Viken

[quote]Originally posted by JC in NY:
<strong>The equipment you use does not dictate the quality of the alignment. Accuarate and precise measuring and proper understanding of the geometry is more important.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Exactly!

Martin S.

What was I thinking...the 996, it is NOT the LSA/Weissach axle Porsche scrimped on, I confess, I was wrong <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> , the 996 has LSA. Now was there something Porsche included on every 911 Porsche ever made and not found on the 996, hmmmm, surely it is not LSA.

As I was composing the original post, the "Responsible Martin" was saying, why would the GT2 car have the axle and not the 996? The Evil Martin, prone to an occasional error, urged, just post it anyway, Viken won't catch you on this, he can't read every post (He does!). And DJ is probably on vacation...he is back. I think I will get over this mistake, pray for me .

In light of my sin, I have been doing penance the last few days, fun penance. I helped my neighbor install the PSS9 set up on his 96 Carrera. The suspension is on, it works, and we are very pleased. Total time to install, about 9 hours.

Off to a point raised above on alignment, as was written above, " The equipment you use does not dictate the quality of the alignment. Accuarate (sic) and precise measuring and proper understanding of the geometry is more important."

It is anyone and everyone's prerogative to agree with the sentence above, I do not, and probably never will. However, the day that I read an article written to the quality standard of Mr. Pasha's, that documents how a 993 alignment can be done as good, or better than, the alignment Mr. Pasha describes in his article, by a mechanic using something other than the Factory tools and protocol, regardless of the mechanic's measuring ability and his proper understanding of the geometry, I will recant. However until then, or when pigs fly, whichever comes first <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> , I'll stick with the Factory approach Mr. Pasha mentions.

I had to have a bad non-Factory alignment redone. Why? The car was very scary (unstable) in a high-speed corner, especially when I was getting off the gas preparing to brake. This is the part where the kinematic toe kicks in. I don't know what it was that was kicking in, but I didn't like it. One the car was re-aligned, the problems went away, and that is proof enough for me.

I have seen great alignment results on a SC using "Accuarate (sic) and precise measuring and proper understanding of the geometry is more important" approach. I am far from convinced it works on the 993. All of the above, IMHO, of course, and submitted with the best of intentions: I digress (Back Evil Martin, back!.

Viken

[quote]Originally posted by Martin:
<strong>I have seen great alignment results on a SC using "Accuarate (sic) and precise measuring and proper understanding of the geometry is more important" approach. I am far from convinced it works on the 993.</strong><hr></blockquote>

You would be surprised as to which prominent Southern California Porsche shop has perfectly aligned hundreds of 993's without sophisticated laser equipment.

Martin S.

Surprise me in a private e-mail. I do know that Hergesheimer uses the laser set up.

tom_993

Viken and Martin, I sent you both a private e-mail on this. I'd like to know as well.

Thanks,
Tom

Martin S.

I just spoke to a "suspension expert" in SoCal. NOW THIS REALLY HURTS, he agrees with Viken on the laser aspect, you don't have to have it for a 1st class alignment, BUT, as has been mentioned earlier, you do need to know what you are doing, and have the proper tools for setting the toe, etc....anybody have a crow I can eat???

DJ

Are we for some reason prohibited from posting that ANDIAL uses strings for alignment? Is that what everyone was beating around the bush about?

Greg Fishman

Martin,
The factory 993GT-2 race car (I assume the other 993 factory race cars as well) came with string gauges similar to what stable energies is selling for ~$350. If it is good enough for pro teams I am fine with it. My mechanic does the alignment the same EXACT way he did it on Larry Schumacher's car that won the IMSA GT2 championship in the late 90's.
Yes a laser system can be more accurate and for many shops it is more efficient and more profitable since an alignment may take half the time as the string method. It took my mechanic and I about 3 hours to corner balance, set the toe, and camber. We had a good idea of where to start with the ride heights so that helped a bunch.

Also on the kinematic toe. My mechanic said that for a extremely lowered car that there is pretty much a universal setting. In my car with 1000#+ springs there is less than an inch of suspension movement so there is not much of a chance for the toe to change under compression. In a street car that is a totally different story.

Greg

Martin S.

Thanks Greg...really good information above. In conclusion, my final post on this string, the Excellence article is worth reading. Whether the shop uses string, laser, chewing gum, whatever it takes to achieve the alignment specs you are looking for, super. As stated earlier, the alignment tech had better understand the 993 suspension and have the proper tools if the optimum results are to be expected.

Personally, I like the sound of a laser alignment. As always, it is each to his/her personal preferences. IMHO Pasha's article very straight forward and also IMHO, is must reading...draw your own conclusions.

CalvinC4S

It is nice to get a print out of what your set at.
Thats what I like about lasser. Also, you need a special tool from the factory to set kinematic toe in the rear. I would be sure to ask the shop if they do that, most will sweep that adjustment under the rug.

Sam N

In his article, Jim recommends the RS sway bar set. Has anyone had any experience with these? With our PCA discount, wouldn't it be possible to order them from the dealer?

TIA,
Sam

maurice97C2S

[quote]Originally posted by Tito:
<strong>Do any of the UK members know where we can get hold of Excellence? I have not found it at regular newsagents and I would be interested in reading this article among others.
Thanks
Tito.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Hi Tito

I have taken out a subscription, after a few phone calls - they don't seem too efficient there! Have got the Tech Tips and a couple of back issues, no recent ones YET(!!!!!!) - its not expensive @$35 or so pa.

My vote is on Excellence, it is much more knowledgeable than 911&PW or GT, which just rehash stuff.

Can give you the details if you want..... cheers, Maurice.

<img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />

993RS

Sam,
I have the RS sway bars installed and really like them. They reduced body roll in curves appreciably.

Tito

Hi Maurice,
I would love the details.
I tried looking for a website but had little success.
Is there a UK or European office?
Much appreciated
Tito.

Sam N

Phil,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately with my current M030 and H&R setup I can't use the RS bars. I need the special droplinks. I will have to replace with either a coilover setup or the Bilstein HD replacement shocks.

Sam