I am sorry for flogging this subject, but in searching the archives first, I could'nt find an answer to my question.

The sory is that I am finally ready to change out my stock suspension and want to hear about some real world experiences with the Bilstein setup. I plan on doing several track events a year, but I don't want to deal with a back killer for the road. Am I wrong to think that the adjustability of this system will give me what I want?

My other thought was if it turned out to be too harsh for me, that I could replace the original springs with lower rated springs?

And, what about the GT3 sway bars that are often packaged with it. I have read that some people do not believe they work well for the TT. Maybe this is a drop link issue?

From what I have read, it looks to be very similar to the Techart system, for considerably less money. Money aside though, can anyone tell me how it rides as compared to stock (or any other currently marketed system)? How about the track performance? The other threads that indicated a few people were going to this system never quite got to the punch line. So, how is it? Should I get it and the GT3 sway bars as well? Or should I put my money into some other suspension system?

Thanks in advance for the feed-back!

Bob

 

You can dial in what feels to me a bit softer yet more stable then stock, to a pretty firm ride. I didn't install the GT3 sway bars. Knowing myself, I would never adjust them, or for that matter get the full potential, if any out of them (the sway bars). Car handles great, with the PSS9's alone, I really don't know first hand how much if a difference they would make. The PSS9's however are a great investment in ride handling.

 

IMO, the adjustability of the GT3 sways are worth it alone. You will be able to tweak the handling of the suspension to your desired preference. Huge difference in comparison to stock sways. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

 

Bob,

I had the same questions and concerns regarding the change to a performance suspension. Originally, I was going to purchase the Techart 9-way adjustable "vario" system, but after some backorder problems ended up choosing the Ruf PSS-9 suspension. It includes an adjustable rear sway bar, but no front bar. The system was priced at $3,600 delivered to the US and available immediately.

I can assure you that you do not need to worry about your back, the suspension is actually more compliant and less jarring over rough roads. My mechanic and I both feel the car isolates road irregularities better than stock. Also, at the Ruf recommended setting of 4 (1 being the firmest), the car rides very similar (almost identical) to stock in terms of ride softness, but the bouncing of the car, especially the front end is gone. The car remains very planted and hugs the ground. I have yet to try any of the alternate settings, but my mechanic tried "1" and claimed it was pretty stiff. He thought it was a little too soft at 4 and suggested trying 2 or 3, but I haven't had the chance to play with it yet.

All that said, there appears to be a huge margin of softness built in to the Ruf PSS-9 system, since 5-9 are all softer settings. I am not sure about the other PSS-9 versions such as the FVD or the Bilstein, but they are probably very similar to the Ruf, maybe even the same parts re-labelled. Ruf claims they use a unique valving and spring spec and the shock tubes are stamped "Ruf", but I can not imagine the other variants being much different. Sorry, I have not had the car on a track, so I have no track feedback to offer.

I believe you are correct in thinking the system will give you the flexibility you are looking for - I wouldn't worry about the "too harsh" issue. It is very comfortable.

 

John,

What's your ride height, relative to stock, or ROW, if you know it ?

Thanks
Robin

 

Cobra, Oak and John,
Thanks for the feedback. It looks like I'll give them a go. I think I'll go ahead and get the sway bars too. As with Robin, I'd be interested to know what you all are using for ride height Any surprises with corner balancing or other alignment issues? Thanks again.
Bob

 

FWIW,

I installed the PSS9s, and they are great. Gert has them at a great price <a href="http://www.carnewal.com" target="_blank">www.carnewal.com</a>
I did not get the GT3 bars, but it seems like it would be a good investment. I will post installation tips and my experience with the PSS9s this week.

 

Robin,Bob,

The front is set at 25 3/4" and the rear is at 26 1/2", measured at the center of the wheel to the arch. I am not sure how this compares to ROW - anyone know? Here are two pictures to get an idea of the height. The car has fairly good clearance at these settings. Originally, my mechanic set the car at the highest recommended setting per the instructions that accompanied the suspension. He called to tell me he thought it was too low for my goal, but was concerned about going beyond the recommended height. I contacted Asgar at Weissach and he advised that it was OK to go 1/2" higher than the instructions indicate as max height, but no more than 1/2". Utilizing the extra 1/2", my mechanic set the car like this, advising me it was too low before. I have used the car daily for a week or so, in varied conditions (city and country) and have not had any clearance issues.

Bob, the alignment is set to ROW specs and there were no problems achieving the settings or corner balancing.

<img src="http://gallery.rennlist.com/albums/jdII/Ruf_lowered_gembala_front.sized.jpg" alt=" - " />

<img src="http://gallery.rennlist.com/albums/jdII/Ruf_lowered_gembala_rear2a.sized.jpg" alt=" - " />

 

John: That is a good looking automobile!

 

I was looking into the new H&R sway bars. Does anyone know if they work with the PSS9's? I imagine they would, and they are supposedly better then the GT3 bars.
John, do you have the weight distribution info from the corner balance?.

 

John D II,
As I am also considering these, can you post the ROW specs? If not, where can I obtain them?
Oh yeah, one other thing, looking at your photo album, I would like to know where you obtained the carbon fiber license plate frame?

 

While I totally agree that RUF's PSS9 is a great package, I have a question regarding Techart's Vario package. Does anyone have experience with it? Is it the same basic Bilstein PSS9 with different valving and spring rates? A friend of mine has it on his TT and needs to know if he can adjust it more because his car understeers alot more after he installed it. I think he set it on "1" front and back. Any help appreciated <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

 

KPV:
For the license frame - Porsche makes a similar one that is 4-hole and says "PORSCHE". Porshce part number is PNA-702-017-00. They have it at pelican parts (www.pelicanparts.com).

 

Ken, the ROW specs can be obtained from the dealer. I think various alignment machines may have the specs available, as well. The license plate frames came from AUTOSPORT @ 1-800-726-1199 (item#13711100).

Cobra, sorry - I do not have a copy of the corner balance figures.

Steve, thanks for the kind words.

As for the Techart "vario" system, I believe it is a single spring setup vs. the PSS-9 which has dual springs. Jack(LA) knows the differences well and maybe can chime in here.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by 03-turbo911:
<strong>While I totally agree that RUF's PSS9 is a great package, I have a question regarding Techart's Vario package. Does anyone have experience with it? Is it the same basic Bilstein PSS9 with different valving and spring rates? A friend of mine has it on his TT and needs to know if he can adjust it more because his car understeers alot more after he installed it. I think he set it on "1" front and back. Any help appreciated <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">The best way to deal with understeer/oversteer issues is through adjustable sway bars, which I assume your friend does not have on his car. Using the adjustable shocks, you may be able to reduce the understeer by softening up the front relative to the rear -- tell you friend to experiment by adjusting the front shocks to a softer setting (try 5), while leaving the rear at full stiff (1). Of course, your friend will need to use the trial and error method to find the best setting(s). Good luck.