Help with factory suspension height

[SidneyDHaynes]

I Recent purchased an 87/ 930 that has been lowered and need help in determining the original factory suspension height. The currently dimension at the rear wheel well from the floor to the top of wheel well measures 23 1/2”. Hoping that someone can share the correct factory heights for the front and rear wheel wells.

[908/930]

I just checked mine, I think it is factory height? From ground to the lower part of the fender where it rolls in, Rear 24 7/8" front 26" Some day I will lower it a little. Are your tires stock size?

[SidneyDHaynes]

Thanks for your response. That’s very helpful.
My tire sizes:
Rear 245/45/16
Front 205/55/16
Bridgestone Potenza
Not sure if these are the original factory specs.
I feel like my cars stance sits just a bit to low.

[krasuskyp]

Ohmy - no, just no.

Google pics of OE US 930 ride height - it's abhorrent! Yours is *spot-on* IMO (obviously to each their own, buuuuuuuut). They look Rancho 4x4 as delivered... >wretch<

IIRC, 23.5 is the height everyone strives for, unless they're going super aggressive.

And yes those are OEM tire sizes.

Gorgeous car - welcome, congrats, and ENJOY!

[356911930]

I recall Bruce Anderson suggesting 25” at the rear fender lip and 25.5” at the front fender lip.

Ask for pictures of different cars with documented heights. Also if the roads are not flat sans potholes, higher might be better. Even at 25” + my car would drag and scrape all the time!

Best of luck,

Rahl

[zakthor]

Please… do yourself a favor and drive a us height 930 before you ruin yours by emulating it.

Mine was stock when i got it, i think 25-25.5, with stock torsion bars. Handling was horrific.

The car will roll back on acceleration and raise its front bumper so you must crane your neck to see. Think baja bug setup by teenager. I guess some teens think the rear sag is cool but i think the look goes better with a 60s lincoln convertibible.

Eyeballs say you seem to have a great setup right now - assuming youve got thicker torsion bars. If you need it a bit higher then so it goes. The us height was set for bumper height law, not for handling and youll really ruin the handling.

Probably you should measure/discover/account for your torsion bars, shocks and sway bars, then talk to knowledgable people to get the car the way you want it.

Ive got bigger springs, sway bars, monoball strut tops and polybronze bushings and ride is soft and smooth because the stiction is gone.

Orrrr… go ahead and drive it aggressively for a day, then do the change to usa stock and report back, you can add value and serve as a warning to others.

[356911930]

Maybe you should refer to the opinion of someone who probably knows what they are talking about...Try Bruce Andersons Book!

Rahl

[pkabush]

Originally Posted by 356911930

Maybe you should refer to the opinion of someone who probably knows what they are talking about...Try Bruce Andersons Book!

Rahl

Because the members here have no knowledge when it comes to 911s
Zakthor was spot on with his advice IMO
But sure, if you want to sacrifice the handling and looks go for it.
Like Zakthor mentioned, the U.S. ride height was implemented to meet safety standards here. The factory set the ride height to Euro specs for a reason.
Much better handling.

[356911930]

Ok, so what is the measured US ride height you speak of?

Does the OP have raised spindles for a 23” ride height? Probably not!

Rahl

[Black968]

Mine sits at 25" Rear, 25.5" Front 86 USA Turbo, looks right IMO.

[zakthor]

Originally Posted by 356911930

Ok, so what is the measured US ride height you speak of?

Does the OP have raised spindles for a 23” ride height? Probably not!

Rahl

Weve got no idea of his setup, he might actually have a car thats dialled well for sporty driving. Or it might have been slammed with stock springs and shocks and ride like crap.

The height isnt about looks, i think itd be unfortunate if he decided his ride height via an internet fashion show.

These cars can ride wonderfully. He should account what he has now, then find a good suspension person and take their advice.

I was lucky to have greg fordahl do my car because he steered me right when internet advice was all over the map.

[Ollies930]

SidneyDhaynes, welcome for starters. Then could you explain why you want to change the ride height? And for clarification, are you trying to go back to US or Euro ride height? The US ride height cars had spacers on the front steering rack to lower it, to retain proper geometry and keep the tie rods relatively level. If your car was properly set up, then there were some modifications done, that you probably need to undo to raise the car, especially if going to US ride height. Best to let a qualified shop look at it and make a list of existing modifications, so you can figure out what you need to do to get to your desired ride height.