Suspension Upgrade
 

I have a 2001C2 Cab w/19” wheels and am interested to upgrade my suspension. Current suspension and driveline are stock. It’s my DD and I participate in DE events. I notice a lot of people use coil overs or different springs to lower to a more aggressive stance. I’m not interested to lower the car as my steep driveway has an even steeper approach, that I barely get by asit is driving diagonally. Couple back of mind concerns are 19” wheels (275x30x19 rear and 235x35x19 front) as there is not a lot of clearance from the inside of fenders and that the car is a Cabin case there are constraints due using different parts for stiffness.

At a DE event , some suggestion sway bars were a good first step. Seems reasonable. Any advice on best sway bars for my purpose and other work to do while I’m at it would be appreciated. Thanks!

I would like to hear others experiences as well. Looking to do a coilover install but just trying to muster up the courage to make it a DIY. I don't feel like taking too much apart. I've seen multiple different ways to install new coilovers. I prefer to just unbolt the entire strut and spring and install a new coilover with tops already on for fast bolt on.

H&R Sway Bars. You can install coilovers and maintaine your current height, just because you have coilovers doesnn't mean you have to lower the car.
Most springs will however lower the car.

I would go with H&R Sway bars. A far as coilovers, I think it really depends on how many DE events you going to do and if you need to upgrade your suspension already due to age. For more information on the H&R Sway Bars, Click Here.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ine=1377532928

The car has 28k miles so not changing due to any aging. Are H&R sway bars better than say GT3s? Are there other things to change at the same time?

GT3 bars ( porscge, tarret, gmg, etc)allow for more adjustment (5-front. 4 rear). So if you aren't going to track your car get what ever is cheaper. With gt3 bars you also need drop links (more money).

i like pss10s/h and r sways/tarret drop links,however 19 inch tires are wrong if your going to de events! car was designed for 18s,your concerned about lowering the car witch i understand however your not concerned about a rougher ride, sidewalls more prone to damage and the wheels themselves being scuffed etc with 19 inch wheels?anyway good luck de events are addicting and you will want to do plenty of mods! most important you will be learning to drive your car on a track!

I was talked out of coilovers for the M030 Suspension but after 2 years of driving on it, im not that happy. I will most likely goto a Blistein or KW Coilover System soon.

smart! you wont be sorry ,the pss10s are fully adjustable,and very well made!

You can still find PSS9s used for about $1 -1.2K, an even buying all new rubber bits and bearings all around, if you DIY, you're in under $1700 + alignment. Installed my PSS9s in a day myself, but I have a lift and air tools, which helps immensely. I reused all the cup washers on the struts, (the only parts I reused) as they were crazy expensive to replace (like $70 a wheel!!), and I just used a run of the mill Harbor Freight spring compressor to remove the old washers. By far and away the biggest improvement inthe car I made, handling and ride wise. Absolutely love them. However, I don't think you can avoid lowering the car with any stock coilover design. Adjustable does NOT mean you can set them to any height you want. It just means they're adjustable over a range for F-R and corner balancing. For Bilsteins the range is around 7/8" to 1 1/4" (25 to 32mm) lower. Lets face it, most everyone wants to lower the CG for improved handling, (and looks). Go lower and you bottom out the strut, go higher, and yours springs will rattle/bounce because they are too loose. You COULD add solid 3/4"spacers to the spring perches to raise it, though, but you would have to have them made, or make them yourself. I also went with a used set of M030 ARBs, which complimented the PSS9s very well, and avoided the high cost of new links, which were as much as or more than the ARBs.

I agree about the 19s, they're heavier than 18s, and the contact patch/height balance is not optimum for the car. 275/30-19s are still taller than the OE in the rear. Of course, only you can decide what you have to have for clearance. I added material on my driveway approach to avoid scraping.

First of all, thanks for all the help. In the end I've just purchased PSS10s with Torque Solutions dogbones and toe links. I rationalized that I could somehow manage my steep driveway approach without tearing up the lip. Should be installed next week. Now I need to research the proper alignment specs for the lowered vehicle. Not sure to go with factory specs for 996 C2 or use a GT3 spec or (DD w/ 5-6 HPDEs/year)??

Maybe add GT3 sway bars as next upgrade someday... think it will make much difference?

You will not be able to, nor do you want to go factory spec C2, as you will not be able to dial out that much camber. Not sure why you needed new dogbones and toe links, but if oyu just wanted the added adjustablity, that's cool. I went mild side GT3, as thats where the measured heights ended up. I also installed X73 front upper strut mounts, which helps with the alignment range, without going monoball or full adjustable top plate. The rears are the same for all cars, but I replaced them as well. I figured it does not make sense to reuse 12 year old rubber with new coilovers.

Sounds like great advice, both for alignment reference and to use new rubber. Thanks, will order today.

Hi I read you want to maybe upgrade your suspension so if you ever want to sale your M030 Suspension mail at zap_design@hotmail.com sorry I can't use PM yet:D
Stephane

I went with K-Sport coilovers on my 128k mile C2. The front end is much more controllable than stock. The car is much more 'flat' in turns to. Coilovers really transformed the C2 IMO.