Can U and should U Lower a 914 ???

[flmont]

Curious if U should lower 914's like they do 911's,.I dont really see a reason to lower one But ??? Thanks Frank

[Tobra]

What are you going to use the car for, where are you going to drive it?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You should if you like the way it looks. Especially the front; it seems that Porsche tweaked the front ride height to a nose-up attitude to comply with US bumper height laws.

Lowering can help cornering grip if not taken too far.

It makes it a lot easier to scrape on bumps. (Scraping the bottom of the car on the freeway is a "Depends Check", let me tell you.)

It can make it harder to get in and out of. It can become more of an issue as we get older.

The front ride height can be changed by tweaking the torsion bar adjusters, just like on a 911 front suspension. For the rear, you will have to replace the springs and/or the spring perches.

--DD

[flmont]

Yea,..I thing it would look nice a little lower,..Good Thanks Dave,....Tobra...just around town,..and weekend trips...I do think it needs dropped a little,...Thanks

[porsche930dude]

no reason to drop the rear but the front end is usually set way too high. Pretty much like most 911s . Just need to set it how it looks good to you. depending on wheel and tire size and the overall look

[Cairo94507]

I would think the front coming down 1.5" and the rear about .5" would be good. Depending upon where you live and the tires you intend to run, maybe 2" front and 1" rear.

[The cap'n]

I thought I posted to this question yesterday, but it's not here. If you alter the front ride height, you MUST align the car. If you go 1.5-2 inches, you're going to have to fix the bump steer issue by spacing the steering rack down. This NOT a simple drop-it-and-drive-it procedure. Trust me, I can tell you from experience that you can destroy a set of front tires in less than 200 miles ................ Along with lowered ride height, you get lowered ride quality. The lower you go, the worse it gets. If you like the rock-hard ride of a slammed Honduh or a dump truck, that might be OK. If you have a wife or significant other that travels with you, it could become a problem REAL fast.

The Cap'n

[frank]

Mine is lowered... It makes cornering feel like there is no corner. It has been that way since I purchased it and I like it. I think I need new shocks though. I can feel a lot more of the road but again I think new shocks will help with that. I also know not to drive through pot-holes and take it easy over speed bumps. I avoid road debris too.

I very much like the look of a lowered 914 but as Dave mentioned, lowering makes it a little harder to get in and out. It is much easier to get in and out with the top off though. I just fall into it and pull my self out. I am not yet too old for it to be a problem but my Dad would probably complain.

[flmont]

Frank ,...Can I ask what the fender to ground measurement would be 24-26 "...Maybe Thanks FM

[Mike Bellis]

Mine is lowered. Bilstein shocks front and rear. Very little bump steer.

This pic is on Mulhulland Hwy in SoCal during a PCA event.

[frank]

Originally Posted by flmont

Frank ,...Can I ask what the fender to ground measurement would be 24-26 "...Maybe Thanks FM

I am at 23" in the front and 22" in the rear. I measured from the floor to the bottom of the fender lip. Air pressure could change these measurements.



Cisco

[flmont]

Thanks Looks Great,...I always say they are the best handling cars on the plant,..I dont know of any other car except for maybe a lotus elite,..But on comparison,..on price and reliability

[kgruen]

I like the looks of Frank's 914 re. the ride height. Would like to set mine up the same way. Any recommendations on a shop in the Southern California area? Thanks.

[Emo993]

+1 Frank, that looks great. Best, Mark

[RSBob]

Lowered but not slammed.

[jmz]

much too Low for the street but works on the track.

[Scott Walshaw]

Choice depends on the "look" you want and use (i.e., autocrossing?)...mine is lowered about 2", running on 14x5.5 rims and 205-60 tires, has 914-6 GT brakes and suspension, front and rear sway bars, bump steer kit and turbo tie rods installed. Since there is only about 6" ground clearance, care has to be taken with speed bumps, steep angled driveways and sidewalk curbs when parking. Since you are almost sitting on the pan compared to a 911, getting in and out with the roof on can be a bit challenging...especially if you are 6'4".