Hi Folks,
I am not well versed on suspension mods and have a question I am hoping to get some input on. When I spec'd my CS last year I passed on PASM, as it was explained to me at the time that the base suspension would perform the same as Normal PASM. The car I test drove had PASM and I loved the ride and handling and since had no track plans at the time I passed on PASM. As has been discussed in other threads recently, this explanation was not correct and the Normal PASM suspension is more compliant than the base settings.
I have been toying with the idea of replacing my CS with a PASM equipped car. This would get me a better day to day ride, and give me a firmer ride when I do a bit of track time. Obviously this would entail quite the depreciation hit. After reading about PSS9's I am wondering if I would be be better off getting them installed, and adjust as neeeded for street or occassinal track use. Any thoughts on the relative merits of ordering a PASM equipped car versus installing PSS9's. Can the PSS9's really be adjusted to give a compliant daily ride? I ask because I have been in cars with aftermarket suspensions in the past and most rode very stiffly, which is not what I am looking for for daily use.
Thanks much,
Steve
yes they can be comfortable for daily ride. Of course I have them on my audi.(pss9) I do not have PASM either on my CS and the audi feels just like the ride on the factory suspension on the CS. We are talking about 2 different cars here so it WILL be stiffer than stock CS. the "softest" setting will be stiffer than your shocks now.
I don't think the PSS9's are going to be softer than the standard suspension. There is a coming PSS Damptronic system but it is a replacement for PASM you can't put it on a car without PASM to start because the PASM wiring isn't there. Rather than sell your car an easier route might be to get a set of 18" wheels and tires (if you have 19's) as those will be a little softer.
BTW your car isn't listed in the registry so it doesn't show up in your profile which means I have no clue what wheels and tires you have now...
K-man- will that damptronic system be manually adjustable for maximum stiffness, and will it use the stock springs??
Thanks, guys. The suspension is pretty much fine as is, certainly as well sorted as my previous 993 and M3. I think I am just suffering buyers remorse for not getting PASM - my fault for not really understanding how it works when I spec'd my car.
Steve
...yup, what he said.
"comfy" and "PSS-9" aren't too words you'll use in the same sentence. Now "bad-***" and "PSS-9" are two words commonly used in the same sentence.
DRVREG- Do you have PSS9's? Your car looks AMAZING in the picture and doesn't look like stock height.
Oops- Just answered my own question, you've got the H&R springs, are you happy with them and the ride quality? Would you recommend them over PSS9's if you're trying to save a buck or would you vote for PSS9's?
I'm very happy with the H&R Springs. They achieve exactly what I wanted, a lower stance, but one that still streetable.
My good friend Alejo has the Bilstein PSS-9's in his Cayman S. He is one of the best drivers in our PCA region. Here's a photo of his car.
...notice how low it is? The PSS-9 gives you a big drop, probably a little more than you want on the street. It's an adjustable system, so you can set the spring perches to dial in whatever ride height you deem appropriate and set the compression and rebound on the shocks to dial in the "compliance". So it is "possible" to set the PSS-9 kit up for the street, but it's gross overkill.
That being said - it's one of the reasons I opted for the "normal" suspension in my car. For the money Porsche wanted for the PASM system, I could have bought the Bilstein kit and been much faster at the track. ...maybe next year!
