964 suspension and bodywork advice

[RoryH]

i'm posting this on behalf of my father.

His 964 C2 had a full engine and box rebuild last year (in Ireland) and while the engine is in top shape, the rest of the car is showing its age. It needs a full glass-out respray and ideally some suspension work and a proper set-up. It has been lowered at some point in it's life and while it's fun on a track, it's rock hard on the road. It's a car that does a lot of miles and he thinks he'd enjoy it more if it was more forgiving.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a specialist ideally near manchester, or between holyhead and there?

Many thanks

Rory

[sneaky schnell]

I you are interested I can recommend two good guys in Dublin.

I got Bilsteins with H&R red springs put on my 964 in Dublin by Bryan Kane at Harmonstown Motors. He is a very well regarded Porsche specialist who can also set cars up very well. Ken Bolger at Specialist Cars Ireland in Chapelizod also has a good reputation.

If you want to research these two guys, I recommend you visit the Porsche Club Ireland site who will reassure you regarding their excellent reputations.

http://forum.porsche-club-ireland.com/

Edited by sneaky schnell on Monday 2nd January 22:26

[ras62]

Speak with Unit 11 AND 9M in Warrington to talk details & numbers, then get the ferry to L'pool. Mileage 40 there and 40 back!

[thegoose]

I'd also recommend Unit 11 for all the mechanical work but also suggest you speak to Boxsey (Steve) off here about his experiences improving and developing his 964 C2 (using Unit 11). I drove it after the KW V3 suspension was fitted and would think you'd find it better on the road and likely better on the track too.

Doubtless Ninemeister can do excellent bodywork but you'll probably find you need deep pockets (they can do the mechanical work too but again will be a bit more pricey).

Given it's a 20year old car and they're all different I'd suggest you get a shortlist of a few places and spend a day or two taking the car round for them to see and give you an idea of what they'd do and what it might cost before deciding who you're happy with.

[RoryH]

Thanks for the replies.

While the rebuild was top notch with Tom Fahy in Galway, he's keen on getting some prices in the Uk while he's there on business.

Can anyone give a guide price on what they've paid for a good respray?

Thanks

Rory

[iguana]

Going standard on the suspension may be the best option- if your Dad is anything like mine anyway regarding harder suspension.

Only problem is 964s look daft at standard ride height, Eibach springs- which are progressively wound & not particually high on the spring rates- so not too harsh on bumps like a harder regular linier spring & firm up the more they are compressed, coupled to new shocks might be the best bet.

[marky911]

^^^^^

This seems to be a popular combination if the car isn't going to be used on track. Add to this a set of new suspension bushes throughout (there's a few of them!) and the car should drive lovely once set up.

http://www.carnewal-europe.com/main.htm

ETA - Direct link not working. It's to a set of Bilstein HD dampers and H+R green springs.

Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 3rd January 11:41

[OlberJ]

How harsh are the KWV3's then? Too much for the road?

[boxsey]

OlberJ said:

How harsh are the KWV3's then? Too much for the road?

Depends to a certain extent on how you have them set up. If you have the ride height set to about RS + 10 mm and the bump and rebound set to about 50% all round, I don't think they're harsh at all. I would describe it as more of a sporty ride. Mine are set a bit lower (RS + 5 mm) and the B&R are set on the firm side. I also have poly bushes in the wishbones and ARBs. I play around with the shock settings for track work - a click here and there can make quite a difference to how it behaves in the corners. For me they are the perfect compromise for road and track.

[Junior Bianno]

marky911 said:

^^^^^

This seems to be a popular combination if the car isn't going to be used on track. Add to this a set of new suspension bushes throughout (there's a few of them!) and the car should drive lovely once set up.

http://www.carnewal-europe.com/main.htm

ETA - Direct link not working. It's to a set of Bilstein HD dampers and H+R green springs.

Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 3rd January 11:41

I emailed Gert about these a few months ago and he said they were on back order - I'm not sure, but at the time it looked like Bilstein had discontinued them??

Looked at all sorts of different options and in the end went for the KW Varient 1. Not planning much track action so the V3 seemed like overkill. You can adjust the ride height with the V1, but not the damper settings. V1 a good bit cheaper than V3 too.

It's difficult because suspension settings are so subjective - personal preference I mean, but for me the ride/handling with this set up with 18" speedline reps is pretty much perfect. It's firm, and I definitely avoid any form of pothole, but personally find it perfectly comfortable. Proper geo setup essential though!