Ruairidh

The search function is not working properly (for example entering "Bilstein" gets no responses found and "H&R" and "Suspension" only get 3-4.

So forgive my asking this (as I'm sure its been answered before).

Time has come to do the lowering and shock change in my car. I've 69k on the originals and this is for non-track but spirited driving and, frankly, for cosmetic reasons (to get rid of the SUV look of the original set-up).

I've already fitted the AJUSA strut brace. What I am now thinking of is

- the 21mm rear stabilizer (anti-sway bar) from the '90 C2 (already bought along with new bushings)
- Performance Products have their 20% off sale on right now so use them for
-----Bilstein Shocks (they call them "Bilsten Ultimate Performance Shocks!)
-----H&R Performance Springs (not the Super cups nor the Coil overs)

Questions:
1. have folks who've gone this route been happy with their set-up?
2. How have others decided how much to lower their cars (1.0 inches or 1.5 inches?)
3. What other parts do I need?
4. What should I expect to pay for fitting?


Again, I'm sorry to go over some old ground but all help (as ever) is greatly appreciated

BGLeduc

I just did the Bilsteins/H&R's.

After install and proper alignment (including corner balance), it was about $1,000, not counting the shocks and springs.

Not sure the total amount of drop, but we were able to get the ride height to just about match the Euro RS spec (25" rear from floor to wheel arch, 25 1/2 to the front). FWIW, the front perches are at their min setting, but the rears have quite a lot of range left.

Visually, it transformed the car. It no longer looks like a Cayene in training. If you hit some rough pavement, you know you have a stiffer suspension, but on smoother pumps, it actually feels a bit for composed. FWIW, my old dampers had about 48K on them.

I do not think anything else was needed (at least my wrench did not charge me extra for any parts).

I too did the PerfProd 20% off during their last round!

The picture I use for my Avatar lost a lot of resolution when I shrunk it. If you send my a PM, I will e-mail you a couple hi-rez shots that do a good job showing the ride height.

BGL

PC2

Hi Ruairidh,

I'm also considering upgrading my suspensions. After my wheel & tire upgrade the car just look too much like a 4X4. Have you considered the adjustable Koni Sports (Yellow struts) with Eibach Pro-Kit springs route or adjustable Koni Sports with H&R Sport Springs? I can't make up my mind between the adjustable Koni or Bilstein

Regards,

Ruairidh

Honestly I didn't know that the adjustable Koni's were still available (at least for the front of my late model 91 car). Do you have a source?

Even then I'd be with you and confused. Adrian's advice would be to drive; compare and choose, but I'm not sure thats going to be possible and, honestly, I'm always useless at telling the difference unless I have a really long test

PC2

I'm glad that I'm not the only one! The source for the Koni is http://www.tirerack.com. I haven't talked to anyone there in regards to the fit of the Koni's. But according to their web site it fits '91 C2 except that it does not include turbo Special McPherson strut insert bolted into OE housing after cutting top and removing old internal parts. I won't know what it means until I speak to someone from tirerack.com. May be a fellow lister can chime in and clarify that statement.

Regards,

BGLeduc

Pretty sure it means that you get the insert, but the strut, which means some metal work to remove the old insert and insert the new. Adrian has the last pair of complete front Koni struts on the planet, IIRC.

Koni has a document on their site that shows what needs to be done with their inserts.

That said, it is not decribed in great detail. It appears they assume one knows what one is doing (certainly not targeting me!).

BGL

johnfm

I have Bilstein HD/H&R spring from www.type911.co.uk

Very happy indeed!

joey bagadonuts

R-

Make sure you get the correct rear shocks. 91 models produced prior to 11/90 use 89-90 parts, from 11/90 on it's the 91-94 parts. Your door jam will have the production date if you're not certain. Springs are the same for all 91's.

You might also request a quote from Shox.com, they're usually very competitive. Strasse USA and Germans Parts & Restorations also have very good deals.

8-10 hours of labor sounds right for install, corner balance and alignment. And yes, the heights BGL recommended sound perfect.

You're gonna' love it!

horst

Jeff & I put Koni yellow & Eibach progressives on the front, had lunch went to the range and did some shooting, then did the rears later that afternoon. I have 21 mm sway bar in the rear, AJUSA strut tower brace. The time involved was not that great- dropped the car 1-1/2" (I could have dialed in more drop with the spring perches if I wanted). This left plenty of time for beer drinking, looking at pictures of Jeff's race car, more beer drinking, looking at pictures of his girlfriend, more beer drinking. But still he refused to show me the pictures of his girfriend without clothes.

Oh! yea! The car handles phenomenoally

Jeff Curtis

Horst!

I did, however, show him "risque" pics of my DOG!

I have Bilstein HD shocks and H&R "sport/lowering" springs for an RSA (as Performance lists them) but ordering them, you ask for 965 springs.

These are about 35-45lbs stiffer in each corner, from memory...use the Performance Products catalogue and they list the rates.

The main issue is progressive or not. Non-progressive will get "sporty" at the slightest hint of the driver wanting to do so, progressive springs give you some "comfort zone" until you really push on them and they do the job well.

From what you describe in what you're looking for in a suspension mod...sounds like you would like H&R progressive springs, I'm not sure about Eibach, thought they were always linear (non-progressive) but the one's we put on Horst's car looked progressive to me!

Adjustable Konis or the good 'ol Bilstein "HD" shocks...your preference, the HDs work fine for me and at the time I didn't know enough about adjustable shocks to warrant the extra expense.

SO, Eibach or H&R, progressive or non-progressive...Bilstein or Konis - not much difference in ANY of those combos, the biggest difference being progressive or non.

Hope that made sense??

As for lowering, the common H&R and Eibach spring choices for a 964 allow for 1.4 - 1.7 inches of lowering over stock height.

BOTH the Bilstein HD and Koni adjustable shocks have adjustable perches to allow for height adjustment...I believe you can even crank them up to obtain stock height again??

Checkout both articles that Bill and I wrote for John Mile's site at www.porsche964.co.uk for tips on installation and WHY we made the choices we did.

***As a shameless sidenote/plug...MY Bilstein HD and H&R coilover setup may very well be on the selling block here soon, just have to wait for a particular business deal to come through on the sale of my trailer and I'll have the funds...so as promised Ruairadh, you will have "first right of refusal".

The added "stiffness" afforded by my choice to put in H&R springs for a 965 is not much whatsoever, but more than the regular 964 choice nonetheless. People have commented on how nice my 964 rides, even with the suspension upgrade. It's the progressive springs that make the upgrade "comfortable" during normal driving.

The ride in my car is not "jolting" whatsoever...which is why I want an upgrade!!

PC2

Jeff,

I hope I'm second in line. But please do decide before Aug 6th. That's when the Performance sales ends. Thanks!!!

Regards,

Jeff Curtis

Okay, I tell you what...I'm holding onto $1300 equity from the sale of my trusty Silverado, going to ask for about $700 for my H&R/Bilstein setup and awaiting another 1K from the sale of my trailer.

...BUY MY TRAILER!!

I'm tentatively planning on buying the H&R Supercup setup with monoballs et al...I believe the price is 3K?? ...haven't checked in awhile.

OH!! Just figured out that 20% off that would be $2400 or so?? ...hmmmm, I might be closer than I think??

Okay, new plan, I have $1300 already, I will sell my setup for $1100 and be set? Anyone interested??

Just kidding, I will make a decision by the 6th, might even find a good used setup for me by then?? If I do in fact get the Supercup setup, I guess it would behoove me to move on it by the 6th!!

...anyone wanna sponsor a racecar??

PC2

I'll gladly pay you the $1,100 provided that the price includes a in-home installation (that's So. Cal). Heck, I'll even throw in a couple cases of imported beer when your done.



PS. Hey Jeff, don't sell all the real estate on your TTR. Save a spot for your unofficial sponsor.

Jeff Curtis

You are OFFICIAL...so there's a spot fer sure! That's on the backburner for now...Rick has been quite helpful.

Okay, $1100, TWO cases of microbrew and a plane ticket...and we're set!

I don't ask for much, do I?

horst

Peter, make SURE you get Heinekins. Jeff LOVES it. Send me a plane ticket, and I'll be glad to help.