1968 911L Barn Find - What suspension would you choose?

[call911]

The car is currently at the shop in the midst of the engine rebuild. The suspension needs redone, and I'm looking for recommendations. It has the "L" suspension, which is essentially a '68 SWB "S". Vented rotors, Koni shocks in Boge struts. Front rotors have been replaced, SS lines done. Vented rear rotors also need to be replaced. Anyone have a source for a reasonable price for vented rear '68 rotors?

My plan is for a fun weekend car, driver's ed, vintage rallies, etc. I also want to keep the car as "reversibly original" as possible. I'm not into the concourse scene, but want a very nice "period looking" driver.

So, right now I have the '68 "S" suspension with vented rotors, Koni's, Boge struts. I've searched extensively. I could just replace the Koni's or put in Bilsteins (Boge accepts both, I think?).

Rubber bushings, vs. Elephant is another issue.

Torsion bars - Front-21/Rear 26 or 27? (SWB)

Sway bars - stock 19 front, none on rear.

Rear torsion tube reinforcement - done. (Thanks Grady!)

Then......there's a 911SC susp in the shop on a race car project, set up with Bilstein RSR coilovers, aluminum crossmember, steering rack - pretty much bolt on front that would transform the car and at a decent price. Seems like alot of people do this.

Car would be lowered and corner balanced.

Wheels would be original Fuchs 15" 5 1/2 rims on 65 or 70 profile rubber, to look period correct.

I realize that to go vintage racing in stock class, I would need a dedicated engine and other mods I don't want to do. I agree that it would be better to just get someone else's LWB racer, and that is probably eventually what I will do.

Fun choices, just want to try and decide this week. All parts are being kept, in case someday I want to return the car to stock.

Thanks for all your help

[shbop]

Henry, I just put Bilsteins on my 66'. Changed all the bushings. I replaced the stock spring-plates with Weltmeisters, and used the hard bushings that came with them. I left the origonal torsion bars in place. Lowered the car about 1 1/2". I'm very happy with how the car rides and handles. I'm not a racer, so perhaps one of those guys will chime-in.

[call911]

Jon - which Bilsteins did you use, HD fronts/Sport rears? I've heard that's the combo for LWB, just wondering if it's the same for SWB cars. Sounds like you used stock OEM rubber. Why did you change the spring plates?

Thanks,

PS Great avitar! Always makes me laugh. We have our third child on the way.....another boy, of course!

[Zeke]

Originally posted by call911
Sounds like you used stock OEM rubber. Why did you change the spring plates?

As he didn't say OEM, I doubt it. The urethane are far easier to do. OEM front rubber is not available w/o the whole arm, AFAIK. On the rear, he most likely used Welt because they are adjustable. Again, he used urethane bushings, or what ever the things are that come with the Welts.

If you go to HD shocks, install bigger t-bars. Otherwise, the shocks won't allow the bars to move as much and the car will ride rough. Surprisingly, that is not the case if the bars and shocks are matched more closely. Stiffer, but not bone jarringly rough. I went through this once and was really impressed with the car once everything was dialed in. I have a car now that has Bilstein sports and HD's (right at the moment I can't tell you front to rear), but apparently stock bars. Along with the 17" wheels, the car rides awful. With a little help from a good suspension consultant, I intend to fix that.

[shbop]

I can't remember the model number off the top of my head. I'll look it up when I get home. I changed spring-plates because the adjustment holes in mine had enlarged, over time, and I also wanted the ability to adjust more precisely. I debated for a while about using the Weltmeister bushings. I had factory replacement rubber in hand, but opted for Weltmeisters entire package. With the exception of the spacers, supplied in the kit, I was pretty happy with the fit and overall


quality.