996TT and X73 Suspension

[jjcodex]

Hi all

I have a bit of an issue currently. I had planned to install the X73 suspension kit to my 2002 996TT.

I have always been led to believe that this should not be a problem, but when speaking with my local OPC, they have advised me that their computer tells them that the X73 is only available for the 2003 onwards models.

Now they will of course sell me the bits, but I am a little confused. I was under the impression that there was no difference between the 2002 and 2003 model in reference to the suspension. Does anybody know different?

I still propose to fit the kit, but obviously don't want to buy parts and waste money!

hopefully just an error in the OPC database, but some comfort would be appreciated if anybody can shed any light!?

Help!!!

JJ

[Wanta996Gotta]

jjcodex said:

Hi all

I have a bit of an issue currently. I had planned to install the X73 suspension kit to my 2002 996TT.

I have always been led to believe that this should not be a problem, but when speaking with my local OPC, they have advised me that their computer tells them that the X73 is only available for the 2003 onwards models.

Now they will of course sell me the bits, but I am a little confused. I was under the impression that there was no difference between the 2002 and 2003 model in reference to the suspension. Does anybody know different?

I still propose to fit the kit, but obviously don't want to buy parts and waste money!

hopefully just an error in the OPC database, but some comfort would be appreciated if anybody can shed any light!?

Help!!!

JJ

There was a facelift in 2003 though i assume we all thought it was just changes to the dash. Maybe other changes were made? No doubt someone will be along to clarify.

[jjcodex]

Wanta996Gotta said:

There was a facelift in 2003 though i assume we all thought it was just changes to the dash. Maybe other changes were made? No doubt someone will be along to clarify.

Hi matey

I think the facelift you are referring to is the 2002 one, of which mine is one - mine has the revised dash etc.

JJ

[EvoSlayer]

As far as I know the X73 option for RoW wide bodied cars was not introduced until either '03 or '04, however can be retrofitted to earlier cars, this is possibly the cause the the OPC database query. Kit includes lower/stiffer spring/damper combo, firmer engine mounts and according to some sources thicker rear anti-roll bar (however check this as I've never had this confirmed) Some quote X73 kit as using a 22.5mm rear anti-roll bar for turbo & C4S (Stock is 21.7mm). However, for about £220+vat you can get the GT2/GT3 (same part no) 4 way adjustable one which is what I'm running.

[jjcodex]

Hi Evo

thanks for the response! interesting about the roll bar.

My biggest fear is that I buy the kit and find that it doesn't fit!

Big difference with the GT2 rollbar?

How is your beastie?

[billywhiz]

Hi
I have just had the x73 fitted to an 05 turbo.It consists of 4 complete struts and 2 uprated engine mounts.The shocks are bilstein and Chris Franklin says are the b8 model,but are specifically valved to porsche's specifcation.The springs are matched again to porsche spec.There is no roll bar in the kit.If you so desire the shocks can be refurbished by bilstein, and done to your own spec if you know what you want.Physically I cant see why they couldnt be fitted to an earlier car but I would imagine Chris Franklin at Centre Gravity will know

[jjcodex]

Hi Billy

Thanks for the input - I wonder if Chris would mind if I had a chat with him. Interesting about the shocks being bilstein - that would make sense to be fair.

JJ

billywhiz said:

Hi
I have just had the x73 fitted to an 05 turbo.It consists of 4 complete struts and 2 uprated engine mounts.The shocks are bilstein and Chris Franklin says are the b8 model,but are specifically valved to porsche's specifcation.The springs are matched again to porsche spec.There is no roll bar in the kit.If you so desire the shocks can be refurbished by bilstein, and done to your own spec if you know what you want.Physically I cant see why they couldnt be fitted to an earlier car but I would imagine Chris Franklin at Centre Gravity will know

[ZeroH]

billywhiz said:

Hi
I have just had the x73 fitted to an 05 turbo.It consists of 4 complete struts and 2 uprated engine mounts.The shocks are bilstein and Chris Franklin says are the b8 model,but are specifically valved to porsche's specifcation.The springs are matched again to porsche spec.There is no roll bar in the kit.If you so desire the shocks can be refurbished by bilstein, and done to your own spec if you know what you want.Physically I cant see why they couldnt be fitted to an earlier car but I would imagine Chris Franklin at Centre Gravity will know

Billywhizz what are your initial thoughts on X73 compared to stock ?

[billywhiz]

Hi ZeroH

I love it.I fitted to my turbo s.It is firmer than stock but what i have noticed is far less roll and pitching.Chris does this great test around a round about to check for break away we got to i think 28-30 mph, and I asked him to stop as I was feeling sick.But now I am on my own I go looking for roundabouts best fun around.Yes it is firmer but to me that is more in keeping with a sports car.I have just been round Switzerland in it and it was fine.They say it is lower approx 20mm than stock I think it is a little lower than the stock but it's attiude is now set up properly more sort of nose down. Ride height is perfect no problem with sleeping police men etc but i dont cane it over them.I would not revert to stock.I do believe those clever gentleman at Porsche know exactly what they were doing. It seems the best compromise allround,with a performance slant.There was a lot of comment on other sites about it being to firm.I would pitch it as a kit for the spirited driver who occasionally wants to go on the track rather than the more track orientated setups which seem to make daily driving so much more of a pain in the ass.I would try to get a ride in a car fitted with it first though.

[ZeroH]

billywhiz said:

Hi ZeroH

I love it.I fitted to my turbo s.It is firmer than stock but what i have noticed is far less roll and pitching.Chris does this great test around a round about to check for break away we got to i think 28-30 mph, and I asked him to stop as I was feeling sick.But now I am on my own I go looking for roundabouts best fun around.Yes it is firmer but to me that is more in keeping with a sports car.I have just been round Switzerland in it and it was fine.They say it is lower approx 20mm than stock I think it is a little lower than the stock but it's attiude is now set up properly more sort of nose down. Ride height is perfect no problem with sleeping police men etc but i dont cane it over them.I would not revert to stock.I do believe those clever gentleman at Porsche know exactly what they were doing. It seems the best compromise allround,with a performance slant.There was a lot of comment on other sites about it being to firm.I would pitch it as a kit for the spirited driver who occasionally wants to go on the track rather than the more track orientated setups which seem to make daily driving so much more of a pain in the ass.I would try to get a ride in a car fitted with it first though.

Thanks !

Interesting to get the views of someone who lives with it. I've tested a turbo S with X73 back in 07, albeit it was mainly over crappy country roads in Surrey and I really couldnt get on with it - it never settled enough to flow with the road.

Having said that, if you use it on smoother tarmac then I think its a great upgrade and totally agree with you that it really makes the turbo feel more of a sports car. It will certainly do the business on track and as long as you're ok with the ride then I think its a nice upgrade, makes the whole car feel tighter.

[Alexe911]

I got Chris to fit the X73 kit (with the GT3 engine mounts) + GT3 front lower arms and cup type rear toe links to me 03 plate 996 Turbo.

With the wider front track (I think we went for about 35mm) and more toe at and camber at the front and less camber at the back, the car was transformed. By warned though that you DO lose the ride quality.

If you want a car which is closer to the GT2/3 idea then great, if you want the car to be more fun to drive and want to maintain the fide quality then think about sticking with rebuilding what you have at the moment with stock turbo kit at CG.

All that said, If I bought another 996 TT, I would probably go down the X73 route again.

[m030]

That will be difficult as the X74 and the X73 kits were discontinued since 3 years or so.
You can still buy all the special parts separately but it will cost dearly.