SC handling issue

[trond]

I have owned my 80 k miles 1980SC since 2007 and used it in the US on three road trips until I just recently had it shipped to Norway where I live. One major difference from the US is the roads. Out of the main roads roads are narrow and bumpy with corners. Driving home over the mountains was a 300 mile driving experience. My arms are still sore 2 days after from wrestling with the steering wheel and I am still grinning

However, now I realize I have never really tested the car properly, and that trip made it clear that it doesn't really handle all that well. I believe I would have been able to drive quicker with my 1993 Mitsubishi Galant 1.8 liter (engine power is less important than handling).

Balance seems to be very poor and it feels similar to a front engined car with the engine removed being towed; too light and twitchy. It is especially obvious in bumpy corners. Before shipping the car I had the suspension looked after in Ft Worth, and it has new Bilstein shocks and new 205/55 Michelins on the 16x7 front rims and new tie rods. There is no worn bushings or play. I am reluctant to lower the car as suspension travel is more important than looks, but maybe this is a riding height issue as the front sits maybe 1" taller than usual.

I'd appreciate any advice

[SP2]

Proper alignment and corner balance would probably help. Bump steer only happens if the car is too low.

[tcar]

Do you mean that you have different tires (brand/tread) on the front and rear? Sounds like you just put tires on the front.

Did you just put Bilsteins on the front? Green or yellow? What's on the rear?

If just the front is higher, there may be an issue with either the front or rear shocks.

For instance, yellow B shocks on the front and green B shocks on the rear would be terrible.

Something is wrong if the front is so high and wasn't before.

Do you have a good suspension shop near you?

[Vincent Hill]

O get 2 reads out of what you posted! First is the front is Light and twichy! Second, the car Steered Heavy because your arms are tired from turning the car!

Do you have your alignment Specs? My 1982 SC Steered so heavy as to tire me out after a Short drive. My Caster was 6.2 degrees and now it is 5.6 and 5.7 degrees and it steers so easy that it is fun to drive now. I also had the front ride height "Raised" so that the car empty was at 1 degree down angle from rear to front. That made the ride a lot better and the max Neg Camber of -0.6 degrees also made it steer and corner straighter,

Yes, there is a HUGE difference between the super Highways and country roads. I was on a very nice Interstate and some jerk in a turbo Volvo decided to push me by riding my rear bumper with his lights on. I would move over and so would he! So finally I went up to about 130 MPH (Up Hill) and still Accelerating and could barely see him when my wife said she saw a Police car going the other way. Knowing that I had not seen another Porsche on this road I got off on the "Scenic" Route. A 2 lane crowned road in the Mountains. The car still handled well , but the speed was down a LOT to between 30 to 80 MPH. That was a fun ride but it took all of my tme and attention.

Makes me wonder how my dad drove those roads as fast as he did with his Kaiser's and Chryslers "Back in the Day" Let us know what your numbers are that will more than likely tell the tale.

[trond]

I don't have bump steer. All 4 shocks are new Bilstein HDs. All 4 tires are new Michelin Pilots 205/55 in the front and 245/45 in the rear. Steering is heavy but the car is still not stable, not even in a straight line. A friend drove the car with me in a different car following and he was all over the road. Riding height has not changed by itself, I raised the front slightly to avoid bottoming out on the rough roads we have here. Suspension setup was then confirmed sound by renowned Porsche shop in Ft Worth area, but no measurements made, which was a mistake. I agree I need to get the setup numbers to have a meaningful discussion. There are no suspension shops within a driving distance but normal shops should be able to take measurement and possibly change setting if I can tell them what to adjust for

What are recommended settings ? Driving is mainly bumpy small backroads/canyon roads.

[racer]

Are the roads heavily crowned? This could also be part of your challenge. Shocks are new.. How about tie rods? Are there old rubber bushings? How was the car secured for shipping? Could something have been bent/damaged while in transit?

[trond]

The roads are not the problem as my old Mitsubishi beater handles well enough on same roads. I believe I will start with re-setting to recommended suspension settings, especially height, camber and caster. Maybe follow Vincent Hills caster of 5.6/5.7 degrees.

Thanks

[-84 Carrera]

If it feels twitchy, you may want to check the toe. A few mm toe out will make the car nervous. For normal highway driving I believe a setting of 1 mm toe in would be a good place to start.

[stlrj]

Since your Galant handles so well at stock height etc., and I am assuming that the suspension has not been modified since it left Japan, why not use stock factory settings on your 911 as well.

I'm told that 911's handle quite awsome the way they come.

Cheers,

Joe
74 911 w/ 86 3.2

[IROC]

Hey trond!?! The same trond from the old porschephiles days? Back in the mid '90s? Welcome!