Tech Art PASM Coil Over Suspension Mini-Review
Tech Art PASM Coil Over Suspension Mini-Review
Hey guys, so we're now done with the installation of the PASM Coil Over kit on Fred's 997TT and I just got back from a road test so I can give you guys my take on it. We've done spring kits on these cars as well so I've got some reference points that aren't just stock either.
The kit comes with all the lines that plug into your PASM suspension as well as more beefy drop links in the front. It's actually pre-assembled so you don't need to do any tinkering (you obviously re-use your camber plates). They set it to a "recommended" height which is about an inch lower although Fred wanted to match his GT3RS ride height so we lowered it a little more. Expect a full day for installation and it's important that you route the front PASM/lines correctly and "out of the way" from any danger of fraying etc...
Once lowered and on the road I started out in "normal" mode. It felt very much akin to stock and if anything rode "softer" over some of the local bumpy roads. It was quiet, very settled and compliant. It took the bumps even better than the stock suspension and there was no bounciness like you'd get with springs. I'd go as far to say that it feels like some of the more luxurious electronically controlled suspension set ups found on the higher-end 4-door Mercedes. Taking turns in comparison to stock it certainly swayed less and felt more planted. The alignment needs some tuning obviously but I felt more comfortable taking turns in the Normal mode than with the stock suspension in sport mode. It's a _very_ nice ride indeed and I could see most people using the most 90% of the time. I took the car on some really shoddy roads (we can be thankful that our tax dollars are hard at work here) I'm not saying your coffee cup is "safe" but it's a lot lot better than stock.
Pushing the sport mode button made things really different. It'd go over the bumps and you could really feel them this time but again it was much more compliant and had no bounciness or bump-steer characteristics. I could really dive into those turns and I would really like to see this at the track where the road-surface is much more suitable and flat to let the shocks do their thing. It's quite aggressive and if I had to compare it to say a 996TT PSS9 kit, in my mind, the settings would be about 2/1. I'm told by tech art that they will be entering their car into the European Tuner shoot out with this very same kit and although it's no double-adjustable Moton ClubSport (it doesn't have the adjustability either obviously) it's great to finally have a real coil over system that was/is designed for the owner that wants to keep his/her PASM functional (TASM - hehe?). Most people won't adjust things manually because they don't have a lift etc... so this set up sure makes it easier to switch from normal to aggressive modes going to and from the track for example.
In a nut-shell (and this will obviously please the other three guys on assembly line heh) this is the _right_ way to lower the car. It's got enough adjustability for guys with stock bumpers or aftermarket bumpers and unlike spring kits you really do get a much happier handling car.
The kit comes with all the lines that plug into your PASM suspension as well as more beefy drop links in the front. It's actually pre-assembled so you don't need to do any tinkering (you obviously re-use your camber plates). They set it to a "recommended" height which is about an inch lower although Fred wanted to match his GT3RS ride height so we lowered it a little more. Expect a full day for installation and it's important that you route the front PASM/lines correctly and "out of the way" from any danger of fraying etc...
Once lowered and on the road I started out in "normal" mode. It felt very much akin to stock and if anything rode "softer" over some of the local bumpy roads. It was quiet, very settled and compliant. It took the bumps even better than the stock suspension and there was no bounciness like you'd get with springs. I'd go as far to say that it feels like some of the more luxurious electronically controlled suspension set ups found on the higher-end 4-door Mercedes. Taking turns in comparison to stock it certainly swayed less and felt more planted. The alignment needs some tuning obviously but I felt more comfortable taking turns in the Normal mode than with the stock suspension in sport mode. It's a _very_ nice ride indeed and I could see most people using the most 90% of the time. I took the car on some really shoddy roads (we can be thankful that our tax dollars are hard at work here) I'm not saying your coffee cup is "safe" but it's a lot lot better than stock.
Pushing the sport mode button made things really different. It'd go over the bumps and you could really feel them this time but again it was much more compliant and had no bounciness or bump-steer characteristics. I could really dive into those turns and I would really like to see this at the track where the road-surface is much more suitable and flat to let the shocks do their thing. It's quite aggressive and if I had to compare it to say a 996TT PSS9 kit, in my mind, the settings would be about 2/1. I'm told by tech art that they will be entering their car into the European Tuner shoot out with this very same kit and although it's no double-adjustable Moton ClubSport (it doesn't have the adjustability either obviously) it's great to finally have a real coil over system that was/is designed for the owner that wants to keep his/her PASM functional (TASM - hehe?). Most people won't adjust things manually because they don't have a lift etc... so this set up sure makes it easier to switch from normal to aggressive modes going to and from the track for example.
In a nut-shell (and this will obviously please the other three guys on assembly line heh) this is the _right_ way to lower the car. It's got enough adjustability for guys with stock bumpers or aftermarket bumpers and unlike spring kits you really do get a much happier handling car.
Last edited by sharkster; Jun 2, 2007 at 03:16 PM.
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Thanks for the write up. Do you know if the lower ride height results in adequate travel remaining to keep the suspension off of the stops. This was what kept me from pss9's on my 996tt. Losing composure in a fast bump filled corner was too much to accept for improved ride height with the bilsteins.
Thanks again
Thanks again
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^That was always my issue with the pss9's as well. However, this looks like a well thought out setup, until Porsche motorsports releases the X73 (this fall?) for the 997TT this is the way to go.
Originally Posted by bobk
Thanks for the write up. Do you know if the lower ride height results in adequate travel remaining to keep the suspension off of the stops. This was what kept me from pss9's on my 996tt. Losing composure in a fast bump filled corner was too much to accept for improved ride height with the bilsteins.
Thanks again
Thanks again