what is an 'early' 3.4 996?
Discussion
Question for you guys with early C2's (or whatever really)...
I've just changed all my coffin arms, three out of four tuning forks, and springs and dampers to M030 spec. Most of these parts - especially the arms - needed to be done anyway, but I was hoping swapping out the shocks would improve the ride, especially at the back. The car crashes and thuds over bumps (expansion joints in the motorway for example) pretty badly.
Is this a common thing - everything that could have caused it has been changed, and the parts that haven't been changed (top mounts, drop links, dogbones) were in excellent condition.
Is this just how these cars are? Motor mounts have been changed too FWIW.
I'm going to play around with tyre pressures but it seems a bit odd to me, if the car was delivered to me brand new like this I'd have thought I would say something to the dealer - and everything is basically as new from a suspension POV!
Will take it to Centre Gravity at some point to get an expert opinion if nothing comes up...
I've just changed all my coffin arms, three out of four tuning forks, and springs and dampers to M030 spec. Most of these parts - especially the arms - needed to be done anyway, but I was hoping swapping out the shocks would improve the ride, especially at the back. The car crashes and thuds over bumps (expansion joints in the motorway for example) pretty badly.
Is this a common thing - everything that could have caused it has been changed, and the parts that haven't been changed (top mounts, drop links, dogbones) were in excellent condition.
Is this just how these cars are? Motor mounts have been changed too FWIW.
I'm going to play around with tyre pressures but it seems a bit odd to me, if the car was delivered to me brand new like this I'd have thought I would say something to the dealer - and everything is basically as new from a suspension POV!
Will take it to Centre Gravity at some point to get an expert opinion if nothing comes up...
All the 911’s I’ve driven do it to some extent- 996 (multiple variants), 997, 997gt3, 991.1 GT3... they don’t like transverse ridges, and the rear tyres are very noisy.
I run 38psi in 265/35 PS4, and ran 36psi in PS2/Contis... PS4’s feel to have a slightly softer sidewall and are better with a bit more pressure. This makes the rear ride better, and stops it jumping so much over short, sharp ridges. 32 up front.
I run 38psi in 265/35 PS4, and ran 36psi in PS2/Contis... PS4’s feel to have a slightly softer sidewall and are better with a bit more pressure. This makes the rear ride better, and stops it jumping so much over short, sharp ridges. 32 up front.
Mine (C2 std suspension) is quite harsh at low speeds over broken surfaces, but everything comes together when you drive the car faster. I think it's just a trade off, unless you change to some clever dampers maybe?
A range of price points from Koni Special active, through KW V3 to possibly EXE-TC? I have no experience of any of these on a 996, but KW's are very good on 944's. The car feels instantly more modern and smoother.
A range of price points from Koni Special active, through KW V3 to possibly EXE-TC? I have no experience of any of these on a 996, but KW's are very good on 944's. The car feels instantly more modern and smoother.
Thanks all. Interesting to hear other's experiences.
I was tempted by the Koni Special Active shocks... went for OE M030 Bilsteins in the end, just to keep things simple, maybe a mistake.
I'm running 36/40 I think in the tyres atm, I'll pump them up to recommended specs and let them down a few PSI at a time to see the effects. They're some oldish Bridgestones which could do with being replaced but the tread is fine, I'll have to do some more skids to wear them down!
I was tempted by the Koni Special Active shocks... went for OE M030 Bilsteins in the end, just to keep things simple, maybe a mistake.
I'm running 36/40 I think in the tyres atm, I'll pump them up to recommended specs and let them down a few PSI at a time to see the effects. They're some oldish Bridgestones which could do with being replaced but the tread is fine, I'll have to do some more skids to wear them down!
I have Ohlins R/T with softer springs than the kit comes with, and dampers set to about 40% of their full stiffness - can thumps over motorway expansion joints, there is a section of the M25 where the surface is concrete where this is particularly evident. My tyre pressures are what CG recommended for my wheels/tyres/springs/dampers for a road car.
You can take it at 50 and have thump.....thump....thump, or faster and have thump..thump..thump, but there's no getting away from it.
You can take it at 50 and have thump.....thump....thump, or faster and have thump..thump..thump, but there's no getting away from it.
The dampers might settle / loosen off over time? M030 are obviously stiffer dampers than stock so would expect some more discomfort even with new suspension.
Mine thuds but i wouldn't say crashes over those expansion joints (with soft non M030 suspension) but i could never describe that section of M25 as enjoyable. However the new suspension arms definitely improved most of the clonking from the rear.
I run slightly lower pressure in my PS4 than standard just to take the worst of the crashiness out too. But road noise is bad in these, one of my future lockdown projects is soundproofing especially at the rear
Mine thuds but i wouldn't say crashes over those expansion joints (with soft non M030 suspension) but i could never describe that section of M25 as enjoyable. However the new suspension arms definitely improved most of the clonking from the rear.
I run slightly lower pressure in my PS4 than standard just to take the worst of the crashiness out too. But road noise is bad in these, one of my future lockdown projects is soundproofing especially at the rear
Edited by skinny on Sunday 10th May 10:00
shalmaneser said:
Thanks all. Interesting to hear other's experiences.
I was tempted by the Koni Special Active shocks... went for OE M030 Bilsteins in the end, just to keep things simple, maybe a mistake.
I'm running 36/40 I think in the tyres atm, I'll pump them up to recommended specs and let them down a few PSI at a time to see the effects. They're some oldish Bridgestones which could do with being replaced but the tread is fine, I'll have to do some more skids to wear them down!
If its comfort you want then get newer tyres and aim for a softer sidewall. If Chris thinks the ps4 are softer then go for them. And then run your pressures a bit lower. 40 is very high. I use 34 and I'm running the standard 17 setup. If you want to try the 17 setup let me know as I have a spare set you can try on your car.I was tempted by the Koni Special Active shocks... went for OE M030 Bilsteins in the end, just to keep things simple, maybe a mistake.
I'm running 36/40 I think in the tyres atm, I'll pump them up to recommended specs and let them down a few PSI at a time to see the effects. They're some oldish Bridgestones which could do with being replaced but the tread is fine, I'll have to do some more skids to wear them down!
ATM said:
If its comfort you want then get newer tyres and aim for a softer sidewall. If Chris thinks the ps4 are softer then go for them. And then run your pressures a bit lower. 40 is very high. I use 34 and I'm running the standard 17 setup. If you want to try the 17 setup let me know as I have a spare set you can try on your car.
What he said. I'm astonished how much difference it makes switching from my 19" PS4S to my 18" Continental TS850+ (I think) winter tyres. (997.1 with oem Porsche sports suspension; -20mm; no PASM (that was the sports pack coupled with LSD and 19" wheels))Much more comfortable. Also I'm driving with a tad lower air pressure than is advised in the door opening.
ETA, also switching the worn, I believe about 5 years old at the time, Michelin PS2 for the new PS4S with exactly the same dimensions made a huge difference in how the car rides and handles.
Before spending money on suspension and stuff that is not worn, invest in new tyres (make sure to burn the old ones first
). I can highly recommend the PS4S, great tyre! Edited by Filibuster on Sunday 10th May 12:11
I think newer tyres are the next port of call.
It does feel like the suspension is being overwhelmed by the weight of the wheel and tyre combo. I think lighter wheels (or 17s!) would give the dampers more ability to respond. I love the look on 18s though, maybe this is just the trade off. The hard old tyres won't be helping matters however.
My old E46 M3 rode great on 18s, but that was a much heavier car and so the wheels were proportionally less of the unsprung weight which I think makes a big difference. Tyre pressures were significantly lower too of course, Porsche does seem to advise absurdly high pressures.
Maybe some PS4s need to get bought next!
It does feel like the suspension is being overwhelmed by the weight of the wheel and tyre combo. I think lighter wheels (or 17s!) would give the dampers more ability to respond. I love the look on 18s though, maybe this is just the trade off. The hard old tyres won't be helping matters however.
My old E46 M3 rode great on 18s, but that was a much heavier car and so the wheels were proportionally less of the unsprung weight which I think makes a big difference. Tyre pressures were significantly lower too of course, Porsche does seem to advise absurdly high pressures.
Maybe some PS4s need to get bought next!
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