Notices
991 2012-2019
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Suspension Option questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-01-2012, 11:19 PM
  #1  
TKO
Racer
Thread Starter
 
TKO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 384
Received 123 Likes on 46 Posts
Default Suspension Option questions

Guys,

I was thinking of a lightly used 997 but now I think I'm gonna bite the bullet and just order a 991. My question to you all is how important do you think Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and/or PASM sport suspension is?
My car will likely never see a track but I am a driving enthusiast. The 20mm lowered suspension will look great, but will it be too firm for street use? Anyone drive one with the Sport Suspension?

Also am thinking of the 5mm spacers. Is there any reason to order these over an aftermarket set of spacers?

Many thanks in advance,

Tom
Old 02-02-2012, 12:02 AM
  #2  
Mike in CA
Race Director
 
Mike in CA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: North Bay Area, CA
Posts: 11,969
Received 128 Likes on 67 Posts
Default

My 997.2 has sport PASM with the 20mm lowered suspension and it's not too harsh for the street, even with some of the rough roads around here. And everything I've read seems to indicate the 991 has a more compliant ride than the 997.2. So, while there's a lot of subjectivity around "too firm" and "too soft", I can't imagine a 991 with SPASM being too firm. As to PDCC, it's terrific on my Cayenne S. I doubt the improvement would be as noticeable on a Carrera, and I haven't driven one with PDCC (or at all), but if you forced me to decide yes or no right now, I'd probably go for it.
Old 02-02-2012, 12:31 AM
  #3  
Rushman71
Instructor
 
Rushman71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I wonder if there is any difference in the spring rates on the cars equipped with PDCC vs the cars equipped with PASM only? Since PDCC can effectively add spring rate to any corner, conceivably Porsche could run less aggressive springs and dampers for a more compliant ride without sacrificing handling.
Old 02-02-2012, 01:30 AM
  #4  
Zeus993
Rennlist Member
 
Zeus993's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 6,198
Received 1,273 Likes on 586 Posts
Default

PDCC? I'd go for it. Why not? If you are throwing down for the latest and greatest then get the latest and greatest. Life is best lived all the way in, IMO. Engage!
Old 02-02-2012, 02:49 AM
  #5  
aamersa
Burning Brakes
 
aamersa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

PDCC is an expensive option and certainly not required on a 911, but if you have the budget for it, definitely go for it, it is cutting edge technology. I personally didn't order it coz I wanted to keep my price low, but in the end the decision was to spend money on either PDCC or PSE and I went with PSE based on porsche forum advice.
Old 02-02-2012, 03:15 AM
  #6  
TKO
Racer
Thread Starter
 
TKO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 384
Received 123 Likes on 46 Posts
Default

aamersa, did you order the PASM Sport Suspension (SPASM)? I also place a high priority on the PSE ....
Old 02-02-2012, 09:43 AM
  #7  
aamersa
Burning Brakes
 
aamersa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

aamersa, did you order the PASM Sport Suspension (SPASM)? I also place a high priority on the PSE
No I did not order Spasm. My important items were pdk, sport chrono, pse & sport design steering. I figured the suspension in sport+ mode will be more than enough for me. But it is not a super expensive item, so no harm getting it if it appeals to you.
Old 02-02-2012, 10:08 AM
  #8  
Kelderek
Instructor
 
Kelderek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by aamersa
No I did not order Spasm. My important items were pdk, sport chrono, pse & sport design steering. I figured the suspension in sport+ mode will be more than enough for me. But it is not a super expensive item, so no harm getting it if it appeals to you.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I understand it, sport+ mode will not affect the suspension settings unless you actually have PASM on the car.
Old 02-02-2012, 10:20 AM
  #9  
rodsky
Rennlist Member
 
rodsky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: West Los Angeles & Truckee, CA
Posts: 3,987
Received 850 Likes on 578 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Kelderek
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I understand it, sport+ mode will not affect the suspension settings unless you actually have PASM on the car.
I think thats right. thats the way it works on the 997 too. SC just adjusts throttle mapping, responsiveness and PDK behaviour. PASM or SPASM adjusts suspension.
Old 02-02-2012, 11:22 AM
  #10  
jmm
Advanced
 
jmm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I drove a 991 without PDDC and it rode better than a 997 and handled just as well. However, I ordered it on my 991 (not yet delivered).

As said above, it might allow the ride, usually stiffened to improve handling, to be more compliant when not cornering since the hydraulics can "stiffen up" the suspension in real time when called for.

Another thing you might not have thought of: the old, traditional way of improving handling also involved "spreading out" the tires at the bottom, especially the rear tires (technically caster, camber, toe-in, and toe-out tuning) to keep the tire contact wide in hard cornering. This meant that the tires were not as flat in normal driving. This contributes to slippage and rapid tire wear. With PDDC, this is not necessary. Perhaps the cost of PDDC can be justified with longer tire life. I'm kind of kidding here, but the possibility exists.

PASM lowers the car and, if I recall correctly, also slightly changes the bottom lip of the front spoiler. Lowering a car is not just for looks. It helps handling, especially at high speeds, and the new front spoiler acts in concert with the extended rear spoiler to make the car more stable above normal highway speeds. Do you need that?
Old 02-02-2012, 01:05 PM
  #11  
aamersa
Burning Brakes
 
aamersa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

sport+ mode will not affect the suspension settings unless you actually have PASM on the car.
I believe PASM is standard on the 991S which lowers suspension by 10mm. The option being discussed is spasm which lowers suspension by a further 10mm, total 20mm.
Old 02-02-2012, 01:28 PM
  #12  
Kelderek
Instructor
 
Kelderek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by aamersa
I believe PASM is standard on the 991S which lowers suspension by 10mm. The option being discussed is spasm which lowers suspension by a further 10mm, total 20mm.
Correct.
PASM is standard on 991S.

On the base 991, it's an option. The Sport+ mode available with Sport Chrono will trigger PASM, but of course only if it the car has it.
Old 02-02-2012, 02:32 PM
  #13  
rijowysock
Nordschleife Master
 
rijowysock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: The Arctic Cold
Posts: 5,718
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

all the cars with pasm look good to me, not as high as 997 models... S pasm i think woudl be perfect height for me but i hate that you have to jump to 20" wheels when ordering.. (on a base) and also have to add a few other options as well.. i wish i could "just" have S PASM without 20" wheels and PTV
Old 02-02-2012, 04:16 PM
  #14  
19_hole
Racer
 
19_hole's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Somewhere playing golf....
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I don't mind having to get the 20" wheels (I added them anyway) I just don't think I need the PTV that they make you get to add the Sport PASM.
Old 02-02-2012, 05:27 PM
  #15  
aamersa
Burning Brakes
 
aamersa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Dubai
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

i wish i could "just" have S PASM without 20" wheels and PTV
I just don't think I need the PTV
What's wrong with PTV ? It is a very handy item to have for hard cornering, also it includes the LSD which most regret not having.



Quick Reply: Suspension Option questions



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 12:03 AM.