lowering the front end - Page 5

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

SprintStar: The Porsche engineers took all of that in account when they set the suspension. Even though the fender lip measurments might make you think that now the front is higher, in fact, with 25"front/24.5"rear, the one deg nose-down attitude is obtained. Put a protractor on the door sill and you'll see. Too many people sacrifice good handling characteristics with the exaturated lowered look. Lowering at any price to be cool. But, I have seen 911s with factory specs run circles around these lowered wonders. You really need to know what you are doing when changing the suspension dynamics. Wacking it down and getting a loud muffler is good for driving the chicks to a disco but not so good for real performance. What's more important?

SprintStar · 01-05-2004, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gunter
SprintStar: The Porsche engineers took all of that in account when they set the suspension. Even though the fender lip measurments might make you think that now the front is higher, in fact, with 25"front/24.5"rear, the one deg nose-down attitude is obtained. Put a protractor on the door sill and you'll see. Too many people sacrifice good handling characteristics with the exaturated lowered look. Lowering at any price to be cool. But, I have seen 911s with factory specs run circles around these lowered wonders. You really need to know what you are doing when changing the suspension dynamics. Wacking it down and getting a loud muffler is good for driving the chicks to a disco but not so good for real performance. What's more important?

Herr Gunter, I think you misunderstood me. The PO did set my front MUCH lower than the rear. I believe Katie is now about 25" front/26" rear. Would this help in a SWB car to transfer more weight in front or 25"front/24.5"rear is still best?

Chicks in a disco? Nay... Don't care much for them!

Sprint.

P.S I'll check out the 1° nose down when I get a chance with a protractor. I think I might have as much as 2 or 3° as she sits now!

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

O.K. I don't know what SWB 911s would be set at to have it lowered and still enjoy good handling characteristics. The '74 to Carrera years seem to have good results with 25F/24.5R with the bump steer kit installed. I believe that the SWB 911s don't have camber adjustments in the shock towers, so, when you lower these, the camber would be extremely negative. That way, your front tires are running on the inside edge. How can this be corrected on the earlier 911s? Maybe some SWB owners can chime in here. Cheers.

corey79sc · 01-05-2004, 08:15 PM

dickster what size tbars did you use in the back????

dickster · 01-06-2004, 04:51 AM

i have just installed 31mm bars.

nice and firm (but not harsh), love 'em.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Rich -

what was the final height you came up with? Car looks great...

rjp

corey79sc · 01-06-2004, 09:13 AM

it is down to 24 but i am trying to find out if i need to get bigger t bars for just the street?????

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

If you can afford it now, do it.

corey79sc · 01-06-2004, 09:24 AM

will it help on the street a lot??

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

It's an enhacement if you drive hard, you'll appreciate it. As whether or not the car will survive as is- stock will be fine. (Despite what all the doom and gloom types say)
rjp

dickster · 01-06-2004, 10:43 AM

randy,

thanks.
i got 24/24.5 in the end - very pleased with it.

Leland Pate · 01-06-2004, 10:49 AM

You know... it is not very well known that NASA uses this same system as a means of measuring critical space orbiter components!

Where did you pick up that tip???

WOW!

corey79sc · 01-06-2004, 01:56 PM

thanx, i am good like that (nasa) here i come.

jyl · jyl's Garage

You don't "need" larger torsion bars for normal street driving. My car is lowered - not as far as yours, I think a bit under 25" in front - and its not like the stock t-bars leave the front end dragging or anything.

I may end up putting in bigger torsion bars but I've also got sport shocks, polybronze bearings, and monoballs in it and I'm still going to do some AX and DE with the new stuff before finally deciding on stiffer bars. I'd like to use the most compliant suspension I can and still get the handling I want.

Quote:

Originally posted by corey79sc
it is down to 24 but i am trying to find out if i need to get bigger t bars for just the street?????

SprintStar · 01-09-2004, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gunter
I believe that the SWB 911s don't have camber adjustments in the shock towers, so, when you lower these, the camber would be extremely negative. That way, your front tires are running on the inside edge. How can this be corrected on the earlier 911s? Maybe some SWB owners can chime in here. Cheers.

Hi Gunter! How was the week?

My SWB has recently received a suspension upgrade with RSR struts and later front end. I got camber plate in the towers too. So if anything, my SWB is like a later 911, save for wheelbase differences.

Maybe some racer dudes here would share their SWB suspension settings? Thanks.

Sprint.