1985.5 porsche. How to get rid of sway...

ReZ · 08-05-2003, 05:51 PM

I have a 1985 1/2 porsche. I was wondering how to get rid of the mushy sway. I was thinking new shocks.... but then a thicker sway bar (front adn rear/) might help also.

What do you PROs suggest? What setups do you guys run that are good? New Konis would be nice! I have 1.5 year old Billstein shocks on her, and it still sways... Kinda annoying in the canyons! Sometimes it makes my passengers sick becasue it feels so awkward. I want to make her stiff as a board! But it will cost 2-3K to do it. No?

Thanks!

Porsche944 · 08-05-2003, 08:57 PM

I'm no suspension expert, but going with stiffer shocks, larger diameter sway bars, and "heavier" springs, and urethane or similar bushings will definately take out body roll.

If you want the straight scoop, talk to Jason at Paragon Products. http://www.*****************.com/

Paul Glasson · Paul Glasson's Garage

I will also be interested to see some answers as I feel my 84,944 has a bit too much mushy sway, and have had shocks tested (standard) and spoken to others on the forum about tyre pressures and tyres re oversteer. What profile tyres are you using? I have 215x60,s.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

I am struggling with body lean myself:

Only thing non-stock in the car is the 968 M030 19mm 3-way adjustable rear swaybar set to full firm. (Front swaybar is the stock 27mm unit) The car also came with option: 474: Sport Shock Absorberts (Koni Yellows).

I am considering the upgrade to Turbo Cup sway bars (30mm front, 22mm rear, IIRC), but I don't think it will help resolve body lean as much as they say.

Another option I've thought about is coil-overs, but since my car sees the track, a mild set (say 250-350lbs) really won't help much, but 600+lb springs would be a little to jarring on public roads! Ah, the problems with a dual street/track car.

Add to the mix the fact that I've finally got my car handling dialed in pretty nicely for track use: with R-compound 245-45/16's at all four corners (on 16x8's), and the above suspension, the car handles really fantastic: virtually all of the understeer is eliminated, except in some really tight, slow corners!

That said, I'll probably go with the thicker sway bars F/R, and possibly get new stock springs first, and eventually, go with the coil-over setup.
"Baby steps," I always say.

YMMV,
-Z.

924Sman · 06:51 AM

Here is my set up
M030 968 cup sway bars 30mm and 19mm adjustable
Koni on all four
Front coil overs w/Hypercoil 400# springs
Racers Edge Bushings -entire suspension
29mm Solid Torsion bars
I went from a 245/16 rear tire to a 225/16 rear and 205/16 front Toyo RA1's....I came to the conclusion the 245's are to much rubber to spin in an 944na. But will help a loose end. 225 is still managing the loose rear fine. Try medium settings up front and 1/4 past soft in the rear on the Koni's and see if that helps under/over steer. I don't recommend rear coil overs however instead go with a heavier Torsion bar and save some money!

The cost of my set up and tires is in the 3000 dollar range... Sman

bertman · 08-06-2003, 08:09 AM

It all depends on how you intend to use the car. If you want to improve handling for street and occasional track use, I've found my early car's setup to be a nice compromise that's both affordable and streetable:

200# front springs, Koni Sports f/r, 27mm front bar, 18mm rear, stock rear torsion bar, 205/16 front 225/16 rear, lowered to level at rear eccentric. Light alloy wheels (Fuchs). Handling is very neutral, nimble, quick without undue lean, bounce or harshness... YMMV

scottmandue · 08-06-2003, 01:10 PM

Bertman, what brand tire are you running?

carsontc · 08-06-2003, 01:16 PM

and are all four tires the same make/model ?

ReZ · 08-11-2003, 06:25 PM

THANKS 924Sman and bertman.

I'm almost at the point to say F-it! Might as well get a 944 Turbo and spend the 2-3K in suspension there. Not really worth it for my 1985.5 N/A. =(

I was just thinking maybe upgrading the front and rear swaybar. Would that take alot of the roll away? It's hard to say... I have 1 year old billstein shocks on the 944. I dropped from a 215/60 R15 tire to a 225/50 R15 Falcon Ziex all the way around. Helped alot in the mush, but the Sway is still there! It sucks! Has to be sway bars! no?

bertman · 08-11-2003, 06:41 PM

You are right, the sway bars will definitely help a lot and you don't need to spend 3K. The best single improvement to your current setup would be to just add a larger (18-19mm) rear bar to reduce the front end plow. BTW, to answer the above tire question, I'm running Bridgestone S-03 tires all around.

carsontc · 08-12-2003, 08:16 AM

ok...one less thing to worry about