Learning about suspension

[kyngfish]

Hi all,

I'm starting to look at "bang for the buck" upgrades for my car. I've started looking at old posts about suspension, and I've looked through the nifty diagram at elephant racing.

I drive the hell out of my car every day and I love it. I'm considering the following upgrades:

• Front lip spoiler - it's relatively cheap and the front feels light at high speeds. I don't have a rear spoiler, don't want one. I also don't see a problem with just having one in the front. Thoughts?
• Rebel rebel racing front control arm bushing set. I looked at the elephant racing offerings, and I just like the thought of something I don't have to re-lubricate. Plus I don't have to put my car up for 24 hours to let the bushings set. Anyone have experience?
• Momomomomo prototipo - I just like it.

Here's the question, shocks, struts, strut brace? camber plates? People seem to suggest doing allll of it at once, but is that necessary? Where can I get the most bang for my buck? I can make sense of the elephant racing diagram, but where can I educate myself the most about what all that stuff does, and what it means?

Thanks!

[Bill Verburg]

I wouldn't look at suspension until the contact patches were taken care of
wheels and tires first as that is the connection to the road
then
aero is big on a track car but much less so on a street car, it does affect handling particularly in cross winds you don't mention what year car you have, the f/r spoiler work in tandem to manage air flow around the car, It's generally advisable to match f/r appendages.

for street use i'd stick w/ rubber bushes all around, there are sometimes sport and regular versions of these, sport would be good.

Bilstein shocks are very desirable, used in proper Bilstein struts more so than as inserts on others struts. Custom digressive re-valve is desirable but not necessary, Some like hd front and sport rear. hd is what was stock on 930s and Carrera w/ Bilstein.

adjustable sways can be profitably employed and are a relatively easy up grade. Bigger t bars need to be done on sets f/r and are going to entail a lot more work.

If staying w/ stock t-bars a good lowering to Row or a little lower is going to make a big difference along w/ a corner balance if upgrading the same will be needed anyway.

Steering and seats are your point of contact and are as important as the wheels and tires. What floats your boat here is what is best.

[Porsche 2]

+1 expert advice.

[afterburn 549]

Negative camber lower Ball joints,
through body sway bar.
A bushings. Elephant Racing | PolyBronze Bearings | Porsche 911 / 912 / 930

This all worked very well for me.

[MConn]

Bill,

Thanks for the input. Can you elaborate on this -

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

...Bilstein shocks are very desirable, used in proper Bilstein struts more so than as inserts on others struts...

Mike

[kjchristopher]

The rebel racing set has been on my daily driver for two years. Work great.

My car came to me with chin spoiler and no tail. Not that big a deal in my personal opinion, but then this is definitely something of a YMMV item. I've added a ducktail for three reasons. Cooling improvements, looks and better manners above 85mph. I rarely exercise the third reason though.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by kyngfish

... but where can I educate myself the most about what all that stuff does, and what it means?

Thanks!

First of all you'll need to find out what you have and where you're at before taking the plunge down, what I consider, a very slippery slope.


Cheers,

Joe