Notices
997 Forum 2005-2012
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Why to NOT lower PASM cars

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-02-2007, 05:21 PM
  #1  
RonCT
Moderator
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
 
RonCT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 4,993
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Default Why to NOT lower PASM cars

I was looking into options to enhance the track performance of my 997S. I asked Farnbacher Loles about lowering springs, PSS9s for PASM, GT3 Cup control arms for more camber, etc.

I heard of PASM failures before when people used lowering springs and was very interested when FBL wrote about my 997S with PASM:

I do not recommend the lowering springs, as the oem shocks are not valved for the shortened spring and will blow out over time.

Thought the collective would be interested in this opinion...
Old 05-02-2007, 05:40 PM
  #2  
Alan Smithee
Rennlist Member
 
Alan Smithee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 5,296
Received 295 Likes on 146 Posts
Default

Same as any other shock, no?
Old 05-02-2007, 05:41 PM
  #3  
Nine9Sixer
Pro
 
Nine9Sixer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NYC & CT
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

isn't this the normal, std rationale for not installing lowering springs with oem shocks, regardless of car and pasm?
Old 05-02-2007, 05:44 PM
  #4  
RonCT
Moderator
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
 
RonCT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 4,993
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

I suppose it is, but so many 997S owners are buying lowering springs that are supposedly "for PASM" and I thought they might benefit from this opinion. I don't know enough about suspensions to know if it applied to PASM cars vs. other cars...
Old 05-02-2007, 05:59 PM
  #5  
PAULSPEED
Pro
 
PAULSPEED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SAN CARLOS, CALIFORNIA
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Hi,
My friend has H & R springs and his struts have
not blown out yet. Any idea how long it
takes to blow out the struts?
Paul
Old 05-02-2007, 06:12 PM
  #6  
frafoss
Instructor
 
frafoss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

There are some reports about broken struts after lowering. But if it's only the new springs fault is or some other reason isn't totally confirmed. However, the the suspension travel is reduced when lowering, so you will get a higher tension on a smaller area than original.

My car is now lowered with Techart's with 15mm. Since my car is moderate lowered I think the tension is less than if I mounted the H&R with 25 mm. Anyway, my garantee expire the end of this month, and either way when the suspension is finished I will install the PASM compatible PSS9.
Old 05-02-2007, 07:25 PM
  #7  
oalvarez
Three Wheelin'
 
oalvarez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: los angeles
Posts: 1,341
Received 54 Likes on 37 Posts
Default

aren't pss9's full coilover systems?
Old 05-02-2007, 08:07 PM
  #8  
PAULSPEED
Pro
 
PAULSPEED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SAN CARLOS, CALIFORNIA
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by oalvarez
aren't pss9's full coilover systems?
Yes and they are expensive parts.
Paul
Old 05-02-2007, 08:59 PM
  #9  
MrBonus
Three Wheelin'
 
MrBonus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 1,796
Received 14 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

This has never been discussed before. Ever.
Old 05-02-2007, 09:05 PM
  #10  
Analog Theory
Burning Brakes
 
Analog Theory's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RonCT
I was looking into options to enhance the track performance of my 997S. I asked Farnbacher Loles about lowering springs, PSS9s for PASM, GT3 Cup control arms for more camber, etc.

I heard of PASM failures before when people used lowering springs and was very interested when FBL wrote about my 997S with PASM:

I do not recommend the lowering springs, as the oem shocks are not valved for the shortened spring and will blow out over time.

Thought the collective would be interested in this opinion...
I would only agree with this statement as it pertains to moderate to serious track use at which point (with or without the lowering springs) standard issue PASM on the non GT cars is not going to last under heavy track use for very long anyway. At that point, a change to coilovers would be the ideal solution whereas most owners of PASM cars with lowering springs won't see the kind of stress such that "blow out's" should be of concern. That said, we endorse the Techart PASM compatible sport springs made by Eibach to TA spec) for the very reason that they are slightly longer and not as agressive as the H&R's.
Old 05-02-2007, 09:06 PM
  #11  
Chris from Cali
Race Car
 
Chris from Cali's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,862
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
Default

When (if?) the shocks go because of the springs, I'll get the PSS9 for PASM and be done w/it. No biggy...
Old 05-02-2007, 09:53 PM
  #12  
Deanski
Three Wheelin'
 
Deanski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Norwalk,CT
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RonCT
I heard of PASM failures before when people used lowering springs and was very interested when FBL wrote about my 997S with PASM:

I do not recommend the lowering springs, as the oem shocks are not valved for the shortened spring and will blow out over time.

Thought the collective would be interested in this opinion...
Yep, that's what I unnderstand as well. Due to the spring rate, the shock itself is really not at fault, but all the sensors and the computer "driving" the shock. All this makes the shock react differently. It may be trying to over-compensate or correct itself. So, the valve that is controlled by the computer finally locks at sport and will not return to normal. It's as if the computer burned the valve but it just goes into failover. If this was a normal shock, no harm done with springs.

Deanski
Old 05-02-2007, 10:08 PM
  #13  
RedRocket
Instructor
 
RedRocket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Fort Mill, SC
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

this topic has been discussed ad nauseum on this and other boards. tracking your car will wear out the OEM suspension faster than road use too. Does that mean you shouldnt track or AX? iOne or two posts of people with blown shocks isnt an accurate representation of outcome from lowering with aftermarket springs. I have several friends who track and AX that have screwed up their stock suspensions long before they should have gone out. solution....new coilovers. not trying to be argumentative, but it seems like this keeps coming up.

if you dont want to drop....dont do it. modding sometimes requires taking risks.
Old 05-02-2007, 10:41 PM
  #14  
tkarwin
Intermediate
 
tkarwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PDX, OR
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Mod at your own risk. Do it once, do it right.... (insert other phrases here)
Old 05-02-2007, 10:54 PM
  #15  
jrgordonsenior
Nordschleife Master
 
jrgordonsenior's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Vacuuming Cal Speedway
Posts: 7,306
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by PAULSPEED
Yes and they are expensive parts.
Paul
The B-16, PSS9's for PASM for 997S's, are $ 2,500. + installation...


Quick Reply: Why to NOT lower PASM cars



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 04:23 AM.