Which H&R set did you go with? How is the ride comfort compared to stock?

 

I went with H&R Street coilovers. I seriously considered both H&R versions as well as PSS10 and Ohlins DFV. I decided to go with the H&R's because they were very similar to what's on stock GT2, not only similar in design but the actual spring ratings are very close as well. The shocks are made by Bilstein and can be rebuilt and re-valved as well (I confirmed that they could be revlaved/rebuilt with Bilstein and Elephant).

I ran the car bone stock for just over a year and have had the H&R's for a couple months now. The H&R's perform better in every way. They feel just a bit firmer than stock. NOT harsh at all, no bounce at all, in fact they seem to have better composure over bumps than stock. The floaty feeling that I used to get on long corners is completely gone. I would guess that PSS10 and Ohlins would feel very similar but the H&R's are a little less money and are bolt on and go which is what I really wanted. I may add a set of adjustable sway bars to finish off the suspension and allow me to get some adjustment but I'm really happy as she sits right now.

 

Exactly what I wanted to know, thanks. And yes adjustable sway bars really help fine tune the handling.

Are you still using stock drop links with the H&Rs coilovers?

 

The coilover kit comes with new front drop links so I am using those up front. For the rear you are supposed to use the stock ones which I am...the rear coilovers have an adjustable mount/bracket for the drop links so you can adjust the position by turning the mount it moves up and down the coilover body....

 

This is what I did....tires, alignment, swaybars. I also bought lighter Forgestar wheels with +5 more aggressive offset, but I don't think they contribute noticeably to better handling, but I could be wrong.

A great alignment made a huge difference - when I bought the car back in Dec. '14 the alignment was way off, and it didn't want to track straight. The previous owner had just installed new Falken FK453s out back, but had older 452s up front that were 1/2 worn and howling like a banshee. I immediately bought new front tires with very similar date codes to the rears. The 452s were always known as mediorce tires, but based on my 4000 backroad miles, the newer 453s are plenty tire for spirited street driving.

The alignment and fresh tires was night and day difference, the car rode great (stock suspension. of course) and tracked straight. And the PSM stopped buzzing during aggressive driving right after the front tire swap.

I can't really lower the car much, if at all given I live in SF and have to maneuver steeper than average driveways, so sway bars seemed like the best bang for the buck. So about half a year ago I bought the GMG adjustable sway bars in an effort to dial out some of the front end push. Based on many recommendations, including GMG's, we set up the bars full soft front, full hard rear.

I can't say that all the understeer is dialed out, but it's a lot more neutral than it was, yet it's still very planted and the rear won't break loose unless I really put some effort into it...a very good improvement without lowering the car or spending a bunch.

The car is a blast to drive on the windy NorCal coastal roads and canyons. Having owned a tuned WRX STi prior to the996TT, I was concerned that the Porsche wouldn't be able to handle the rough, bumpy, gravely back roads here, but my expectations have been exceeded, and my Turbo does great, with the stock (soft?) suspension having ample travel to soak up the old bumpy roads.

I find that the car could be firmer at high speed in the fast sweepers, but I spend so little time driving there vs. 40-80 on the backroads ;-).

I assume that quality coilovers would solve for that, but I'm still not interested in a lower ride height and given I only drive the car every other weekend at best, I don't see a big return on spending the $ for coilovers right now.

Hope my experiences provide another few data points for you...

 

Thanks again.