RUF Suspension
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From: Sanity Cruise, Ca
RUF Suspension
Does anyone have experience with suspensions from RUF? I have read a bit on the threads here, and decided to look into it a bit further. I inquired into suspensions from RUF and was given a quote for two different strut setups.
R64 300 341 13 Lowering kit Mod. -90 1600.00 US $
R64 300 301 01 Bilstein-Suspension kit Mod. -90 1860.00 US $
Adrian, you seem to have some info on RUF suspensions. Do you know what the specs for these sets are? What's included? Also, I only saw the rear spring kit advertized. Do you know the part number for all 4 springs to lower/stiffen an April 1990 964 C4?
Does anyone know if either of these sets are adjustable?
I want to get it right the first time because it will be tough getting another suspension purchase thru my home accountant (fiancee).
Thanks for whatever info anyone can give.
-Todd
1990 C4
R64 300 341 13 Lowering kit Mod. -90 1600.00 US $
R64 300 301 01 Bilstein-Suspension kit Mod. -90 1860.00 US $
Adrian, you seem to have some info on RUF suspensions. Do you know what the specs for these sets are? What's included? Also, I only saw the rear spring kit advertized. Do you know the part number for all 4 springs to lower/stiffen an April 1990 964 C4?
Does anyone know if either of these sets are adjustable?
I want to get it right the first time because it will be tough getting another suspension purchase thru my home accountant (fiancee).
Thanks for whatever info anyone can give.
-Todd
1990 C4
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From: Parafield Gardens
Dear Todd,
Regarding specs. They are not available. RUF do not provide front springs for the 964 kits. The reason is that you do not need to stiffen the front end of a 964. I have learned a lot from these guys. I have discovered that the 964 RS front end stiffness levels are too stiff for the road. I will leave mine because I am used to it.
None of their kits are stiffness level adjustable if that is what you mean. Only Koni do this and to be quite honest it is not really a full adjustable set up.
To be quite honest I would go for the Bilstein kit. These are not the same set Bilsteins you get in the USA they are set up to RUF specs. Very nice. However in the end please understand that suspension and handling is very personal and subjective. What I like you might not. Mind you those who have driven my poor old C4 have all been impressed with its Eibach/Koni system set to RS specs and I have been very impressed with the RUF products as well. I have also driven a Roock set up C2 and this was very good as well.
My feeling regarding RUF is this. If you can stay on the backroads of Germany whilst cornering between 200 and 300 kph accelerating and decelerating between these speeds then the suspension is pretty good.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4
Regarding specs. They are not available. RUF do not provide front springs for the 964 kits. The reason is that you do not need to stiffen the front end of a 964. I have learned a lot from these guys. I have discovered that the 964 RS front end stiffness levels are too stiff for the road. I will leave mine because I am used to it.
None of their kits are stiffness level adjustable if that is what you mean. Only Koni do this and to be quite honest it is not really a full adjustable set up.
To be quite honest I would go for the Bilstein kit. These are not the same set Bilsteins you get in the USA they are set up to RUF specs. Very nice. However in the end please understand that suspension and handling is very personal and subjective. What I like you might not. Mind you those who have driven my poor old C4 have all been impressed with its Eibach/Koni system set to RS specs and I have been very impressed with the RUF products as well. I have also driven a Roock set up C2 and this was very good as well.
My feeling regarding RUF is this. If you can stay on the backroads of Germany whilst cornering between 200 and 300 kph accelerating and decelerating between these speeds then the suspension is pretty good.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4
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From: Sanity Cruise, Ca
Thanks Adrian,
What would you reccomend to bring down the lofty heights of a USA spec C4 that would compliment the RUF/Bilstein kit? Eibach or H&R progressives, or Euro factory springs?
I'm definitely looking for a stiffer than stock ride, but for a dual purpose car. I drive over windy hwy 17 between Santa Cruz CA, and the Silicon valley every day to work, so any stiffness is welcome. I just want a bit of comfort too. I realize that it's subjective, and I can appreciate your disclaimer on subjectivity of suspension.
-Todd
What would you reccomend to bring down the lofty heights of a USA spec C4 that would compliment the RUF/Bilstein kit? Eibach or H&R progressives, or Euro factory springs?
I'm definitely looking for a stiffer than stock ride, but for a dual purpose car. I drive over windy hwy 17 between Santa Cruz CA, and the Silicon valley every day to work, so any stiffness is welcome. I just want a bit of comfort too. I realize that it's subjective, and I can appreciate your disclaimer on subjectivity of suspension.
-Todd
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From: Surrey, UK
Hi,
I have R64 300 301 01 - it was installed about 3 months ago. I've been very happy with it - less body roll and it feels like the handling has sharpened up a lot. Turn in felt very much faster to me and it took me a few weeks to get used to it. I should add that I had the RUF strut brace fitted at the same time.
Around town, the suspension feels a bit more progressive that the original. It doesn't seem to crash over bumps quite so much and this was a big plus in my opinion.
For the first few weeks, I thought it was much better - but maybe not worth the cost (£2.5K in the UK). But - a warm dry day came along and I headed down my favourite road. At the end of that, I thought it was worth every single penny.
After I got mine (which was rear springs only), some people said they had a RUF kit and had all 4 springs. I mailed RUF and asked whether the kit should have been 2 springs or 4, and this was their reply :
"The suspension system you mean is only for american cars, you additionally have to use the european front springs."
I know it doesn't tie up with Adrians comment, and at the time he told me this didn't tie up with his knowledge of RUF so I don't know if it's true or not. It does seem to tie up with the people who said they had all 4 springs though - they were in the US.
I have R64 300 301 01 - it was installed about 3 months ago. I've been very happy with it - less body roll and it feels like the handling has sharpened up a lot. Turn in felt very much faster to me and it took me a few weeks to get used to it. I should add that I had the RUF strut brace fitted at the same time.
Around town, the suspension feels a bit more progressive that the original. It doesn't seem to crash over bumps quite so much and this was a big plus in my opinion.
For the first few weeks, I thought it was much better - but maybe not worth the cost (£2.5K in the UK). But - a warm dry day came along and I headed down my favourite road. At the end of that, I thought it was worth every single penny.
After I got mine (which was rear springs only), some people said they had a RUF kit and had all 4 springs. I mailed RUF and asked whether the kit should have been 2 springs or 4, and this was their reply :
"The suspension system you mean is only for american cars, you additionally have to use the european front springs."
I know it doesn't tie up with Adrians comment, and at the time he told me this didn't tie up with his knowledge of RUF so I don't know if it's true or not. It does seem to tie up with the people who said they had all 4 springs though - they were in the US.
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From: Sanity Cruise, Ca
Dave,
Thanks for the input. It does seem strange that their part numbers don't seem to always match up. I've emailed RUF asking what is included in the kit for a USA spec C4. I'll let you know what I find.
-Todd
Thanks for the input. It does seem strange that their part numbers don't seem to always match up. I've emailed RUF asking what is included in the kit for a USA spec C4. I'll let you know what I find.
-Todd
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From: Parafield Gardens
Dear Dave,
I did omit from my post to say that if you are purchasing a RUF kit for a USA version 964 you need to also purchase a set of front ROW srings. When you purchase the kit here or for a ROW version, you use your own existing front springs however for the USA you cannot use the existing springs otherwise the front will sit too high. In the UK with a ROW model you do not need new front springs. So a US kit will come with four springs if you request them and a European kit (ROW kit) will only come with two rear springs.
When discussing specifics you also need to specific. There is also going to be problems and confusion for a person in the UK asking somebody in the USA what they purchased. When you speak to RUF specify what version of 964 you have. European or ROW or USA. This will make things easier for all concerned. So Todd you will need four springs for your US 964. Dave you only need 2 rears.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4
I did omit from my post to say that if you are purchasing a RUF kit for a USA version 964 you need to also purchase a set of front ROW srings. When you purchase the kit here or for a ROW version, you use your own existing front springs however for the USA you cannot use the existing springs otherwise the front will sit too high. In the UK with a ROW model you do not need new front springs. So a US kit will come with four springs if you request them and a European kit (ROW kit) will only come with two rear springs.
When discussing specifics you also need to specific. There is also going to be problems and confusion for a person in the UK asking somebody in the USA what they purchased. When you speak to RUF specify what version of 964 you have. European or ROW or USA. This will make things easier for all concerned. So Todd you will need four springs for your US 964. Dave you only need 2 rears.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4
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From: Sanity Cruise, Ca
Here's a bit of an update...
I contacted Weissach.com in Canada, and they gave me a quote for a RUF suspension setup that includes 4 springs, 4 dampers and all necessary hardware. It's around US$2K. I've since replied and asked what the RUF part number is for this set. I'm wondering if it's the "lowering kit" or the "Bilstein suspension".
The saga continues...
-Todd
I contacted Weissach.com in Canada, and they gave me a quote for a RUF suspension setup that includes 4 springs, 4 dampers and all necessary hardware. It's around US$2K. I've since replied and asked what the RUF part number is for this set. I'm wondering if it's the "lowering kit" or the "Bilstein suspension".
The saga continues...
-Todd
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From: Sanity Cruise, Ca
Even more of an update...
a response from Weissach:
"The part number I quoted is R64 300 301 01, Yes, made by Bilstein to Ruf
specifications.
The hardware kit consists of any parts that differ from the factory
parts that are needed for installation."
Now I just need to make a decision, to "RUF" it, or not. US$2000 could buy a lot of things, or it could buy me a great suspension setup.
(they say it's a special order item with 10-14 day lead time)
-Todd
a response from Weissach:
"The part number I quoted is R64 300 301 01, Yes, made by Bilstein to Ruf
specifications.
The hardware kit consists of any parts that differ from the factory
parts that are needed for installation."
Now I just need to make a decision, to "RUF" it, or not. US$2000 could buy a lot of things, or it could buy me a great suspension setup.
(they say it's a special order item with 10-14 day lead time)
-Todd
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From: Sanity Cruise, Ca
Folks,
It's probably a faux pas, I know I'm posting on my own thread 3 times in a row, but I've got questions!!
I ordered the RUF kit. The installation is happening on Memorial Day weekend if I've got everything I need by then. So now I need to put together the necessary tool list for the installation. Anyone that can help, I'd appreciate it.
From what I have read about strut work on the 964's, I think I'll need the following "special" (special means that I don't already have 'em, and I'll need to buy 'em) tools:
1/2" drive 10mm hex socket (lower front strut mounts)
1/2" drive impact 26mm socket (lower rear strut mounts)
1/2" drive impact 22mm or 24mm (upper front/rear? strut nut)
2 floor jacks (already have one of 'em)
4 jack stands (already have two of 'em)
Some wood blocks to lower the car onto after the job
Assembly lube
Jeff Curtis' article on strut/spring replacement
What did I forget?
Also, I'll need the spring seat adjustment tool for my rough cornerbalance/ride height adjustment. Does anyone know what the specs/size for this tool are? Who makes it, and what part number it would be?
Thanks in advance,
Todd
It's probably a faux pas, I know I'm posting on my own thread 3 times in a row, but I've got questions!!
I ordered the RUF kit. The installation is happening on Memorial Day weekend if I've got everything I need by then. So now I need to put together the necessary tool list for the installation. Anyone that can help, I'd appreciate it.
From what I have read about strut work on the 964's, I think I'll need the following "special" (special means that I don't already have 'em, and I'll need to buy 'em) tools:
1/2" drive 10mm hex socket (lower front strut mounts)
1/2" drive impact 26mm socket (lower rear strut mounts)
1/2" drive impact 22mm or 24mm (upper front/rear? strut nut)
2 floor jacks (already have one of 'em)
4 jack stands (already have two of 'em)
Some wood blocks to lower the car onto after the job
Assembly lube
Jeff Curtis' article on strut/spring replacement
What did I forget?
Also, I'll need the spring seat adjustment tool for my rough cornerbalance/ride height adjustment. Does anyone know what the specs/size for this tool are? Who makes it, and what part number it would be?
Thanks in advance,
Todd
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From: Sanity Cruise, Ca
Ade,
I forgot to add that to the list, but I've got a set of separate spring compressors. I just did my fiancee's Volvo front struts, and they worked pretty well for that job. No slipping.
If I can get her to keep watch over me with a digital camera while I do the installation, maybe I'll muster up the energy to write an article on the process. I could give something back to the Rennlister community, instead of just taking information all the time. The only problem with that is that I hate writing, but I think I could make an exception in this case.
-Todd
I forgot to add that to the list, but I've got a set of separate spring compressors. I just did my fiancee's Volvo front struts, and they worked pretty well for that job. No slipping.
If I can get her to keep watch over me with a digital camera while I do the installation, maybe I'll muster up the energy to write an article on the process. I could give something back to the Rennlister community, instead of just taking information all the time. The only problem with that is that I hate writing, but I think I could make an exception in this case.
-Todd
