Like the title says, I've recently acquired a set of used PSS9's. Previous owner claims to have bought them new and states they have 20k miles of use.
I was planning on sending them to Bilstein to be freshened up.
Should I use the springs that came with the shocks or go with something stiffer and revalve accordingly?
The part #'s are:

Spings - R96 333 531 50
R96 343 531 50
Shocks - R96 333 051 50
R96 343 043 50

I believe these springs are currently 225/450. I've read a post of someone suggesting going to 450/670.
I plan to lower the car .75"-1". My suspension is, otherwise, stock.
Any advice appreciated.

 

Just curious but by time they are refreshed with shipping and possible spring change wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to buy new.

 

Let's hope not...

Used PSS9's = $1100
Revalving @ $125/pc = $500
New springs (as yet to be decided) = $500
Eibach Sway bar = $190
Shipping (Bilstein is 1day UPS ground) = $100

Total: $2490

Let's compare to the RUF kit ($4589), which utilizes the PSS9 shocks with stiffer springs and adds a sway bar. http://www.rufonlinestore.com/Produc...R96-300-300-50

Hopefully, with some good advice from other forum members, I'll end up with something similar to the RUF kit for a couple grand less.

That's the plan, anyway. I'll let you know how the story ends...

 

As you say sounds like a plan hope it comes together.

 

400/600 has been recommended to me
The person who did the recommending knows that I like my cars stiff but not jarring, and have no track plans for this car

 

nice pickup! what's next? i'd just throw them suckers on

 

Thanks for the info, Rich. I don't plan to track it, either. I DO plan on many runs up and down my local mountain.

Thanks. That may just happen. What do you think about adding the Eibach anti sway bar?

 

you must! if you lower it. i dont know eibach from the options.. but i was just searching for all this stuff for my lil gti! and i think i'm going the eibach or the konis.. but i am distracted.. sorry. same topic. diff car!

but i have mo30's w gt3 sways and h&r sport springs ( cheap.. FULLY functional, flat as a board, the car is ). if i were you? i would get NEW springs for 300-400 whatever. and just put those pss9 puppies on ( yes rear sway bar ) and be done. there ain;t nothin wrong with em.. guys had them for 20k? you're not tracking/RACING? you're good to go.

.. then get down to region 9 and have a lesson on me lol

 

The PSS9 kit you have is the RUF PSS9 kit, hence the "R" in the part numbers. Your springs should be green. I had the same kit and the part numbers for the springs and shocks are the same as you listed above. The RUF kit has the shocks valved stiffer than the normal PSS9 kit and the springs are RUF spec but no one really knows the rates. This was a great kit which I sold to a member here. As an FYI, I currently run 600/800 rates with JRZ shocks and the ride is very comparable to the RUF kit, maybe a touch stiffer but the JRZ shocks are much higher quality shocks compared to the Bilstein products and as such can effectively control the higher rates.

 

Yes, the springs are green. I posted those part #'s in the hopes that someone might recognize them. Thanks for the good news, man!

Based on the info powder provided...I think the new plan is to "just put those pss9 puppies on" along with an Eibach sway bar. I'll let you know when I'm ready for that DE.

 

You really scored a home run as this is a pretty rare kit. RUF did a great job with valving and spring rates on this set up. I would just bolt them on and go. RUF also makes sway bar that comes with these in their kit. I would recommend the rear H&R sway (keep the OE front) set on the middle hole. The H&R rear sway is the stiffest bar on the market and really does a great job at eliminating the chronic 996tt understeer. Very reasonable price wise also... Make sure you get a good quality set of adjustable drop links like Tarret as the stock links will fail in short order with a stiffer sway bar. You will like this set up..

 

Thanks for the additional pointers. Great to hear from someone with first hand experience with these shocks.
I'll look into the H&R sway bar and some quality adj drop links, as you suggest.

 

i'm following this with great interest and no small degree of shock envy. i'd follow his advice too. for anyone that's ever read a powdrhound suspension discourse.. it's like tt textbook info lol

so put em on.. should drop it an inch or so? gonna be badass. you'll love it, btw stiffer/lower and the sways you'll eliminate al lot of flex in corners too. as to whether or not you'll get any faster? we will have to see

 

Make sure you set the ride height as specified in the RUF instructions for optimum performance. There is a fairly narrow window of height adjustment, around 1cm if I recall correctly. Lot of guys set the PSS9s too low for the looks and then wonder why they are bouncy. I should have the RUF instructions on my computer somewhere can email them to you if you don't have them. Just PM me your email if you'd like.

 

Thanks, again...powdr.
I'd love a copy of those instructions. PM sent.