Hello fellow Porsche enthusiasts,

My 2006 C2 is equipped with the Bilstein SP shocks, combined with Eibach Pro-Kit springs. I'm not too happy about it, because the nose is WAY too low, and the ride is a little too stiff for normal daily use. After some doubting of reinstalling the OEM suspension, I've noticed nothing but good stories about the Bilstein PSS9's. Supposably they last a lifetime, and they still (if adjusted as so) can be very comfortable.

Is this true? My main objective is, to have that nicely lowered look (not too extreme) but still be able to normally drive around on a less than perfect road, without having to re-allign my kidneys afterworths...

One other thing is, that after the lowering, it looks like the wheels (especially the front) are way to much inboard the fenders. First i thought it was a wrong allignment, but that seems not the case. Is this a known visual illusion, and do you guys recommend to install the optional 5mm wheel spacer option?

Thanks!

 

I have the Damptronics, and they may not last for ever, but Bilstein will warranty the original owner for the entire time they own the car. You can adjust the suspension to your liking, both height and stiffness. I have mine set to ROW height and like the height. As well I run a H&R 7mm spacer in the F and 15mm in the Rear, I don't rub at all with these spacers (including a lot of track time).

 

PSS10 which is a updated version of the PSS9, is the way to go. You have ten steps setting.

These are coilovers so you can adjust the height to what you want. In additon to new wheel alignment I recommend corner weighting for best possible result. Many of the sponsors here have these in stock.

A lot of people here use spacere to get fill the arches, especially when the lower the car. Do remember that you need longer wheelbolts.

Good luck.

 

KWv3's are the best way to go, period. Very good quality ride, very very good. Plus they cost about the same as PSS10, are 100% stainless steel (they never get crusty) and offer much more adjustability. One click on the separate rebound or separate damping settings actually makes a difference whereas with PSS9/10 you pretty much have "soft - middle - firm", and only one adjustment.

both KW and PSS are height adjustable.

Also, if you plan to go to the track with PSS9/10 you'll void the warranty- not with KW's though.

Either way you go (KW or PSS), it will be vastly better than what you have now.

-add 7mm spacers up front and 15mm spacers in rear for a nicer look (www.automotion.com has good prices)

-align your car to GT3 street specs, that info is in the alignment computer. But, don't get your car fully aligned until about a week or two after installing new suspension.

- for lowering height I typically have it about 1-finger gap between tire and fender. That's not too low for typical DD, unless you have a GT3 front nose / lip.

Hope this helps-

 

btw if you look in the "group buy" vendor thread here, we have a sponsor that gives discount on KW.

 

Thanks guys!

With the corner weighting, do they come up with the ideal ride height, or is that still whatever you prefer?

With the 15mm spacers in the back, would that not give a problem with a little softer setup of the PSS? (Rub)

What is the main difference between the GT3 alignment, and the standard Carrera's?

Thanks again for all your great info!

 

You can set the height to what ever you like, and corner balance your car.

15mm Spacers do not rub at ROW height, under hard cornering (on the track)

I have a Porsche ROW aggressive alignment, as per Porsche's spec's. My car handles amazingly well, and tires wear flat on the front and rear.

 

NorthVan knows his stuff

I think the GT3 "street" alignment spec is similar to the ROW agressive alignment. To see differences you'd have to look on the alignment computer at settings of each one. You cannot actually get a full spec GT3 alignment becuase a non-GT3 pcar suspension will not adjust as much as a GT3. but, the GT3 street spec is reachable within 1 degree. I've use that on my 996 and 997 with good results, no odd tire wear.

I didn't even know about the ROW agressive spec until I just read it above- northVan, are those settings typically stored in the alignment computer?

Corner weighting only seems to be beneficial if you will be doing a fair amount of track time. If you are mostly DD and don't know your car's abilities like the back of your hand you'd probably never know if you had it or not. You'll be frigging amazed though how much better your pcar drives / handles with a good aftermarket suspension. Really, it is that much of a difference. So get that done pronto!

 

Dazzle them with Brilliance, or Baffle them with BS!

As far as I know it is a factory spec'd alignment, the shop that does my work, knows there stuff and isn't afraid to tell me what they have done (in fear of loosing me to the competition). I don't have the alignment specs in hand, but I saw the printout from the computer that the shop is keeping with there records.

I would do it for a DD if you are putting in a set of CO's, it will only make the car nicer to drive. I think it takes an extra hour during the alignment process, and the car is properly set up. Best to bring your car in with 1/2 a tank of gas if you are going to do it.

 

Is your car is PASM-equipped? If so, the Damptronics are the only coilovers that I know of that preserves the PASM functionality. Rather than me repeating it here, here is a great thread on the subject: http://www.rennteam.com/forum/index.html?vs=12#_3 and this blog (though, full disclosure, it's mine): http://autopianviews.blogspot.com/
Based on your OP, the only comment captured in these threads worth highlighting is based on your issue of ride comfort. Though the Damptronics are quite comfortable for me, they are definitely not as plush as the OEM. So, if you think that the OEM ride is on the edge of acceptable comfort, then I would not recommend you change to the Damptronics (or likely any other non-OEM coilover). Other than that, it's only good times ahead!

 

NorthVan, what is the ROW height?

How do they corner weight a car actually...? Never heard of this procedure till today!

 

I have a NON-PASM car. The OEM suspension was WAY too soft and sloppy for me, but the Bilstein SP's with the Eibach springs are just sooo much harder. I need a in between setup. I like a firm ride, but now it feels like there is no travel at all!

 

You decide the ride height you want. When corner weighting they make the weight on every wheel as equal as possible for best handling.

The GT3/RS has a more agressive setting in cambers than stock Carrera. They are usable for street/track. I have used GT3 settings for some time, but since I drive mostly on track I use a more agressive setting now.

Here is the data for GT3.

Wheel alignment values 911 GT3/911 GT3 RS (997) RoW/USA Front axle Toe unpressed (total) + 6' ± 2' Toe difference angle at 20° lock - 1° 50' ± 30' Camber (with wheels in straight-ahed position) - 1°20' ± 5' Max. Difference, left to right 10' Caster 8° ± 30' Max. Difference, left to right 30 Rear Axle Toe per wheel + 13' ± 2' Max. Differnce, left to right 5' Camber - 1°40' ± 5' Max. Differnce, left to right 10'

 

GT3 "street" alignment is the same everywhere. See settings i post above.

Here is the performance settings for 997. This is the setting which Porsche use for the non/PASM suspension -20 mm ride height, which only sells in Europe. You also see the difference between PASM equipped cars in US and RoW.

 

I spoke with the former chief mechanic at Manthey Racing in Nürburgring. He said that KW v3 and Bilstein PSS10 was similar quality and performance. He told that the PSS10 was a improvement compared to the PSS9 and with bigger difference between the setting than before. The major advantage for the PSS10 is that it has one screw for adjustment and the KW has two. He told that very few people could adjust bound and rebound correct, so he preferred to sell the Bilstein to normal people. He also said, go for the PSS10 with Nürburgring spec.

I installed the PASM PSS10 type. The suspension is quite harder than stock, but its more subtle, sensitive and much more solid in a way.

Either choice you take, KW or Bilstein you will get a big improvement. Good luck.