cmat

My car has TechArt springs, Bilstein HD’s, MO30 sway bars and 18” wheels. I have patiently lived with this setup for about 2 years, have played with tire pressures (now 32F/ 36R) but have finally concluded that it is not what I want.

There are two problems. With the TechArt springs and the HD shock collars adjusted all the way up on the threads (at least in the rear), the car sits too low for me. It’s just above RS height now. I would like it more like ROW sport height so maybe 20mm higher. More importantly, the ride is very harsh on some roads. The suspension doesn’t absorb abrupt road surface changes well. My goal is to have a firm but compliant ride. I don’t track the car.

So, what’s the best way to correct both issues without breaking the bank? Can I just change springs? I know this would correct the height issue but could this also fix my ride quality issue? Does anyone have experience with TechArt springs? How do they compare to MO33 or MO30 when used with HD’s?

Also, anyone in the Chicago area with HD’s and MO33 or MO30 springs willing to let me experience their setup?

Thanks in advance.

CalvinC4S

I have some miles on the Tech Art springs and agree with you on the way they feel.

I would think that you would meet your goal with a set of M030 springs, it's a nice sporty street car feel and they work well with your shocks/bars/wheels.

I have never felt Bilstine HD's with M033 springs, maybe someone can give you a report.

certz

I have Bilstein HDs w/ ROW springs & sway bars if you want to take a spin in mine.

JM993

I hated my Bilstein HD/M030 spring setup. The Bilsteins were the problem as they feel like they're valved for a 10000 pound garbage truck - especially the compression dampening. I swapped in a set of KW V3s which are double adjustable. They are awesome. BTW - my car sees lots of "aggressive" street driving but no track.

Cheers,
Joe

CalvinC4S

Joe do you have any seat time in a car with PSS-9's?

If so, how do they compare to the KW V3's?

Stealth 993

Don't waste money on swapping to M030 springs, it will be better, but still stiff. Part of the problem is your wheels, if you had the 17's on there it will ride a lot better.

IMHO, a good budget setup is getting factory ROW M030 kit, & replace the shocks in 5-10 years, or get M030/M033 springs with Koni's kit. Other then that you are looking a@ PSS10's that have also gone way up in price.

johzev

Chuck

At 60,000 miles I changed out my stock suspension for MO33 and new Monroes using 17 inch stock wheels. The MO33 stiffened the suspension ever so sightly. This year I went to 18 inch wheels. That also as others here suggest added a little more stiffness. I still would not call the ride harsh. The only thing I would do differently is possible go with the Koni shocks that are now availabe instead of the Monroes. Ride height is a little lower than SUV stock.

MarkD

and yet another opinion...
M033 springs with HDs are s very nice combo for "sporty" street use

I'd say it is my favorite economical setup compared to a coilover solution.

as a point of reference, FisterD's wife is driving a 993 cab around with this suspension, quite happily
on California roads... Which are falling apart

haygeebaby

I have HD/30 setup running on 17s.
I find the ride very nice - and more comfortable than stock 29 springs.
MO30 spings are progressive, and do a good job of soaking up the bumps.

With HD/30 setup, I have to go right to the bottom of the thread - and this gives me a little above RS height - but I also have the additional lock nut. I still have room to lower at the front - which is about 1/8 thread left.

Why not go MO30 springs and adjust as high as you can. Don't think it would be a problem to get them to above sports height?

cmat

Thanks for all the input guys. It seems like HD's are getting some criticism lately which I didn't see before I installed them a couple of years ago.

I know my 18" wheels contribute to my ride quality issue but they are hollow spokes that the car left the factory with so I would like to keep them. At this point I'm going to hold off making any changes until I can actually experience them in someone's car.

Mark....I had been thinking that with my 18' wheels, the HD/MO33 combo may be what I want. Glad to hear you like it.

John....I appreciate your offer. I will PM you.

PNogC2S

+1 -- I have the HD & M033. I'm also running ROW Turbo sway bars. Very happy with this set up.

patela

+1 on the garbage truck valving for HDs.

I have M030s (I think) with HDs and I find the ride to be very stiff, especially on the crack, patch and person access cover ridden streets of San Francisco. I'd venture that the HDs are the problem with your setup, I wish I drove the car enough to justify switching them or having them re-valved.

race911

Speaking of pavement around here. Mom just shows up, first time down from Sac in 2 1/2 years. At 84, still buzzing all around in her '01 Accord. First thing she says to me? "What happened to the roads?"

JM993

Hey Calvin,

Only a very brief drive in Mark D's old 993TT but was more focused on 400 + hp of 2wd 993 .

The nice thing about the KWs is that you can adjust the compression and rebound dampening separately. Also, I really like the way they are made. One negative is that you must lift the car to adjust either the rebound or compression - I can't remember which off the top of my head.

cmat

Anyone else have experience with the HD/MO33 setup that they can share? Also, what wheel size are you running?