Who sells track suspension components for 944's

[vanwyk4257]

I would like to get some stiffer coil springs for the front, rear torsions (which our host carries), and possibly some other mods. I want the car biased more towards DE/Track use but livable on the street (I have a high threshold ). Does anyone have recommendations for a dual-use car biased more towards track use in terms of front coils/rear torsion bars? I am leaning toward running Bilsteins all around. Any other recommendations? Thanks!

[CJFusco]

Do you mean distributors, or manufacturers?

Weltmeister and such are the obvious manufacturers... but otherwise I would direct you to Paragon Products, Rennbay, Broadfoot Racing...

[Techno Duck]

*****************.com is a great place for all of your needs.

Before i start throwing out ideas, how much money are you looking to spend?

[vanwyk4257]

Thanks Fusco, Rennbay and Broadfoot are what I had in mind.

[vanwyk4257]

Originally posted by Techno Duck
*****************.com is a great place for all of your needs.

Before i start throwing out ideas, how much money are you looking to spend?

Duck, I don't know just yet. It depends partly on what I pay for the car which is yet to be determined. I'm budgeting anywhere from $2000 to $3000 at the top end depending on what the car needs and how far I want to go with it. I will probably not spend that much to begin with and just do mods in stages. I would like to replace the front coil springs, rear T-bars and shocks all at once. I may do new suspension bushings while I have it all torn apart. I am interested in the Wilwood brake conversion but not sure if I'll need it. If I do one of my friends has a shop and an account with Wilwood so I could likely do the swap for less $$. Let me know what you suggest. Thanks!

[924RACR]

Yeah, hit Paragon, he's got everything you need.

One recommendation for you in selecting mods - I highly recommend that you plan to do such mods as to be legal within a race class, if you're building a dedicated track car. That way it'll be easier to either a) sell the car to someone who wants to race it, or b) race it yourself when you get tired of just turning laps.

I wouldn't bother with the brakes; the Rennbay kit is sweet, for sure, got it myself, but the stock brakes don't exactly suck! Just put on race pads, braided stainless hoses, and good fluid (ATE). Springs, bars, and good dampers (I do recommend the Bilsteins, that's what I'm running on both my street and race cars). 400# front spring and 30mm rear torsion bar is stiff enough to give you everything you need on the track, and could certainly be tolerated on the street. I just moved on from that setup to 660/34 for my racecar.

Definitely gonna need suspension bushings, old rubber will do you no favors in the twisties. I recommend some sort of plastic; stock rubber is nice but not for the track, and solid is awesome but too expensive. You will probably also want the KLA solid upper strut bearing too.

So just get the suspension set right, put money into shocks, and don't worry about brakes or drivetrain as long as they're properly maintained and reliable. The limits of the car will be quite high at that point.

Feel free to follow up w/ email if you like...

[vanwyk4257]

Great advice, thanks Vaughan!

[Techno Duck]

Vaughan, can you tell us about the Rennbay brakes? Your one of the few people who i see have them (a couple of guys on Rennlist have them, but havent installed them yet). I know the stock brakes are good, but are the Wilwoods that much better?

Fade resistance must be excellent, how about brake feel? Shorter stopping distances?

[924RACR]

I just wish I could tell you... but they're going on my project 931 GTR/GTS Hybrid. That's a long way from hitting the road, possibly years away - it's gotten badly stalled by budget, as my wife's been unemployed for a couple of years now. First step is to rebuild engine and turbo, install IC, and convert to EFI, repainting the engine bay in the process. Then it gets bodywork - the GTR IMSA kit from GT Racing - and paint, and could finally be driven.

I would expect no improvement in stopping distances - that's all tire and suspension, not brakes.

[Brando]

There's also Elephant Racing. They have a nice polybronze and monoball setup that's very well priced. I installed these for a 911SC customer and the ride was significantly better than the stock rubber or poly-urethane bushings.

I think they also offer progressive springs and a rear-coilover setup.

http://www.elephantracing.com/suspension/diagram/944suspensiondiagram.htm

[IanS]

From what I've heard, the parts Elephant Racing makes are the best and I believe they're a bit cheaper than the equivalent parts from Racer's Edge.

-Ian

[Usmellgass2?]

Doing a suspension all at once is the best way, everything can work together.
Bilstine cup is a great system and within 30% the price of a Koni sport with coil over.
Lindsay racing
Paragon
Pelican
944 online
all good suppliers
I recommend you do a search this and other popular boards about Broadfoot before you send them any money.
First move I would make, Sway bars with good bushings. No doubt about it. Cheep, easy and makes a big improvement with or with out other mods.
Good luck, have fun!
ps be shure all the maintenace is good to go.

[Tervuren]

I'm also looking at making my 944 a bit sportier. The front struts are old, and will need replacement soon. I was thinking of going with the Bilstien route mentioned. my mom's S2 has them all around, and its gota lot of bite

I'm looking at upgrading the front first, as it needs new struts, and doing the rears later. 1986 944. Car has P-zero's, 8.5" wide rear, 7.5" front, 17" diameter ROH Cup wheels.

[Geo31]

How about our host - Pelican?

[vanwyk4257]

I mentioned Pelican right off the bat. I'll buy everything I can from them, but there will probably be some parts I need that they don't carry, hence my inquiry.

[Geo31]

By all means, I'd do business with Paragon. I just didn't want to be rude to our host.

Paragon rocks.