Hi all,

It's time for a suspension upgrade. My car is a 2006 C2S with PASM. I'm running WB Carrera S II wheels 19x11 ET51 with 305/30R19 tires in the rear on a NB C2S. Bilstein Damptronic coilovers are my leading candidate, with Techart springs and keeping OEM shocks in second place.

I'm concerned about wheel clearance after the drop and need some insight from your collective wisdom.

1. Anyone running Damptronics on a 997.1 C2S at it's highest height setting for the least amount of drop? How much did it drop?

<---- UPDATE from my own experience and future reference for the next guy, YMMV ------->
Minimum drop is very close to stock height. I'm down approx. 0.25" in front, and a little under 0.5" in the rear. There are enough threads on the coilovers to go higher, likely back to stock height but not confirmed in my case.
<---- UPDATE


2. Anyone running Damptronics with 997.1 WB OEM wheels on a 997.1 NB C2S? Any clearance issues?

<---- UPDATE from my own experience and future reference for the next guy, YMMV ------->
No rear wheel clearance issues with this mild drop. I could go a little lower in the rear with the max negative camber my car has, perhaps another 0.5" before it gets too close to the fender.

Final Heights and Alignments Settings:

Front Left Height: 26 1/8"
Front Left Camber: -1.1
Front Left Caster: 8.0

Front Right Height: 26 1/8"
Front Right Camber: -1.1
Front Right Caster: 7.9

Front Total Toe: 0.08

Rear Left Height: 27" (corner balanced, goes lower 1/8" when I'm in the drivers seat)
Rear Left Camber: -1.5
Rear Left Toe: 0.16

Rear Right Height: 26 7/8"
Rear Right Camber: -1.5
Rear Right Toe: 0.16

Thrust Angle: 0.00
<---- UPDATE


Thanks!

 

i'm running mine dropped (for track) but you can run them high or low as you want - threads are adjustable. and even if you run out of threads, you can get longer or shorter springs to adjust height that way.

besides, i think in their stock form you can run them at OEM height easily...although not sure why anyone wants to. OEM height = SUV almost.

 

Eyeballing it I'd like to drop about 15mm or 1/2" from stock C2S height. The Techart spring route will get me spot on.

I'd prefer to go the Damptronics route though. Some web searches on Damptronics say 30mm minimum drop, more than I want. Others say different, confusing 997.2 with 997.1 specs. I looking for real world experience, especially from someone with a 997.1 C2S, Damptronics and WB rear wheels.

Here's a post where a 2006 C2S is setup about 3/4" drop versus OEM (0.25" more than Techart): https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ml#post3572893

 

I have a widebody, but am getting the bilsteiin PSS10's installed tomorrow and I can ask the installation tech if you want?

 

More input is greatly appreciated!

The ideal answer for me would be "damptronics can adjust from stock 997.1 C2S height down to ?? mm". Just as acceptable would be "damptronics can adjust from 15mm below stock 997.1 C2S height down to ?? mm".

Can anyone confirm from their own experience, initial drop and adjustment range?

 

I have damptronics on a 2006 C2S Cabrio. Stock NB wheels offsets. It is dropped only1/2 inch. Also have front/rear toe steer links & rear upper control arms to allow adjustability.

Definitely more grounding in the front than stock & have had to have the inner fender liners changed after about 2 years of use. Even with the standard height, it touched down in a lot of places you can't avoid anyway.

 

Here's a perfect example of my confusion. Conflicting information from Bilstein's USA website and highlighted in red below: http://cart.bilsteinus.com/product/49-115604/187494/RWD

If the initial drop is 15mm and the range 15mm-35mm, I'm going with Damptronics. If the initial drop is 30mm and the range 30mm-50mm, I'll pass and go the Techart spring route instead.

------------------------------------------------------

Performance Suspension System

Part Number: 49-115604
Old Part Number: F4-GA5-B560-H0
Old Part Number: F4-GA5-B560-H3

Series: B16 (DampTronic)
Position: Front and Rear
Body Style: Convertible
Descriptor: (PASM) Damptronic
Descriptor: Front Lowered Height: 15-35mm, up to 775kg Axle Load
Descriptor: Rear Lowered Height: 15-35mm, up to 1220kg Axle Load
Quantity Per Vehicle: 1

Finish: Dampers: Zinc Plated Front Clear Anodized Rear/Springs: Blue


The Bilstein B16 DampTronic kit is designed to integrate directly with the exclusive Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system. This coilover system of monotube shock absorbers has been fine-tuned to produce the finest performance possible from the car's electronically controlled suspension module. The threaded body additionally allows for adjustable lowered vehicle ride height of 30mm to 50mm. Bilstein's patented Triple-C-Technology coating ensures long-lasting resistance to corrosion.

 

My baby is in the shop today getting Bilstein Damptronics installed and corner balanced. Starting with all OEM parts, looking for minimal drop maybe 0.25" or so, and maxing out negative camber in the front to reduce understeer. If needed down the road I'll go with GT3 lower control arms and sway bars.

I'm a little nervous there will be wheel clearance issues in the rear as I'm running WB 19x11 ET51 wheels on a NB car. As long as the drop remains mild it should be fine. Fingers crossed!

 

do not forget the b4 and after pictures!

 

Just heard from the shop. They were able to clear the rear wheels with the aggressive offsets. What a sigh of relief! Pre-corner balanced the drop is 1/4" up front to 26 1/8", 1/2" in the rear to 26 7/8". Anything more and the GT3Tek bodykit starts getting pretty close to the ground.

Next up: corner balancing and alignment with max negative camber up front. Pictures to follow

 

How much did you pick up the bilstiens for?

 

Wow! She drives like a dream now. Holy cow, this should have been my first mod.

Before the front end felt "floaty" and loose in the turns. My car is higher mileage 70K+ so the shocks were probably nearing the end of their life. Between the new coilovers and the more aggressive alignment the car is simply transformed. More planted and controlled. Camber up front is at -1.1, rear at -1.5. Corner balanced too.

If you were on the fence like me, I can only say one thing - Just Do It!



Pictures are here: https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/997/315001-photos-my-baby.html


.

 

Mike Romano at AWE Tuning set me up. He's a sponsor here. PM him for best pricing.

 

FYI. You should run more negative camber at the front not at the rear. Try 1.5 negative camber front and like 1.3 at the rear.

 

Front and rear are maxed out with stock components. The only option would be to decrease the rear below -1.1