Best Suspension for $800?

[Mike_944]

I have an 85, 944 and I'm looking to upgrade the suspension but I only have roughly $800 to spend. I want something good, not kyb or any crap like that.

I was thinking Koni's and 250lb lowering springs up front and Koni's in the rear?
What would be the best combo for my price range?
Also what are the best and cheapest sway bars I could put on?

Thanks everyone!!

[flash968]

you're not going to get very far for $800. you have to factor in an alignment when changing struts, or even just lowering the car. that will set you back $200 all by itself for one that is worth anything.

for $800 you can buy front springs, rear shocks, the alignment, and a used set of bigger swaybars, but you have to install it all.

[Gawernator]

Save up to about $1,200 and you could get a Koni coil over setup from Ground Control. Any spring strength you want and adjustable. $800 is about what you will need to just get the front and rear dampers. Another couple hundred for springs

[mueller944s2]

I doubt you can even do that much. You want to upgrade it right? $800 might get you a set a struts. There's the front and rear alignment, the front and rear swaybars, rear shocks, springs, ALL of the rubber. I don't know if strut mounts have to be done, but they're $490 each. Also, when getting the cheapest option you are getting nowhere near the best. I'd suggest doing everything in phases. Do shocks now, sway bars a little down the road, etc. That way you can get the setup you really want instead of going the cheaper route.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by flash968

you're not going to get very far for $800. you have to factor in an alignment when changing struts, or even just lowering the car. that will set you back $200 all by itself for one that is worth anything.

for $800 you can buy front springs, rear shocks, the alignment, and a used set of bigger swaybars, but you have to install it all.

This is a good way to go. Buy a used set of sway bars from a 951, Weltmeister springs and a set of Koni adj rear shocks. Do the work yourself.

[FrenchToast]

Jcommin: Lol @ "misunderstood user". Sounds like that Merc saved you. Amazing, glad it did!

Yea. Make some friends at an alignment (better yet, Porsche) shop. +1 on the used sways and new Konis. Maybe front springs. Or.....

Take the 800 and do a trackday. Get a helmet, makes sure you have good summer performance tires, good pads, and do a trackday.

Then think about suspension. Unless your shocks are really bad.

Take care!

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by FrenchToast

Take the 800 and do a trackday. Get a helmet, makes sure you have good summer performance tires, and do a trackday.

You beat me to it!

-Get a good competition alignment, then hit the track.

You will be amazed at your "suspension" upgrade!

[Mike_944]

Originally Posted by flash968

you're not going to get very far for $800. you have to factor in an alignment when changing struts, or even just lowering the car. that will set you back $200 all by itself for one that is worth anything.

for $800 you can buy front springs, rear shocks, the alignment, and a used set of bigger swaybars, but you have to install it all.

I got a quote of $120 for a 4 wheel alignment.

Also I would be doing all the work with a friend.

[Mike_944]

Originally Posted by Gawernator

Save up to about $1,200 and you could get a Koni coil over setup from Ground Control. Any spring strength you want and adjustable. $800 is about what you will need to just get the front and rear dampers. Another couple hundred for springs

What would be the difference between these and Weltmeister 250 lbs Autocross Springs?

Also how do you quote more than 1 message in a single reply? lol I'm pretty new to the site.

[flash968]

slim chance that quote is worth anything. i'd be surprised if they even have the special tools required. i see shops all the time quoting on these cars, and it usually turns out to be a toe set only, and/or some lame excuse about something so that they don't actually have to align the car. it's hard for a shop to make money with a price of $120.

it takes about 2 hours to do an alignment on this car. you start with setting the rear ride height. this is what slips up most of the shops. whatever the shop hourly rate is, assuming they have the tools, you can count on that hourly rate for 2 hours.

be sure to do the alignment with the car loaded as it is normally driven, about 1/2 tank of gas, and your weight in the driver seat.

[Mike_944]

Originally Posted by flash968

slim chance that quote is worth anything. i'd be surprised if they even have the special tools required. i see shops all the time quoting on these cars, and it usually turns out to be a toe set only, and/or some lame excuse about something so that they don't actually have to align the car. it's hard for a shop to make money with a price of $120.

it takes about 2 hours to do an alignment on this car. you start with setting the rear ride height. this is what slips up most of the shops. whatever the shop hourly rate is, assuming they have the tools, you can count on that hourly rate for 2 hours.

be sure to do the alignment with the car loaded as it is normally driven, about 1/2 tank of gas, and your weight in the driver seat.

Good to know!

Thanks for the insight.

[flash968]

i hate seeing people get screwed on alignments. be sure to check in advance to make sure they have the eccentric tool and the thin wrenches needed. see if they have the weight for the driver seat, or will let you sit in the car. also ask them when the last time the rack was calibrated. if it's a laser rack, it needs calibration every month.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by FrenchToast

Jcommin: Lol @ "misunderstood user". Sounds like that Merc saved you. Amazing, glad it did!

Yea. Make some friends at an alignment (better yet, Porsche) shop. +1 on the used sways and new Konis. Maybe front springs. Or.....

Take the 800 and do a trackday. Get a helmet, makes sure you have good summer performance tires, good pads, and do a trackday.

Then think about suspension. Unless your shocks are really bad.

Take care!

French, good point about a track day. It is probably the best performance upgrade one can do. Alignments prices can very. If you can find a friend or independent shop to do an alignment for less than $200 - $250, more power to you. I had mine done for under $250 at a dealer. Got 20% during the winter months.

As for my Benz- Got rear ended sitting on the expressway at 35 mph and got pushed into the car in front of me. Both cars were company cars and the owners were talking about what they were going to get as a replacement while looked at my crumpled mess as it was being pull up onto a flatbed.

[Gawernator]

Quote de Gawernator

Save up to about $1,200 and you could get a Koni coil over setup from Ground Control. Any spring strength you want and adjustable. $800 is about what you will need to just get the front and rear dampers. Another couple hundred for springs

What would be the difference between these and Weltmeister 250 lbs Autocross Springs?



Also how do you quote more than 1 message in a single reply? lol I'm pretty new to the site.

I don't know the difference between the Weltmeister Springs and the Eibach springs they use. Both seem good

[Mike_944]

Originally Posted by Gawernator

I don't know the difference between the Weltmeister Springs and the Eibach springs they use. Both seem good

Maybe I'm looking at the wrong springs...do you have a link for the ones you're talking sbout? Do you have them on your car?

[Mike_944]

Also what would be a good size for sway bars?
What's a good price for them?
What is all the necessary hardware needed for them?

[ernie9944]

[QUOTE=Mike_944;7283331

Also how do you quote more than 1 message in a single reply? lol I'm pretty new to the site.[/QUOTE]

Use the (multi link quote this message) (''+) it will turn red when you click on it.Btw I got a lot of suggestion for a $800.00 to $1000.00 suspension upgrade but probably they will be to conservative for you.If you care to check my garage go ahead (click on garage then on (Old Faithful) my ex 83 & see the mods I had done to it)

[9FF]

$800 is not going to get you far. It probably won't even cover a decent set of tires and a good alignment. Save up some more and buy a decent set-up rather than trying to cobble together a compromise based on budget. Just advise not critisism, take it or leave it, GL

[Mike_944]

Originally Posted by 9FF

$800 is not going to get you far. It probably won't even cover a decent set of tires and a good alignment. Save up some more and buy a decent set-up rather than trying to cobble together a compromise based on budget. Just advise not critisism, take it or leave it, GL

I already have new tires. I was more just seeing how far I could get with $800 rather than getting everything at once.

[Gawernator]

Originally Posted by Mike_944

Maybe I'm looking at the wrong springs...do you have a link for the ones you're talking sbout? Do you have them on your car?

Not on my car yet, one day when I feel the rest of the car is sorted enough. Ground Control Suspension Systems - Porsche 944 Parts