Setting up the suspension

I've just installed a set of Gemballa one way-adjustable coilovers suspension, which are basically H&R units with H&R springs. I was told by the local porsche specialist (the only one in my area) that no alignment is required for lowering the car by 30mm. This makes me worried because I would like to have it aligned properly and preferably corner balanced. Since the mechanic is not interested in doing the job, I will have to take the car to do alignment elsewhere. Would any professional alignment specialist with the right equipment know how to align a p-car? The problem with these specialist in my area is that they probably have no experience with p-cars (mine will probably be the first p-car they will lay their hands on) as they are mostly involved with WRX, EVOs, Skylines, Merc, BMWs. If they do not have the correct parameters to aligh the p-cars, can I use those in this forum-are they accurate enough or further parameters are required? I would appreciate some advice on the above. Many thanks.

Your specialist is dead wrong, anytime the ride is changed significantly the car needs to be re-aligned. For that matter 30mm IS a significant drop. You can get the Porsche alignment specs for a GT3, they should be very close if the car is -30 mm lowered. I would also find someone with actual Porsche experience, especially on 993 and 996 cars. Probably the dealer is the best option.

Can someone explain how to properly measure the ride height so that I can make sure that all four wheels are lowered by 30mm. Then, I can probably take it to an alignment shop to dial in the GT3 spec. Is there a page in the forum with the GT3 alignment spec? Many thanks.

Can someone please verify that this is the GT3 spec:- Rear Axle: Camber: -1.50 degrees +/-.10 degrees Toe: +08' +/- 05' Total Toe +16' +/- 10' axle angle: 0' +/- 10' Front Axle: Caster: +8 degrees +/- 3 degrees Camber: -1 degree +/- .10 degrees Toe: +03' +/- 03' Total Toe: +05' +/- 05' Would this be too extreme for street use or shall I use the ROW M030 or X74 spec? Many thanks for your valuable advice.

IMO thoes spec are fine for the streets. Yes any alignment specialty shop can do your set up. Just check to make sure he has the corner balancing equipment. Yes give him the specs you want.

Here are the correct 2004 GT3 factory alignment specs: Front axle height: 115 + 5mm (115 to 120mm) Rear axle height: 128 + 5mm (128 to 133mm) Front axle: Toe unpressed (total): +8' +/- 2' Toe difference at 20� lock: -1�30' +/- 30' Camber: -1� +/- 5' Max camber difference, left/right: 10' Caster: 8� +/- 30' Max caster difference, left/right: 40' Rear axle: Toe per wheel: +13' +/- 2' Max toe difference, left/right: 5' Camber: -1�50' +/- 5' Max camber difference, left/right: 10'

Many thanks for the valuable advice.

Viken, I just had the alignment done yesterday. I gave the spec you provided to the alignment shop. They have a "Hunter" computer alignment machine and surprisingly, the software already has all the details of GT3, X74, ROW & USA M030, ROW & USA std alignment specs. and with detailed built-in instructions of what and how to measure ride heaight, etc. I compared the computer GT3 data with yours and they are almost identical- within 0.05 degrees. So I ended up using theirs. The alignment and ride height settings took three hours (I was there all along) and they tried to set everything up to within 0.01 of a degree. When I went into the shop, they measured the ride height and the front has 132mm and rear 110mm (what a joke). I guess it takes longer for them to get the job done because this is their first P-car. Anyway, I am very pleased with the job and they charged me US$230 (This is a more expensive package where I can go back and change the spec anytime within one year free of charge). Anyway, thanks very much for your help, Viken and also, to those who has assisted me in this forum.

You're welcome, Sir. Glad the alignment worked out to your satisfaction.