[david c.]

Okay, I have a 912E with stock suspension. In the garage I have an entirely new suspension in boxes. I know zilch about the installation process aside from what I can glean from this board-which is often quite a lot. That said, I'm a law student and not a mechanic.

When the 912E gets parked in about a month, I have two options. (1) let it sit until the spring when I amass the funds to have the suspension installed professionally, or (2) rip it apart myself with no idea what I am doing and rely on this BBS to guide me through it.

This will involve replacing the torsion bars, shocks, installing sway bars (I think some cutting is involved in the installation of the front) and turbo tie rods.

I did read the excellent thread on the spring plates refurbish a few months back. The line about "scalping someone" made me laugh for a long time.

Whaddya think? Can we do this? I've seen amateurs guided through 911 engine rebuilds, so I am confident.

Here's what I've got in parts accumulated:

New Bilstein sports, front and rear
New 22mm sway bars
New front, used rear torsion bars (21/26mm)
New adjustable spring plates
New turbo tie rods
mounting hardware and drop links.

I want to lower the car also. Presently it sits at US ride height for a 912E. This is like a new Ford Expedition! I want to go to an agressive ride height that can be driven on the street. I am a functionalist over aesthetics so I'll take the collective advice on the best ride height independent of appearance.

What are the odds of screwing up so badly that I can't get it out of the garage after beginning? What's first? Who's in on this?

Thanks in advance,

David