My Cayman will see 90/10 street/track use. I've included PASM in my tentative order, but now I'm having second thoughts. Having now seen both a PASM & a non-PASM car live, I'm bummed about both ride heights which IMHO have excessive fender-tire gaps, especially in the rear. Admittedly, that's mostly an aesthetic issue, but it's got to have an effect on handling as well. The non PASM car can be easily lowered w/H&R springs which, based on reported Boxster experience, has little downside. However, I've been told by a reliable source that the PASM software does not do well w/a lowered suspension & that I should not consider lowering a PASM car. So now I'm back to coinsidering the stock suspension & adding aftermarket coilovers (H&R or PSS9) when they become available. Anyone have any experience/thoughts on this subject?
Although in pics it sure looks like the ROW cars are lower than the US, 2 different dealers have insisted that's not the case. Anyone know for sure?
I like the PASM, but not enough to get it. If I planned to run on the track much it would be a must have option. The funny thing is that I want the sport chrono package, and it really is intended to work in tandem with the PASM.
But I think the sport chrono will still modify the acceleration curve without the PASM, but I'm not positive about that. Does anyone know?
PASM affects suspension only. Sports chrono changes engine mapping, rev limiter, throttle response, PSM limits & also activates sport mode w/PASM (which can also be done manualy) but otherwise doesn't change handling.
The benefit of PASM is a street compliant ride w/an on demand tightened sport suspension. If my car were mostly track I definitely would NOT get PASM since there are far better track setups. However, w/just 10% track I was sold on PASM as the perfect compromise, but I must say the ride height will bother me.
I too would like to know if anybody has any experience with aftermarket lowering springs such as H&R. I am not considering PASM as I do not plan to track the car and I just want to lower the car based on aesthetics. Will changing to aftermarket springs void warranty in any way? Will handling be compromised in any way or do most companies leave the spring rate pretty close to stock?
Oh, and what about camber issues with aftermarket springs?
We discussed lowering here once before but the concerns were the rougher ride vs. any benefits for handling. A toss up it appears. Looks on the other hand are an improvement in everyone' s eyes.
From experience with 911's I can tell you thatlowering it takes changing out the more than just the springs to retain factory ride performance. And is pretty difficult to acheive unless you have access to a good shop.
Actually changing the springs is a pretty good option for the Cayman I think. Lowering the car about 15 to 20 mm more would make the visual effect more pronounced. Changing springs is a pretty easy job there is not much complication to it, even with PASM I hear. Furthermore, as PASM is able to adjust its oil (or was it gas?)pressure on the fly, putting a higher rate springs should not adversly effect the shocks.
One general misconception is that higher spring rates increase harshess. That is not necessarily true, unless the rates are increased substantially. What generally increases harshness is shocks. Of course in order to cope with the kinetic energy generated by the higher spring rates, shock valving is modified to a more agressive profile, and thatwould create harshness. However, for harshness to be unbearable, the rate increases truly need to be susbstatial. So, if you don't go to such higher spring rates that would require new and agressive shocks, there should not be any worry.
A spring rate increase of 20 to 50% (especially with the spring rates that Porsche uses), should not cause the shocks to get overloaded, especially with PASM. I think that is one of the advantages of PASM, of course it is all theory on my part at this time as I have not worked with PASM as of yet /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/angel_smile.gif
