To Lower Or Not? (Photos)

[oo7ml]

Hi,

I have kept my 3.2 Carrera completely standard, however I am contemplating lowering it by just 10mm - 20mm (max). I have a few questions which I hope someone can help me with.

01 - Someone mentioned to me previously that the 3.2 Carrera suspension can be lowered quite easily without requiring a replacement of the suspension springs / arms etc? Is this true and advisable?

02 - Any reason you would recommend not lowering the car?

Edited by oo7ml on Monday 13th April 10:11

[mr pg]

I seem to recall seeing Ed on Wheeler Dealers lowering a 912 by rotating the torsion bars, so yours may be similar?

[BrotherMouzone]

Lovely colour; what’s it called?

[supersport]

Yes lower they are so high.

Simple to do but will want a geo done afterwards. Just don’t stupid low. Mine is probably too low. Will dig out some pictures.

[Steve Rance]

form over function? Are you planning on expanding the performance window?

[Fast and Spurious]

BrotherMouzone said:

Lovely colour; what’s it called?

White.

[oo7ml]

Thanks all.

No, it's actually far from white... it's called 'Pastel Beige' - it works well with it's brown interior.

No, it's not for performance at all. I would just like it to sit a little lower like my GT4. I never had a problem with the height of the 3.2 Carrera, until I got the GT4, which sits very well.

As much as I love the GT4, you simply cannot beat the an older classic Porsche, however I am struggling to keep it 100% original. I know to some, dropping the suspension slightly is not even a thought... but for me, it would be a big deal lol (i'm very boring :-)

[Tutosky]

Give a call to Jon Miller from Classic Carreras in Limerick, he'll give you plenty of options to choose from and will point you to the right direction as well.

[996Targa]

Looks very nice. 85 or 86? Pastel Beige (536) is not a common colour.

Bruce Anderson's 911 Performance Handbook recommends a measurement of 25" from floor to rear wheel arch and 25.5" at the front, measured through the wheel centre. It is important to maintain the rake when lowering, about 1 degree.

This was mine (happy days) on those measurements from a similar angle to one of your photos. I seem to remember an issue at some point with a front tyre catching the wheel arch on lock as the arches are not rolled.

[SRT Hellcat]

mr pg said:

I seem to recall seeing Ed on Wheeler Dealers lowering a 912 by rotating the torsion bars, so yours may be similar?

Correct. Up until the 964 all road going 911's ran the torsion bar suspension. The spring plates can be rotated on the torsion bars to lower or raise the car.

[oo7ml]

Thanks all.

@996Targa - it's an 86 :-)

[RSVP911]

You can definitely go lower, but be careful not to get too carried away with the ride height as you can ruin its usability and you’ll end up with a horrid car if you’re not careful. I was warned and ignored this - went super low and ended up making it slightly higher again, only a fraction, but it made all the difference - good luck

Edited by RSVP911 on Monday 13th April 15:54

[oo7ml]

RSVP911 said:

You can definitely go lower, but be careful not to get too carried away with the ride height as you can ruin its usability and you’ll end up with a horrid car if you’re not careful. I was warned and ignored this - went super low and ended up making it slightly higher again, only a fraction, but it made all the difference - good luck

Edited by RSVP911 on Monday 13th April 15:54

Thanks, I think i'll drop it 15mm... but I'll leave this to a mechanic :-)

[Maxym]

Nah, leave it alone. It looks just how it should, ie great.

[Yellow491]

oo7ml said:

RSVP911 said:

You can definitely go lower, but be careful not to get too carried away with the ride height as you can ruin its usability and you’ll end up with a horrid car if you’re not careful. I was warned and ignored this - went super low and ended up making it slightly higher again, only a fraction, but it made all the difference - good luck

Edited by RSVP911 on Monday 13th April 15:54

Thanks, I think i'll drop it 15mm... but I'll leave this to a mechanic :-)

The front is a doddle to lower a bit,just a spanner and a marker pen,count the the turns as in 1mm thread pitch can get you a few mm lower,if its not already been adjusted,but the rear is not easy unless you know what your are doing,or is the front if you want to drop 15mm plus etc,as all the torsion bars need resetting,and then a full geo as lowering will alter camber and toe.
Measuring from the arches,only works if the car bodywork is 100% original and you have the correct size tyres on at the correct pressure.
Rake of 1 deg is important,still works well at 1.5deg
It can be cost effective to go to a specialist who can adjust these in there sleep,lot less hours than some one learning or relearning on your car at your cost.
Also pre soak all adjustments with penetrating oil.
Hope this help.

[Porsche911R]

GT4 rear wheels look odd, seem to stick out too much ?

[TDT]

Mainly down to the angle of the photo I think.

[Porsche911R]

TDT said:

Mainly down to the angle of the photo I think.

or a 25mm spacer !! because a wheel cannot pop out due to a photo angle ;-) imho...
That's some magic st if it is :-)

[IMI A]

Rare colour that. Does she have sports seats? I'm not sure what previous owner had done to mine but she drove very sporty/well and had proper sports suspension not sure what that was but may have been better than out of the box. Heres her ride height. Suits the car for me.

[oo7ml]

IMI A said:

Rare colour that. Does she have sports seats? I'm not sure what previous owner had done to mine but she drove very sporty/well and had proper sports suspension not sure what that was but may have been better than out of the box. Heres her ride height. Suits the car for me.

That's beautiful... to be honest I don't know if they are sports seats are not. I don't think so.