Ride height on 85 carrera cabrio

[hitch911]

Hello all, I'm struggling with my ride height measurements: when measuring from the level shop slab to bottom of fender lips I'm getting FrontL 26 1/8, FR 26 1/4, RearL 25 7/8, RR 26 3/8. I think the favored (euro) ride height is around 25 1/2 fronts and 25 rears and my ride height visually does appear high. However, and my dilemma is when I take measurements more along the factory suggested way of differences in height between wheel centers and centers of TB's- I got the following: 130mm FrontL, 128mm FR, RearL 3mm, RR 6mm. The specs for factory height measuring suggest 108mm +/- 5mm in front and 16mm +/- 5mm in the rears. Confused!? My car should be sitting lower than stock based on the factory measurement and higher based on the finder lip method and in reality it does appear to sit higher than photos of other cars set at the 25 1/2-25 fender lip height.

Any help/clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Tom

[Joe Bob]

Are you looking for advice on how to lower your cab? There is another thread ongoing you can look at. You can pm me your number and I can give some advice. For what it’s worth it’s free. ^

Btw I have a highly modified 83 cab.

[rosecarl]

Not sure if this will help, but measured with DeWalt tape through center line of wheel center cap to lower edge of fender lip:

[1988 cab completely original/stock suspension with believed untouched original factory settings, 16x6 & 16x7 on 205/225 (standard) tires at 29/36 PSI, Group 49 (H8) AGM battery, full tank of fuel, tire inflator in front trunk]

Left front: 24 7/8 in
Left rear: 25 3/4 in
Right front: 25 3/8 in
Right rear: 25 3/4 in

[Joe Bob]

Sidewall height is pertinent. 45-50-55-60?

As an aside. Back in the 70s and 80s Porsche sold a “comfort” package with smaller diameter rims and tall sidewalls.

[rosecarl]

My reference are “Pirelli P7 cinturato” front 205/55/16 and rear 225/50/16 if this is helpful.

[wjdunham]

Beautiful car - is that Pastel Beige?

[hitch911]

Thanks guys for the the help so far, especially to Joe Bob for a very informative conversation. My tire sizes are 205/55/16 fronts and 225/50/16 rears and the paint is close to pastel beige but is actually a paint to sample (999) and called pearl beige. Its a bit lighter in tone than pastel beige.
Anyway based on my photo would you guys say my car rides above euro (factory) height with these standard tire sizes?

[Joe Bob]

Do the height adjustment. You’ll not regret it. Talk to the alignment guy and see if he will use your parts. Some won’t as they make money on parts and won’t warranty any part that breaks on install or down the road.

Get the adjustable spring plates, bump steer parts and rear bushings ordered ahead of time. I went with poly bushings. Be advised they tend to speak a bit when going up a driveway or going over speed bumps. Start thinking about going over speed bumps at an angle. There IS a stock adjustable spring plate from Porsche. But it’s limited compared to the Swayaway brand and I can’t remember when they came stock. MAYBE consider bigger torsion bars. I run a 23-29 combo.

Look around for a strut tower brace. You can install that yourself. Decide if you want adjustable front shocks. I’m sure your guy knows to remove the shock bump stops. Show up for the work to be done with a 1/2 tank of fuel if you decide to go with corner balancing. Your ride will be always with less fuel than full do balance it that way. Your wrench will weigh down the driver seat with 180 lbs or more if you’re a big guy. Don’t bother weight in the passenger seat as you’ll be doing most of your spirited driving solo.

I think should cover it. But I’m old and fergit crap.

[Joe Bob]

Also if you’re buying parts. Get a spare DME relay. Pelican sells them of course. I’ve heard good things about the new solid state ones. They are under $50. Keep it your glove so when it dies you don’t come home on the hook. Familiarize yourself where the relay plugs in. Get a Bentley manual and read it.

My fave parts guy is Glen Sager extension 240. He’s a good guy. PCA membership gets you a 10% discount.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by hitch911

Hello all, I'm struggling with my ride height measurements: when measuring from the level shop slab to bottom of fender lips I'm getting FrontL 26 1/8, FR 26 1/4, RearL 25 7/8, RR 26 3/8. I think the favored (euro) ride height is around 25 1/2 fronts and 25 rears and my ride height visually does appear high. However, and my dilemma is when I take measurements more along the factory suggested way of differences in height between wheel centers and centers of TB's- I got the following: 130mm FrontL, 128mm FR, RearL 3mm, RR 6mm. The specs for factory height measuring suggest 108mm +/- 5mm in front and 16mm +/- 5mm in the rears. Confused!? My car should be sitting lower than stock based on the factory measurement and higher based on the finder lip method and in reality it does appear to sit higher than photos of other cars set at the 25 1/2-25 fender lip height.

Any help/clarification would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
Tom

The spec for your car is indeed 108/16

The issue is accurately measuring it, Fender heights are much easier to do

Just lower it 25.5"f/25"r or whatever lower increment you can live w/ 25/24.5, 24.5/24 etc, I'd add a rack spacer kit if going below 25.5/25

[hitch911]

Thanks for all the good advice, appointment made with TruLine in Bellevue, good porsche shop. Looking forward to the results!

[stlrj]

All Carreras since 1984 already came at European height. Why not cancel your appointment and enjoy!

[hitch911]

That's what I'm asking, does my ride height look factory? Is 26+ inches to fender lips factory?

[hitch911]

Rosecarl's specs to fender lips are lower than mine and apparently unmolested from the factory. After looking at the thread showing all these lowered porsche stances, I'm feeling mine might have been jacked higher than factory. I just don't know what factory looks like, maybe I could dig up an old sales brochure from porsche.
'

[hitch911]

Replaced spring plate bushings, lowered a bit (still for street use), corner balanced and aligned. Steering feels great, no bump steer issues as we didn't go that low. A-arms still slope downhill to ball joints. Happy with the result.

[Joe Bob]

Looks better. That will last until you want to carve harder in the turns....

[hitch911]

I hear you....

[Bill Douglas]

Looks fantastic.

[hitch911]

So what I think I learned is the factory measurement method of taking the difference between center of torsion bars and wheel centers is legit and gives you a ride height to handle all types of roads, which was smart by porsche. What I think is also true is the cars can be lowered a certain degree gaining a measure of handling and certainly looks without jeopardizing the suspension and steering geometry. I'm sure my car is not now suited for the track however, as all I have done is bilstein shocks and turbo tie rods, but for now the beige bomber is happy.
I love the rear quarter lines.

[dtxscott]

Looks great. What were your final fender lip measurements?