Ohlins

look 171 · 12-02-2020, 11:32 AM

Anyone have any experience with their road and race shocks? My Cayman's Bilstein has a small leak on the rear corner. Its jsut a matter of time the other will leak too. I am thinking Ohlins. This will my cheap thrills daily driver. I am looking for a firmer ride with more control and input. Nothing harsh like a track car bouncing all over the fwys, since they are adjustable, any real world feedbacks? Some of these shock companies claims adj. but their softest setting maybe too harsh for street use because they try to eek out the very last half second on the track. Thoughts?

bleucamaro · 12-02-2020, 11:58 AM

I ran a set of them on my '05 Subby STI (Single Adjustable, fixed perch strut). They had a large adjustment range and I appreciated how over built they were. At full soft, they aren't matched to the spring rates and were bouncy. Full stiff would lock the shock out (I never tried them there). I recall about 30 clicks of adjustment and it being fairly linear. Street driving was set about 12 clicks from soft, and autocross was about 20.

I autocrossed that car a lot, and the handling was great, but too harsh and stiff for a daily driver.

For me, in a Cayman, I'd go for a set of PSS9's.

1990C4S · 12-02-2020, 11:59 AM

I drove a 996 with Ohlins R&T...in one word? Spectacular.

onewhippedpuppy · 12-02-2020, 12:34 PM

I had a Cayman with PSS9s set to Cayman R suspension specs. It was sublime.

look 171 · 12-02-2020, 01:30 PM

I have PSS9 now. One is leaking after 35,000 miles

I have PSS9 on my 993. Its a bit jumpy at times but not with the Cayman

Eric Coffey · 12-02-2020, 01:36 PM

The Ohlins should be a step up from the PSS9s right out of the box (very trick valving tech). Even more so if sourced from a dealer/service center, who can tune/valve/dyno a set to your specific needs/application.
OP: I can't remember the name off hand, but there is a (fellow P-car) guy up in Simi Valley who runs one of the very few (automotive) Ohlins service centers in the US. I'd look him up and go from there. YMMV...

look 171 · 12-02-2020, 01:41 PM

Thanks Eric, great to know.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Ohlins are supposed to be the bees knees. But a set of their R&Ts is something like $6K retail, and their TTS is about $10K. That's for the hardware, alone. At least those are the prices for their stuff that fits my 964. I have found that there are a couple online sellers that have them for less, though.

look 171 · 12-02-2020, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

Ohlins are supposed to be the bees knees. But a set of their R&Ts is something like $6K retail, and their TTS is about $10K. That's for the hardware, alone. At least those are the prices for their stuff that fits my 964. I have found that there are a couple online sellers that have them for less, though.

Yep, looking at the Road and Track, not race, sorry. They are jsut below 4k with all hardware. I called that guy Eric suggested today. Brenner shocks. He maybe able to get you a good deal?

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

The cheapest I found was Design911 out of the UK. Even with the pound-to-dollar exchange and shipping (no VAT), it is cheaper than anywhere else I have found (well, haven't tried Brenner yet) at about $4500. But that's still about $2K more than KW, which is supposedly good but not great (like Ohlins). I also looked into MCS, which may seem cheaper up front, but their shocks don't come with springs, so in the end the cost isn't that far off Ohlins (or maybe more).

rusnak · 12-02-2020, 06:22 PM

Have you considered the Bilstein Damptronic struts?

https://flat6motorsports.com/collections/987-suspension/products/bilstein-b16-damptronic-coilover-system-987-cayman-boxster-w-pasm

look 171 · 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

The cheapest I found was Design911 out of the UK. Even with the pound-to-dollar exchange and shipping (no VAT), it is cheaper than anywhere else I have found (well, haven't tried Brenner yet) at about $4500. But that's still about $2K more than KW, which is supposedly good but not great (like Ohlins). I also looked into MCS, which may seem cheaper up front, but their shocks don't come with springs, so in the end the cost isn't that far off Ohlins (or maybe more).

Good thing is he's local, up in Semi. Certify by Ohlins to perform any of their repairs too. Small shop, low overhead. I had a lengthy chat with hi,. Nice guy. Has racing experience from the mid 60s racing 356. Now he races Formulas. Tons of experience.

look 171 · 12-02-2020, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

Have you considered the Bilstein Damptronic struts?

https://flat6motorsports.com/collections/987-suspension/products/bilstein-b16-damptronic-coilover-system-987-cayman-boxster-w-pasm

For another 1000 bucks more, People often say the Ohlins are a superior product. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Bilstein. You have stock shocks on yours?

rusnak · 12-02-2020, 06:37 PM

^ I have stock PASM Bilsteins, yes. I thought about Damp Tronic but I need to study how to take all of the interior trim out in the rear of the car. The fronts look super easy.

Now you have me thinking about Ohlins all the way 'round. Fascinating technology. I see that you can adjust the stiffness.
https://flat6motorsports.com/collections/987-suspension/products/ohlins-road-track-coilover-system-987-cayman-boxster

look 171 · 12-02-2020, 06:41 PM

The old man told me that with his shocks (he only deals with Ohlins) a wider tires can be had. Not in my plan to go wider but nice to know. I am going to pull the trigger on a set but they are back ordered until Feb. He will try and look and trade with other dealers. Nice guy

Make sure you order with all necessary hardware. If I order through him, he will take care of all that so nothing go missing during install. No fun if one little part is missing and have to wait.

rusnak · 12-02-2020, 06:43 PM

I need taller tires on the front. I damaged too many front rims on potholes, which is one of the reasons why I have not gotten stiffer front struts.

You plan to change all 4 shocks, correct?

look 171 · 12-02-2020, 06:46 PM

I am running 19" on a stock 911 rim. CAr came that way. The PSS is a bit firm when I hit a good size pot hole, there are plenty down here, the whole damn thing go clank. You feel it alright.

Tired of those shocks. Yep, all coilovers. Done.

rusnak · 12-02-2020, 06:53 PM

BTW if you haven't installed GT-3 front control arms, now is the time to do it. And larger brake ducts.

look 171 · 12-02-2020, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

BTW if you haven't installed GT-3 front control arms, now is the time to do it. And larger brake ducts.

hahahah. Right. Since I am under there...Why not?

Getting to the shock tower isn't too hard. A few plastic panel has to come out. I tore out most of that once chasing after a rattle back there. It turned out to be a loose screw sitting on the plastic

look 171 · 12-02-2020, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

I need taller tires on the front. I damaged too many front rims on potholes, which is one of the reasons why I have not gotten stiffer front struts.

You plan to change all 4 shocks, correct?

I really don't think the Ohlins are too stiff. Maybe a tiny, little bit according to the old man. After I told him I am after a slightly tighter car. He thinks it will be the same but the rebound will be much better and steering feel with improve.