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...

 

Same as any other shock, no?

 

isn't this the normal, std rationale for not installing lowering springs with oem shocks, regardless of car and pasm?

 

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...

 

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

 

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.

 

aren't pss9's full coilover systems?

 

Yes and they are expensive parts.
Paul

 

This has never been discussed before. Ever.

 

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.

 

When (if?) the shocks go because of the springs, I'll get the PSS9 for PASM and be done w/it. No biggy...

 

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

 

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.

 

Mod at your own risk. Do it once, do it right.... (insert other phrases here)

 

The B-16, PSS9's for PASM for 997S's, are $ 2,500. + installation...