Budget Suspension

[benkopiec]

Hey everyone!

I am 18 years old and have been working on a project 944 for the past year or so. I bought the car to daily with the occasional autocross every month or so. I've been all over the forums and there seems to be quite a bit of controversy regarding how to go about stiffening up the car via Konis, coil-overs, lowering-springs with stiffer strut cartridges, etc. I am trying to stay on a budget (about $1000) and was wondering what would be the best choice. Also, this car is going to be my daily for college next year so something with adjustable dampening and/or a ride which won't leave you apologizing to your car after being on a rough road would be a plus.

Thanks for your time,

Ben K.

[J1NX3D]

Not controversy, just many ways to skin a cat. What year is your car, what kind of 944 and do you know what suspension is currently fitted? Your options change slightly if is '87 or newer due to differences made when ABS became an option.

If you're after a quick fix, you can find good secondhand suspension parts from 944 Turbo, 944S2 and 968.

[jcommin]

If you have an N/A, get a pair of 951 sway bars and new bushings. You can find them used. Pass on the coil overs - a set on Koni adjustable will do just fine. And if you have extra money - you could get a pair of Weltmeister springs but you will need an alignment. You could also lower the rear ( I would do it the same time if/when you change the front springs).

And of course a good handling car needs brakes and tires.there are brakes and tires.


This is assuming your front bushings, top mounts and ball joints are in good shape.

[benkopiec]

Originally Posted by J1NX3D

Not controversy, just many ways to skin a cat. What year is your car, what kind of 944 and do you know what suspension is currently fitted? Your options change slightly if is '87 or newer due to differences made when ABS became an option.

If you're after a quick fix, you can find good secondhand suspension parts from 944 Turbo, 944S2 and 968.

It's a 88 N/A 944. Thanks for your reply!

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[benkopiec]

Originally Posted by jcommin

If you have an N/A, get a pair of 951 sway bars and new bushings.  You can find them used.  Pass on the coil overs - a set on Koni adjustable will do just fine.  And if you have extra money - you could get a pair of Weltmeister  springs but you will need an alignment.  You could also lower the rear ( I would do it the same time if/when you change the front springs). 

And of course  a good handling car needs brakes and tires.there are brakes and tires.


This is assuming your front bushings, top mounts and ball joints are in good shape.

Great thanks for the advice. For the back, would you recommend I purchase the 30mm torsion bar or just reindex the one I have in combination with higher dampening from the koni adjustables?

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[theer]

No need to re-index the torsion bars, unless you want to go very low (not recommended for ride quality). You can lower the rear enough using the adjustment system provided by the factory.

[benkopiec]

Originally Posted by theer

No need to re-index the torsion bars, unless you want to go very low (not recommended for ride quality).  You can lower the rear enough using the adjustment system provided by the factory.

Would that be the eccentric bolt? Thanks for the reply!

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[Ga 951]

Check out the 944 classifieds here on pelican.I just bumped my 951 sway bars towards the top.

[theer]

Originally Posted by benkopiec

Would that be the eccentric bolt? Thanks for the reply!

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Yes, exactly.

[benkopiec]

The plot thickens... I took off my front wheel to see the diameter of what I thought were Bilstein struts turned out to be the 474 koni adjustables! They felt super squishy because they were in the softest setting. Now all I need to do is purchase the back koni shocks, some new bumper stops, and mess around with the eccentric bolt and I think we are gonna be in business!

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[benkopiec]

Originally Posted by Ga 951

Check out the 944 classifieds here on pelican.I just bumped my 951 sway bars towards the top.

I'll give them a look. What diameter are the 951 sway bars?

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[Ga 951]

front 25.5mm rear 18mm