Undo lowered ride height 911SC

[BoxerBill]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone here could give me an idea of what would be involved in having a 911SC returned back to factory height?
I’m looking into a car that has been lowered (I mean, really a lot. Looks lower than just Euro height, but…?). The guy says nothing has been ‘chopped’ or modified that can’t be returned to factory.
I would expect all new shocks. Some kind of steering rack or camber modification to be undone?? (I thought I read that somewhere long ago?)
anything else?
Any idea of a ballpark cost range?

TIA.

[Reiver]

If nothing was modified then you simply raise the front via the torsion bar adjusters and if more is needed simply remove the torsion bat caps and move them up a few notches/splines.
In the rear remove the torsion bar spring plates and move them down a few splines to the height you desire.
This wouldn't be cost prohibitive.

[1QuickS]

I recommend you find a Porsche shop (air cooled 911s in particular) that performs alignments for confidence in your service. Someone who says your car was chopped does not sound like they have experience with 911 suspension, a risky situation to use them if they do not declare their experience with 911 suspension.

[Otter74]

I think this is a car the OP is considering purchasing, and the ‘chopped’ comment was made by the seller.

[1QuickS]

Yes, my error. I'd still worry a seller using the terms "chopped" regarding a 911.

[BoxerBill]

Thanks to all.
Otter is right, and I should have said “looking into ‘purchasing’ a car”.

The photograph that I saw just looked so low that I enquired to the seller about the height.
He ’seemed’ to suggest that it was more than just the standard adjustable height adjusters that had been set, and that it was a more involved process (though I am not sure about this). He did say that nothing had been ‘cut’ or permanently modified, and it could be returned to regular height. (Presumably by a Porsche mechanic)
I have no experience with any of this, and am trying to figure what could have been done to lower the car beyond any standard normal height adjustments.

So... at a reputable Porsche shop, and assuming nothing really weird has been done to the height (unless you guys know of what that possibly could be)

• Perform all the standard height adjustments you all have listed here.
• Is there a bump-steer kit that would need to be removed?
• Install new shocks
• full alignment job
• Anything else?

And finally; any idea what something like this would roughly cost?

(Of course what I’m trying to do here is figure out what price I can justify paying for this car, vs how much additional I will have to sink into it)

Thanks again to everyone.

[jac1976]

Maybe he means that the spindles have not been raised by saying it has not been “chopped.”

[LIRS6]

In general I would suspect $650 +/- to have the height re-set and an alignment done as Reiver described above. A "bump steer kit" is basically 2 spacers added to the steering rack; not much involved for removal, if one was installed. If the car has turbo tie rods, it likely would not have it anyway.

Jason

[GH85Carrera]

Certainly have the 911 checked out by a reputable Porsche shop.

It is quite possible to lower a G body 911 with no cutting or modifications outside of suspension settings. It is not like so many other cars where some fool cuts off some spring coils or heats up a coil to make it sag.

I would suggest you have it set to the European height. That is the height the Porsche engineers designed the car to ride at. The American ride height was only to meet the DOT bumper height specs.

Also, if you are going to the trouble to change the ride height, talk to the mechanic and see if the rubber bushings have ever been replaced or updated. Any SC that has not had the rubber bushings replaced is way over due. 1/2 the work is done to reindex the bars. If you buy the car consider replacing those bushings "while you are in there" and save yourself future money and grief. The front end is fairly easy. The rear a bit trickier, but read the forum, many dozen threads are on how non professional mechanics like myself replaced the bushings, and refurnished the suspension themselves. If I can do it, almost any weekend shade tree mechanic can do it.

I would also suggest you find the local PCA region and ask those guys. Find a member with a SC or Carrera and talk to them, ask about their ride height, and who the local mechanics are. They all love to talk about their cars. We have a great group in our region.

[BoxerBill]

Thanks for all comments.

Yes, Glen I would absolutely have all bushing replaced as part of a suspension rebuild. Also any other bushings as further repairs and restorations were to progress. (shifter, engine mounts, wherever there is a bushing
All that said, I would love to get a PPI on the car. But I really don't know if that would be possible, given a variety of different factors, not least of which being covid. But I'm at least going to try and speak with a mechanic or two if I can.