986 VS 987 chassis performance

[ubrsnl]

I'm looking to purchase a project car. I just need the chassis, looks are not a consideration. I've heard that the 987 inboard suspension attachment points are modified as to provide better handling performance when the car is lowered. Is there any strong advantage to the 987 chassis over the 986 relating to handling performance on and off of the track? If there is, what are the sorts of modifications made to the 986 to bring it into the 987 level?

Thanks!

Jason

[ronster]

Originally Posted by ubrsnl

I'm looking to purchase a project car. I just need the chassis, looks are not a consideration. I've heard that the 987 inboard suspension attachment points are modified as to provide better handling performance when the car is lowered. Is there any strong advantage to the 987 chassis over the 986 relating to handling performance on and off of the track? If there is, what are the sorts of modifications made to the 986 to bring it into the 987 level?

Thanks!

Jason

I'm not entirely certain about this but I believe the 987, besides being a little longer and wider, also had the equivalent of the ROW M030 Sport suspension which you can install on the 986. I have and it made a huge difference in how the car handles on the street and on the track. The car is lowered by almost an inch and the larger sway bars control body roll. The 986 is also much more sure in steering and more comfortable to ride in.
If you want to upgrade the brakes to the Big Reds, that came out on the S, you will have to install an S rear suspension to handle the larger calipers, rotors and to change the emergency brake mechanism. Once these two upgrades are done you end up with pretty much the same suspension and ride height as a 987.
It can be expensive though and I took my time to acquire what I needed waiting for sales and deals on good used parts.

[ubrsnl]

So the wheelbase and track are wider or just the body length and width? I was planning on getting an S either way, so it sounds as if I can get a 986 S I can dial in the chassis to match a 987?

[ronster]

Originally Posted by ubrsnl

So the wheelbase and track are wider or just the body length and width? I was planning on getting an S either way, so it sounds as if I can get a 986 S I can dial in the chassis to match a 987?

Here's a link that should answer your questions.
https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/modelyeardifferences
Why don't you just buy a 987 S ?

[mikefocke]

I have a draft of the model year differences paper someone in Porsche marketing was putting together in 2006. Claims for the 2005 987 were stiffer chassis, wider wheel alignment, bigger brakes.

[very~worn~944]

If you drive 2 similarly optioned vehicles you'll quickly notice how much stiffer the 987 chassis is- NOT the suspension necessarily, but the unibody itself is NOTICABLY stiffer. This matters even more when adding stiffer performance suspension- the unibody will flex more instead of the suspension undulating. I can definitely feel my 986 floorboards flexing over rough road after driving 987s...it feels like the dash, steering wheel, and windshield frame shimmy independently of your seat and back. And that's with a hardtop cranked down in attempt to achieve a little more stiffness. The 986 IS alot more simple when it comes to making a dedicated track car. If your going to cage it the body flex would be minimalized.