Lowering an 89 Carrera?

Jgordon · 04-30-2002, 07:06 AM

I was driving around over the weekend, and I noticed that the rake on my car (bone stock, 1989 carrera) is not that pleasing visually. I know from some posts on the board that lowering the cars gives better handling and a somewhat stiffer ride. My question is, what's involved in lowering the car? From what I understand, the front is easier than the rear, but I'm wondering if this is a weekend project out of 101 projects, or is this a more serious undertaking? I don't want to lower it all that much, and I'm also wondering if I will have to get an alignment done afterward.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Jared

Jgordon · 04-30-2002, 08:18 AM

shameless bump.....

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Lowering it won't stiffen the ride. It may improve the handling if you don't go too low. You can lower it yourself but have it aligned and cornerweighted when you're done.
You'll need a couple of special thin wrenches.
The place that cornerweights your car could lower it at the
same time - they'll be adjusting the ride height some anyway.
-Chris

Jgordon · 04-30-2002, 09:01 AM

I had assumed that lowering it would necessitate less suspension travel, requiring either stiffer springs or bump-stops. Although I'm not really planning on dropping it that far. I had also thought that by lowering it (and stiffening it, as per assumption #1) I'd reduce body roll, and therefore enhance the handling and stability through turns.

However, if this is something that requires a shop and money, I might pass for the moment. Thanks for the response.

masraum · 04-30-2002, 08:57 PM

lowering doesn't require stiffer springs (torsion bars in our case)(hey, this isn't an '89 C4 is it?). The way these cars are sprung is by a long metal rod at each tire that uses it's resistance to twisting to act as a spring. By rotating the bar we raise/lower the cars. Lowering the car from US height will cause it to corner more flatly because the center of gravity will be lower, but shouldn't change the ride at all.

If you lower the car yourself you will likely disturb the weight distribution on the tires. Even if the car is perfectly level front to back and side to side the weight distr can be off significantly causing dangerous and/or unpredictable handling.

Recently on either this board or the Rennlist board there was a discussion of lowering, corner balance and alignment. I was shocked to hear of prices in the $175 to $250 range.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by masraum
Recently on either this board or the Rennlist board there was a discussion of lowering, corner balance and alignment. I was shocked to hear of prices in the $175 to $250 range.

Steve,
The lowering and cornerweighting is more time consuming than you might think. If I was just cheap I would pay someone to do it (but I'm really cheap so I don't).
-Chris

avi8torny · 05-01-2002, 03:34 AM

Lowering the front is not a problem, but the rears are set at the lowest adjustable setting from the factory...it can only go up unless you re-index the torsion bars. You will need an alignment though.

chuckr · 05-01-2002, 03:55 AM

I highly recommend getting your car lowered.It makes a world of difference and well worth the money.Have it done at a trusted Porsche shop.You do need and alingment and I also recommend Turbo tie rods and a bump steer kit while you're there.

Jgordon · 05-01-2002, 07:32 AM

These are definitely good points. I'll take some serious thought in lowering the car. I wouldn't be going that low, and I don't really push the car to its limits (maybe its patience, but that's about it) so I'd be hesitant to put in the bump steer kit or the turbo tie rods.

As long as we're discussing it, what is the point of the rake? Is it just to turn the whole car into a wing, in order to put more downforce on the rear wheels? It looks a bit cheesy (I picture the "tricked out" porsche from "Bachelor Party" with the huge rear wheels and the flames.

Clearly new to the game, but trying to learn.

nhromyak · nhromyak's Garage

How does the car sit now?

Measure the uppermost part of the (bottom) fenderlips to the ground.

The norm (or "euro-height") is 25.5" front and 25" rear.

Let us know. I lowered and corner balanced my car last fall. Then took it to an alignment shop.

falcon · falcon's Garage

A question on bump steering. My car is at US height. If I lower it to euro height...do I need a bump steer kit? or is the bump steer kit only needed if I lower the car "lower" than euro height.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

I run about 25"front and 24.5"rear without the bump steer kit. I bought a kit years ago and never needed it. I think if your tie rods are level then you are fine. I run a stiffer suspension so that may reduce bump steer in my case.
-Chris

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Is this too much rake?

michaelw · michaelw's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by nhromyak
How does the car sit now?

Measure the uppermost part of the (bottom) fenderlips to the ground.

The norm (or "euro-height") is 25.5" front and 25" rear.

Let us know. I lowered and corner balanced my car last fall. Then took it to an alignment shop.

Could you clarify the uppermost part of the bottom fenderlips? Is this the ridge on the wheel well at it's highest point? Sorry, jsut trying to measure my ride height also.

Thanks,
Michael
87 Targa

nhromyak · nhromyak's Garage

Hard for me to explain with words....

I use the center-line of the wheel. Find the highest point in the wheel arch, the lowest part of the fender lip. Measure from this highest arch and fender-lip from the ground. You should see ~25.5".

I hope someone will be better able to explain than I.