SWB handling and setup recommendations

[deathpunk dan]

Hello.
I am looking at a 68 911 coupe project (albeit one with a fresh engine rebuild). If I buy this car, it will be for street use only. I am leery of SWB cars due to the 'legendary' handling stories I hear.

What are the best practices, especially in terms of bang-for-buck, with regard to suspension setup for these cars? Swap the front out for 911SC or similar necessary?

TIA

[javadog]

All 911s can end up in a ditch, not just the early ones. The handling problems were greatly exaggerated. The problems that made the cars infamous related to their on-the-limit behavior and journalists just loved to talk about them. If you drive fast enough on the street that you reach the car's (or your) limits, you're going too fast.

I wouldn't think any parts swapping is needed. Use modern tires, make sure the parts that wear in the suspension (shocks, bushings, ball joints, tie rods, etc.) are in good shape and the alignment/corner balance is correct. Run with a full tank of fuel and the spare/jack/tools in place. Enjoy the car.

JR

[rvanderpyl]

It is a good idea to replace the front end as the ball joints on early cars tend to contribute to their floaty feeling. However much of the evil handling reputation can be put down to skinny bias ply tires. Modern radials, especially if you use 6 and 7" rims will give you more grip than you can safely use on the street.

I have a 68 and run 205/16 45 on the front and 225/16 40 on the back and I have yet to experience an uncontrollable slide, even while running high speed autocrosses, yes you can get the rear end to slide but you can also gather it up at least as easily as any other rear drive car.

[EarlyPorsche]

Tell us more about the Porsche. What color? Engine? Condition? Any story behind it or interesting options?

[ttweed]

Originally posted by rvanderpyl
I have a 68 and run 205/16 45 on the front and 225/16 40 on the back...

What offset rims are you running to fit 225s in the rear on your '68-- or are the fenders flared a bit?

TT

[deathpunk dan]

Well
I am not sure how many details I should be giving away at this point as I do believe the seller is a pelicanite...and of course no sale has taken place yet.

It's a plain 911, not an S or an L. It's currently
white, but the original color was Tangerine.

From the seller:

-Has rare tartan (plaid) interior, which is in great shape except the driver's seat needs adjustment, but upholstery-wise it's great.
-rare "Comfort Option" Fuchs.
-Engine rebuilt ~1000 miles ago by Porsche shop.
-Webers (dual 46's !!!) rebuilt same time
-Car is complete, not disassembled.
-Needs some rust repair in a few places. It does NOT have rusty
suspension points. The rust is from a leaky garage so the offensive areas are more top than bottom. Not horrific, but definitely will need some attention.
-Was dented in storage by previous owner in door and rear quarter -- not terrible but will need to be dealt with.

-----

I am interested in buying the car minus the rare seats as the seller has been offered good money for them...and I would immediately put later highback stock seats from a 74+ car in anyway and upgrade the seatbelts.

So, we shall see what happens.

[Grady Clay]

All good advice, particularly about running with the stuff in the trunk. The 911 came with two iron weights glued and bolted inside the corners of the front bumper. See if they are still there. If so leave them. In ’69 Porsche replaced them with the dual battery set-up.

No you don’t have to update the front suspension but it significantly improves the feel.

Tell us more about the car.

All things considered, a LWB is a better handling 911 and there are many more choices for subtle updating. SWB 911s have some special charisma and a closer link to the 356 (thankfully not too close).

Best,
Grady

[JCF]

I love that charisma stuff.

Back in the day with the '69 Firebird I piled weight in the back - now, older and with the SWB 911 it goes in the front (still have those lumps also) - Funny how life is....

John

[rvanderpyl]

Originally posted by ttweed
What offset rims are you running to fit 225s in the rear on your '68-- or are the fenders flared a bit?

TT

No flares, but the car is not lowered at all, and the current wheels are after market fuchs copies, so perhaps a little different offset.