911 suspension

[Bags]

I am upgrading my torsion bars on 87 Carerra to 22/29. I know there are concerns with spline alignment and correct or lowered ride height and the need to be bilaterally symetrical. Would I be better off adding a set of Adjustable Rear Spring Plates? Would this eliminate the hassle of spline alignemnt and allow easier ride height adjustments between track and road? Or, am I misunderstanding the mechanics involved???? Thanks for the expertise. Mike

[Tyson Schmidt]

You still need to get the adjustable spring plates indexed properly, with the adjusters set in the middle. Though the left/right balance isn't so critical, since you can corner balance it when you're done.

Yes it does make it much easier to raise or lower it later. Whether you just change your mind in ride height, or are compensating for sag and wear in the bushings down the road.

The factory adjustable plates work fine too, but are much more difficult to adjust and require some special thin wrenches and raising of the vehicle.

[ChrisBennet]

Bags,
911's have had adjustable spring plates since '78 so you're all set. 22/29's are the best change I ever made to my '86.
-Chris

[RoninLB]

My '77 came from factory w/adj spring plates. I think it is unusual.

[89911]

No 911's came with adjustable spring plates such as the Sway A Way brand. The did incorporate some eccentric bolts in the design on mid and later model cars. From what I am told, these were to fine tune the cars at the factory for ride height and also to compensate for torsion bar sag over time. They can only be used to raise the ride height, so if you car is set at the incorrect height too high, they are useless. Yes, some alignment experts can fine tune these too cornerbalance, but by no means do they offer the infinite adjustability of aftermarket design. You still have to get the ride height within an inch or so of your desired height. You can then fine tune with the twist of one allen wrench. Combined with the easy adjustment of the fronts, a 13mm socket is all you need.

[RoninLB]

89911...The eccentric can be used to lower or raise car level. It depends on where it is on eccentric. True it is not as easy as after market to adjust. After market or stock spring plates benefits vs problems is another story. Stock spring plates allow mucho adjustment.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by RoninLB
My '77 came from factory w/adj spring plates. I think it is unusual.

Hi Ronin,
Is your '77 a Carrera 3.0? That car is essentially an SC so it would make sense if it had the spring plates in common as well.
I learn something new every day.
thanks,
Chris
'86 Carrera and SCWDP sympathizer

[mm86911]

I just rebuilt the front/rear suspension on my '86. . . replaced the rear plate bushings with Neatrix. While the original bushings were a real pain to remove (utility knife, propane torch and channel locks) I'm not sure I could justify the price of the aftermarket units for my car (although it will save you about 1.5 hours of cutting and scraping old bushing material).

[T Bird]

Point of information--according to the Stoddard parts catalogue, Porsche introduced the 2 piece adjustable spring plate during the 1976 model year.

[RoninLB]

CHRIS..my'77 is US model 2.7. Actually Calif. model if you want to buy "thermal reactors" you can talk me out of them. Removed in '78. Perfect condition for concours restoration.