dp35

First off, I've already done several searches and spent hours learning from previous posts.

I have: a 2000 996 coupe, stock, and I recently purchased Dunlop R compound tires, which was a HUGE improvement. But, I have the neg camber maxed out at around .75 degrees, which is less than any R compound tire wants. Not surprsingly, after 2 track days, the outer edge of the front tires are wearing fast. Also not surprising is that my sticky tires are too much for my stock US suspension and high ride height.

My alignment guy told me that GT3's have different suspension (coil over?), that allows much more negative camber.

I'd ideally like to: 1. lower the ride height, 2. improve handling, 3. enable more negative camber, 4. use OEM parts.

My options are:
1. RoW030, which would satisfy all but #3 above, at a cheap price.
2. X74, which is forbidden by the factory, but will work, and would satisfy my needs, but I'm not sure about the camber issue.
3. PSS9, which would do everything I want, but its not OEM, so its not ideal.

My main question has to do with using the X74 kit. First, can anyone tell me with certainty whether the X74 would allow any more negative camber adjustment than stock?

Regarding the fact that X74 isn't designed for 3.4 liter 996's because of "chassis reinforcement issues"; is it any harder on the car than PSS9, or any other aftermarket upgrade? Obviously, since Porsche doesn't sell those kits, it doesn't have to warranty or recommend them, but since they do sell the X74, they've issued this warning. Is the stress on the car any different from X74 suspension than it is from PSS9?

Has anyone ever seen or heard of a problem resulting from the use of X74 on a 3.4 liter 996?

Does anyone have a 3.4 liter 996 with X74 installed? If so, comments?

Is the GT3 suspension coil over, or is it similar to X74? Or, is it exactly the same as X74?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

LVDell

I think the Porsche engineers know what they are doing. Stick with RoWM030. If you want more than that, then PSS9 is the way to go b/c of the adjustability and tune for yourr car. I would not put X74 on a 99-01 C2 b/c of the structural issues that can arise. Just b/c X74 could be fitted to a pre 02 car, doesn't mean it is the proper suspension for the car.

TT Surgeon

Ditto, but a c4 might get away with it if it could be fitted bc the frame is stiffer. I would stick with the porsche engineers, row 030. You will get more than enough camber for any street car even in the red run group.

cosmos

I could sell you my GT3 suspension if you would like?

That would solve all your issues.

Let me know.

9NINE6

Like what kind of istructural issues? , I keep "hearing" about issues caused by PSS9's, X74's Sway bars, etc. on various forums There doesn't seem to be anyone that actually HAD an issue. Where can I get more information???

LVDell

9nine6......search is your friend.

dp35

Like I said, I've done several searches, and learned a lot. But like 9NINE6, I haven't found any reports of anyone having problems because they put X74 on a 3.4l 996. If anyone knows of any such problems, please inform us.

Also, if X74 is a bad idea, how can PSS9 be ok? Won't it put pressure on the same areas of the car?

I'm not trying to disagree that X74 wasn't designed for my car, but I'd like to find out more about it.

Another question that's yet to be answered is whether X74 allows more negative camber than stock. I'm guessing that it does not.

dp35

Cosmos - tell me about the GT3 suspension, is it a coil over setup? Do you know how it compares with RoW030 or X74 in terms of ride height and stiffness? I'm guessing its even lower and stiffer, and probably even more forbidden for my car than X74.

How much? Why are you selling it?

TT Surgeon

Well, my x73 allows more camber,I have -1-1.5 in mine and it sticks like glue with cups, but how much do you really need in a street car? Not sure you can bolt on a GT3 suspension, or want to, remember the gt3 's frame is based off of a C4 frame. I would stay clear of pss9's for the same reason as the x74, fwiw pss9's are a street suspension anyway. I would trust porsche engineers on this one, why wouldn't they love to sell 99-01 guys the x74 at twice the price as the 030 if they could?

TT Gasman

Porsche doesn't recommend the X74 on a pre '02 car, they obviously have their reasons. I would ask them if you want specifics, but I trust them. The ROW 030 is a great street/track setup.

JimB

FWIW, I have 4 way adjustable racing Motons, 1800 lb springs and full monoballs on my 99 and the chassis hasn't self distructed yet. I would guess that the factory is worried about squeaking in the earlier cars which could be a problem with a stiffer suspension. They worked lots of that out when the stiffened the newer 996s.

dp, you've asked a couple of times if the GT3 suspension is coilover. All 996s have coilover suspensions. As I recall, the GT3 is different is a couple of ways. The coilovers are height adjustable, the spring rates are higher and the front has monoballs. The back has the same bushings as a stock 996 I think. They also have different sway bars. So, if you are buying a GT3 suspension, you want to know what parts you are getting.

Additional camber can come from a number of sources. Just lowering your car via ROW M030, X74, PSS9 or whatever changes the geometry of your suspension and allows for more camber adjustment. For a little more cash you can add GT3 Cup Car adjustable lower control arms but beware that the minimum camber at that point may be more than you want. You can also install adjustable contol arms on top. Find a good independent Porsche shop that races cars and they can help you with all of this.

BTW, I don't disagree with the advice you have received from Dell and others. I'm just a little less conservative when it comes to "Porsche says" stuff. There answers are certainly the safe ones.
Jim

Gert

The X74 was a factory option for the -'01 3.4L and RoW only.
It was never available as retrofit though.

Chris79SC

Gert,

It wasn't but a few months ago that you were trying to sell me the x74 that got stuck in the US. When I said I had questions because mine was a 1999, you told me that older 996 owners had installed the x74 and that it was ok.

Which side of the x74 debate are you on?

Gert

The kit you enquired about was a Tequipment retrofit kit which is available for '02-'04 cars but can be installed on the -'01 cars without problem.
My post above was to point out that there was indeed an optional X74 kit for the -'01 cars, so Porsche actually installed the X74 on the 3.4L cars.

Conrado

Gert sold me a year ago a X74 kit for my 996 1998 C2. People here in Brazil think my car has a tuned engine because of my lap times... It's a completely new experience... I'll go with X74 again...