Raise the Rear end?

[RSM-M491]

I am wanting to raise the rear of my 911 by say a 1/4" to 3/8". The PO had a new suspension put in, and had it lowered, but its just a tad too low in the rear for my taste! Am I nuts to want to raise it a bit? Is it going to be more trouble than its worth?

Basically right now you cant see the ENTIRE TIRE at the top of the wheel well, part is tucked under. I would like to raise it just to the point where I can see the entire tire at the top, and nothing more. Again, am I nuts?


Thanks!

Rod

[Quicksilver]

The height of the rear is relative to the front. The front fender arch should show more tire then the rear. The easy measure is at the wheel archs. The fronts should be about 1/2 higher then the rear.

The real common lowering spec is to go to "Euro height" which measures 25-1/2" at the front and 25" at the rear. Unless the front to rear rake is off you will want to raise the front and rear together.

[wildcat077]

Rod,

Yes,you're nuts ... lol

Normally a one finger gap all around is good,although depending on wheels,tire brand,etc... a two finger gap might be necessary in the front to prevent rubbing !
Again if you have a stock suspension,put your hand on top of the tires and see if your knuckles clear the fender,that is also a more conservative height ...

Show some pics !!!

Cheers !
Phil

[HarryD]

Lower == Better handling

Are you having any issues? Tire rubbing? Unable to navaigate streets witthout scraping? Odd handling? Brake lockups?

If not, leave alone.

[nesslar]

"Again, am I nuts?"
No, I am with you. I had my '86 worked on and totally aligned for less than $200. I can't help you in KY, unfortunately. See below, I think this is maybe more than you want, but is easily achieved, it's where mine is, and I love it; ride, handling, and especially the look (picture is not my car):

[Oh Haha]

It won't hurt anything to raise it up a bit. A 1/4 inch might be doable depending on where your adjustable springplates are at currently. If this isn't going to work, then re-indexing the torsion bars is the only other option. That is a job you don't want to just jump into, though.

Is it doable at home? Yes, IF you have the right tools. The best thing to do is to get it corner balanced when you get it where you want it.

[Oh Haha]

Here's mine:
If I remember correctly-
25" rear
25" front

Yeah, I know the front should measure higher.

[RSM-M491]

No, I am not having ANY issues (rubbing etc.) Handles and rides great. Strictly a looks thing for me. I feel the car does not have the look I want. Which for me is slight higher in the rear than the front. In other words slopped MORE from the rear to the front to give it a more "aggressive look". I really think 1/4" up in the rear would do it. Rigth now I can barely get my hand in between the wheel well and the tire in the rear.... Here are a couple of pics I took in the garage. The floor is not level, but not terrible.... Thoughts?!



Thanks!

Rod

[HarryD]

Due to the how the wheel wells are set, you most likely have the desired 1% rake. Typically the rear is about 1/2" lower than the front, but the car chassis is actually raked correctly.

Please measure your distance from the ground to your wheel well opening peaks. That will tell the story.

[wildcat077]

The rear looks pretty good,a lot of people would be happy with that setting,although from the pics the front end looks a little on the high side !

It's nice to see a turbo look wheel arch well filled in like that...

Cheers !
Phil

[RSBob]

Raising your car, even the rear, will negatively affect handling. You are in effect raising the center of gravity - which is considered counter productive. If you prefer an 'aggressive look' at the cost of a technically less agressive stance, go for it. As long as it looks good in your eyes (maybe not someone who knows about handling) then go for it.

[Wilhelm]

"Lower == Better handling"

HarryD: Are you sure about lower = better handling ?

[RSM-M491]

Hmm.... then maybe the issue is the front? I will have to re think it... I do not want to ruin the handling. I was hopeing for both!


Rod

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

"Lower == Better handling"

HarryD: Are you sure about lower = better handling ?

To paraphrase Jeff G when I asked him if my car is too low: "You can never be too low."

Others will tell you that Jeff has never seen a car that could not be lowered more.

YMMV

[id911T]

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

"Lower == Better handling"

HarryD: Are you sure about lower = better handling ?

I was about to mention the same thing. Although chassis dependent, lower does not necessarily mean better handling as it is possible to further separate the roll center and the center of gravity by lowering, which creates a larger roll moment. Not trying to be a jerk, but many times gross generalizations are incorrect, and get repeated over and over until they are considered fact. Something to chew on.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

"Lower == Better handling"

HarryD: Are you sure about lower = better handling ?

Popular misconception. Old school ricer mentality.

Go ahead and raise it an inch and it will ride and handle better due to improved alignment geometry and suspension travel as intended by the wizards of Weissach.

Alignment geometry trups center of gravity anytime.

[Wilhelm]

I am pretty sure that lower doesnt always = better handling. There are a LOT of variables that determine how well a car handles.

I would be interested to see what Flieger has to say about this.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

I am pretty sure that lower doesnt always = better handling. There are a LOT of variables that determine how well a car handles.

I would be interested to see what Flieger has to say about this.

I couldn't have said it any better. In fact, most 911s that have been lowered would benefit from and handle much better the closer they came to factory height.

[911pcars]

I think the forum needs to understand the current ride height before issuing pronouncements like "not low enough", "just right", "raise it a bit". Suggestion: provide a side view on level ground, then as previously suggested, provide current ride height measurements from ground to wheel well opening. Since it appears turbo, RSR or aftermarket flares are installed along with aftermarket wheels/tires, the normal "Euro height" settings may not apply.

Sherwood

[k8atu]

Originally Posted by stlrj

i couldn't have said it any better. In fact, most 911s that have been lowered would handle much better the closer they came to factory height.

+1