Review: 997.2 TechArt Springs, GT3 + TPC Sway Bar Install
 

I have been looking to address three issues with my 997.2 base Carrera, that to me were keeping the car from being a perfect fit for my current needs. Note I am not currently planning to track the car, and it is also not a daily driver. I wanted an aggressive street setup biased to a more sporty responsive feel, and was willing to sacrifice some comfort, but not too much.

Damping and ride quality (a little too soft without PASM)
Ride height (Non PASM cars ride too high i.m.h.o.)
Cornering (too much lean / body roll in corners)

After researching many options I finally made the changes which have transformed the car, and I could not be happier.

As my car was equipped with the standard suspension (non-PASM) it was 10mm higher than those with PASM and really just too high in my opinion. I had considered going with the 030 OEM sport suspension which is 10mm lower than PASM and therefore 20mm lower than Non PASM, and I found one really excellent write up on this approach here:

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/9...ld-result.html

Also, for those interested in the M030 setup here is some additional info i.t.o. part numbers:

99734353149504 front silver/silver marking
99733353188504 rear silver/silver/yellow marking (should be 99733353173504 but replaced in PET by 88)

I looked them up and you can get the fronts for $180 each and the rears are $322

You will also need the specific lower spring mounts with the following part numbers if you go this route:
997 333 523 00
997 333 513 01


Decision - springs & shocks

I also read many positive reviews of the TechArt springs which seemed to provide a modest drop and very good ride quality, based on the consistently positive reviews. Although I will say that there was a lot of variation in the claimed drop from these springs by both suppliers and forum members alike, when using them on Non PASM cars. So I am happy to be able to put that question to rest :)

I also read many comments and questions asking whether the spring rates for the Eibach springs were any different from TechArt, given the price differential. This I cannot confirm or deny, but I simply wasn’t prepared to take the risk and settled on the slightly higher priced TechArt springs.

I also wanted to change the shocks out at the same time and again debated the option of using Bilstein B8 (designed specifically for use with lowering springs) or B6 (suggested as OEM replacements). I had read that the B8’s tend to be a little harsher than the B6’s because of their sorter travel, and also that the B6’s are firmer than stock. Again being risk averse, I decided to go with the B6’s as the combination of lower springs and stiffer shocks should result in a noticeable change in behavior. I could also find no reports of the B6’s being negatively affected by use with springs lowering by up to 25mm.

I have included below a list of all other parts replaced at the same time. Note that the B6’s do not need to be installed with the rubber bump stops. The manual says that this feature is built into the shock.


Sway bars

After reading a lot of helpful posts on this forum I also decided to install front and rear GT3 sway bars, and then fortunately came across a member who had a TPC Racing rear sway bar. So I ended up using a GT3 front and TPC racing rear bar. The great thing about the TPC rear bar is that it is a direct bolt on to the 997.2 with no clearance issues.

At the same time I bought Tarret adjustable drop links for the front and rear and also got the rubber boots to keep out the dirt.


The Installation:

Based on many positive reviews on Rennlist and 6Speed I came across Germain Car Repair in Roswell (North of Atlanta). I must say that the reviews were spot on.

A VERY BIG THANKS to Alan and his team who handled the install and alignment for me. The guys really know what they are doing and Alan takes customer service to a whole new level.


The Results:

The result of all of this is an amazing transformation for an aggressive street setup.
The ride is definitely firmer, but it is exactly how I like it. As a perhaps not entirely useful comparison :); I drive my Panamera with PASM always on full stiff so I am not after a floaty kind of ride :)

The road feel is much more precise and responsive, and now the cornering is exceptional (really flat) and definitely more likely to induce oversteer than before, but only if really pushing it.

I’ll add some additional feedback over time as well as the alignment specs, but wanted to get the thread up in the interim to thank all of those who’s contributions to the forum helped me in my decisions, and to hopefully help those still deciding.

Note: I also installed ECS Spacers (8mm Front & 10mm Rear) to get the wheel offset perfect after lowering. EDIT - after a while I moved to 15mm front and 12mm rear ECS spacers

The Parts:
Excuse the dirt - it had been raining after the install :eek:

Here are some measurement & comparison pics:

Note my car seemed to sit a little lower in the rear to start with, so that may account for the few mm's difference in drop front to rear.
Note that I used the distance between the silver rim of the wheel to the inside of the wheel arch in the before/after comparison pics. I also showed the full height from floor to inside top of wheel arch for completeness.



This is the best side view pic I could find of the vehicle before the install:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...e8d95f3481.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...b30b3129d5.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...2c9afd7afe.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...a9282f0144.jpg


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...8577af013f.jpg


Some pics after the install:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...bebaeb0cac.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...654ce15ec4.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...7a76314b0d.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...6ec180c99c.jpg

That sounds (and looks) like a great setup!

This is an amazing write-up. Congrats on the new setup and thanks for providing such a detailed analysis. I plan on lowering mine someday and am leaning now toward the Eibach/Techart springs.
Now go and enjoy the fruits of your (and your shop's) labor!

Looks great and NICE garage!

Great write up Gary, and thank you for the kind words.

Apologies for the inclement weather when we dropped the car off at your home :) . Knowing you, I have a feeling you've already cleaned up those shiny suspension pieces. :D

Alan.

Thanks guys. Happy to be able to contribute to such a great forum.

Wish I had found your shop a couple years back Alan. Keep up the great work :thumbup:- no surprise how many great referrals you get.

Well done and terrific write-up! Can you adjust the ride height with your setup?

Thanks - I took at your threads also. Great looking car you have. Did you ever end up tracking it with the TechArt's?

To answer your question; the ride height is fixed on mine. I think the only way to have adjustable height on a 997 is full coilovers, as Porsche never offered PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) on the 997's as far as I know.

nice write up thanks for sharing!

Thank you! I have never tracked my car with the Techart springs. I was hoping to raise my a car a bit as the front is always scraping. We have a 964 with the Bilstein B6 shocks and the friend we it bought from said he was able to raise the ride height.

Looks great after the drop, love the sport designs:thumbup:

Thanks :thumbup:

You are correct that certain Bilstein B6 shocks do come in a height adjustable config for certain models (I think they just have a threaded base that allows some adjustment, much like a coilover base thread). However the B6's for the 997 (that I installed) do not have a thread, and in my research I did not come across any Bilstein B6 part numbers for the 997 that had adjustable thread, but it could still be worthwhile giving them a call to be sure.

If the front end is scraping did you consider inserting (if not installed) or changing the compensating plate? I believe they come in 3 and 6mm versions. (part number 996 343 511 00 or 996 343 511 01)

^ That is a great idea on the compensating plate to raise my car a little. I'll likely never track my car so adjustable coilovers for me is a bit of an overkill. Thank you!

You're welcome. Let us know how it turns out if you go that route.