FIRST MOD****PSS10 Coilovers Installed

[ari]

Get some spacers if you're planning on keeping the stock wheels. They will definitely fill the fenders better on a lowered car and give you custom wheel looks... From the looks of it I bet the techarts are just slightly revalved or have different rate springs Originally Posted by 997TT Here are a few photos since the PSS10 install. The car was lowered 1 inch on the front and 3/4 in the rear, corner balanced (3471 pounds with half tank), and aligned. There is a huge improvement in drive and ride. The PASM modes work and the ride is so much better I can almost keep it in sport mode all the time.

[atomic80]

I'm planning to get these PSS10 coilovers for my 997TT. Can you tell me whether or not you ended up getting those cup car mounts or not? I would hate to have to deal with the "popping" sounds that you've described yours as having. Any suggestions on where I should get those cup car mounts? I've already contacted Mike at AWE about getting those coilovers!

[ALPINE_997]

Atomic - I installed these this weekend. Had a problem with one tie rod not wanting to pop loose but other than that the installation went very well. I have no popping noise leaving my driveway with the steering turned all the way left or right. It would make this noise before the Bilsteins PSS Damptronics were installed every time I exited my driveway and now it doesn't at all. This was one of the first things I tested out. Today I took it around a bend that has always made the car feel unsettled with my H&R Springs as well as the stock suspension. All I can say is WOW! Very neutral entering and mid turn and very confident exiting at higher speeds.

Instead of the using the flat circular rubber ring that was included with the kit I used the factory rubber seat that sits on the car mount. There was too much play with the less meaty rubber ring and the OEM fits perfectly and no play.

What I did discover MUCH to my suprise is that the grease packed cv boots on the left and right had a small tear in the rear almost the exact same spots(very ODD) and greased everything inside the A-ARM. Messy clean up job but my guys were troopers and cleaned it up. Have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow early AM to fix the problem. I hope they don't undo what I did this weekend with the corner balance. We achieved 50.50% cross weight. I have the sheet but haven't scanned it in.

I can't say enough about Dean in Alpharetta. www.americasbestautomotive.com . Came in on a weekend for me because I can't make it to him any other day. I wanted to be there for the installation because we were corner balancing and I wanted to get that right as well as the correct lowering height I wanted.

Overall I am very pleased with the Bilsteins. The roads have been a little cold so I haven't been able to push it harder to really test it out as hard as I want to but I can already say that I will be pleased with the results.

[WildBill]

Atomic, I have been so busy since the install that I have not had a chance to follow up on the mounts. The front "cup car" mount that I referred to is a Porsche part and should be available to order. The mount that my installer had on hand was a 996 cup mount and it did not fit the 997. He thought the 997 part would work but we have not had a chance to try it out. I suspect the 997 GT3 mount would work as well. In the attached photo you can see the 997 GT3 coilover suspension. The frount mounts in the GT3 photo are the adjustable version that look like the cup mounts that my installer had. To me it looks like the GT3 factory coilover system would not work on our Turbos. It may be worth checking in to.

The popping noise is only heard in tight slow turns and is not very noticeable unless you are listening for it. I would rather not have the noise but it does exist. I also noticed in the photos that Alpine posted in the other PSS10 thread that the top spring perch looks slightly different than my system. It appears to be thinner without the wedge shape. Maybe they have eliminated the problem with the US version. I think Alpine has installed his PSS10 system so maybe he will post a report soon.

Hopefully we will get to the bottom of things soon. Information on the subject appears to be very limited.

[ALPINE_997]

997TT - we must have posted at the same time

Here is the rubber ring I am talking about. If you didn't use the OEM rubber ring that could be the reason you are getting a popping noise. There is a LOT of play with the smaller o-ring.

[WildBill]

Alpine, I'm glad to see that you have your system installed and hopefully you found the solution to the noise issue. I look forward to seeing your new photos and road report.

[toffeGT2]

Wow, please post any additional news on the installation it really helpful as I am going to install mine later this week. thanks guys

[eclou]

Alpine that rubber ring is supposed to sit between the silver ring and the metal strut hat. The rubber is not supposed to sit between the spring and the silver ring. I have no noises.

[ALPINE_997]

Originally Posted by eclou

Alpine that rubber ring is supposed to sit between the silver ring and the metal strut hat. The rubber is not supposed to sit between the spring and the silver ring. I have no noises.

I wonder what he did with that ring.LOL. My bad. I think he came in and asked me about something and I might have assumed it and I saw it on the silver ring and thought it didn't fit. Glad he used it still - because I didn't have any left over parts.

See why I do not do my own installations I would have probably caught it if I had my hand in it but wheww. I always count the parts at the beginning and in the end and if there are extras. Well you know what that means

[eclou]

Both this time and last time I reinstalled the rear struts without replacing both top cap pieces - had to redo one side each time but it was only another 5 minutes

[ALPINE_997]

Experience is a great teacher is it not ?

I am really happy with the ride quality and the quality of the parts from Bilsteins. Especially the front strut, housing and spring. The OEM looks like 1970's compared to the Bilsteins..

I can't wait for your track impressions. I will take it through the mountains this coming up weekend to test them out a little more.

For the price you can't beat them!

[eclou]

Originally Posted by ALPINE_997

I am really happy with the ride quality and the quality of the parts from Bilsteins. Especially the front strut, housing and spring. The OEM looks like 1970's compared to the Bilsteins..

Seriously! The stock front unit looks like a toy compared to the Bilstein. It is amazing that these cost close to $5k LESS than the Techarts and $2k less than the FVD imports, and are essentially the same hardware!!

[WildBill]

eclou, I agree, the Bilsteins are a great upgrade to the factory system. Anyone considering the upgrade should go for it. The pricing is much more realistic now.

[atomic80]

I just ordered these PSS10 coilovers from Mike. Definitely a standup guy and easy to talk to even through a service! He patiently answered all my questions about these coilovers and we both determined that since I don't plan to track my car it'd be best to stick with the stock alignment specs. I just do a lot of aggressive back road driving. I'm also aware that Porsche changed those specs for their 2008 Turbos so I'm hoping to get that information somehow because they're supposedly better. Jury's still out on this one.

Thanks guys for the tips on installing these coilovers. I'm still not sure if I'll do it myself or with someone's help. I've asked vincentdds to see if he can help out. These tips you guys gave will definitely be helpful! eclou and alpine don't seem to have popping noises with theirs so I'll hold off on the cup mounts. EVO MS also have billet mounts but I think they'd be overkill. I should be getting mine soon hopefully and then I can get these bad boys installed!

[spyder997s]

This is a great thread! It explains a lot of issues that may come up with the Bilstein installation. Thanks for posting!