I've got a 2001 996 C2. Owned for about 3 months and I love it.

I took the car in for IMS/RMS fix and a few other updates/upgrades (if you need a shop outside Boston, South Shore Autoworks in Kingston is amazing) including new motor mounts. The work helped significantly tighten the rear of the car and it's now very smooth on the highway.

However, at highway speed, I still feel as I did prior to the mechanics work a loose front. It seems to float and bounce a bit. What can I do to fix this?

New tires, alignment didn't help. I do have a broken bump stop on front right....but don't think that would cause this issue....

Thoughts?

 

Float and bouncing without harsh thunking means your shocks are likely shot. You on the stock ones? How many miles? New ones would most likely help.

 

To me, an amazing shop would/should have been able to determine if something was off or normal...Did they inspect every moving part of the front end?

 

It's a 996, so in terms of age alone it's probably due for a suspension overhaul.

Also, I recently mounted a 996 GT3 Cup front Splitter on my own C2 - there's a guide on 6speed - and it did make a noticeable difference in floaty-front-end-syndrome at Cali-speed-of-traffic. That may be something worth looking into. I find that the front end just looks better with it, as well.

 

The guys at South Shore Auto reminded me many many times about getting a new suspension and how much PSS10's would enhance driving experience. A new chain tensionor took away my budget for that. I didn't mention front float to them but it looks like the shocks/suspension are the issue.

 

A good PSS10 alternative is the product by FEAL suspension:
http://fealsuspensionstore.com/produ...rsche-996-2wd/

For $1500 it even includes the camber plates!

 

OP, question...

Does the car feel out of control at high speeds on the open highway? I mean, not your normal 65 to 70 mph speeds, but when you get it up well above 80 mph? When you say "float", does it feel like you'd lose control of the vehicle?

Personally, IMHO, it's a combination of aging suspension (that needs service) and aero dynamics of the base C2 being a contributing factor. The thing you DON'T want is air building up under the car at higher speeds that could cause the nose of the car to lift; which in turn, could cause you to lose control of the car. That's one reason people change the front bumpers and add air splitters to promote better aerodynamics. But first things first, until you get the suspension serviced, keep your speeds in the safe range. Once you get the suspension fixed, test it out, if you're still not happy with the control at higher speeds, I'd encourage you to look at Porsche aero front bumpers and rear wing to promote downforce.

Cheers!

 

My 02 996 race car has completely stock aero (no fancy bumper or even extra slots, no side skirts, stock decklid) and is totally solid at up to 146mph.

 

If your car has the original suspension and/or high miles it probably needs a suspension overhaul. Unfortunately it's going to add up quick, coilovers, sway bars, alignment, probably some control arms too, probably drop links. Welcome to the world of aging Porsches.

 

It doesn't feel loose as if I'd go out of control and I keep the car under 85 currently, so I should be ok. As for suspension, seems to be the culprit. Thanks for advice

 

After I bought my 99 996.1, I thought it handled like a Camry. I took it to three different shops and none of them found any real evidence of any issue. My car is 18 years old and only 50,000 miles.

I replaced the tires and had an alignment performed and there was no change to the handling.

While I do suspect that the suspension could be just old at this point, and I might have sagging motor mounts, after more driving, I noticed that the car's suspension setup was particularly compliant over very rough roads. My thought was that this particular 996 (a non-S, and a Cab), might just be more compliant and geared toward luxury than performance.

I took the car to the track and it performed flawlessly. So while I do think that my particular car would benefit from a suspension overhaul, I also think my car sticks to the road and takes the turns on a track quite well.

Before, I was concerned about weaving and bobbing on the highway, but on the track (at up to 135mph), it was excellent.

 

I have a 2003 C4S with brand new PSS10s on the front, I definitely feel floaty past 80 mph on roads, and it does feel like aero lift. I have the suspension on the lowest possible setting bilstein allows, which does not lower the car very much on the 4 models, maybe 3/4inch front and 1/2inch rear. However, I also don't have a front drive train, spare or tools up front, so I tohught maybe I just had too little weight, but the pss10s are sprung the same for a 996.1 C2 as a 996.2 c4s, I even called bilstein to confirm.

Was thinking about lowering the spring rate with after market ones that drop from 255lbs/in to like 225. Car rips on the track though, and I had it up to 141 at poconos. It's really a crappy feeling wen the car is so tight, and all of a sudden it seems to lift up at 85 mph. I dont think the rear wing helps, and that maybe there is a bit of a level action going on. Maybe a full turbo lip would help, but then I'd scrape

 

Thanks Garrett,

This is the first I have heard of the Feal coilovers. Are you running them? Do you know if Feal makes the struts, or if they are based on another vendors units? Coilovers are in my future and so far the I have identified the H&R street performance as the best choice at this price point. Would be interested to know how these compare.

 

coilovers fixed that feeling for me.

 

White out, what brand?