X73 vs PASM
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,680
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From: long island , NY
981 BGTS with x73, done two NY-FL snowbird roundtrips plus another 1k assorted roadies incl NY-NC 500mi fly n drive. seats may be key also.
all trips were outstanding in 18 way sofas.
all trips were outstanding in 18 way sofas.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 8
My 981 cayman S has the x73 sport suspension. As others have mentioned, it lowers the car by 20mm while the pasm lowers the car by 10mm from the standard suspension. PASM is an electronic damping system so the damping force will be adjusted depending on your driving style and road conditions. x73 sport suspension is not an electronic damping system, it's pretty much a back to basic stiff sport suspension (pretty much it wont adjust to your driving style and road conditions, it will be 24/7 stiff). If you want comfort then the standard suspension or PASM is the way to go. If you want better handling and don't care about comfort then x73 is the way to go.
My 981 is not a daily driver and it is mostly used for windy road driving and I plan on tracking the car sometime in the future, so it was an brainer to go for the x73. I have not driven a car equipped with PASM, but did drive the standard suspension cayman s. The standard suspension is definitely more comfortable, but the handling felt a little boaty compared to the x73. Based on my experience I would not recommend the x73 for long road trips. After 90 minutes of driving my car on mostly smooth roads I start to feel a little sore on my lower back (Not sure if I am getting too old). If I was going on a road trip I would probably need to take a stretch break every 60-90 minutes. Also I was not aware of how low the car really was. Literally right after purchasing the car I almost scrapped the front bumper by some stupid pothole. There were a couple of other times where I almost scrapped the bumper due to a pothole or uneven roads, it can be a discomforting experience but luckily no damage yet. I was barely able to get the car in my driveway (If I had a gt4 or spyder I would definitely need a ramp). I pretty much only take the car to roads I am familiar with.
I have no driven the 997 with PASM but in my opinion, if that feels stiff enough for you, then it would probably be best to stick the PASM or the standard suspension. Especially since you plan on doing cross country road trips it will probably be mostly highway driving so having a more comfortable suspension might be better.
My 981 is not a daily driver and it is mostly used for windy road driving and I plan on tracking the car sometime in the future, so it was an brainer to go for the x73. I have not driven a car equipped with PASM, but did drive the standard suspension cayman s. The standard suspension is definitely more comfortable, but the handling felt a little boaty compared to the x73. Based on my experience I would not recommend the x73 for long road trips. After 90 minutes of driving my car on mostly smooth roads I start to feel a little sore on my lower back (Not sure if I am getting too old). If I was going on a road trip I would probably need to take a stretch break every 60-90 minutes. Also I was not aware of how low the car really was. Literally right after purchasing the car I almost scrapped the front bumper by some stupid pothole. There were a couple of other times where I almost scrapped the bumper due to a pothole or uneven roads, it can be a discomforting experience but luckily no damage yet. I was barely able to get the car in my driveway (If I had a gt4 or spyder I would definitely need a ramp). I pretty much only take the car to roads I am familiar with.
I have no driven the 997 with PASM but in my opinion, if that feels stiff enough for you, then it would probably be best to stick the PASM or the standard suspension. Especially since you plan on doing cross country road trips it will probably be mostly highway driving so having a more comfortable suspension might be better.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 496
Likes: 329
Off topic slightly... as I was driving home in my Golf R this morning it made me wish for a similar suspension on my Cayman 987.2. The Golf R has spectacular dampening, corners super flat in "Race" mode, and is very comfortable in "Comfort" mode despite the 235/35R19 tires. It sits perfect on it's suspension, tight, not slammed. You have to watch the front and the oil pan but I still managed to drive through some nasty snow storms in it last winter.
So that said I wish Porsche Classic would come out with a SPASM setup for 987 (and 981?) cars like the 982 cars can be optioned with. -20mm springs, high quality adaptive dampers and a brain to control it. I'd invest in such a setup were it available for my 987.2 in about a millisecond.
So that said I wish Porsche Classic would come out with a SPASM setup for 987 (and 981?) cars like the 982 cars can be optioned with. -20mm springs, high quality adaptive dampers and a brain to control it. I'd invest in such a setup were it available for my 987.2 in about a millisecond.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: SE Wisconsin
Well, I should have called first. Drove an hour to see/drive an X73 Boxster that was listed on Wednesday and a small Porsche dealer and it was sold Friday night. I checked their website right before I left and it was still listed. My fault for not checking first. I'm hoping to take a ride with someone close by with that option to see if I like it. I reached out to a RL member here and his response has been positive, I just have to make arrangements I think.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2018
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From: SE Wisconsin
Update here.
I drove two Boxster GTS' back to back today. One with X73 and the other with PASM. I think I like the X73 better which came as a bit of a surprise to me. I have been looking for a PASM car and ignoring all of the Sport suspension cars. The X73 car felt more like my 997 GTS but much more compliant over rougher roads than I expected. The steering was more precise and instant while the PASM felt a bit boring and sluggish after driving the other first. To be fair, this was a test drive on suburban roads and not a track or anything but couldn't tell much difference with PASM on or off. Definitely smoother, but not as sporty
I think the X73 is the way to go.
I drove two Boxster GTS' back to back today. One with X73 and the other with PASM. I think I like the X73 better which came as a bit of a surprise to me. I have been looking for a PASM car and ignoring all of the Sport suspension cars. The X73 car felt more like my 997 GTS but much more compliant over rougher roads than I expected. The steering was more precise and instant while the PASM felt a bit boring and sluggish after driving the other first. To be fair, this was a test drive on suburban roads and not a track or anything but couldn't tell much difference with PASM on or off. Definitely smoother, but not as sporty
I think the X73 is the way to go.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2021
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From: STL
If you can wait a week I'll be able to give you my thoughts on the h&r springs on DSC'd PASM. The H&Rs are a bit low for some but I love the hunkered down look. I'll also be working with BgB to get the tune dialed for for the DSC.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,269
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From: Lexington, KY
Update here.
I drove two Boxster GTS' back to back today. One with X73 and the other with PASM. I think I like the X73 better which came as a bit of a surprise to me. I have been looking for a PASM car and ignoring all of the Sport suspension cars. The X73 car felt more like my 997 GTS but much more compliant over rougher roads than I expected. The steering was more precise and instant while the PASM felt a bit boring and sluggish after driving the other first. To be fair, this was a test drive on suburban roads and not a track or anything but couldn't tell much difference with PASM on or off. Definitely smoother, but not as sporty
I think the X73 is the way to go.
I drove two Boxster GTS' back to back today. One with X73 and the other with PASM. I think I like the X73 better which came as a bit of a surprise to me. I have been looking for a PASM car and ignoring all of the Sport suspension cars. The X73 car felt more like my 997 GTS but much more compliant over rougher roads than I expected. The steering was more precise and instant while the PASM felt a bit boring and sluggish after driving the other first. To be fair, this was a test drive on suburban roads and not a track or anything but couldn't tell much difference with PASM on or off. Definitely smoother, but not as sporty
I think the X73 is the way to go.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,959
Likes: 1,454
From: Balt/DC
FWIW, I started the DSC Settings thread in the 981 GT4 forum. I was looking to get a ride in an X73 equipped Cayman, in order to try to mimic the ride quality/characteristics in a PASM car. Also interested in you findings.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 14
"The X73 is firm but not "harsh" at all. Porsche did a nice job with it."
"Did a nice job with it" is an understatement.
Contemporary reviews in publications like Panorama written by auto journalists with broad exposure to Porsches over the years confirm my personal experience: That the X73 in a 981S is a unique engineering sweet spot of shock valving, spring rate and bar choice that synergizes brilliantly with the lowest polar moment road-going reasonably attainable Porsche ever. Tweak the exhaust and ECU to push HP into the 350-375 range, choose the right tire(s), add Numeric shifter and competition cables if you are fortunate enough to have a 6-speed, do a "performance alignment," and never stop smiling on street or track. And never sell.
"Did a nice job with it" is an understatement.
Contemporary reviews in publications like Panorama written by auto journalists with broad exposure to Porsches over the years confirm my personal experience: That the X73 in a 981S is a unique engineering sweet spot of shock valving, spring rate and bar choice that synergizes brilliantly with the lowest polar moment road-going reasonably attainable Porsche ever. Tweak the exhaust and ECU to push HP into the 350-375 range, choose the right tire(s), add Numeric shifter and competition cables if you are fortunate enough to have a 6-speed, do a "performance alignment," and never stop smiling on street or track. And never sell.
Last edited by dcharnet; Oct 3, 2021 at 01:50 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,959
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From: Balt/DC
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 135
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From: STL
Basically it allows you to dial back certain parameters for street use allowing the shocks to do their job and keep things firm on track. Is the most basic way I can describe it.
https://rennlist.com/forums/gt4-spyd...-settings.html