Well some of you knew what I was doing, some knew I was looking at different suspension systems, and then some didn't know.

But I went ahead and purchased an x74 susupension system from Gert at Carnewal and installed it on Saturday. You can ask me why I chose this and not other suspensions if you want (i.e. PSS9).

I wanted to also put to bed that the x74 does work on a '99 C2 as I read several posts here and there stating that it doesn't. Basically it was not available for the '99 and '00 here in the U.S. but was installed as an option from the "Exclusive Department" in Europe.

This was a straight-forward installation because everything is pretty much pre-assembled, so no need for spring compressors etc.

I hooked-up with Doug (C4 Pazzo on Rennlist) a couple weeks back and when I mentioned getting the x74 he offered to help me install it. I immediately took him up on the offer because 1) he has already installed a complete Porsche suspension (M030) on his car and so he is familiar with the process, although it will be easier this time, 2) he has a lift in his garage. I will tell you that without a lift this job would have been a challenge and would have taken longer. It took us 7 hours to do the work together and we did take our time to check, double-check everything, torque everything etc. So I know it can be done quicker, but we were in no rush. All that is left now is an alignment which I am getting done this Friday before I go to Thunderhill for the weekend.

So far my drive with the new suspension system has been fantastic although I need to wait for the alignment before I push it. But the ride is smooth, going over bumps in the road is firm but not harsh or a what I would consider a hard ride. The suspension still has not settled but it is close to what I had before with the sport springs in regards to the height of the car.

Remember I have 19's on the car and so far with the perfect offset of the wheels (no spacers needed) I have no clearance issues, although I noticed that the previous owner had already rolled the front fender lip, that was because they had put on too wide of a tyre up front and it hit (pre O.Z. wheels).

This will be my last mod on the car this year, spent a lot of money in the last 2 months on: wheels, tyres, mufflers, aluminium gauge rings, aluminium pedals, tint, and now suspension. Come the winter time I have a list of other projects to do while the car is not being driven in preparation for next year, but nothing major like what I have done so far.

Before I get to the pics I wanted to thank those of you that assisted me with deciding on whether or not to go with this systeem.

So here are the pics of the install (this is not intended to be a technical thread but ask me questions if you have any):

The Kit:

Why it is nice having a lift:

Marked the front strut location (although it is not correct until the alignment is done, but it is a setting with the car lower so something is better than nothing):

Remove Belly Pan:

Front disassembled (note caliper also removed for clearance):

Front Installed:

Front seen through wheel:

Front suspension height difference (x74 is on the right):

Front Sway Bar:

Rear Reinforcement Plates:


Continuation of pictures in the next Post (limited to 10 pictures per post)

 

Rear Shock Nuts:

Rear Installed:

Rear seen through wheel:

Rear suspension height difference (x74 is on the right):

Rear Sway Bar:

Engine Protection Plate:


Pictures of the car will be posted once suspension has settled and alignment is done.

 

I've often wondered where the reinforcement plates were installed with the x74, but now that I see them installed location seems strange. I would have thought that the added load from stiffer springs/shocks would logically most impact the struts upper mount area. Apparently there is some 'strange' flexing taking place and the factory felt they needed to keep this rear panel from flexing side-to-side; that's all these plates can do since they're only attached by two bolts. Anybody know more of the explanation?

 

congrats Steven.. you'll enjoy it, i had it on my old 996 it was an 01..

awesome post too.. great info

 

very nice post, thank you for sharing! I'm curious to hear how your car does at Thunderhill.

 

Great POST!!!!! Thanks I can't wait to do this to my car! : )

 

I installed the X74 on my year 2000 Porsche 996 about 18 months ago and have been very pleased...It handles 100% better than stock, is about 1 inch lower and makes the car look much better...I reccommended it to anyone....

 

So how much is the x74 package shipped?

 

Very cool let us know how it handles once it is all done.

 

Your guess is as good as mine. We looked at this when we installed them and using 2 bolts that hold the tail light brackets in place didn't seem like much of a support area, but oh well we installed them anyways.

Thanks and it is the best upgrade I have done so far (along with the wheels that is).

TY. Thunderhill was fun. I didn't get a chance to drive at speed on the track with my car, but I did take it around for 3 laps on a 'slow drive' which I actually got to get up to some speeds, but my main focus was hitting the apex at each corner (earlier in teh day I was a passenger in an '04 GT3 for 8+ laps around the track at speed and I paid attention to how the driver took each corner), so I attempted to replicate that experience but of course at slow speeds. My car did not move at all even on the off-camber turns. I believe it is going to be just fine on the track once I invest in some safety stuff for the car and myself.

TY. You will love it. It's a firm ride but not harsh at all. Try to avoid as best you can rough roads.

+1

Check with Gert at Carnewal. It is on sale and it will convert the cost to dollars (as it is in Euros) prior to you buying it. Shipping was very quick too.

Handling is great, firm not harsh. Good for the street and for the track.