No I don't have any personal experience, but I've heard that from people who had

 

As someone said, most people will think whatever they have is "the best" LOL.

I've had different setups and finally settled on TPC's stage 3 setup. It's an integrated package and i'm very happy with it. As Can said, they actually race porsche's. I was at VIR for 2 days a few weeks ago and they were there offering track side support. These were all dedicated race cars and listening to Mike Levitas talk suspension and setup is an eye opener.

What no one has mentioned yet - and in my opinion is the most important thing - is to find a GREAT shop to do the setup. Most of the hardware that is available will get the job done. just depends on how you want to use the car.

You can't swing a cat around here without hitting a "porsche shop". That doesn't mean they know anything more than just installing the parts.

Find a really good shop to dial it in. it makes a big difference.

 

Hi Milou.

Thanks for your opionions guys.

I am thinking about going for the bilstein pasm kit tbh as I would like to retain the pasm. But I feel I might be sacrificing more control do this but is this extra control needed for a mainly road/track car?

Nick.

 

My KW V3 -gives a go cart ride esp on tight corners-also adjustable and variable adjustments for rebound and compression-the rear end is no longer jumpy,.

 

am Happy I lost the pasm-can tighten suspension if I need to for track use. Was nervous ridding pasm-is fine though

 

I would buy Ohlins 4 ways Cup shocks and I would change the rear up-right for the Cup one.

 

IMHO, foremost principle for the enjoyment of motorsports is weight, or rather, the control of weight and weight transfer. Weight transfer being either front to back (dive with braking, squat with accelerating), or side to side (body roll).

On smooth roads, invariably control of weight transfer (lower & stiffer) will make the car faster, but more importantly for majority of people the increased sense of precision makes driving vastly more fun.

Do you really "need" extra control? Depends on each person - how much comfort do you want to sacrifice? Will you want it and love it? A resounding yes. Bilstein is still a very soft suspension and very street friendly IMHO - no need for concern.

 

KW V3 all the way! Read my article here (scroll down) - http://www.vividracing.com/blog/proj...mph-our-story/

We have a good KW package with Agency Power sway bars (stiffest on the market) and other control arms, bushings, sway links - http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/r...o-p-62140.html

 

Do you know the spring rates of this KW V3 system?

I read that the rear spring is in the 800-900 range? Is that true and if so, isn't that a little high for street driving? Nearly twice that of Bilstein's 560 rear spring rate. Is there a tender spring to reduce rate?
I agree that KW V3 is an excellent system and a worthy alternative to Bilstein - rumor seems to be that it might be a little too stiff for street use, for some people (not me )?

 

The KW V3 is much different then the Bilstein... The front is a Progressive rate and the rear is 970. The valving of the KW is matched to the spring rate. KW also has independent rebound and compression where Bilstein only has PASM stiff or soft or 10 way adjustable dampening. The highlight of the KW coilover is its bump stop. It is a patented material KW uses that acts like a 3rd spring. So when you push the car hard, the handling is amazing, however on the street with the ride settings, it is beautifully smooth. KW also moves the bearing from the top of the shock like stock to below the spring perch. This means when you turn the wheel lock to lock, you dont get that spring bind noise. KW allows you to lower the car in the range of 20-40mm as well. At a certain point, Bilstein will bottom out and have bump stop issues. Having used both Bilstein (996C2) and KW (997TT) the KW is very smooth and great for a street car which is 100% of my use. I have also used coilovers from JIC, Tein, Cusco, KSport, H&R. Not a sales pitch, but being the cost is the same, and PASM is useless, KW all the way

 

I have been reading through tons of threads as I am looking for exhaust and mods. There's so much info on here!

I am looking for an exhaust just to open up the sound, but I really dont want to deal with CELs. Without a tune, will just changing the mufflers and cats cause CEL problems?

Also, if I do go with a tune, I wouldnt want CEL issues or slipping clutch. So I would be looking at the least aggressive or stage 1 ECU tune.

Any help would be appreciated, as I continue searching threads.

Thanks!

 

Most likely all will throw a CEL eventually. If you get a tune, this should not have a CEL issue. Tuning raises the 2nd O2 limits so there is no CEL issue from high flow cats or cat deletes. Bang for the buck you get more power from a Tune anyways. Unless your clutch is largely abused, you wont need to change it with a flash and exhaust. You might have to change your Plugs though. Usually the stock heat range if they have more then 20000 miles on them start to misfire with the extra boost and power. We recommend going to the IK22. See these links -

Flash - http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/f...9-p-45751.html

Exhaust - http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/a...o-p-74241.html

 

Thanks for the feedback. The rear spring rate of 970 remains a mystery to me. 800-1000 are rates used by cup cars. A few points regarding Bilstein:

1. PASM doesn't just have stiff or soft. Within each stiff or soft, the car senses roads and adjust damping parameters. In other words, there are multiple levels. It's all in the brochure/ad material. :-)
2. I hope you are not suggesting it's ok to lower the Turbo 40mm? One, I don't think any one here would want to lower the Turbo 40mm. Two, won't this change (in a bad fashion) the geometry of the links?
3. I believe this to be unsubstantiated. If you have this problem with a car in your shop, then someone has messed up: very likely lowering the car beyond specs recommended by Bilstein. And yes I am aware of that thread in 996 forum: he did lower the car too much, beyond specs.
4. Very much debatable. PASM works and works very well IMHO. The adjustability is what people don't want to give up, and what makes Bilstein so popular.

My tuner thinks very highly of KW V3 too and no doubt it is a great system; I actually would like to try it even. That said, I don't believe there ever is a "best" coilover, or best "exhaust," etc. If there is, Porsche would be using KW instead of Bilstein, right?

 

I feel from my personal experience, KW is a better coilover to Bilstein. My sales position is, give you my advice, then sell you what you want. If you want Bilstein, no problem. If you want JRZ, no problem. My personal experience is my opinion based on use of multiple products. Just like your opinion on Bilstein.

 

^^^This is a fair point and I agree. No hard feelings pls. I of course respect your opinions, but that post has facts about Bilstein that are incorrect (PASM's 2 settings and bump stops) - and as a dealer I expected better from you, and other (40mm lowering) worth discussing.

I was also hoping for a better analysis, not the type the states "better in every way, for everyone." I know and you know such perfection doesn't exist in suspension tuning.