rkirshner

my car ia a 2004 996 gt3 it has about 32000 miles i use it as daily drive spring summer and fall but also manage 6 to 8 de events a season
i have found this site incredibly helpful and would like to ask another question
given the above are the shocks at a point where they should be revalved. i was thinking about upgrading but i read here that the shocks on the gt3 are very good
thanks

Horizontally Opposed Man

At about that mileage I decided to change my spring rates to 700F 900R at the same time I sent the shocks to Bilstein in California to have them revalved for those spring rates .I think the cost of the work which I understand essentially rebuilds the shocks was 75 bucks. Per shock.Outrageously good deal all the way around took about three and half weeks .cheers HOM

rkirshner

thanks i am in the proces of doing the same . one of my concerns is that the shocks and springs act as a unit . so when you increase the springs does that also require new shocks

himself

No. Bilstein will revalve for your new spring rates, so you can use the same ones. The cost now is $100 per shock for expedited revalving. I'm in the process of doing this now. Getting shocks, springs, toe links, upper mounts, etc.

I'll post pics when the parts arrive.

-td

jrgordonsenior

One of the best bang-for-the-buck mods you can make to these cars regardless of whether you change your spring rates....

911SLOW

+1

rkirshner

thanks
so when i send the shocks for revalving i let bistein know what the new spring rates will be ? may i ask you what spring rate you are moving to . i use the car for daily drive and track

jrgordonsenior

Stiffer springs don't make the car unbearable until you get up into the cup car range like 1300/1500. I would have them revalve for up to 800/1000, then maybe go with 500/700 for a compromise....

dan212

One of the cheapest upgrades you can do for a GT3. It cost more to pull the shocks out and ship them that it cost to have them rebuilt by Bilstein. You figure out what spring rates to use and then send them to Bilstien and they will valve them accordingly. The springs cost next to nothing. I had more than 50 track days on my GT3, so it wasn't a bad idea. Adjustable shocks are nice, but much more expensive. Most people go with a 200 pound split between front and rear. I have 650/850. While I was at it, I also removed all the rubber from the car, motor mounts and what not. The change was breathtaking.. The car is so much easier to handle. Stiff for sure, but I am used to to . The ride is fine on the highway, but driving out of Manhattan requires some caution.

My car has a welded in custom roll bar. There is a limit to how stiff you can go without a full cage and 650/85 is right about as stiff as you can go. With the stiff setup and all the rubber bits gone, there is no compliance in the suspension and everything is transmitted to the chassis itself.

Its an absolute no-brainer do revalve and you will be thrilled with the results.

himself

For those that upgraded this route (revalve and springs) - how hard was the track transition? That is, was there a steep learning curve? Were you slower before you were faster?

-td

jrgordonsenior

No you'll just have this huge smile as you realize how planted your car feels. Huge bleeping smile....

JohnPG

Newbee question JR. Why would you revalve the shocks at 800/1000, then use softer springs. This is one of the items I'll have to do on my car soon. I'll be using the car exclusively on the track. I don't know much about suspension, is there a perfomance advantage to using softer springs and harder shocks?

Thanks for the input as always!!

DHI

Bilstein revalve... I did not know that !
Awesome information.
I guess I'm really not that maladive Rennlist lurker that my wife accuses me to be. ;-)

va122

No, you want the shocks valved specifically for the springs you're using. Also I recommend 600/800 it's perfect for your application. I had it when my car saw street.

jrgordonsenior

I should have said valved to handle up to 800/1000. You want the flexibility to try different springs within that range. Val your 600/800 may be perfect for you on your courses, but may not work for other drivers on other courses. It's personal.

Bilstein has been building (and rebuilding) race shocks for Porsches for a very long time. The shocks can handle the range....