing is binding/failing.

Call Kenn Young at Hennessy Porsche in Atlanta - you will get the best price available on the control arms. They were about $400 each (25-30% discount off list price).

Lowering the car 1.2cm from stock US ride height is probably good for the car, as US ride height is quite a bit higher than the RoW ride height (thanks to US bumper height requirements the cars were jacked up for the US market).

odurandina

thanks, as i am in your area for the next couple of months, can you recommend a good shop ?


pm.

Eric_Oz_S2

Paragon sells them (same as late 944). They require you hacksaw the top of the old struts - it's not really that hard if you take your time.

odurandina

yikes.


thanks...



don't know if any of you have seen this video but i just thought i'd share, as it is indeed, as amazing as it is tragic.



http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/...sh-876112.html

beebone

The 968 caster block can proper fit 17" or larger wheel.
Also, the a-arm for 968 is non-rebuildable, but my right a-arm is 951 parts and the left one is 968 parts. Both dimensions are same.

rluciano

Holy guacamole!

What WAS that car? A Firebird?!?

Jason @ Paragon Products

http://www.paragon-products.com/prod...-1414s-xdo.htm

http://web.archive.org/web/200411181...x_v2&id=69&c=4

or, we can do it for you:

http://www.paragon-products.com/prod...conversion.htm

odurandina

well, why should i be surprised, since you were the guys who supplied my big brake adaptors/bias valve. lol.


thanks...


countdown to supercharger.... call Jason....


6..... get front suspension lowering/refresh done.... 5.... install new rear brake rotors, pads... 4.... add 997 12 mm spacers....


3.... replace ps hose.... 2..... sand blast intake manifold.... 1...... replace windshield. 0...... call Carl F.

azmi951

someone makes a bracket to adapt the 968 brake ducts to the 951 arm. it is simple and steel and bolts onto the sway bar bolt. Who makes this? I have seen it on George D's car but he can not recall who makes it.

333pg333

Lol, not that this wasn't a startling video but that was pretty funny.