rotokim

I have a decision to make in the next couple weeks:

Should I install front & rear H&R sway bars on my stock '99 996 (a few hundred dollars), or should I invest in a full ROW M030 suspension (a thousand dollars)?

It probably sounds like a dumb question b/c the ROW M030 is a more complete modification.

However, I'm pretty happy with my suspension - except for a couple quick moments on the track when it feels a little floaty for a couple seconds. I want to eliminate that feeling. Also, I'm not that skilled yet at driving on the track. So, I don't want to buy more than I need for the next couple years.

Is there other hardware involved in the ROW M030 installation?

What would you consider a fair price for the labor to install the ROW M030.

Thanks in advance for the help/advice.

Bob

Ahmet

The feel would be improved mostly from going to different shocks than anything else.

If I were working at a shop, I would probably charge around 2 hours labor for the sway bars. The rear is a piece of cake, front a bit more involved.

ivangene

go read this thread - IMO ROW was not the way to go.... if I were you and thinking of spending thousands, I would check on the X73/74

LINK

SH || NC

Bob, if you are not planning on ferrying the wife and/or kids around very much, I would straight for the X74 setup. Its more suited I think to where you will be driving the car more frequently.

jrgordonsenior

The H & R bars are quite thick and will make your street car uncomfortable expecially without installing new dampers to match.

rotokim

Thanks, everyone. I'm still a little conflicted - 3 very diff. opinions.

I'll do my homework re shocks and X74.

Will dampers make the H&R sway bars acceptable for driving on streets/country roads? Or would it be just less unpleasant?

Bob

Optical TDI

I'm in a smilar situation as you. My previous car was an RX8 with adjustable dampers, stiffer springs, & adjustable bars. The stock 996 suspension is going to feel pretty sloppy in comparison from what I can tell on the street. We'll see how Mid-Ohio is this spring with the stock suspension.

It's hard to justify the H&R bars at $450 when the RWO M030 is about $1,100, plus alignment though.

rotokim

Great link, Ivangene. I'm much more comfortable with the decision. I have a friend with the ROW M030 and I'll give it a try to see how diff. it is. X74 is probably out of the question - I'm only going to DE twice a year; maybe 3 times at most.

Bob

SH || NC

I'll try one last time - talk to Charles - he loves his X74 on his, and tracks about as much is not less than you.

rotokim

Thanks - I saw Charles' comments on the thread that Ivangene posted. He's pretty passionate, and he does very well with his X74 at the track.

I'll see if he'd be willing to see what it feels like...after the snow melts.

Bob