View Poll Results: Change in ride quality with H&R lowering springs (with PASM)?
Yes; firmer and rougher; less compliant
9
18.37%
Yes; firmer, but still somewhat cushy
17
34.69%
Yes; very hard ride; uncomfortable at times; "jiggles yer jowls"
1
2.04%
None that I can perceive
6
12.24%
Other
16
32.65%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll
H&R lowering springs -- Ride quality?
06-12-2006, 10:44 PM
#16
Instructor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The ATL
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks again to each and every one of you that participated in the poll and/or provided your comments. It's truly a "mixed bag." Would you be willing to tell me approximately how much it cost to install the H&Rs? I've been quoted $1,100 (10 hrs labor) without parts, but with alignment, by my dealer. Somehow, $1,600 just doesn't sound right.
06-13-2006, 10:46 AM
#17
Three Wheelin'
Hey Flyinglow have you thought of putting in another brand like Cargraphs or Techarts. I believe they don't lower the car as far but would look better then stock.
06-13-2006, 02:30 PM
#18
Racer
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca.
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by H20NOO
The interesting thing is that lowering springs generally achieve their objective by reducing travel and stiffening things up a bit. In most cases, this wouldn't trigger an error because the bump stops won't allow shock travel any further than stock. However, in an effort to make the suspension travel a bit longer, your bump stops were cut. Seems like a reasonable approach to me. This probably allowed the ride to be more compliant but creates a new set of issues. For what it's worth, ViperBob said he wouldn't cut the bump stops when installing the springs.
I'm going to install H&R's on my car when it arrives but I'll leave the bump stops alone and report on the result.
MC
I'm going to install H&R's on my car when it arrives but I'll leave the bump stops alone and report on the result.
MC
06-13-2006, 06:04 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
I will never lower my 997, primarily due to road hazards and accidental scratches (front chin and belly pan). IMO the lower look is awesome, but it comes with a price (drivability on our roads).
I had my 993 lowered about 4-5 years ago with H&R's. However, the mechanic suggested that I should only lower the 993 by “1” inch in order to prevent contact with the bump-stops and prevent "bottoming out". Believe it or not the "1" inch made a huge difference IMO.
Bottoming out on a corner is not a pretty site!! Minimizing the full range travel of the HR springs due to limits on the shocks IMO is asking for trouble. So the best option is to leave the 997 as is or the second best option is to lower the 997 with minimal compromise to the shocks and not compromise the PASM system.
I would suspect that lowering the 997 is acceptable to the PASM system only if lowered at the acceptable height or install the shorter shocks. Also, if you bottom out the shocks often they will need replacing sooner because of the impact on the (gas cylinder cartridge).
I had my 993 lowered about 4-5 years ago with H&R's. However, the mechanic suggested that I should only lower the 993 by “1” inch in order to prevent contact with the bump-stops and prevent "bottoming out". Believe it or not the "1" inch made a huge difference IMO.
Bottoming out on a corner is not a pretty site!! Minimizing the full range travel of the HR springs due to limits on the shocks IMO is asking for trouble. So the best option is to leave the 997 as is or the second best option is to lower the 997 with minimal compromise to the shocks and not compromise the PASM system.
I would suspect that lowering the 997 is acceptable to the PASM system only if lowered at the acceptable height or install the shorter shocks. Also, if you bottom out the shocks often they will need replacing sooner because of the impact on the (gas cylinder cartridge).
06-14-2006, 05:01 PM
#22
Race Director
I have H&Rs on my BMW. Love them on the freeway; they are a bit jarring around town. My cousin has them on his 993 and likes them a lot, but he likes my Bilsteins and ROW M030 springs better. If I had a 997 and was going to lower it, I'd stick with Porsche parts.
06-14-2006, 05:03 PM
#23
Race Director
And the job is about a grand (including alignment) on a 993.
The fronts are a piece of cake, but the rear install is a different story IMO. 
06-22-2006, 10:50 AM
#27
Banned
Originally Posted by cvazquez
I will never lower my 997, primarily due to road hazards and accidental scratches (front chin and belly pan). IMO the lower look is awesome, but it comes with a price (drivability on our roads).
On an S the -10mm drop is low enough, especially at the front end. It's the back end that rides too high (especially on the non S). If only they could design lowering springs for the rear only without affecting the handling, that could lower the back end and bring it level with the front, then you'd see quite a few owners flocking to purchase them, including me. . . . But as it is, lowering springs lower the already low front end, exacerbating the problem.
06-22-2006, 11:37 AM
#28
Three Wheelin'
If I still lower my car I plan on using the Techart spring. They only lower S about 15mm. That will help out on the look department and won't be to low. When I mean to low I 'm referring to problems that it might cause.
