Need advice from experts in setting up 911 suspension

[TonyG]

Car: 1982 911SC

Suspension stock with 107k miles on it, factory Bilstein front/rear shocks/struts. Fuch 7"/9" with 205/245 tires. Stock ride height.

I'm going to replace "everything".

The question is... how to set it up.


The front feels "bouncy" and the rear feels too soft.

I can't lower it too much because my driveway is real steep and I'd scrape all over the place. I can go semi-low.

What I want is suspension that feels like a 993tt setup. While this may be unrealistic since the suspension is different, what I seek is to have similar feeling spring and damping rates. Tight.. but not harsh.

I have quite a bit of track experience on big tracks, and I'm not trying to turn this into a race car (if I track it... it will only be for fun and occasionally at most). I still like a ride similar to that of a stock 993tt with respect to firmness and damping.

The question is... what torsion bars to use (or should I go coil over?), how big to go on the sway bars (late style Carrera or Weltmeisters.. which I have a ton of experience with on 944 turbos), and which bushings to use that will feel firm but not race car harsh/noisy.

I know it's a lot to ask... but I'm sure those of you with experience in setting these cars up can provide me with some insight.

It it were a 944 turbo... I'd know what to do. But I've never setup a '80's 911.

Thanks in advance,

TonyG

[sushinav]

Hi Tony,
You out of the 951 scene for good? I got a lot out of your posts during my ownership, welcome to 911s.

My 2 cents would be to do it gradually to get it where you want. 1. Bilstein HDs from shox.com
2. Need stiffer, go to 21F 27R Torsion bars for street stiff.
3. Still need stiffer, Go to Carrera sways, 22/21
4. Still need stiffer, Bushings and monoballs.

Try the search function and you may see more variations and opinions, I am by no means an expert, but this should give you some ideas.

Cheers,

[petevb]

You have PM.

[TonyG]

sushinav

Hey

I'm not out of the 951's. In fact, I just built another car.

But for the street the SC for now is what I want to drive as it's much tamer than the 951's I build/setup which makes a much nicer street car (although obviously nowhere near as fast...).

I'm going to rip out the entire suspension and "redo it" which means all new bushings, torsion bars (or coil overs), larger sway bars, trigangulated strut brace, geometry correction kit, etc...

But I don't know what it would take to get me close to a 993tt feel.. which is what I want.

That's the big question.

TonyG

[sushinav]

Sounds like a fun project. Make sure you post your progress here, it will be fun to see what you create.

[Lukesportsman]

Tony:

Seeing how you like to take things to the extreme, why don't you do the extreme! It isn't easy but it has been done: Put a late model rear suspension in your ride. The best way to get to 993 ride quality would be to use their suspension. It is not something that I'd be interested in because vintage feel is something I adore.

[Randy Webb]

Yes, I adore Morgan's too....


There is a thread on Rennlist re 993 rear susp.s - search for those keywords, or my name, Steve Weiner and I thin cary Eisenlohr even posted.