Edward

Forgive me, but am I the only one out there that likes the ride of a stock 993? The way I figure it, lots of R&D went into the factory suspension, and I think it's a heck of a good compromise. Yes, it does "float" a tad more than I'd like, but that's immediately forgiven when it tracks beautifully (and compliantly) over nasty surfaces, especially around a blind bend. I've driven friends' "set up" cars as well as done up my own 77 ALFA Spider for a few DE events. While many of these cars do handle well, living with them on a daily basis can get tiring, which is one (of many)reasons the 933 is my daily driver.

Still, at the risk of contradicting myself, has anyone considered using larger sway bars with an otherwise factory 993? Like I said, "compromise" is my key here and I'd like to retain the stock height and ride compliance while possibly improving its cornering attitude? Anyone shed some light here? Thanks!

Viken

Edward,

There is nothing wrong with you liking the stock US setup. However, the R&D you are referring to goes mostly into developing the ROW versions as they are engineered first. The US versions are nothing more than a compromise. An ROW factory suspension performs better than a US factory suspension. There is no doubt about that.

Edward

Viken,
I haven't driven a 993 with ROW suspension so obviously, my critique of such would be ill-founded. But, I've read lots here about it(the M030 is it?), and the myriad other setups. In your opinion, and others for that matter, what would be the setup closest to factory, keeping in mind that what I would like is to sharpen cornering (lose a bit of understeer would be nice, too), while maintaining the great ride. Would adding just the beefier sway bars be a step in the right direction (again emphasizing my bias toward ride compliance)? Feedback??? Thanks!

Pete911air

Edwards,
You did not specify C2 or C4. If it is a C4 go to a 21m/m rear sway bar.
Pete.

Pete911air

Edward,
Correction. (it is getting late.)21m/m bar is for Turbo. 993 C4 use 19m/m rear sway bar.
Pete.

Edward

Pete,
I've got a '95 C2. Are you suggesting change ONLY the rear bar? And what's the thickness of the one I've got now? Finally, will this change yield a sigificant gain in cornering attitude/feel?
Thanks.

Edward

By the way, just curious: are there other P-enthusiasts out there who basically like the factory setup on the 993 C2? I can't be the only one, can I ???

Tito

I like the set up of my stock suspension, 94'c2. But I have a ROW setup as the car was originally sold in Germany and I live in the UK.
Tito

Viken

Edward,

The factory ROW M030 setup is the best of all worlds with the most compromises. It provides a good ride and is quite capable in the handling department. This is the setup I have on my C4S and am quite happy with it.

If you want to go slightly more aggressive for better handling on the track, the closest setup would be the standard H&R coilovers. This system rides a bit firmer but is a major improvement on the track. The H&R coilover system also allows the use of the factory adjustable RS anti-roll bars for fine tuning.

As to the rear bar, what Pete is suggesting is that some ROW models had a slightly larger rear bar. The US models were designed to have a little bit more understeer. If you choose the ROW M030 setup, you could also change the bars to match.

[ 06-29-2001: Message edited by: Viken Bedrossian ]

Tom T.

Edward,

You are not alone. I like my stock US suspension a lot too. The only reason I have not installed the RoW M030 suspension is ride height. With the roads here in the US the M030 setup might be lowered a bit too much and scrape the underside (particularly the front bumper cover). The ride quality is about the same with both setups FYI since I already rode in a 993 with the M030. It really is not harsh, just firmer.

Tom

[ 06-29-2001: Message edited by: Tom T. ]

Robert Henriksen

Understeer can be at least partially addressed by changing the front alignment from ~0 camber (factory setting) to -0.5 to -1.0 camber.

Also helps to put in a front strut brace.

My 96 C2 was stock US suspension when I bought it, now has RoW M030. I drove the US suspension for ~15 months, and two DEs. Have now done closer to 10 DEs. The US non-sport suspension was MUCH more liveable in the crappy roads in Houston. I now drive alternate vehicles pretty often - I don't like driving the 993 every day anymore. Not to say I don't like it; come to think of it, I didn't even like driving the 993 daily when it had the regular suspension! :-)

So maybe this whole opinion isn't very well grounded... Oh well, i'm on vacation, my brain might as well be too