That "Wallowing" Feeling.........

[jh225]

What is the single most important procedure to get rid of the "wallowy" feeling in the front end while cornering at high speed?

I don't think turbo tie rods will do anything, but what about different sway bar, or torsion bar, or struts, etc. ?

New tires with correct pressure helped a tiny bit, but still plenty scary under hard curves.

I believe the struts are original all around and while very old (1985) there is very low miles on them. (under 60K)

[Tyson Schmidt]

Shocks and struts. And not just the front.

[Tyson Schmidt]

It's also highly likely that you have Boges. Converting to Bilsteins would do wonders.

[jh225]

Originally Posted by Tyson Schmidt

It's also highly likely that you have Boges. Converting to Bilsteins would do wonders.

Yes, I am quite sure they are Boge.

Are Bilstein's available as a whole replacement unit or just as inserts?

How big of a PIA is it to do the inserts?

[JP911]

Originally Posted by jh225

Yes, I am quite sure they are Boge.

Are Bilstein's available as a whole replacement unit or just as inserts?

How big of a PIA is it to do the inserts?

Bilstein inserts are available for Boge struts. Our host sells them here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_SUSshk_pg1.htm#item1

Your 85 was a transition year for the Boge strut and there are two different part numbers for bilstein inserts for Boge struts. The Pelican catalog shows a part for "1974-3/1985" and "4/1985-1989", which I assume means the transition happened in March/April of 85. The build date of your car will be a decent guide, but if it were me I would want to find out the part numbers for the different struts and the corresponding shock part numbers.

IMO, changing the front shocks is pretty easy. See Wayne's 101 projects book for guidance.

[burgermeister]

Slower, smoother steering inputs are free and worked quite well for my car ... but I make no claim to being a great driver.

[stlrj]

Alignment.

[Rusty 356]

I like the feel of that strut bar across the towers in front as well as a nice set of bilsteins.

[crashmy911]

Make sure the rubber donuts where the rear torsion bars connect at springplates are in good shape. My car felt really strange and it was those donuts. New one's and the car was transformed.

[jh225]

Originally Posted by crashmy911

Make sure the rubber donuts where the rear torsion bars connect at springplates are in good shape. My car felt really strange and it was those donuts. New one's and the car was transformed.

Yeah, looked at that already. They are fine.

I guess I will be putting new struts on and going from there.

[bonkers]

Originally Posted by Tyson Schmidt

Shocks and struts. And not just the front.

This.

My poor '88 was wallowing like a whale on a workout until I had Mr John Walker replace the original 60k mile Boge shocks with nice fresh Bilstien HDs. Now my baby is as frisky as an Orca on RedBull.

[Zeke]

What kind of new tires did you put on? Tires themselves are very important. Just ask Tyson about when he drove my '71 S "Ragamuffin" on Dunlop Sports.

Of course all the above suggestions are good. Bump steer, shocks, alignment, etc.

[kidrock]

I've been following this thread a little bit, trying to decipher exactly what "wallowing" is. I've noticed that my Cabby goes great around nice, smooth corners...but jumps around a bit in less smooth corners. I equated this with the term, "bump steer". Are we talking about the same thing?

I have BFG "G-Force Sport" tires on all fours, mounted by the PO. They look great and grip well, IMO. What's the general consensus about these tires from you experienced Porschephiles out there? (Be honest...I won't get my feelers hurt.)

kidrock out.

[RSTarga]

Turbo tie rods do make a difference but I think your problem is either shocks or tires. On a Targa I prefer the adjustable Koni gas shocks. I think the Bilsteins are a little too stiff. Plus every Bilstein I ever had tended to start making clunking noises at the top of the strut. Make sure you run the european ride heights.

[jh225]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

Turbo tie rods do make a difference but I think your problem is either shocks or tires. On a Targa I prefer the adjustable Koni gas shocks. I think the Bilsteins are a little too stiff. Plus every Bilstein I ever had tended to start making clunking noises at the top of the strut. Make sure you run the european ride heights.

I don't know about the Koni's. I had a set on a different car and thought they sucked. I am probably going with the Bilstein. Just have to figure out if I am going HD or Sport or a combo. What I don't want is for the rear to sit up as I have seen on some cars.

The tires are brand new Dunlop Star Specs and they are fantastic, so I know its not them.

[Superman]

There are a few guys who post here whose advice is so reliable that failing to listen to them will always be a mistake. Tyson is one of those guys.

[JeremyD]

Tyson, John Walker, Steve Weiner, Bill Verburg, Jeff Alton, Henry Schmidt - Take it to the bank!