[frankc]

After spending many hours over many weeks reading through most every thread I could find on suspension upgrades/refreshes/replacements, I feel I'm now ready to do the hardest part and get out from behind the computer and turn the first fastener. However, I wanted to run my list of suspension components by the collective wisdom of this group to see if I've made the right decision for the intended use of the car. Plus, as you will see, I still have some questions (big surprise).

First a little about the car - it is a '77 911S Targa which I have owned for the last 22 of its 30 years, and used as a pleasure/DE car. It currently has 102K miles on it. About two years after the purchase (1987), the motor was dropped (at about 82K miles) and completely rebuilt down to the polished crank. I went with 2.7 RS Piston/Cylinders, Webers, cams, SSI's and a bunch of other goodies, including everything to make the Mag case as bullet-proof as possible at the time. The motor has been perfect ever since - not even a drop of oil leaks to this day - kudos to Steinels Autowerks in Ohio (I have long since moved to TX).

A few years ago I noticed that the rear suspension was making some noise and as I suspected, the spring plate bushings were shot. This was no surprise as the all original suspension was now nearly 30 years old. I pretty much stopped driving the car and started looking into what I would need to replace the bushings. Around the same time I also purchased an M3 for my daily driver. After driving the M3 for a while, and only driving the 911 to take it for its annual inspections, I noticed that the 911 did not handle nearly as well as the M3, and was much softer. It was then that I decided that I would replace more than just the spring plate bushings, when the timing was right to start the project.

Well, the time is now. Since I don't drive the car that much anyway (at least not recently) I can afford to have the project take several months if necessary. For me this will probably be the case because I'm a bit of a clean freak and on occasion I concour the car. So the urge to clean "while I'm in there" will be hard to resist. I have a feeling that every part and fastener I take off will either be repainted, replated or replaced before going back on.

Once complete, I plan to use the car for occasional street and DE again (and concours). I don’t mind a firm suspension (in fact I prefer it), as long as it is not too harsh (my wife may complain). Oh, and the only suspension related type work I’ve done to the car to date is put on 6 & 7x16 Fuchs (it has Carrera flares). So, given that, and based on the countless threads I’ve read, this is the list of suspension components I came up with:

Torsion Bars (hollow): 21/27 or 22/28?
Shocks: Need help here. The car has original Koni’s
Sway Bars: 22/21 (OEM from 86+ Carrera?)
ER P-B Ctrl Arm bearings
ER Low Friction Ctrl Arm mounts
Rennline Truss-Mount 3-point Strut Brace
Monoball upper strut bushing? (w/camber plate?)
Turbo Tie Rods
Ball Joints
Bump-steer Steering rack spacers (needed for euro height)?
Spring Plate Bushings (ER P-B, or WEVO SPS?)
Monoball Trailing Arm bushing
Wheels: 6 & 8x16 or 7 & 8x16 Fuchs (probably wait on this)

Some misc notes – the front has the aluminum S calipers (< unsprung weight), and the complete A/C was removed from the car some time ago. Plus the engine intake/exhaust mods lightened things up a bit as well.

So the questions I have are:
- Which torsion bar combo given a slightly lighter than stock weight for a ‘77 & some DE?
- Since the car came equipped with the optional Koni’s (adjustable), and since they supposedly have a lifetime warranty, should I just try to increase the dampening? These are the older type which require the strut to be unbolted from the top to adjust. I would prefer the newer style. Should I just assume these are shot (at 102K miles) and replace them? If so, do I go with Koni’s again or Bilsteins?
- If I use a 3 point strut brace, will my Targa top still fit in the trunk? I measured it and it looks close. One posting I found here says it will fit. I never put the top on the car (since I never drive it in the rain), but occasionally I take it with me for insurance. I can always place it unfolded behind the front seats.
- If I use a truss mounted strut brace, does this prevent me from using the style of upper strut monoball that includes a camber plate?
- Should I expect the existing rubber upper strut bushings to be in need of replacement at their age? If so, I would go ahead with monoballs there. If not, they may be a little harder to justify.
- And what is the advantage of going with the strut monoball that has the camber plate? Is it just to allow for more camber adjustment?
- If I just drop the height to euro-spec, do I still need to raise the rack for bump-steer. I wouldn’t think so (it seems like it should be in its natural setting at that height).
- The Spring Plate bushings are the big dilemma for me. I like the WEVO SPS, but I don’t know if I really need the adjustable spring plate. I don’t see myself adjusting the ride height all that much once it is dialed in. It would certainly be nice for setting the initial height and for corner balancing, but after that I’m not sure if I would touch it. Plus the recent thread on the two plates separating (with any adjustable SP) makes me wonder if I’m not better off with the ER P-B bushing (which I like just as well) and my OEM adjustable spring plate (much less $ as well). I plan to do the front half of the car first while I agonize over this decision (with help from some of you I hope).
- I mentioned that I will probably wait on the 8x16 Fuchs as they are hard to come by these days, and when you can find them, they are not cheap (I should have bought them when they were "only" $400 per wheel years ago).

So there it is. Sorry for the long post. I will probably start taking the front suspension parts off soon so that I can get the control arms power coated while I’m figuring which parts to buy.

Thanks,
Frank