Lowered suspension
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Germantown, TN
Lowered suspension
Hi Rennlist. This is not about what you think. I want to raise my car. I can hear you 'booing and scawfing' already. I know. But I am not going to track my car for awhile, if ever. I'd be willing to lower it later if I decide to hit the track.
My 96 993 has the U.S. M030 but I believe it's been modified beyond this factory option. My car sits 25" to the center of the wheel well, front and back. Now I'm pretty sure this is lower than the M030 specs. My shocks are gone (19K miles currently on my car). They are the stock M030 shocks.
My car must have after market springs-don't know what 'kind' at this point.
Just so you know where I'm coming from, I'm on a liver transplant list. I have something called PSC. Anyway, my rough rider (partially thanks to the shocks, no doubt) 'hurts' me sometimes. I've ridden in a stock 97 993 narrow body (like mine) and I liked it better for where I am right now. Don't get me wrong, my car looks so mean sitting low. I spend so much time in the garage staring at my car, the neighbors are beginning to talk. Or maybe they were talking before and I just didn't notice!
I'm thinking of stock springs with heavy duty Bilsteins all the way around? I'm not going to like the 4x4 suspension to look at, but I think I'll enjoy my car more.
I know this topic of raising a car is not what you folks like to talk about. Everyone is always going the other way.
I do realize there will be a handling delta between my current set up and the new--I'd adjust my style accordingly.
I only told you that stuff about my stupid liver because I didn't want y'all to think I was a WEANIE. An old WEANIE at that....
Thanks for listening. I trust your judgment and experience on these issues. I've learned so much.
Thanks,
chuck
My 96 993 has the U.S. M030 but I believe it's been modified beyond this factory option. My car sits 25" to the center of the wheel well, front and back. Now I'm pretty sure this is lower than the M030 specs. My shocks are gone (19K miles currently on my car). They are the stock M030 shocks.
My car must have after market springs-don't know what 'kind' at this point.
Just so you know where I'm coming from, I'm on a liver transplant list. I have something called PSC. Anyway, my rough rider (partially thanks to the shocks, no doubt) 'hurts' me sometimes. I've ridden in a stock 97 993 narrow body (like mine) and I liked it better for where I am right now. Don't get me wrong, my car looks so mean sitting low. I spend so much time in the garage staring at my car, the neighbors are beginning to talk. Or maybe they were talking before and I just didn't notice!
I'm thinking of stock springs with heavy duty Bilsteins all the way around? I'm not going to like the 4x4 suspension to look at, but I think I'll enjoy my car more.
I know this topic of raising a car is not what you folks like to talk about. Everyone is always going the other way.
I do realize there will be a handling delta between my current set up and the new--I'd adjust my style accordingly.
I only told you that stuff about my stupid liver because I didn't want y'all to think I was a WEANIE. An old WEANIE at that....
Thanks for listening. I trust your judgment and experience on these issues. I've learned so much.
Thanks,
chuck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: PeachState Region, GA
Chuck,
The main thing to keep in mind is that the dampers effect the quality of the ride much more than the spring rate or the ride height.
There are exceptions like when you get into the VERY high spring rates of a racing suspension, or a car that is slammed very low and doesn't have any suspension travel. But, for mid-range solutions like the factory setup, or the Bilstein packages the damper is the main component that controls how the ride feels.
I have the PSS-9s on my car, the shock valving is adjustable so you can make the ride pretty plush without having that 4x4 ride height. My car sits pretty low, under what yours is set at, and I can still have a pretty soft ride if I want it.
I think the Porsche engineers set the US market ride height so tall to get the bumper height right for US specs without having to design new bumpers or bodywork. They didn't raise the car to make it ride better.
If you shop carefully you should be able to come up with a solution.
Good luck with your health! I hope you feel well enough soon that you are posting questions about how to make your car ride stiffer!
Santé,
The main thing to keep in mind is that the dampers effect the quality of the ride much more than the spring rate or the ride height.
There are exceptions like when you get into the VERY high spring rates of a racing suspension, or a car that is slammed very low and doesn't have any suspension travel. But, for mid-range solutions like the factory setup, or the Bilstein packages the damper is the main component that controls how the ride feels.
I have the PSS-9s on my car, the shock valving is adjustable so you can make the ride pretty plush without having that 4x4 ride height. My car sits pretty low, under what yours is set at, and I can still have a pretty soft ride if I want it.
I think the Porsche engineers set the US market ride height so tall to get the bumper height right for US specs without having to design new bumpers or bodywork. They didn't raise the car to make it ride better.
If you shop carefully you should be able to come up with a solution.
Good luck with your health! I hope you feel well enough soon that you are posting questions about how to make your car ride stiffer!
Santé,
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn, Estonia
Few Years ago Car Magazine journalists drove through Australia. Transportation was 996 TT, it was just launched back then. This car was risen by 4 cm-s to cope with Australian terrain. Still they made some 300 km/h sprints 
I remember that car was risen using aluminum strut mounts, 4 cm thick.
I remember that car was risen using aluminum strut mounts, 4 cm thick.
Rhymes With Polo
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 30,092
Likes: 1,229
From: Augusta
I have Gert's Bilstein HDs (with extra thread) and M033 springs. The ride could not be better, and the handling is out of this world. My shocks were SHOT, yet I did two DE's with them and was pretty fast. I can not wait to get back. The big news is, the wife says the car rides MUCH better. And she is right. I think you would be thrilled with this set up. Good ride , great handling and great looks.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: The Netherlands
Hi Chuck,
I agree with Sante, No need to go with SUV ride height. The improvement in ride from new shocks will allow you to use a "normal" ride height in comfort, I'm positive.
I've had the ROW non-sport springs and dampers for two years and they are really comfortable at a good looking "European" ride height (btw as intended by the P-engineers and so comfy in fact I've switched to the PSS-9's
)
There are ton's of archived threads on what suspension to get, including some commenting on comfy rather than sporty.
Enjoy
Nol
I agree with Sante, No need to go with SUV ride height. The improvement in ride from new shocks will allow you to use a "normal" ride height in comfort, I'm positive.
I've had the ROW non-sport springs and dampers for two years and they are really comfortable at a good looking "European" ride height (btw as intended by the P-engineers and so comfy in fact I've switched to the PSS-9's
)There are ton's of archived threads on what suspension to get, including some commenting on comfy rather than sporty.
Enjoy
Nol
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From: Germantown, TN
Blackcat-looks like I made up a new word, huh? Where's that spell checker when you need it!
Max-I've been doing my homework and the M033 set up sounds like the right one for me. I appreciate the input.
BTW, I do plan on being around for a long time so I can put lots and lots of miles on my car. Thanks!
chuck
chuck
Max-I've been doing my homework and the M033 set up sounds like the right one for me. I appreciate the input.
BTW, I do plan on being around for a long time so I can put lots and lots of miles on my car. Thanks!
chuck
chuck