964 C4. Which suspension upgrade?

[Blib]

Two months after buying my 1990, 964, C4 targa and with 750 varied miles driven, it's time to begin to upgrade.

I've already decided to buy a new set of rear indicators and centre lamp bar which I'm picking up from Design 911 on Tuesday. And, over the winter, I'd like to get the car resprayed as the paint is looking tired.

However, one thing I really want to upgrade, sooner, rather than later, is the suspension. After years of Maserati ownership, the 964 is my first Porsche and it's still fitted with the factory suspension. Which, after a quarter of a century, is pretty worn out. Last weekend I took the car up to Suffolk and although the car was extremely stable and sure footed, it was quite 'crashy' in potholes and gave a pretty firm ride.

For years I owned a Hawk Stratos replica and in one of those, a hard ride comes as standard. So, a hard ride, per se, is not off putting to me in itself. It's just that I don't necessarily want this in the 964. Hence this thread.

I've looked at the various manufacturers' offerings. Those from KW, Bilstein, Koni etc and I've got myself in a right muddle. I'm sure you guys can help me get sorted out.

What I'm looking for is a suspension that will give me a responsive but comfortable ride. Not full on sports hard. I will not be tracking the car at all. It's just going to be used as a summer car with trips to Le Mans just about the furthest it's going to go in one hit. I'm not looking for barge like waftiness. Nor do I want an infinitely adjustable suspension. Just something that can handle the vagaries of the average British A road with a bit more aplomb that the standard, tired set up.

I would like to lower the car a teeny bit too. But, I assume that this will affect the ride and my choice of suspension.

Should I concern myself with anti roll bars?

So, what would you advise me to consider? I really would appreciate some guidance on this as I don't want to spend several thousand pounds on a set up that's too hard core for my needs.

Thanks.

[Blib]

Thanks OlberJ. Which model KWs do you have fitted?

[Blib]

Thank you for that, both of you.

I've heard Bilsteins mentioned as being a good upgrade. Does anyone have experience with them on a 964?

[Blib]

uktrailmonster said:

Bilstein is all you need for fast road use.

I had KWV3s on my 996 (fitted by previous owner) and they were too harsh for UK roads. More of a track day setup really.
Just make sure all the bushes and joints are in top notch condition, fit a set of fresh Bilstein HDs, decent geometry check and it should be good to go. BTW I had a 964RS back in the day on stock RS suspension and the ride was terrible, so I wouldn't try to emulate that for road use!

Don't need a strut brace either. You wouldn't notice any difference unless pushing very hard on a track. Complete waste of money IMO.

You answered my question before I posted it!

[Blib]

Thanks.

[Blib]

mr pg said:

A strut brace IS worth fitting, due to the large gap in the roof! Tightened up my car. Cheap and easy.

Yes, I did think that a targa would be a bit more 'flexy'.....

[Blib]

shoestring7 said:

If you're looking for a decent ride I'd suggest the Koni FSD system. It has two speed operation that gives a nice ride but still decent body control. Its good value too leaving budget for a refresh of all the bushes (use standard Porsche stuff), top mounts etc. as well as a proper geo job.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/performance/shock-ab...

SS7
Some more relevant experience here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=109...

Edited by shoestring7 on Wednesday 20th August 21:43

These seem to be just what I'm looking for. Thanks for that, shoestring, & thanks to for the link to the thread.

[Blib]

Encantada said:

Blib.

Be aware that the koni stuff uses standard springs, if you are thinking of reusing yours the rears will have suffered some heat sag over the years....

Kevin.

Thanks for the heads up. I've had a discussion with the guys at Design 911. They reckon that KONI FSDs with H&R lowering springs would be a good choice for my car.

However, I'm concerned that by going for a lower stance, I'm going to negate the benefits of the Konis.

As I said in my OP, suspension really is quite confusing for a Porsche newbie such as me.


ETA: This 'sag' would also explain the slight 'nose up' stance that I recently noticed.

Edited by Blib on Thursday 21st August 18:15

[Blib]

Thanks Kevin. I appreciate it. If only I had the time.

[Blib]

Thanks for that. Mine is a 1990 car. So, it's early.

[Blib]

The saga continues. I was about to buy a Bilstein/B&W setup when the chap who is refurbing a set of Eta Beta Krones for the car suggested KW V1 coilovers. He then mentioned several owners who had actually switched from B6s to KWs and preferred the latter.

Am I right to assume that the KWs give a firmer ride than the Bilsteins? I'm not a driving god (any longer). I'm not going to throw the car around unduly. I just want a better ride than the knackered original shocks. I imagine that the KWs will be a bit too firm for me.

Thanks.

[Blib]

Thanks for that, Alpinestars. I think I'll go with the B6s.

[Blib]

The Krones are 18s. I'll be fitting them with Continentals. Here's an identical set up, wheel wise, fitted to my car. Voodoo Motorsport had a finished set of wheel which we stuck on to my car to see how they looked. We didn't bother with the wheel centres.

[Blib]

My wheels are done and I pick them up today. I finally plumped for the B6, H&R setup which I bought from Carnewal in Belgium. The weak Euro made them a steal. Here's the wheels.

Edited by Blib on Thursday 2nd April 07:33