Turbo S suspension options

Gents, I have had sound advice on my previous posts...so here goes with my next questions..... I have one confirmed shagged out shock..(front passengers side) so I guess at 60K miles the others are not far behind. So do I just replace the damper in question or do I go the whole hog a go for a set of coil overs as I will end up replacing all 4 soon enough? A couple of questions ; Is the Turbo S fitted with lowered suspension (X73??) or is it just standard? I will be very unlikely to be doing anything other than fast (ish) road work...are coil overs over the top for my needs? Would I be better just replacing the dampers with bilsten OEM? What about retro fitting the oem sports suspension kit available from type 911 etc? One final question...I personally love the 997 Turbo wheels (I know, some think it is the ultimate in chaviness), would any lowering affect my ability to fit the 997 19" wheels? thanks in advance

The Turbo has M030 sports suspension as standard (-10mm). X74 (-30mm) was an option. Have a word with Chris Franklin at Center Gravity. He rebuilt the suspension on mine, and transformed the car. New Bilstein B6 dampers, corrected the ride heights (saggy rear end), a new wishbone, track rod ends, and a full geo. Not rocket science - just meticulous attention to detail. He advised me against coilovers, as like you, I was interested in mainly fast road use. Lowering the car will reduce suspension travel, hence damper stroke. All the coilover kits lower the car. I'm not a fan of the 997T wheels on a 996. Being 19", they are likely to make the ride ever firmer. Others have done it though, but someone here (sorry for forgetting who) found they rubbed the arch liners at full lock, but I don't know if it was standard oo lowered.

Agree with Richards suggestion. I visited Chris in January for a geo and was delighted when all my suspension components were given a clean bill of health. We did discuss what to do when they need replacing and there are several options available. Well worth a trip

Thanks guys, A trip down to Warwickshire is a big undertaking for me living where I do, but I have to admit, centre gravity seem to getting nothing but positive feedback on several forums. I guessed the coil overs would be too much for my needs...just wondered what would be more cost effective...looks like a set of dampers should be sufficient. As for the wheels, again I had a suspicion that 19" may be a problem with rubbing etc...maybe I will go for 18" OZ ultra leggeras instead ?

Hi Murdo dont fit the 19's you will find you fillings get rattled out the 996 models were designed for 18's at 60k your shocks will all likely be on the way out you could stick with standard bilstein b6 and get standard springs you could gop for the x73 set up which are uprated matched bilstein struts and an uprated engine mount as specified by mr porsche and a pretty good price around £1200 when i bought mine then you have the expensive options of kw3 vs pss9 I have never been near a track and love the x73 though I am hoping that will change there are so many opinions on what is correct for this car it really depends who you ask and then what thay want from their car I have yet to hear someone who has shelled out £2500 on suspension for kw3 or pss 9 say gosh I preferred standard but then you could say I guess they would the only way you can answer any of these questions is trying to get a ride in a car so fitted.why dont you first go to your trusty indy and find out what the others are like by far the cheapest of course is just to replace the shock for the moment unless of course that cash is burning a big hole in your pocket

According to Chris, standard are Bilstein B4's. He calls them "the accountant's choice", and recommended I upgrade to B6's.

I've seen Chris twice in recent months with my 996T, and Chris again recommended B6's to me. The first thing I'd like to do is to replace the ARB's, and may try GT2's, or another from the US he mentioned.

Thanks for the help guys! OK Bilstien B6s it is, can get a set for £1100 which seems pretty good value to me, is it worth getting a set of proflex bushes fitted at the same time, or Im I just throwing money away for no reason? The wheels are on hold for now...I have to accept that 19"s are a bad idea, Im I the only one that does not like the standard turbo wheels?

Those Ultraleggeras look nice, or how about the GT3 rims which were fitted to Turbos as an option: John Ware's Turbo

Whats the m30 kit the equivilent of then?

Yes they are much more to my liking.....I like the thin spoke options far more, the standard wheels look quite chunky (in my eyes!) sorry to those of you who love your wheels!

The standard Turbo (M030) uses B4's. It is the springs and anti-roll bars which make the difference. Edit: and damper valving, of course.

Beware the tyres. 315s on the back so not especially cheap. That said, I just bought two rears from Event Tyres for £199 each (N2 PS2). Suspension is Manthey KW courtesy of JZM and the previous owner. Magic!

Ahh i thought thats what you meant as i only have a carrera so mines a leeser version as standard.

Gents, I have just had a call from my indy who has told me my new set of Bilstien B6 struts are too long, so I am guessing my car must have the X73 option? Is there any easy way of verifying this? I did specify the 450hp (over the standard 420) selection from the europerformance website when purchasing. He has also told me my front top mounts are goosed as well, so any suggestions where to purchase a set from? thanks again in advance!

Check you have got the right ones using the Bilstein catalogue: http://web1.carparts-cat.com/default.aspx?11=18&14=4&10=0021231852304351018004&12=102&52=1&30=92&31=2033 If you have X73, it would be shown on the sticker under the bonnet, or in the maintenance book.

Thanks Richard, I will ask him to check under the bonnet and compare the part numbers from the site. Any suggestions for top mounts?

My indy got mine from Euro Car Parts, I believe. Other options are Design911, Porscheshop, or you could always try an OPC!!

As to wether to change them or not?

No, they need changed, but as in where to source them? I actually have to get an idea of how the car has been lowered before I go much further if the part numbers match..........will get in touch with previous owner maybe?

If you have the VIN to hand, send it to me in an email and I'll look it up to see if it had X73 from the factory.