wtb 914 adjustable shocks

jay castriotta · 05-10-2002, 06:05 PM

does anyone out there have know of any adjustable shocks for 914s? I'm NOT taking about the kind with adjustable spring perches (although thats okay if they have that feature too), but would like shocks with adjustable rebound and dampening. Suggestions??

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Most or all of the Konis are single-adjustable. I think for bump and not rebound, but I could have that backwards. Some have a knob you turn, some you have to collapse all the way and then turn.

I'm not sure who else makes adjustables for the 914.

Double-adjustable shocks tend to be very expensive and have names like Penske and Carrera. They are generally race-only issue, and come priced to match.

Oh, I think you can have Koni convert their single-adjustables to double-adjustable. But it costs on top of the price of the shocks...

--DD

jay castriotta · 05-10-2002, 07:12 PM

I was wondering if anybody has had experience/has ever seen shocks like the Penke's etc for 914s. Bilstein has them for the 911. The last time I went through this with a car I had AVO make a set. Just trying not to reinvent the wheel.

CoryB · 05-10-2002, 08:13 PM

Maybe OT, but how about coil overs? Im also looking for adjustable shocks, but hear a lot of talk about coil overs. Are they adjustable and what advantage do they have over normal shocks? Can you put them on all four wheels or just the back?

Jim Smolka · 05-11-2002, 03:21 AM

CoryB,

Some of the advantages to coil overs are seen below and you can put them on all 4 corners

1. Front: Stiffer spring rates for the track. You are limited to 23mm Torsion bars if you don't convert
2. All 4: Easier / better way to corner balance the car
3. Available better shocks (some are $5K each)

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

"Coil over" technically means a setup where the spring is coiled around the shock absorber. Its usage has changed, though, and now it means a "threaded sleeve" adjustable spring perch setup.

This is pretty easy to do on the rear of a 914--it uses coil springs already. Pelican can supply the kit for Koni or Bilstein shocks. (Others don't have the ring that supports the sleeve.)

The front of the car has to be redesigned somewhat if you convert over to coil spring suspension. The upper suspension mounts were not designed to carry the weight of the car, so they must be reinforced significantly. There are a few other things to go through. It can be done, but it is non-trivial.

And, of course, the front torsion bars are ride-height adjustable simply by turning a couple of bolts...

--DD