996 - lowering

[monthefish]

The option code for the lowered springs seesm to be MO30 - is that right? (The option code read 'M030 SPORT-TYPE RUNNING GEAR')

If a basic 996 Carrera were fitted with this option code, would it have the same ride height as the GT3?
i.e.

[chris_w]

The short answer is no, I'm not 100% sure on the numbers but think M030 is a 10mm drop and the full GT3 setup -30mm.

[Mario149]

chris_w said:

The short answer is no, I'm not 100% sure on the numbers but think M030 is a 10mm drop and the full GT3 setup -30mm.

sounds about right. M030 drops it to the same height as the C4S & Turbo if memory serves

[steve singh]

It's a 10mm drop on M030 and the GT3 is a 30mm drop.

Can get the M030 for about £600 now I believe, from somewhere like design911?

Whilst it looks better the ride harshness increases dramatically - I'd recommend you go for a ride in a car which has the m030 to make sure you can live with it.

[s_mcneil]

chris_w said:

The short answer is no, I'm not 100% sure on the numbers but think M030 is a 10mm drop and the full GT3 setup -30mm.

M030 is -20mm front, -10mm rear

X74 is -40mm front, -30mm rear

[monthefish]

s_mcneil said:

chris_w said:

The short answer is no, I'm not 100% sure on the numbers but think M030 is a 10mm drop and the full GT3 setup -30mm.

M030 is -20mm front, -10mm rear

X74 is -40mm front, -30mm rear

Cheers.

X74 - is that the same as 'IX74 EXCLUSIVE SPORTS CHASSIS' - which cars was that an option on?

[s_mcneil]

Just like M030 it could be spec'd from new on certain year models, can't remember from what year though. It can also be retrofitted (JAZ in Wembley did it on a friends C2 last year) The ride heght ends up almost identical to GT2 which is slightly higher than GT3 IIRC.

[monthefish]

s_mcneil said:

Just like M030 it could be spec'd from new on certain year models, can't remember from what year though. It can also be retrofitted (JAZ in Wembley did it on a friends C2 last year) The ride heght ends up almost identical to GT2 which is slightly higher than GT3 IIRC.

Thanks. Any chance of some pics of your mates C2?

[chris_w]

monthefish said:

s_mcneil said:

Just like M030 it could be spec'd from new on certain year models, can't remember from what year though. It can also be retrofitted (JAZ in Wembley did it on a friends C2 last year) The ride heght ends up almost identical to GT2 which is slightly higher than GT3 IIRC.

Thanks. Any chance of some pics of your mates C2?

Hi, just for reference, this is what an M030 car looks like:

[s_mcneil]

monthefish said:

s_mcneil said:

Just like M030 it could be spec'd from new on certain year models, can't remember from what year though. It can also be retrofitted (JAZ in Wembley did it on a friends C2 last year) The ride heght ends up almost identical to GT2 which is slightly higher than GT3 IIRC.

Thanks. Any chance of some pics of your mates C2?

Just look at GT2 height and you'll get the same idea. Sadly I don't have any of his with X74.

[monthefish]

chris_w said:

monthefish said:

s_mcneil said:

Just like M030 it could be spec'd from new on certain year models, can't remember from what year though. It can also be retrofitted (JAZ in Wembley did it on a friends C2 last year) The ride heght ends up almost identical to GT2 which is slightly higher than GT3 IIRC.

Thanks. Any chance of some pics of your mates C2?

Hi, just for reference, this is what an M030 car looks like:

Great, ta. Looks so much better than std.

Yours?
Hows the ride?

[chris_w]

monthefish said:

Great, ta. Looks so much better than std.

Yours?
Hows the ride?

Yep, that's mine, the GT3 kit doesn't work without at least the drop the M030 gives imo.

Ride is pretty firm to be honest though I haven't spent any time in a standard car for comparison.

[monthefish]

chris_w said:

monthefish said:

Great, ta. Looks so much better than std.

Yours?
Hows the ride?

Yep, that's mine, the GT3 kit doesn't work without at least the drop the M030 gives imo.

Ride is pretty firm to be honest though I haven't spent any time in a standard car for comparison.

Would totally agree (and imo looks even better with the 'GT3' level of 'drop'). On a car like this, I would value looks and handling precision over ride comfort any day.

So to answer my own question, the M030 lowering kit drops the car by about 20mm front and 10mm rear, and looks like yours.

The GT3 is lower still.

[911perv]

Porsche offer a kit, 10mm drop on 3.4 & 3.6 cars £536 + vat, 30mm drop on 3.6 cars £1230 + vat

[monthefish]

911perv said:

Porsche offer a kit, 10mm drop on 3.4 & 3.6 cars £536 + vat, 30mm drop on 3.6 cars £1230 + vat

Thanks.

Also found this on Rennlist (http://www.rennlist.com/main996faq/faq.htm#1.%20Springs)

(c) Rennlist (probably)

Rennlist said:

Porsche's own sports suspension package substitutes stock springs with MO30's. Be sure to order the right set (US or RoW). Spring plates differ by market and I believe C2s and C4s are also different. It may well be that you can fit RoW MO30's, which are stiffer than the US part, to a US car but make sure before buying. The car will be lower by about 20mm front and 10mm rear. Some report that there is a mismatch between these springs and the stock shocks, resulting in a slight bouncing effect. This has not been confirmed by enough people to be a definitive issue however. In the order of stiffness, most other springs are likely to be stiffer than these, although a Tech at H&R claimed that the MO30's would give a greater stiffness than shorter springs, such as their own progressive spring package for the 996, due to the fact that they have greater distance in which to exert their springiness. This seems like a strange remark to me... but I'm not a spring guru like this guy was supposed to be.

You WILL feel a harsher ride with almost any sport suspension, so if you are hestitant at all, try to hitch a ride with someone who has already made the change and see if you are willing to make the trade-off (comfort vs. performance). I took a ride in Bill (Chicago)'s C2 which has H&R's and the ride was just fine. For my taste, not harsh in the slightest and giving a much flatter ride through corners. Bill reports that his H&R's are great on the track due maily to lowered center of gravity and a tightness when under pressure but that in normal driving over rough roads they are not well matched to the stock shocks giving an occassional mild bouncing effect.

There appear to be four significantly favored alternatives to MO30's: H&R, TechART, Eibach, and JRZ.

H&R springs are extremely well-known to enthusiasts the world over. The standard springs (H&R only make one set for the 996) correct understeer somewhat, lower the car (about 30mm) and feel stiffer through twisties when pushing hard. Most seem to be very happy with them but some feel these springs are too stiff/harsh. It all depends what you like. My personal view is that the car needs stiffer springs and that H&R's are almost identical to stock - really not stiff enough. The fact that they lower the car helps, however, and will keep the car flatter through turns. If you like a "touring" ride, stick with stock. (H&R has an official coilover kit for the 996 which will be formally released towards the end of 1999. Others have created their own H&R based coilovers, using, I think, Bilstein shocks.) Tire Rack sell H&R's and are one of the cheapest suppliers.

TechART springs lower the car by about 20mm. Reports are scant on performance but these springs may provide a nice balance somewhere between H&R's and Eibachs. You should expect about $360 for the set plus $400 for install and realignment.

Eibachs, typically coupled with M30 Bilstein shocks, are known in BMW circles to give many of the handling characteristics of a sport set up without being as harsh as H&R's. At least one Board member has this set up and likes it. It would appear to be a good compromise if you are not a die-hard D.E. type.

Of course, if you really, really want the best available, then JRZ's or the Penske Double Adjustables (used by Kelly Moss on their 996 race car) might just be your ticket to suspension bliss. The JRZ's come in at least 2 flavors - single adjustment and doubles (for bump and rebound). There may also be a triple adjustable version.

[s_mcneil]

If you're going to do it do it right.

Either M030 or X74 for Porsche equipment (X74 is a much superior kit IMHO)

Don't bother with the aftermarket springs and old dampers route. It only increases suspension component wear rate, ask me how I know! If you want to go aftermarket then get a complete coilover kit which matches springs and dampers. The labour costs are almost identical for fitting.

If you really must go down the springs only route then I've got a set of Techart lowering springs for sale with only 5k on them for a Carrera 2...

[Pugley]

I have the M030 option on my 996. It does make the steering sharp and "pointy" with very little body roll. Feedback and handling is excellent.

The slight downside - make sure you dont have any loose fillings and be prepared for a few more rattles in the cockpit as the suspension should rightly be described as firm. You should be OK with average speed humps but there are a few that just kiss the underside.

I would definitely not want to go any lower as it makes the car less usable as a daily driver with so many traffic calming measures around (not to mention the current speight of pot holes!)

[GT Glee]

IMO the GT3 rides better than a Carrera on M030 - I think this is down to just how stiff the GT3 shell is because spring and damper rates are all higher. I know M030 has a lower than stock damper rebound rate which does tend to cause the front to 'flick' (as best as I can describe it). It seems particulary good at sniffing out sharp ridges which sends a shudder through the body.

This is a good pic for ride height comparison against the M030 above:

[monthefish]

Don't think I've ever bought car parts from Amazon before, but does anyone have any experience of/with DesignTek?
(seems to original from "Design911 Porsche Parts Specialist"

http://www.amazon.co.uk/DesignTek-Lowering-Adjusta...