to lower or not to lower...
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I don't get it, you pay all this money for proven technology and you want to mess with that? I can see cosmetics but thats about all. If you think you will recoup the funds - you won't - but thats a whole other topic.
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Drop it:
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ferrerid=46294
Last edited by Mark Harris; Nov 14, 2012 at 08:49 PM.
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From: San Antonio
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I could understand if it made the car handle better, but lowering springs will never. The worst part about lowering is scraping the underbody constantly. The lower you go, the more scraping. Porsche did an amazing job creating a livable sports car for the real world. But I agree, it sits correct as is. Suspension travel is important for proper handling with the OEM suspension. I have PASM and rarely use it as all it does is limit suspension travel which doesn't differentiate between high and low frequency bumps, so it doesn't soak up bumps and ripples.
Last edited by Steve997S; Nov 14, 2012 at 09:11 PM.
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there's a fine line between slammin' it and lowering it, IMO.
i can understand those who want to keep it all stock because they believe Porsche knows best.
I can also understand those who want to mod their Pcar.
OP, as others already stated:
- US versions are slightly higher than European ROW specs, so i don't see anything mechanically wrong with lowering our cars a bit. Even the US Pcars with SPASM are lower than 'stock' for better CG and handling. Of-course, the proper way would be with coilovers but springs with minimal drop would be fine too, IMO.
- road condition near u really doesn't have anything to do with lowering it. Road condition is more about the size of the rims and the side profile of the tires. I.e. 20" rims will be harsher than 19" with similar sized tires.
- if u get an alignment after the spring settles, the tires will wear out more or less evenly. All Carreras i know has faster inner wear due to slight negative camber regardless if its lowered or not.
There was no way i was going to live with the 3" gap in the rear after i got the HRE rims. Just look at the pic (Pic 1)
I got the Eibach springs (supposedly same as the Techart springs without the high price) and very happy with it. I was afraid it would be bouncy, but the PASM is just as effective now as before.
But best of all, the car looks much better without the big gaps
(pics 2 & 3) You can even enjoy tracking it (pic 4)
keep us posted OP
i can understand those who want to keep it all stock because they believe Porsche knows best.
I can also understand those who want to mod their Pcar.
OP, as others already stated:
- US versions are slightly higher than European ROW specs, so i don't see anything mechanically wrong with lowering our cars a bit. Even the US Pcars with SPASM are lower than 'stock' for better CG and handling. Of-course, the proper way would be with coilovers but springs with minimal drop would be fine too, IMO.
- road condition near u really doesn't have anything to do with lowering it. Road condition is more about the size of the rims and the side profile of the tires. I.e. 20" rims will be harsher than 19" with similar sized tires.
- if u get an alignment after the spring settles, the tires will wear out more or less evenly. All Carreras i know has faster inner wear due to slight negative camber regardless if its lowered or not.
There was no way i was going to live with the 3" gap in the rear after i got the HRE rims. Just look at the pic (Pic 1)
I got the Eibach springs (supposedly same as the Techart springs without the high price) and very happy with it. I was afraid it would be bouncy, but the PASM is just as effective now as before.
But best of all, the car looks much better without the big gaps
(pics 2 & 3) You can even enjoy tracking it (pic 4)keep us posted OP
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Buffalo, NY
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There is some truth to the ROW ride height adjustment. I hate the US factory ride height to meet crash and safety regulations, IMHO it's crap. All those trucks and SUVs on the road are never going to make a nice "bumper on bumper" impact during a collision. Leave the Import cars at the ride height they were designed at and we won't have to mess with them.
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I vote lower 
with H&R Sport Springs, designed with a revised spring rate for increased driving convenience with great handling characteristics. OE Sport Springs offer a mild lowering to cleanup that "too high-rally-stock look." Stock ride comfort is retained.
Front lowering: 1.2 in
Rear lowering: 1.2 in
My H&R springs from ECS Tuning are being installed today!Will be ready tomorrow a.m.!
with H&R Sport Springs, designed with a revised spring rate for increased driving convenience with great handling characteristics. OE Sport Springs offer a mild lowering to cleanup that "too high-rally-stock look." Stock ride comfort is retained.Front lowering: 1.2 in
Rear lowering: 1.2 in
My H&R springs from ECS Tuning are being installed today!Will be ready tomorrow a.m.!
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,306
From: Madison, WI
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Springs are cheap.
And that's all I have to say about springs.
Below was my ride height on delivery of wife's C4S Cab 997II.
Unacceptable.
Messing with Pcar suspensions is serious business.....I've spent many thou$ and employed the best talent I can find with every Pcar we've owed and currently own.
I'm admittedly **** about both ride height and offset. To each his own.
As for messing with something that's perfect.......it's not.
But it's pretty close to it .....so choose wisely.
And that's all I have to say about springs.
Below was my ride height on delivery of wife's C4S Cab 997II.
Unacceptable.
Messing with Pcar suspensions is serious business.....I've spent many thou$ and employed the best talent I can find with every Pcar we've owed and currently own.
I'm admittedly **** about both ride height and offset. To each his own.
As for messing with something that's perfect.......it's not.
But it's pretty close to it
.....so choose wisely.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 720
From: Seattle, WA
Rep Power: 99
Springs are cheap.
And that's all I have to say about springs.
Below was my ride height on delivery of wife's C4S Cab 997II.
Unacceptable.
Messing with Pcar suspensions is serious business.....I've spent many thou$ and employed the best talent I can find with every Pcar we've owed and currently own.
I'm admittedly **** about both ride height and offset. To each his own.
As for messing with something that's perfect.......it's not.
But it's pretty close to it .....so choose wisely.
And that's all I have to say about springs.
Below was my ride height on delivery of wife's C4S Cab 997II.
Unacceptable.
Messing with Pcar suspensions is serious business.....I've spent many thou$ and employed the best talent I can find with every Pcar we've owed and currently own.
I'm admittedly **** about both ride height and offset. To each his own.
As for messing with something that's perfect.......it's not.
But it's pretty close to it
.....so choose wisely.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,306
From: Madison, WI
Rep Power: 82
OK....sorry.
So maybe I should have said......'(the only really good thing) I have to say about springs is.....they are cheap'.
But that's just my opin.....there are many experts here.
So maybe I should have said......'(the only really good thing) I have to say about springs is.....they are cheap'.
But that's just my opin.....there are many experts here.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,473
From: CA
Rep Power: 86
+1 Agree on this.
IMO, ROW version is how Porsche designed their cars (when- where ever applicable). At least, I thought, nowadays there aren't any ROW-vs-US versions when it comes to HP and emissions.
IMO, ROW version is how Porsche designed their cars (when- where ever applicable). At least, I thought, nowadays there aren't any ROW-vs-US versions when it comes to HP and emissions.
There is some truth to the ROW ride height adjustment. I hate the US factory ride height to meet crash and safety regulations, IMHO it's crap. All those trucks and SUVs on the road are never going to make a nice "bumper on bumper" impact during a collision. Leave the Import cars at the ride height they were designed at and we won't have to mess with them.
x...
x...