Let's do a Coilover Comparo.....
#16
Ok,
Thinking of updating the suspension possibly. Basics, do not do any autocross and rarely go to any track events (but want to possibly). Currently have H&R Sport Springs w/ the stock shocks and want to have more adjustability of the suspension and dampening, so here's the choices. Optimally, looking for the best bang for the buck. Meaning, I don't want to get the cheapest C/O system just to get in to the entry level, but then again don't want to go overboard as well. I had a set of Bilstein PSS9's on my Boxster and LOVED them, so here are the choices based off TireRack....
1.) H&R RSS ClubSport's = $1875
2.) H&R Street-Perf = $1975
3.) PSS10's = $2861
4.) KW Variant 1's = $2250
5.) KW Variant 3's = $3416
OR, do I keep the Springs and just replace the shocks at the following:
6.) Koni Sport Shocks = $191 for REAR only, is it bad to only keep the fronts OEM
7.) Bilstein HD Shock = $1144 for all four
8.) Bilstein Sport Shock = $1206 for all four
AND should I get anti-roll bar's
9.) Eibach's are $350 for front and rear (non-adjustable)
10.) H&R's are $542 for front and rear (adjustable)
Thanks for any input guys!
Thinking of updating the suspension possibly. Basics, do not do any autocross and rarely go to any track events (but want to possibly). Currently have H&R Sport Springs w/ the stock shocks and want to have more adjustability of the suspension and dampening, so here's the choices. Optimally, looking for the best bang for the buck. Meaning, I don't want to get the cheapest C/O system just to get in to the entry level, but then again don't want to go overboard as well. I had a set of Bilstein PSS9's on my Boxster and LOVED them, so here are the choices based off TireRack....
1.) H&R RSS ClubSport's = $1875
2.) H&R Street-Perf = $1975
3.) PSS10's = $2861
4.) KW Variant 1's = $2250
5.) KW Variant 3's = $3416
OR, do I keep the Springs and just replace the shocks at the following:
6.) Koni Sport Shocks = $191 for REAR only, is it bad to only keep the fronts OEM
7.) Bilstein HD Shock = $1144 for all four
8.) Bilstein Sport Shock = $1206 for all four
AND should I get anti-roll bar's
9.) Eibach's are $350 for front and rear (non-adjustable)
10.) H&R's are $542 for front and rear (adjustable)
Thanks for any input guys!
Otherwise, you could get new springs and revalve your shocks. Simple and effective.
-td
#17
He means installing the Sport shocks which are designed to work with his already installed lowering springs, They have shorter pistons to work with lowered suspensions.
BILSTEIN B8 - Sport Passenger Car
If you’re looking for a performance lowering shock absorber or strut, the BILSTEIN B8 Sport Series is up to the task. Designed to enhance your car’s lowered suspension, BILSTEIN’s monotube gas pressure technology features delivers a sport ride with remarkable comfort.
BILSTEIN B8 - Sport Passenger Car
If you’re looking for a performance lowering shock absorber or strut, the BILSTEIN B8 Sport Series is up to the task. Designed to enhance your car’s lowered suspension, BILSTEIN’s monotube gas pressure technology features delivers a sport ride with remarkable comfort.
First I don't really know what you mean by "lower shocks" as most OTA shocks on the market have the spring perch in the same location as stock.
Also something to consider when replacing very worn shocks with some new ones(like Bilstein which are considered "high pressure" shocks) is that it can raise the ride height very slightly.
Based on what I read, it seemed like you wanted more even drop front to rear and I'm not convinced that just getting shocks would do that.
Also something to consider when replacing very worn shocks with some new ones(like Bilstein which are considered "high pressure" shocks) is that it can raise the ride height very slightly.
Based on what I read, it seemed like you wanted more even drop front to rear and I'm not convinced that just getting shocks would do that.
#18
how about Yellow DPS? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YELLO...item2c5b14e196
Looks quality, dont know about Longivity...
Looks quality, dont know about Longivity...
#19
When it comes to generic CO's, everything seems to be about show or specs.
Don't know if you could tell the difference between level 29 and level 33 on the dampening adjustments. Don't know how well the dampening curve characteristics are on these. Concerned about the seals and fluid they use. Uses generic spring rates? Not sure if the Coil Springs are up to spec(shot peened, heat treated,etc). Most likely use the cheap spherical bearings on the top hats that will make noise and go out prematurely.
These are just some items I've ran into with no-name CO's based on my previous experiences but I love to be proven wrong and always looking for a great bang for the buck CO's.
I'm in no way knocking those specific CO's that you posted but just pointing out some items to consider when buying lesser known CO brands with little to no history and reputation.
Don't know if you could tell the difference between level 29 and level 33 on the dampening adjustments. Don't know how well the dampening curve characteristics are on these. Concerned about the seals and fluid they use. Uses generic spring rates? Not sure if the Coil Springs are up to spec(shot peened, heat treated,etc). Most likely use the cheap spherical bearings on the top hats that will make noise and go out prematurely.
These are just some items I've ran into with no-name CO's based on my previous experiences but I love to be proven wrong and always looking for a great bang for the buck CO's.
I'm in no way knocking those specific CO's that you posted but just pointing out some items to consider when buying lesser known CO brands with little to no history and reputation.
#20
When it comes to generic CO's, everything seems to be about show or specs.
Don't know if you could tell the difference between level 29 and level 33 on the dampening adjustments. Don't know how well the dampening curve characteristics are on these. Concerned about the seals and fluid they use. Uses generic spring rates? Not sure if the Coil Springs are up to spec(shot peened, heat treated,etc). Most likely use the cheap spherical bearings on the top hats that will make noise and go out prematurely.
These are just some items I've ran into with no-name CO's based on my previous experiences but I love to be proven wrong and always looking for a great bang for the buck CO's.
I'm in no way knocking those specific CO's that you posted but just pointing out some items to consider when buying lesser known CO brands with little to no history and reputation.
Don't know if you could tell the difference between level 29 and level 33 on the dampening adjustments. Don't know how well the dampening curve characteristics are on these. Concerned about the seals and fluid they use. Uses generic spring rates? Not sure if the Coil Springs are up to spec(shot peened, heat treated,etc). Most likely use the cheap spherical bearings on the top hats that will make noise and go out prematurely.
These are just some items I've ran into with no-name CO's based on my previous experiences but I love to be proven wrong and always looking for a great bang for the buck CO's.
I'm in no way knocking those specific CO's that you posted but just pointing out some items to consider when buying lesser known CO brands with little to no history and reputation.
#21
Ofcourse you are correct on all your points, no doubt... But it all depends what the End User is going to be using it for, correct? I mean unlike me who drives 100km per day everyday no matter the weather, i need somthing that will last me and not Fail, like my PSS9's are 5 years Old now just abour 90,000 km on them and no Issues... But if someone who drive like 100km a Month (Garage Queen all for looks, sad very sad), this Yellow CO's might be a good solution... know what i mean...
Wondering how the K-Sport Porsche owners are doing thus far? I think it's been close to a year about now.
#22
Fully agree. For Sunday drivers that are just "cruisers" and stay off the tracks and really just want shiny parts and a nice stance, this could fit the bill very nicely.
Wondering how the K-Sport Porsche owners are doing thus far? I think it's been close to a year about now.
Wondering how the K-Sport Porsche owners are doing thus far? I think it's been close to a year about now.
I would like to know as well about K-Sport
#24
Well, I'd say what my main objective is for a little bit of a smoother ride and a more even drop front and back. More for street use, so would C/O's be overkill? Feel like the front of the car (while f/r are both lowered w/ the springs) sits higher than the rear. Looking to get dogbones to adjust the negative camber as well on the rear.
#25
Cost of coilovers $500. Cost of installation $500. I did have the dealership perform the install as I wanted to ensure I gave the Ksports the benefit of the doubt as well as trying to keep the alignment within stock spec with additional hardware. I explained beforehand that I was aware of the perils of aftermarket coilovers, but I could find no reason why I should not give these a try. I was able to achieve stock alignment on the rear. The front was able to be adjusted back to stock alignment except for the camber which was just barely outside stock parameters (two degrees, I believe).
Adjustment of the ride height was simple, but the tech said that changing the dampening again would require him to remove the coilovers to properly set it. Again, since is this is a street-only application not a huge issue unless the wife decides that navigating the carpool line requires a dab of oppo.
Overall for my purposes the Ksport street ride is nice and quiet with a lowered stance.
#26
I was not aware of this. So which offer true height adjustment? I'd like to research this and compare. Please point me in the right direction.
#27
IMO, Bilsteins are great for most street oriented people that want minimal or marginal lowering. If you want oil pan scraping drop, I would look elsewhere.
My other $.02 is that I like my suspension to be on the overdamped side, especially on rebound. I've found having experience with other half dozen other CO's that Bilstein provides the better rebound characteristics which becomes noticeable once you start getting into the higher spring rates or a more drop. The cheaper CO"s seem to lack on rebound(as most are just compression adjustable) and provide a less refined shock dampening characteristics.
However, since Bilsteins are a "high" pressure shock, the ride quality even though well damped can tend to seem a bit rougher to some than low pressure shocks like Koni which some would describe as smoother than Bilsteins(of course somewhat dependent on what springs you match up with it).
I love the rebound characteristics of the GT3 CO's btw.
#28
I've done both the PSS10 and JIC in 996 C4S', and the differences are really major.
The JIC is definitely more track oriented. It's a monoball up top and the kit I had been handed (great if this is included) had a camber plate with a lot of adjustment. It does have a little height adjustment you can play with, but the overall "feel" of the parts was really disappointing for how much they cost. It works well on the street in its soft positions, and will knock your fillings out if you want it to by cranking it up.
Another thing to note is that aside from the parts, the guy I talked to at the factory said that there is no torque spec for the top nut on the strut, and they just hold an impact wrench on it for 8 seconds and that's how they do it.
I was not impressed with the kit's quality nor assembly.
I would probably only run them if I got them at a stupid deal, or they were on the car already. I also put on the massive sway bar links, and those were quite nice actually. They look like bananas in a donkey kong game.
The Bilstein's reuse your stock tops, so no cool camber plates or monoball assemblies. So right off the bat, it's not a hardcore setup. You'd never need that for the street anyway.
The build quality felt SO much better with this set, and driving the car felt great. I remember them having a really similar ride height range as the JIC's. The owner said that he took his car to the track and was really happy with them, so they work there too.
I've had my hands on a KW V3 setup for a 993, and that seemed like a good product.
From what I've played with, the PSS10's is all you need for the street, and they are less money. On paper you get less, but they're a better made piece, in my opinion .
The JIC is definitely more track oriented. It's a monoball up top and the kit I had been handed (great if this is included) had a camber plate with a lot of adjustment. It does have a little height adjustment you can play with, but the overall "feel" of the parts was really disappointing for how much they cost. It works well on the street in its soft positions, and will knock your fillings out if you want it to by cranking it up.
Another thing to note is that aside from the parts, the guy I talked to at the factory said that there is no torque spec for the top nut on the strut, and they just hold an impact wrench on it for 8 seconds and that's how they do it.
I was not impressed with the kit's quality nor assembly.
I would probably only run them if I got them at a stupid deal, or they were on the car already. I also put on the massive sway bar links, and those were quite nice actually. They look like bananas in a donkey kong game.
The Bilstein's reuse your stock tops, so no cool camber plates or monoball assemblies. So right off the bat, it's not a hardcore setup. You'd never need that for the street anyway.
The build quality felt SO much better with this set, and driving the car felt great. I remember them having a really similar ride height range as the JIC's. The owner said that he took his car to the track and was really happy with them, so they work there too.
I've had my hands on a KW V3 setup for a 993, and that seemed like a good product.
From what I've played with, the PSS10's is all you need for the street, and they are less money. On paper you get less, but they're a better made piece, in my opinion .
#30
hey guys, I read through the post, lots of good info. Thanks for sharing.
Something I still havent figured out is which lowering kit offers the softest ride? I have a 99 C4 with plenty of miles on it. I would like to lower it and I don't plan on tracking it.
I also dont want to break the bank which is probably impossible given i drive a porsche now ...
Your input is extremely appreciated
Rob
Something I still havent figured out is which lowering kit offers the softest ride? I have a 99 C4 with plenty of miles on it. I would like to lower it and I don't plan on tracking it.
I also dont want to break the bank which is probably impossible given i drive a porsche now ...
Your input is extremely appreciated
Rob