stiles_s

Carnewal is a good source. One thing to realize is the difference between what "fits" and what Porsche recommends.

For instance, the x74 is designed by Porsche for the 02+ cars. It will "fit" the early 996s, but Porsche doesn't recommend it (I believe this is due to the cars being less torsionally rigid).

I think the same goes for x74 and x73 on cabrios (narrow and widebody). it'll bolt right up, but Porsche didn't tune it for the (relatively) flexy chassis, and therefore it isn't supported (nor my guess is it warranted).

Fordo

Thanks for clearing quite a bit up with the great explainations from all. So the onlt suspension from porsche for a 1999 996 is the M030??? Does everyone generally stick with Porsche suspension or is there an aftermarket company that makes it as good?

Re-animator

I thought it out backwards. The X74s are Bilstein's own Sport tuning spec for the C2s. Porsche matched their X74 Springs to those shocks. I took a chance and figured that the RoWs are matched to the C2s weight to produce a certain tauntness. I think people conjur up images of specific force matching with dampers and springs, while in reality it is more like overlapping ranges. The X74s/Bilstein Sports are 40% stiffer than stock C2s. The rear springs are approx. 30% stiffer than stock. The extra 10% extra compression valving will add a little more rate to my rear springs than a normal RoW M030 car. I don't hhave any jounce in my rear end even with single rear dip rollovers. Perhaps, Porsche went progressive in the back because they didn't want the initial compression bite of the rear springs to be abrupt. The front springs are 17% stiffer than stock, so I am getting more added sring rate in the front than in back. Again, I am not being jostled on really rough roads beyond toleration. The car corners so flat (for a street car), that it is ridiculous. I have ridden on 18"s in an RoW M030 996 and a U.S. M030 on 18"s. The U.S. was a markedly harsher then the RoW. My current set up is tighter than the RoW car, but not as harsh as the U.S. M030 with all the benefits of an X74. I think the soft dampers used in the U.S. M030 is what made them so harsh. Going harder on the dampers doesn't appear to have been too much, IMHO. I have great loathing for a Lexus ride if that summarizes my tastes.

Re-animator

Per Bilstein, the HDs are 20% stiffer and Sports are about 40%.

Re-animator

This and the fact that the springs are progressive made me go RoW 030. The front drops approx. 20mm with the M030, but about 30-35mm with X74 front springs.

Re-animator

Yup, the evoms rear strut brace is theoretically to help make up the 8% torsional reigidity deficit in late narrow bodies vs. the stiffest wide bodies that are bonded and welded better in back to account for the wider stance.

Re-animator

Bilstein technical confirms the valving and rod is exactly the same in X74 and aftermarket Sports. As far as propriety rights on the X74 valving; I don't think the manufacterer needs permission to use anything it develops for a client when the intent is to sell in the aftermarket is well. Bilstein says they designed the application for Porsche; whereas, Wiessach designed the damper valving on everything else. We know PAG would be sueing the crap out of Bilstein, otherwise. If they'll take their customers to court, then the OEM suppliers are fair game.

jcnesq

Carnewal is a good source for X73 / X74 kits although the Euro exchange rate has hurt prices. Good website to compare various suspensions and also some good writeups on X74 (see link on X74 C2 page).

kristap

Was looking at the X73/4 kits recently on Carnewal and they were on sale. Euro has been down, relatively, in the past few weeks and I've been leaning more toward the X74s over the PSS9s esp after I saw Gert was running a sale (1600 eu vs 2000eu)

TT Surgeon

My X73 came with very solid motor mounts, no bumper brace or sways, Braman Porsche and Suncoast are both selling X73 for 1799 usd, that's 1k off. Not sure about the x74.
One thing about the mounts, if you don't put them in, porsche won't warranty the parts according to the boys at braman, they are cosiderably stiffer than stock.
Either way, 030 or the X's, oem is the way to go, reanimator has come up with a good idea, imo.

porch

Where did you source your parts?

Eli K

Ok, I'm thoroughly confused now...
Could someone noodle me through as to the advantages the OEM set up has over Bilstein Sports or PSS9s?
Thanks

Re-animator

Bilsteins can be had from A.W.E. Tuning or shox.com and any Porsche dealer can bring in the proper springs and the M030 rear sway bar. The springs are under $100 per axle and the bar was under $100 as well. The RoW rear bumpstops were about $40.

Re-animator

I know my warranty is safe at my dealer by using Porsche parts (springs); and this is from a place that will void warranty if aftermarket mufflers are used secondary to the risk of "burning a valve". PSE is warranty safe there, though.

TT Surgeon

The main advantage of oem is the significant amount of R&D that has gone into it, just for your car. They will work perfectly.