Just booked my car in for lowering springs on 29th Aug - will let you know how it goes.

FYI, I'm doing this in stages - lowering springs only first. If happy, I'm done!

If not, I'll look at following ADrian's advice and either re-valving the shocks or replacing.

Either way, will let you all know costs, results etc in due course ( will also take before & after photos, as everyone seems to want to see these sorts of things.)

 

NNNOOOOO!!!!!!! For the love of God, upgrade the shocks (dampers) as well. Think EXCESSIVE LABOR CHARGES.

Some day soon, you will kick yourself and think, "Sogs, I should've done the dampers while I had the car on the lift and the suspension in pieces." Now they'll have to do it all over again and send you another nifty bill.

I have the Eibach/Boge combination. The ride is fabulous, but I feel a firmer shock would be welcomed--especially at autocross and track events. I believe springs are an 8 to 10-hour job with installation, alignment and balancing. Doing just the shocks may be less painful--but not much, I fear.

Bite the bullet--do it now. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

 

I will second that. It is not worth it. It will cost you more in the long run. Go for a properly matched set up of springs and dampers. I have the H&R kit fitted on my C2.

 

Joey/Steve

I agree with the economics BUT, since the labour & rates are not onerous (5 hours), I am willing to find out how happy I am with new springs/old dampers.

I'm an engineering graduate and the methodology of changing one thing at at a time appeals to me. I've just got new rubber all round - noticeble improvement over my old rubber. I'll evaluate the springs and, probably, later see what new dampers add to the package. I may eventually do stiffer rolls bars front, then rear. There is method in my madness <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

 

Oh, and another thing ...

90K miles on the original shocks?!
Unlike a fine wine, these do not get better with age. Nuff said. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

This may shock you, Joey, but I agree absolutely. First thing I've asked for is an assesment on the current shocks and sway bar bushes and fittings. If they're gone, they will be replaced.

 

Phew! Glad to see you're going in with eyes wide open. I'd just hate to see you make a costly mistake (like I did). <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Now I have to justify my decision to swap out shocks by telling myself I'm headed towards coilovers so I would've been out the cash regardless.

 

Joey, use the old 'change one thing at a time' methodology - especially if you suffer from IWS (Inquisitive Wife Syndrome)

 

Dear Joey,
Just out of curiosity which Eibachs are you using. The lowering ones you get in the kit from Eibach. The progressive ones or another Eibach product. I use the Eibach 964 RS springs. They are straight throughs not progressive. The next step is 964 RSR springs but they are far too stiff for road use.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

 

IF I go with new dampers/struts are these the correct part numbers:
Koni
Front: 8641-1365Sport
Rear: 8241 - 1122Sport


Bilstein:
Front: V36-0384 (L)
V36-0385 (r)

Rear: B46-1547

PS

Are Koni, Boge/Sachs & Bilstein the only manuf. of dampers/struts for the 964?? There must be others.

 

There are other manufacturers but these are generally for specific applications or racing.

I doubt that there are only 1 set of part numbers from each manufacturer - I know that Bilstein do an HD shock as well as a B6 Sport shock - I would doubt that they share part nos. and I am sure there are more.

It's been said before and I will say it again. Sometimes doing things one at a time can be the wrong thing to do. If you get a kit that has springs and shocks that are designed to match each other, it will save you possibly making some expensive mistakes. How do you know which Bilstein shock to use with H&R lowering springs? HD? B6? How would H&R know?

I know that some people have seemingly succeeded in matching springs and shocks from separate parts. Adrian is one but then I bet he knew every single detail about the shocks and springs he wanted. Even then, I would still trust RUF or Roock over Adrian on such a specific area as suspension upgrades (no offence, A!).

As has been pointed out before, labour charges will be lower relatively speaking if you get both done in one go. Add to that the fact that if you get in a 'mis-match' scenario, this will waste more cash.

Just my 2 øre-

 

Dear Christer,
The difference between Roock, RUF, FVD and all the others and myself is, I do this for fun. I do not charge. Doing it my way is much more fun, it is more satisfying and it is much cheaper. Oh yes you learn a lot as well. Trust does not enter into it. You can trust who you want. There is one thing for certain I cannot rip anyone off because nobody pays me.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

 

Well, I won't argue with you Adrian - but it must be quite easy to get bad results from mixing and matching suspension components at one's own whim? Or is it just a case of going out any buying whatever you fancy because it all works well together?

How did you find out that your adjustbale Konis went well with the Eibach's?

I think perhaps my use of the word 'trust' was wrong......

 

Dear Christer,
I do not work from whims and yes trust was a very wrong word to use on a forum such as this. I put my heart and soul into this work. I have been a Porsche owner for many years covering 924, 944 and 911 and I have learn't a lot along the way. I have also listened and learned from those who have gone before me. I deal with facts and doing which means getting dirt under my fingernails. If you think I am a tad upset, you are totally correct. Your choice of words, "lack of trust" "doing things on a whim" are insulting not just to me but to everyone who shares their hard learned and often costly experiences with their fellow 964 owning colleagues on this board. How did I find out about Konis and Eibachs. I trusted a 964 owner who did this work back in 1990. I believed he knew what he was talking about. I believed the tests he carried out and I built my own project out of his results and guess what, it worked! Just like it did at Watkins Glen. Do I experiment, you betcha. You ask my wife how much money Ihave spent on tyres and testing them just so I can share this information. Nothing from me gets to this board until it has been tested by myself and proven to work. Luckily I get plenty of private emails from people who have followed my advice and are happy with it. My advice is offered free of charge and without obligation. Take it or leave it. However can my advice be trusted, yes it can. Is it given on a whim, no it is not. If you want to deal only with established commercial companies who prime purpose in being is to make money then that is fine. If you want to recommend them fine. Telling people to choose their advice over all others is just plain wrong.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

 

I used the progressive lowering springs, Pro-Kit they call it. I think the part number is 7201, but it's the common version you'll find advertised in the catalogs and websites. They're quite nice for street driving. Of course, now that I push it hard on the track, I'm thinking a stiffer setup might be in order.