could use some help on suspension

[dewatts]

Thanks to all of y'all the '83 944 is running great and starting to look pretty good. These are a blast to drive. Now I'm wanting to get into the suspension and smooth it out. It sat for about 4 years before I got it. I've balanced the tires and gotten rid of most of the shimmy but still rides like a tank. I feel every pebble on the highway.
Where would I start? I don't really want to troubleshoot with new parts, just looking for a logical process to start enhancing the ride.
thanks
dennis

[flash968]

start with getting her up in the air and looking for worn or damaged parts -

the rubber bushings are all WAY beyond their life expectancy, so if they are original, you can be pretty sure they are shot

do a bounce test on all four corners to check struts and shocks - get it really moving up and down and then let go on the down stroke - it should not take more than one and one half cycles to come to rest (up - down - up)

after that is all up to snuff, get a good 4 wheel alignment, including ride height set

if that doesn't do it for you, then you can start thinking about mods and such

[jcommin]

After you finish doing what Flash suggests, think about what you want to spend. You obviously need to fix what is worn out but.........this is the time to upgrade when after you decide what you want to do.

[dewatts]

what would normally be considered when doing a suspension "upgrade"

[flash968]

lol - boy is that a big question and a very slippery slope - i've got about 15k in my suspension, and i'm not done yet

[AKCJ]

My 83 does not ride stiff or rough (or like a tank). If anything it's a bit too soft from old age.

What tires do you have? I think tires can have a huge effect on the ride - more on these cars than most.

[jcommin]

I recently 'upgraded' my suspension on my 83,

Replaced front and rear sway bars with ones from an 86 951. (bigger bars) Changed bushings too.

Added Koni adjustable shocks F&R and replaced the front springs with Weltmiester 200#s. This lowered the front of the car about an inch. Replaced the front upper mounts.

Replaced tires with 17" Bridgstone Pole position tires and aftermarket Turbo Twist wheels.

Rplaced brakes with OEM Porsche pads, Zimmerman cross drilled rotors, SS hose lines. Cleaned and repacked front wheel beraings.

Added front tower brace, used silver caliper paint, brake cleaner, 2 seal kits, Retaining Clip set and other misc stuff.

4 wheel alignment and lowered the rear - Done at Porsche dealer.


Cost: $4K Only outside labor is aligment and lowering the rear (done at the same time). Does not include beer and cigars.


The stuff does add up!!!

Rides like a new car.

[phoenix_iii]

Originally Posted by jcommin

I recently 'upgraded' my suspension on my 83,

Replaced front and rear sway bars with ones from an 86 951. (bigger bars) Changed bushings too.

Added Koni adjustable shocks F&R and replaced the front springs with Weltmiester 200#s. This lowered the front of the car about an inch. Replaced the front upper mounts.

Replaced tires with 17" Bridgstone Pole position tires and aftermarket Turbo Twist wheels.

Rplaced brakes with OEM Porsche pads, Zimmerman cross drilled rotors, SS hose lines. Cleaned and repacked front wheel beraings.

Added front tower brace, used silver caliper paint, brake cleaner, 2 seal kits, Retaining Clip set and other misc stuff.

4 wheel alignment and lowered the rear - Done at Porsche dealer.


Cost: $4K Only outside labor is aligment and lowering the rear (done at the same time). Does not include beer and cigars.


The stuff does add up!!!

Rides like a new car.

So no new bushings except on the sways? Or you did all the bushings as well? =)

[shikzachaser]

The stuff does add up but for $2K you can totally redo it. I did mine a lot like Jim's. I did ball joints, control arm bushings, rebuilt the brakes, new wheel bearings, KONI yellows, ground control adjustable front springs, lowered the rear camber bolt, used 951 sway bars and bushings, stainless brake lines, 17" Mille Miglia wheels that have the early 944 narrow offset w/o using spacers, and Yokohama fat tires. I went ahead and did a new high pressure fuel pump and the exhaust etc while it was apart. It was easier to do it all at once instead of pieceing together as stuff broke. I spent about a year on the project but these cars are great when they are right.




Steve



Used 951 bars I picked up




Misc stuff





They sit and handle great when done

Steve

[shikzachaser]

Unfortunately this is where it adds up quick

[Cocacolakidd]

Hello Shikzachaser,

Question:

Where did you ever find the poly sway bar bushings - I have looked for over six months and have not found any yet -


Have a nice day,

Ed.

[hpservertech]

I believe Paragon has them.

[shikzachaser]

I got the shocks / springs / bushings / used swaybars from Chris Ahrens @ speed-6.com in Austin. He is a good guy to deal with, honest and quick. He gave me a great piece of advice also that I did not heed, "if you want power buy a 951". I spent north of $10K getting 30 RWHP out of an old NA. I also had a guy rip me off for another $3K+ for a supercharger that never came. Be careful with whoever you buy from as it seems Porsche owners are moving targets for a lot of these forum trolls. Chris is legitimate, Tim @ Speedforce Racing and Dave Lindsey also panned out well for me. The old reliable Tire Rack also is a good resource. Having a next door neighbor that has been a certified Porsche Master Mechanic @ the largest Porsche dealer around also helps.

Steve

[hermesbooking]

Nice looking car! In the future I want to get me another Porsche and make it a project car, a real project car, not like the project I currently have LOL! I just upgraded the Front sturs on my car, spent around 200 for new Inserts, Boots and Weltmeister 250lb springs, did everything my self and made a HUGE Improvement!!! Good Luck with everything!! Mike

[Keithr726]

Konis should be good enough if you want to take the time to adjust them to your liking. They really are the best bang for the buck. Check out the Koni inserts at *****************.com as a super value at $150(after core). Paragon even sells the coil over kits that can add up to $5K. Sway bars would be a great upgrade. Keep in mind if you upgrade to 951 sway bars to steer clear of 86 951 bars as they are the smallest and their bishings are about 4 times as much as the 87+ sway bar bushings. Paragon also sells poly sway bar bushings. Some might make you ride nice but a full kit is too much for street use.