smooth ride

sking · sking's Garage

is there such thing as smooth ride in a 914?i was wondering if all 914 owners fill everting in the road when they drive or is just my car?
shawn

Pritchard · 10-18-2002, 07:03 AM

I have only driven two 914's in my life, but it seems as though I can feel a bump every time I run over a shadow.

DP

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

If you want a smooth ride put the 165SR15 tires back on, if you want a fun car put on 205x50's!
Geoff

sking · sking's Garage

would the lowering of my front end have anything to do with the roughness?i have the torsion bar screw turned all the way out.it rode rough even with the 165R15's on it.

derek_sf · 10-18-2002, 12:57 PM

you've probably got bump steer now, maybe that's what you're feeling.

sking · sking's Garage

what is bump steer?

derek_sf · 10-18-2002, 01:08 PM

you hit a bump and your car jumps (steers) a little to the L or R. makes it feel like the ride is rougher because your having to correct the steering all the time.

Will98D · 10-18-2002, 01:19 PM

here's an easy enough check.... turn the torsion bar adjuster back to the factory ride height and then see if you like the ride any better. Why did you turn it out, to drop it into the weeds? If the car is riding on the bump-stops (the rubber bumpers at the end of the suspension travel) then it will be rough.

sking · sking's Garage

is there any type of suspesion that can make the ride smooth?

3D914 · 3D914's Garage

derek_sf,

What type of bushings do you have installed in the rear trailing arms, and what weight of spring? When I upgraded my suspension I went away from the rubber bushings (read - softer ride) to the poly type. I also went to 165# springs for AutoX purposes, even though this is my daily driver. It is bumpier, but it also handles a hell of lot better. On smooth blacktop the ride is great, but as soon as I get on the conrete freeways - forget it - at least on the concrete ones they build here.

I can also say that the tire compound will make a big difference also. I went with Michelin Pilot's - which I won't repeat again. They're too hard. The cheaper no-name brand the PO put on were better riding. Next time it Khumo's.

Enjoy!

sking · sking's Garage

i guess the bushings are stock but i have billisten shocks but don't know what the lbs of the springs are.i'm not going to be racing it but i want a good handling car for the whindy roads in west virginia and a somewhat smooth ride for the everyday driving.
shawn

derek_sf · 10-18-2002, 01:28 PM

if you want the front lowered you can add in the cheap bump steer washers which will help get the geometry of your steering back in order. this will help some from what I hear, but not solve it. I've never used these before.

if you want to do it the better way, you'd have to get some struts with a raised spindle. this is not cheap.

derek_sf · 10-18-2002, 01:34 PM

3D914,

right now my car is cut in half in the garage. when I was driving it everything was stock with it lowered a bit in the front via the torsion bar method. I had bump steer.

I just had my rear trailing arms redone with new rubber bushings, boxed, new bearings, and 5 lug hubs. I have 150lb springs and koni reds also. will have 16x6 fuchs and 205 55's on them. have the parts, need a car now!

for the front I spent the $ and got modified 911 SC struts with the raised (20mm) spindle. the bump steer kinda drives me crazy after a while.

Zeke · 10-18-2002, 01:38 PM

The first 914 I owned was a used '72 in late '72. It had been sold new late in '71. I guess it had about 10,000 mi. on it and it was lowered. The car was for my wife's commute into downtown LA from Long Beach. About 35 mi. of washboard freeway. We took the car back to the dealer after the first week and had it raised to stock. I had no idea then that I could do it with two screws. But, of course, they realigned the front end after raising, something I couldn't do. The car road much, much better from then on and I didn't have any desire to re-lower it from then on. It was sold very tired in '90 for $2000. No regrets.

3D914 · 3D914's Garage

derek_sf,

What led to the disection? Was it that all too familar cannibal - RUST!

I have one of my 914's in the same situation (the Signal Orange - 74). Was plannig to put together a street GT/4, but once I got the engine out and got a good look at the engine sills - forget it. Too much work for me. I just don't have the tools, the skills or the $$$ to handle that additional surface (and some thru rust). For someone who's skilled in this area it would be no sweat, especially since the rest of the car is straight.

Was hoping Brad would be interested in draggin it out to the East Coast to those guys in need of decent 914 shells, but no word back from him yet.

Ahh well, it makes a nice garage ornament, but don't tell my wife I said that!

Enjoy!

derek_sf · 10-21-2002, 08:54 PM

I bought my car and was rear ended 1 week after having it by a pickup truck. this was on 101, right before SF. the strange part is, the two kids that hit me were on vacation from a town very close to where I grew up (MI). I was only in CA a few weeks at this point myself! the body shop fixed it all up on insurance, I couldn't stand to have it crushed after having it a week. I drove it as a daily driver for 1.5 years after that, 70 miles a day, never a problem. parked it in the garage when I bought a house and a 928GT. it sat there for 3 years and then I figured I'd clean it up and build it into something. well, after seeing how it was repaired and finding some rust once it was stripped to the chassis, I decided to part it out and start with something better.

BTW, the 928GT was also rear ended about 2 weeks after owning it.

the luck I have...

campbellcj · 10-21-2002, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by derek_sf
I bought my car and was rear ended 1 week after having it ...the 928GT was also rear ended about 2 weeks after owning it.

Damn, Derek, if we're ever in a fun run or caravan together, remind me to stay a few cars in front of you.

BTW my wife and I have had probably 5-6 cars here in LA either hit while parked, or rear-ended while stopped. It's these fugging cell-phone-talking-starbucks-sipping-makeup-applying-newspaper-reading California drivers.

Well, that, plus the drunks

BryanC · 10-21-2002, 10:55 PM

What kind of tire do you have?

I had Yokohama A008Ps (195/65) and they were very rough for daily driving. I've switched to Yoko YK420s (195/60) for daily driving and the ride is _much_ better and quieter. The new tires are not as sticky, but should last a lot longer.

derek_sf · 10-21-2002, 10:56 PM

seriously, do not come near me!

funny, the 928GT was actually rear ended while I was in LA for a weekend trip. when I sold the 928GT it was immediately hit by a VERY large truck with the new owner in it. the car was completely demolished.

you should have seen me when I picked up my mint 993, I thought for sure it was going to be 3 in a row!