CincyScott

Ok, as I'm looking to purchase my next 996tt as a DD, I know the first thing it needs in my opinion is suspension work. My run of Porsches has had the following suspension upgrades:

* 986: Stock suspension, needed to be lowered for aesthetics but was great handling
*996 C2: Stock sport suspension (was pretty dastardly on Ohio's nasty roads)
*'02 996tt: Stock
*'97 993tt: Bilstein HD's with 030 and sways. loved this car's handling
*'03 996tt: PSS9's which I despised. Either I'm like goldilocks or a big puss, but I could never find "just right" for a street setup on those
*'07 997tt: Eibach springs and sways, TPC DSC module with stock shocks. Also love this setup.

Unfortunately, the 996tt doesn't have a magic shock box like the DSC, so that puts me back in the market for something else. I don't and won't do DE's in this car. It's a street car that I want slightly lowered and with less bounce and sway than the stock suspension.

So here's my question(s): what's a good recommendation for a street car? I will drive this car on twisty TN backroads and long highway trips. So, I'm leaning to one of a few options:

Springs, sways, and shocks (an eibach like setup to mimic the X73 suspension that's no longer available). Shocks then become a question, because I'm afraid of what I'll get with Bilstein. Koni's perhaps?

Ohlins Street and Track coil overs. Heard good things, but my PSS9 concerns still loom.

H&R Coilovers. My experience with HR is that they are overly low, but I suspect that they are adjustable, so that may make a difference.

I'm open to thoughts, opinions, and of course insults

Thanks,

Macster

Probably won't like my suggestion but as long as the stock hardware is in good repair I'd leave it stock.

Since I bought my 2003 in June of 2009 I have added around 127K miles to it. That works out to around 1700 miles per month or around 20K per year (average) as I have used my 2003 Turbo for a daily driver and a cross country touring/GT car a number of times -- one doesn't drive 20K a year just getting the groceries -- and the stock suspension works very well. I don't get beat to death by too stiff a suspension, the road noise is tolerable, and yet the car is very responsive in the twisties and quite confidence inspiring when chances to up the pace a bit -- if you know what I mean -- that I have never had any reason to contemplate making any changes to the suspension.

"02996ttx50

exactly! tweak this tweak that...ENOUGH! already..

the x73's as well as the MO 30's with a gt3 rear bar with toe links to keep tire wear even and allow toe in spec to be on point, etc.. will give you mostly what I've got and swear by, good enough for track days pliant enough for limited street use ( i mean any stiffer lowered car is going to feel the collapsing roads and highways of our crumbling nation's infrastructure! ). or absent MO30's look into the bilstein b8''s If of course, mo30 or x73 cannot be sourced ) with h&r sports springs. a perfectly decent and undeniably planted ride. in concert with proper lowered alignment etc, i'll think you'll have a good solid compromise winner btw a full track setup and a wicked street/canyon carver.

gert@carenwal can still get (iirc??) the x73 as well as the MO's30 ( the 996 ( as well as previous iterations ( 993 iirc? etc ) "sport" shocks ) not many ( if any at all ) can.

what i'd do. gl with the new find.

with all and any due respect to macster ( who goes to a pORSCHE DEALERSHIP for EVERYthing. do NOT leave it stock unless boating is your main goal. criminy and blechhch!!!

rmc1148

I would go with coilovers if not happy with stock, probably go with pss10s as most are happy with them. I personally prefer stock but if were to change I would go all out following powdrhounds advice.

"02996ttx50

^ what did that man JUST say about the pss9's ?!? omg. whatever.

Ck986

Why not the bilstein hd's if they worked well on the 993?

CincyScott

Certainly a possibility, I'm just jaded against Bilstein after my experience with the PSS9's, I guess.

rmc1148

He asked for opinions not support for his. Did actually mean to say pss10 not 9.

Kevin

I think that you should source the X73 package from Gert or Germany. They have the replacement shocks available at the dealer. You will spend $3600 to $4K for all the pieces.

"02996ttx50

^ thank you.

rmc1148

Good info Kevin I didn't know you could still get a new setup= something I will seriously consider.

jberb55

Is X73 something Gert can put together if you email him? I've only ever seen RoW offered for our cars on the website. Anyone know if the struts/springs are the same in the RoW kit as to the X73, with the only difference being a lack of engine mounts (and maybe a bar) in the RoW?

Carlo_Carrera

Does anyone know the spring rates of the X73?

How much lower is that set up?

CincyScott

That's a ton. I'd rather spend that on other UMW goodies than that much on suspension.

Th Dude

I've run stock, RUF PSS9's, and now X73.
I'm extremely pleased with the performance of the X73 kit. Lower and stiffer than stock, though not overly stiff for the street. Crisper handling over stock yet more supple than my PSS9's were.
I feel the X73 kit does everything right for spirited and enthusiastic street use.