Stiffer suspension on 996?
Discussion
Racing an RS4 last night through the twisties near Haslemere in Surrey (it's the first time I've really driven the 996 in anger as it hasn't been near a track yet), it became apparent v quickly that the high speed cornering and quick changes of direction were far from what I'm used to in my previous Exige - just felt unstable at speed on the twisty bits, and almost lost it a couple of times, with a surprising amount of body roll.
The thought is to stiffen the springs up and lower it slightly - any suggestions? (Need to keep the budget to a minimum having just bought it, shelled out for a sports exhaust and OPC warranty).
Have some 19" turbo wheels on order, so that may improve things slightly.
Cheers guys.
The thought is to stiffen the springs up and lower it slightly - any suggestions? (Need to keep the budget to a minimum having just bought it, shelled out for a sports exhaust and OPC warranty).
Have some 19" turbo wheels on order, so that may improve things slightly.
Cheers guys.
...if you're serious about handling rather than ricer/ bling bling looks, I'd suggest cancelling the alloys and getting a decent sports suspension instead. I have the Porsche jobby on mine and am happy - 10mm lowering only though.
There are other good sports suspensions out there though.
The 19" rims will ruin the 'feel' and delicacy of the 996 handling. 18" is the biggest you should go, IMHO.
There are other good sports suspensions out there though.
The 19" rims will ruin the 'feel' and delicacy of the 996 handling. 18" is the biggest you should go, IMHO.
The 996 on standard suspension is something of a sports biased GT, Porsche were very clever in doing this because it broadened the cars appeal & its why some say it has gone a little softer compared with its predecessors, how wrong they are, it is just a case of choosing the 030 sports suspension package & this really does transform the cars handling in extremes.
With 030 sports suspension (10mm lower) fitted the car under-steers far less, pitch float & roll are reduced substantially & the car has a much more cohesive handling feel! The trade off is a harsher ride, but it isn't bad, just slightly worse than standard! The 030 is fitted as standard to the 996TT & 996C4S & IMO is the right balance between best handling & ride quality for the road!
Also available is the much more extreme X-74 30mm lower set up, alla GT3, but this is VERY harsh on a bumpy B road & is best left for the track although the new 997 series cars with PASM overcome most of the ride problems.
First thing to do is check your service book or under bonnet & see if your VIL sticker (which lists all the option codes fitted to the car new) has the 030 code if it doesn't then I highly recommend you spend the money it transforms the cars handling!
19 inch wheels are something of a no no on the handling front I am afraid, the car was designed to perform best on 17 or 18 inchers, going bigger may look nice, but it will crap up the handling balance, ride, speedo & more, although as with all these things only by degrees!!!
Hope this helps.
With 030 sports suspension (10mm lower) fitted the car under-steers far less, pitch float & roll are reduced substantially & the car has a much more cohesive handling feel! The trade off is a harsher ride, but it isn't bad, just slightly worse than standard! The 030 is fitted as standard to the 996TT & 996C4S & IMO is the right balance between best handling & ride quality for the road!
Also available is the much more extreme X-74 30mm lower set up, alla GT3, but this is VERY harsh on a bumpy B road & is best left for the track although the new 997 series cars with PASM overcome most of the ride problems.
First thing to do is check your service book or under bonnet & see if your VIL sticker (which lists all the option codes fitted to the car new) has the 030 code if it doesn't then I highly recommend you spend the money it transforms the cars handling!
19 inch wheels are something of a no no on the handling front I am afraid, the car was designed to perform best on 17 or 18 inchers, going bigger may look nice, but it will crap up the handling balance, ride, speedo & more, although as with all these things only by degrees!!!
Hope this helps.
Edited by Grant3 on Friday 8th June 10:59
JT71 said:
Racing an RS4 last night through the twisties near Haslemere in Surrey (it's the first time I've really driven the 996 in anger as it hasn't been near a track yet), it became apparent v quickly that the high speed cornering and quick changes of direction were far from what I'm used to in my previous Exige - just felt unstable at speed on the twisty bits, and almost lost it a couple of times, with a surprising amount of body roll.
The thought is to stiffen the springs up and lower it slightly - any suggestions? (Need to keep the budget to a minimum having just bought it, shelled out for a sports exhaust and OPC warranty).
Have some 19" turbo wheels on order, so that may improve things slightly.
Cheers guys.
I take it that it was the new RS4? I must admit I'm suprised at you issues, not wanting to sound harsh, but do you think it was down to your driving? Training on that side can greatly improve handling, and you can take it to your next car... I found a boggo C4 plenty in the handling fronts to see off most cars, only gets hairy at speeds on corners that to be honest were too fast for road conditions...The thought is to stiffen the springs up and lower it slightly - any suggestions? (Need to keep the budget to a minimum having just bought it, shelled out for a sports exhaust and OPC warranty).
Have some 19" turbo wheels on order, so that may improve things slightly.
Cheers guys.
You're right - I'm no racing driver, but have done enough track days and had some driver training to know the difference between that 'planted' feel of an Elise / Exige and a car like a 996 that's not set up for a track bias. Bearing in mind I'll be taking it on the track before long, basic suspension mods seem to be the way forward. Perhaps you were driving your C4 too slowly to notice the difference?!
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