Product Review: RSS Monoball/Solid Suspension Kit

After a lot of discussion I decided to change all the rubber suspension parts in my 997S to solid pieces by RSS.

The idea is that Porsche uses rubber bushings in its road cars in order to avoid excess noises from metal on metal bushings, but the downside is if you track your car, you are not getting the most out of it.

1. Rubber bushings numb steering feel
2. Rubber bushings do not hold tight tolerance alignments and change under hard driving
3. Steering feedback is effected


RSS makes all parts in house in the USA, and supplies many pro teams with these parts.

RSS Monoball Kit:

1. Solid Lower Control Arm Bushings (Front & Rear)
2. Adjustable Solid Toe Links
3. Solid adjustable Upper Control Arms (Dog Bones)





Install was done By Head tech at RSS: Anthony

I have to say , the parts look beautiful and are made very well.

Road Impressions:

many are worried to do this mod, because they still drive their car on the street and feel that it will add to much noise and vibration. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. The noise is not noticeable at all until you are on a very bump road and unless you are hearing for it, its almost unnoticeable. I was VERY happy about this:

Road Ride:

It vast improved the steering input and feel, like I can feel the road much better and it can be felt better on the wheel, which means you are getting better feedback.

The ride was not adversely effected, and barely noticeable. You will here a little creaking now in then, like when doing u turns, but its really an after thought. If you have the radio on or loud exhaust, its a moot point.

Now for the goods,

Track Impressions:


This is one of THE BEST mods I have done for the track. Turn in is much crisper and precise, you can feel the car much better through fats corners. I can feel when the car is getting closer too the limit now, and feel much more confident on the track.

It really transforms the feel of the car. Porsche 911's have always FELT like a great car and the steering input and feedback is one of the best in the world.

The RSS solid suspension pieces magnify this feeling even more and your steering FELL improves dramatically, Like the car is doing exactly what you want with no wiggle room.

The Added Benefits:

I wanted to try these parts at a track that I go to a to a lot, and with the only change being the RSS solid suspension parts.

I visited Willow Springs Raceway on testing day.

Last time I was there (same tires (Toyo R888), suspension (JRZ), weight (3280) I was doing 1:42 laps.

With the new RSS solid suspension pieces, that car felt better and more solid, I was able to be more confident and carry more speed into turns.

At the end of the day I was turning 1:38 laps.. and improvement of 4 SECONDS!!!!

I was astonished! I think it was that they car felt more solid, so I was able to push it harder. (Better feel = better confidence = faster laps)

I have to say this is hands down one of the best mods I have done to my car. It really tied together all the other suspension mods I have done and now I feel they are working together as a whole.

Another Benefit is that the alignment specs are held in line by the solid pieces so I don't have to get a $400 alignment done as often.

Conclusion:


If any of you track your cars more than a few times a year or are serious about making your car feel better, YOU HAVE TO GET THESE SOLID SUSPENSION PARTS!

From now on any other porsche I get, I will get these solid suspension parts as soon as I take delivery, including my next car which will be a 2010 GT3!

 

Nice write up, but 4 seconds is a lot of time for some suspension bits. Could the faster time also be due to a new alignment?

 

North,

I was surprised too.

Willow is a very High speed track, and its all about going faster and faster in the high speed turns.

With these parts I felt safer and more stable going into these turns faster and it resulted in much faster lap times. I know my car is now capable of going even faster!

 

Thanks for the writ-up and the input!