Hey guys,

I am thinking of lowering my 911 C2S with H&R Sport Springs. Before I do so, I have some questions that I think you all will be able to help answer.

In the past I have lowered cars with H&R's and therefore trust their quality. One thing that I do NOT like are some of the things that lowering a car (specifically a BMW M3 with oversized wheels for example) are that the car tends to rub, scrape and tires no longer wear as evenly.

With my Porsche, I am told it is already a bit lower due to the fact that it has PASM. What I am looking to accomplish is a lower stance and therefore a better look to compliment my current and upcoming custom wheels.

What I do NOT want is rubbing or uneven tire tread wear....

So I JUST got done meeting up with a friend who is a Technician for Porsche and needs some side work because business is slow for him this time of the year as it is very seasonal here. He agreed to install my springs for only $250 cash. The springs themselves cost about 300 and he is even willing to do an alignment for free. . .

I pretty much cannot pass this up even though I can live without the car being lowered. The total out of pocket to have my Porsche lowered with H&R's and a fresh high speed balance and alignment for $550 total? Sign me up right??

Do you guys have any input as to what the ride quality will feel like? I absolutely love the way my Porsche feels right now and I hardly ever drive it with the suspension in Sport. I often drive with the car in Sport mode but keep the dampening on comfort because I mainly drive on flat and straight roads with no fun aspect (damn Florida )...

What I am afraid of is that I wont like the way the car rides. I know that the roads here are so nice that I wont really have to worry about bumps or scraping my front bumper believe it or not.. I also know that he will be able to do a nice flat alignment so that my camber keeps my tires wearing evenly. It's just the ride I am worried about at this point.

Thanks everyone for reading this long post and PLEASE feel free to chime in with any input you may have!

John

 

I've been considering the same thing as you. Like you when I drive in sport mode I keep the PASM off. It is just too bumpy (New Orleans roads are terrible). I know I will scrape, but I already do, so I'm over that. I just don't want the ride to be too stiff. I can handle how the car feels with PASM on but if its any worse I wouldn't want to lower the car. So if anyone can compare the PASM off with springs vs PASM on w/o springs (I'm assuming it will be similar but not sure?) that would be great. I've searched but it seems to vary greatly btw people saying its not any worse and people saying its much worse, so that hasn't helped much.
Thanks,
Chris

 

I would also love to read the response from people that have them installed. I'm also thinking about doing the same. Is the technician in Miami? Thanks

 

I just posted a similar inquiry. Check out the link below. I will update the thread once the PASM issue is resolved.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...rmal-mode.html

 

I have searched and came up with probably the exact same responses you have

Thread on RL from 2006 ring a bell?

My tech is in the Naples/Bonita area. He'd be more than happy to help you if you are interested. He is looking for jobs since he's slow at the dealership and does GREAT work. He installed my full exhaust system and has done all of my maintenance. Really good guy to boot. If you decide to do the springs it would be worth the drive for the low price imo.

I hope we get some answers!

 

Im in the boat with you guys as well my tech who is a DE instructor told me not to waste my time with springs and just do coilovers (bilstiens pss10) but i cant justify 5grand installed for a car that i wont track regulary mostly street driving and ny roads suck!!. So i thought about H&R but i just cant seem to pull the trigger on it. For the 6years i have had the car i used the sport pasm button a hand full of times its just not fun not even on the smothest ny roads. So im on the fence just hope the springs dont drive harsh like that or bouncey like a civic.

 

PASM works great. I don't think you need to make any changes.
"S" cars are lower already than their non "S" counterparts.

Ground clearance 4.17" (106mm) vs 3.78" (96mm)
Here's a short video and write up.

http://www.excellence-mag.com/of-not...t#.Uim89X_N04g

 

That is my thoughts as well, unless you track often and want coilovers I say stick with the Factory Suspension.

I personally think it is low enough from the factory and I would hate to give up handling for subjective looks.

 

Just as a data point you may want to look at Sharkwerk's website. They favor Techart springs. In the 997.1 section there isn't much of a description but they do show a number of pictures with short narratives. I suppose you could also give them a call to get their take; being tuners, loving 911's and having a lot of experience I suspect they'd be happy to answer your questions.

 

I think its smart to look before you leap - I had a horrible experience 10 years ago with lowering a Mitsubishi and after that - I refuse to ever do it again - especially to my 911. I know that (I think) some of the PASMs lower the car when you disengage the softer setting. Have you considered just getting larger wheels to close the gap from tire to Wheel well??

Good luck and hope to see pics when you get your new wheels on there!


Mike

 

Folks,

I think I can enlighten you.

Your questions will be covered from my experience with my Gemballa Gt650 TTS ( 2011 model ).

Car was of course with Pasm suspension and 19" wheels.
Gemballa lowered the car with H&R springs and replaced the stock dampers with
Bilstein B8 sprint Damptronic ( these are shorter than normal dampers ).
Also installed H&R sway bars front and rear, RSS goodies and carbon strut bars
front and rear.
Finally 20" wheels were installed with 245/30/20 Michelin SS front and 325/25/20
Michelin SS rear, on 9.5" and 12" wheels respectively.

I wish to report :

1) No fender rubbing at all, under any circumstances.
2) With PASM off, ride is very good even in long trips.
3) Some attention is needed over curbs. Nothing major.
4) Very good ride quality and GT3 RS level handling.

Anyone interested may proceed without any fear.


George

 

my buddy's turbo is running these springs and it's just wayyyy too harsh imo. both me and my wife had a headache driving around for a few mins. mind you he is running 20s so there is very little sidewall to absorb bumps. in the end he regretted it like crazy (although it took him a month to admit it to me).

the other issue i have seen on these springs (on the turbo, as well as my other friends c2s running the same springs) is that the car will bounce from front to back upon going over bumps. seeing it from the outside i was immediately reminded of what looked to be improperly lowered hondas back in the day. both cars are 997s.

i too have heard that the techart springs would be the better choice if going this route. the h&r's do make the car look fantastic when parked however.

 

For the sake of comparison, I understand 20" wheels in itself with standard springs will definitely result in a harsher ride due to less sidewall to absorb the road bumps, not to mention the increased unsprung weight. I believe the OP is looking for apples to apples comparison here.