New member to the forum. Did a lot of searching and still need some advice. I have an 02 Cab that was all stock. First I swapped the Turbo Twists for a set of 19" Carrera S "lobster claw" wheels. I'm running 8s in front with 5mm spacers and 11s in back. I immediately noticed the car riding higher. Coincidentally I had a headlight problem so it went into my local Porsche specialty shop for repair. Headlight was resolved but I was also told that my shocks were shot. It was recommended that I put in Bilstein HD as it would give a much better ride than the stock shocks but wouldn't be a harsh ride. Went ahead and did that.

I now have a car that rides pretty well, although it seems a little soft in handling side to side body movement. Vertical compliance it super. But the biggest problem is it looks like I could run Paris-Dakar! The car sits high and there is a ton of room between the fenders and top of the tires.

What do I do now? Had I found this forum early enough, it sounds like I should have put coil overs on instead of the Bilstein HDs. Is a set of Eibach or H&R lowering springs the right next step? If I do that do I need to go back to 18s with 10s in the back? I'm not married to the idea of 19s if lowering and 18s are the right option. I definitely want a ride optimized for daily driving on Wisconsin roads. No interest or need for tracking or autocrossing.

Sorry for the long setup but I though all the experts here would need the setup.

 

pictures will help as well.

 

Bilstein Sport's are stiffer than HD's... With 19's and stock springs, it will give the impression it is sitting high(er)... Lowering springs will do the trick... I like thr Bilstein & Eibach combo... Though have no experience with HR

 

here are pics of the current ride height. front clearance is about 3 fingers and rear is about 2.

 

I'm pretty sure that the Bilstein Sport shocks are a little shorter than the HD's, to work with lowering springs.

I tried H&R springs and sports and was pretty happy.

Then, I found a great deal on a set of JIC coil overs and switched to them. Additional dampening adjustment is nice.

 

Since the Bilstein HDs are already in, I'd like to keep them in place if possible. I don't know if my shop would swap them out without me paying some sort of charge for them (although I haven't spoken to them about it.)

I was searching around for coilover options. Looks like that is a $2500 + labor proposition. Eibach lowering springs are about $300 + labor.....certainly easier to handle at this point.

 

Depends on the brand coilover you go with. The k-sports are about 1000 bucks and have been getting great reviews here on the forum. I have a set that I will be throwing on later this week and will also share my experience

 

So my Porsche mechanic suggests I put on the H&Rs over the Eibachs but thinks that the ride will firm up the Cab too much. He also is concerned that the rear fenders will need to be rolled in order to accomdate the 11" wide 19s that are on there.

Thoughts?

It looks so goofy now I think I'd take my chances with lowering and go to 10" wide 18s on the back if I had to.

How much firmer will it ride. I thought the H&Rs or Eibachs are similar in in ride but provide more firmness at extreme ends of the travel.

 

If your Porsche mechanic suggested Bilstein HD not knowing they sit higher than the Sports... My suggestion is to find a new mechanic that knows better... Eibach lowering springs will lower it 1-2 inches... If you wanted to look it has been lowered (compared to factory specs) you will need to change shocks... I think ;-)

 

I asked him that exact question about Sport v. HD shocks. He said the connection lengths are the same and that they'd both ride at the same height.

Now I am really confused! Change the shock keep the springs? Change the springs keep the shocks? Throw the wheel size variable in there too!!??? AAAAHHHHHH!!!!

 

My H&R springs rode better than stock.

It was not rough at all.

Only reasons I went to coilovers are

1 - I got a killer deal on them
2 - 15 way adjustable dampening

From Bilsteins website:

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.


But....as your HD shocks are brand new, I think they would work fine with the H&R springs.

 

My 99 C2 rides great with the H&R springs. I have 19x9 and 19x11 with a 315 in the rear. I dont have any rubbing issues.

 

1. HD or sports....it doesn't matter....it's got NOTHING to do with ride height. Yes the sports are a little shorter (I believe an inch shorter compared to HD's)...and have a effect on dampening depending on what springs you're running. Regardless...has nothing to do with ride height...ride height is going to dependent on the springs.
H&R or eibach is your personal choice...i personally have H&R and sit about 30-35mm lower to the ground. It's firm but that's how I like it and it's not bad....you can keep the HD's and just swap out the springs of your choice.
2. 11 inch wide is not an issue. Many narrow body's run 11's without issues. It's mainly the offset and tire size. I'm not sure what offset your 11's have but in general, 60-63mm offset is fine. If you have 18's 295/30/18 is the general tire size. If you're on 19's from a 997, they run 30 series tires which make the overall tire size taller(since you mentioned 19's lobster claws). This may rub depending on the wheel offset also.

 

eibach springs are a bit softer than HR. Techart springs, bty, are eibach as well, there were some for sale here or in ebay, can't remember. lower ride 30mm.

 

all---
Thanks for your insights. I'm running the 997 lobster claw 295/30/19 with a 67mm offset. Sounds like i can stick with the HD shocks and just add the lowering springs. If the Eibachs are a tad softer and I know they have 1/4 inch less lowering, that probably is the safe choice giving a little margin of error.

geetee-you mention the 997 running 30 profile tires on the 19s and that increasing the overall diameter of the wheel. This is exactly what I saw when I went from my stock Turbo Twists to these 'claws'. Wheel diameter increase by about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch. When I replace the rubber, should I go to a different size on those rims?