Sorry to interrupt, but can I interject a sidebar question?
Many thanks. Here goes:

How does one know when his struts have expired? Back in my old car days, you push down on the fenders and watch how the car rebounds. If it seems to 'bounce' you need new shocks/struts. Is there a similar test for the 996? It seems with so little travel that test probably wouldn't work, and it also seems that even if I had tired shocks, the car would still handle better than 90% of the cars on the road, so I might not know.
So if you're just in repair mode, vs 'upgrade mode' how do you know when you need to replace the suspension on these things?

 

Since no one else is replying I'll give you my "noob'd" $0.02...

I asked this very question to my local Porsche Service dude (the one I trust, somewhat) and he said he has replaced one strut in the 10+ years being a service dude and that was a breakage (not sure how it was broken), not 'worn out'. Point is, the shocks are lasting a long time these days so they probably don't degrade much (if at all) over the life of the car. If they do get a little softer over time, it would be gradual and I doubt you'd notice unless under test conditions (new to old back-to-back, etc.).

I have almost 90k on my current stock struts and I have an extra set with about 25k on them (from a friend who upgraded). I may throw those on just to see if there's a noticeable diff in; 1) ride height and 2) that damn 'floatiness' in turns...

cheers
Tim

 

Hey Dean, my 02 996 replaced a 03 Mini S with camber plates, stiff springs, Koni yellow adjustables all set up for HRP. That was stiff on the
streets but the X-74 still feels just perfect anywhere i drive- but then again i don't have E-55, etc to cruise in as you do.

 

I was in a similar situation as you and decided to go with the RoW M030. The X74 would have been nice, but I didn't want to go that low. The RoW is low enough for me and the area I live and is a huge improvement over stock.

On Rennlist there is one for sale used for $450 with struts, springs, and bars. X51 is the sellers name I believe.

 

Of the choices you mention the JRZ's would be far and above the best, but at a cost. On a true high end shock you can turn them all the way soft for the street and still get a nice ride with alot more spring rate than the stock setup. I have JRZ triple adjustable on my GT3 currently and they're amazing, they are stupid expensive though for a car that only sees the track a few times a year.

X-74 is a proven performer, it's a little stiff but a great factory-developed solution. Only issue is you can't make it any softer if you don't like the ride and you can't raise or lower it if you're not completely happy with the height.

Have you thought about OEM GT3 coilovers? There's a couple of threads floting around on what's needed to retrofit them onto a C2, but it's another factory developed solution like x-74 but with height adjustment to put the car where you want. Shameless plug here but I've got a low mile set off of my GT3 I'd part with if you wanted to explore that option. By the time you bought additioal components you need to get them on the car you'd be about the same price as the new X-74 setup though.

Andy

 

Thanks for the continued feedback folks, this is great...

I'll definitely consider your GT3 setup as well Andy...I didn't think that was a reasonable possibility...does that force an upgrade to the GT3 sway bars as well or do you think I can still get away with my M030 Sway bars? it's that damn slippery slope again

If you PM me your email address I can respond but I can't reply to personal messages yet...I definitely want to know more details, how much you're thinkin of getting and cost to ship to Cali?

Seems like the lowest price for the x.64 setup is $1750 shipped (OR to CA) from Sunset Porsche, those guys rock! If I can pick up a used set of stock GT3 that are adjustable for close to this same price I'd prolly do that...!

Also, I'll go see about that tip on rennlist...Thanks Optical!

cheers
Tim

 

Thanks everyone, I found a used GT3 setup cheap and jumped on it (4 OEM GT3 coilovers fully intact with all linkages/caps/bolts and F/R sway bars for $1850). Went for the Tarett adjustable links...

Thanks to everyone for all the sage advice...just need to get an alignment in a few days and I'll be set for the track!!!! I dropped the coilovers in as-is (height-wise) and it lowered the car about 1.5" all the way around...just need to see how much I scrape to see if I need to raise for the Cali-roads....definitely going to invest in the engine skid plate.

 

Glad you got it figured out. I have the X74 (see the avatar) and it lowered the car 1.75". I love it. Please make sure to invest in the protection plate. I never thought I had bottomed out but changing the oil last time I noticed some scrapes on it. It think it was from a speed bump in a parking structure. Thing is you won't know you hit until its too late.