993 Blistein B8 & H&R spring ride height problem

[9elf]

Hello all.

Can anyone help me with a ride height enquiry please?

I put new Blistein B8's on the car (993) that already had H&R springs, but I can only get a maximum of RS height. I have standard cup 2 17" wheels with standard tyre sizes. The fronts have adjustment room left on the collars but the rears are at maximum adjustment. The springs are stamped 1998 (previous owner installed) so I am assuming the problem is the age of the springs (sag).

I would like at least RS + 10 as RS is just a little low for my every day driver.

Has anyone had a similar experience, and do you think new H&R springs will fix my ride height?

Thank you
Craig.

[willus]

Hi Craig,

It might help if you posted the exact model number of your Bilstein B8's.

I had a similar but slightly different situation with an old version of the B8's combined with H&R springs. The short story is that (*I think*) some versions of the B8 will lower the car on their own (i.e. even when used with stock springs). Combine that with the lowering provided by the H&R springs, and the car is lower than your target. I remember a thread a while back where this was discussed, but not sure where it is now.

More detail (but no solution for you) is in a blog post here: Two-Fourths Full: A Porsche 993 Blog: Bilstein HD + H&R Spring Install Revisited

-Will

[9elf]

Thank you Will.

I didn't realise there were different models of B8's. I was going to buy new springs from H&R to solve the problem, but this may not work. Maybe I could get some spacers made up to sit between the spring and spring perches to raise the car 10mm or so.

Thank you for your input.
Craig.

[willus]

Hi Craig,

Having been bitten by a similar situation, glad to try and help.

I looked around on the Bilstein site for a minute. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say there are different models of Bilstein HD's. I also notice that you're in Australia and "stock" ride height in the US was different from the rest of the world.

What I noticed on the Bilstein website today is that the Bilstein B8 Performance Plus (left part #: 35-195276, right: 35-195283) have a note saying "20mm lower threaded ride height" while the B6 models say "Standard U.S. Height". I am not certain how to interpret that, but it sounds like the perches on the B8's are designed to drop the front of the car 20mm (front at least, not sure about rear). I think that lowering amount would be in addition to the lowering provided by the H&R springs, which would lead to the situation you're in.

As for solutions, you could try spacers. I don't know if your B8's are exchangeable, but if so, you could look at a different suspension options. Another option might be to buy different springs -- within the range of Porsche OEM springs you have at least three different spring heights RoW stock, RoW M030/M033 and RoW RS. I think that RoW Porsche stock springs would raise your car about 15mm in front and 23mm in the rear versus the H&R springs. This would get the car higher than RS+10, but you might then be able to use the adjustment on the B8 to lower the car to RS+10.

I should say at this point that I'm not very confident in almost all of these numbers, so you should verify them to your own satisfaction before proceeding. Also, the suspension gurus might have something to say about the benefits of matching the springs and shocks.

-Will

[Bill Verburg]

b8s and Motorsports Bilstein are the short version of b6 and are for lowered cars, you can't expect them to get up above RS height, just as you can't expect b6 or stock to get much below RS height

there ~20mm difference in the length of b6 and b8 both are shorter than a stock Monroe by ~47mm

that said the springs also affect the height range availability

there ar 4 different part @s for 993 b8 all are the same length the difference is small details of the valving

[9elf]

Thank you Will and Bill.

I wrongly assumed that if you had H&R springs that you needed the B8's otherwise there would be an unsecured spring at full droop (on the hoist etc). I was hoping that the adjustment collars would allow me to at least get RS +10. I will look into your recommendation Will and investigate different spring options now.

Thank you again.
Craig.

(Here is a pic of how it sits now)

[willus]

Craig,

Glad to try to help, although not sure I've actually done so. Gert Carnewal has a great parts website and has a picture illustrating the difference between the B6 and B8 for the 993 here: Bilstein B8 Shocks with RoW M030 Springs - Carnewal

Gert sells a B8 + H&R spring kit, as well as several other B6/B8 + spring combinations (Suspension - Carnewal - Porsche parts and accesories), so he might be a good resource to contact about which springs will get your car to RS+10 using your existing B8's.