Hi RLers,

This is going to be a bit of a different thread. I'm looking for ways to actually raise my car during the winter, while hopefully having the capability to lower it slightly and corner balance during the summer autocross and track day season.

That's right. Raise.

My 2013 C4S has about 4.5 inches of ground clearance, which I find just fine for speed bumps (which I could never take in my 2011 Boxster Spyder) and driveways etc. No issues. I wouldn't mind lowering it a touch for the 7-8 months of the year the roads are clear of ice and snow and when I do the occasional auto-x or track day.

But this is my DD and we get a lot of snow in the winter. We are generally well plowed, even in residential areas, but when we get 20+ cm, it can be a few hours before the snow is cleared. And ice berms and ruts can form if the temps stay low for a long period of time. I did manage this scenario in a 2014 Cayman S (2 winters with Hakka R2s), a 2010 TT (1 winter with Dunlop winter tires) and a 2007 Audi RS4 (3 winters on Dunlop Winter tires). But I'd like to have more ground clearance if I can. Ideally a couple of inches just to make the whole process worth it.

One option I am considering are the Elephant Racing Coil Over conversion kits. Apparently they have some potential for raising, but they were only able to say 1" to 2". 2" and they have a sale. 1" and it may not be worth it. I would adjust the perch collars when I do my tire changeovers summer and winter in this case to get the right seasonal height.

Can someone with this kit tell me how much room there is on the sleeve in the raising direction? ER didn't have a car with those handy so can't tell me what the stock position is and hence what adjustment room there may be.

Other options are some kind of airlift collar. Cargraphic does not have one for the 991. KW HLS is an option if it works on all 4 wheels. Could get 45 mm there, which would be awesome.

what about some kind of air lift system with insertable air collars like the Cargraphic system?

Does the B16 Damptronic system allow for raising in addition to preserving my PASM?

Any all and suggestions welcome. Except comment like "buy an SUV or winter beater". This is a project to challenge me.

 

Re install blue shipping blocks.
Rubber wedge like the NASCAR guys.

 

I get your intent, but question the sensibility.

One inch will not do much. I drove a 964 C4 in Alaska for several years, including winters, at stock ride height. This was probably an inch or so more than a 991. Only once did I have a problem with snow clearance (after intentionally driving into an unplowed parking lot with deep snow). All the other conditions (including up to several inches of unplowed snow) were no problem.

And rasing the ride height more than 2 inches will certain risk odd suspension and steering component angles. Then bad things, short and long term, can happen.

You might be able to raise ride height slightly with springs or spacers, and then get a bit more with taller tires.

 

^^ Agreed with the above.


If you want suggestions, what about Air suspension/bags?

 

Thanks for suggestions so far. We get a lot more snow than Alaska, but it tends to melt away. When we get 100 cm in a day, no one is going out for that day, so I don’t worry about those once in 2 year storms. But 15-20 cm is frequent and I’d still like to get to work on those days. Never had a problem in the Cayman S which was a 981 and quite low (without the benefit of AWD). But my route to work now has speed bumps (damn people worrying about speeding cars near a park where lots of children play). So I can envisioning needing a couple more inches than before.

Any raising would be to get out of the neighbourhood, so a km or so at worst. So not worried about ride harshness, alignment etc.

Umbrella Auto Design has a lift kit that would make it switchable and give me 3”. That could make a fun winter ride.

 

Before I sold my 991.1 I looked into various air suspension kits. My goal was to lower it from the standard base height (about 1/2" above your S). The kits I found were going to give me a remote to select the base height (rough roads, winter), PASM, SPASM, GT3 and slammed. It interested me enough to almost spend the $8k or so to do this properly, but I ended up buying another car.
Part of me still misses the 991 and that air ride would have been a pretty trick setup - assuming it worked out and rode as well as promised!

 

in before macan

 

You got the wrong Porsche. You need this one, and its for sale - besides, its way cooler than a boring 991. You'll be the Snow Hero in this thing in Canada......



https://www.jamesedition.com/cars/po...r-sale-1321394

 

I totally want that. it would fit perfectly when I drive up to my place in PA.

 

Run a 18 or 19" wheels with a big beefy winter tire.

 

coilovers may get you a little higher than stock, and then you could lower it in the summer.

 

I run the KW Height Adjustable Springs (HAS) kit and do exactly what you mentioned... in the summer (and spring/fall) I run it basically at GT3 ride height and have the car corner balanced with a slightly more aggressive alignment.

For the winter I have it raised up so it is slightly higher than stock and it works great in the winter... mind you in Toronto we don't get that much snow but I park off of an unplowed laneway and I have more ground clearance now than I did at stock SPASM height.

Well worth a look and I'm very happy with the setup...

 

C$200k for the Safari 911 is a bit much for my blood. Plus the spousal unit said no. But she did agree it looked super cool.

I’m looking at something like US$9k for air cups plus coilovers that could give me up to 3” on demand, or US$1k for something mechanically adjustable at beginning/end of season that would give me up to 2” and not eat half my frunk space.

Think that decision is simple.

 

Bilstein B16 Damptronic coil overs. They are height adjustable.

You will need an alignment every time you change the height.

 

Sweet baby Jesus, this is nice. I'd love to have one just like it, but maybe a '79 to match my birth year.