PASM Retrofit: DSC Sport Stand Alone Kit

DSC Sport Stand Alone Kit Update any non-PASM Porsche with the finest in active suspension technology. The DSC Sport Stand Alone Kit offers the finest in active suspension technology for Porsche cars 2000-Present that did not come from the factory with PASM. The DSC Sport wiring harness runs to all four corners of the car, providing the necessary wiring to install the Stand Alone DSC Controller. After establishing connection with the CAN line, the DSC Sport Stand Alone Kit functions the same as the DSC Sport Plug N Play V1. The result is an active suspension setup that provides more grip to the tire, greater stability and ride control, and increased comfort for all driving styles and road conditions. Check out the photos below of our two most recent DSC Sport Stand Alone/Tractive DDA builds, a heavily modified 987.1 Cayman and a 987.2 Boxster Spyder, both cars also fitted with a TPC Racing turbo kit.

Damper Packages: The Stand Alone Kit does require the installation of electronic dampers. All Bilstein variants are compatible with DSC Sport for an OEM-like driving experience. However, DSC Sport also offers Tractive Suspension, the finest quality in active damping technology, for the 996, 997, 987, 991, and 981 model ranges. We typically recommend one of two options: Bilstein B8 or Tractive DDA. While Bilstein Damptronic has a product line consisting of B4, B6, B8, and the B16 coilover option, we feel as though B8 is the best value. B4 or B6 are more or less PASM replacements and for just a little more cost you can go with the B8, which provides adequate performance for the occasional track day or DE event while providing a very compliant and comfortable street ride. The B16 is a nice package, but once you start adding camber plates and the works it begins to approach the price of Tractive DDA, which hands down offers the best performance. Both customers for these two builds decided to go with the Tractive DDA. The DDA valve responds to commands from the DSC controller in only 6 milliseconds, compared to the factory/Bilstein valving that responds in 80-100 milliseconds. The dynamic range of the DDA is from 2000-200ma, compared to 1500-500ma for the Bilstein/OEM product line. Mechanically, the Tractive DDA is made from a combination of highest quality materials available, and the guide bearing features the finest seal (.01mm) we’ve seen to date, eliminating all signs of stiction or hysteresis.

Wiring Harness: Most of the work involved in installing a Stand Alone Kit is properly wiring the car for the DSC Sport system. However, thanks to the DSC Sport wiring harness (pictured and labeled below), it is fairly simple. Not pictured in the wiring harness diagram are the four looms that run the length of the car to each shock (the looms are labeled FR, FL, RR, and RL for convenience). By wiring the DSC to establish communication with the CAN line, the DSC Sport Stand Alone Kit is able to function just as a Plug N Play unit would for a vehicle that came from the factory with PASM. Thus, we are able to gather data from inputs including g-force, speed (mph), steering angle, brake pressure, and acceleration.

Toggle/Factory Switch Without the installation of a switch, the DSC Stand Alone Kit does not allow for mode selection within the vehicle. Users must make any changes using the DSC Sport tuning software. However, users may install virtually any switch they would like, whether it be a simple third party toggle (mode 1/mode 2) switch, or a factory control that interfaces with the dash display. Both customers decided to go with the factory switch. As you can see, mode selection is the same as if the car had come from the factory with PASM, and the modes display on the dash. The DSC Sport wiring harness includes the necessary wiring for installing a toggle or factory switch.

Proper Alignment Last but certainly not least is the alignment. As with any suspension modification, a proper alignment for the intended use is essential. Founded by TPC Racing, the DSC Sport team knows a thing or two about proper alignment. However, we also believe there is not one perfect alignment for any vehicle/driver. Building upon our experience and knowledge of Porsche cars, we consult with each customer to help determine their alignment. As always, taking your vehicle to a reputable shop with an extensive knowledge of set up and alignment is essential.

I know this is a 987 forum but can you guys retrofit S- PASM to a 991.1?

I guess it may have been a little unclear calling the thread " PASM retrofit" as that is the trademarked name for Porsche 's version of electronic suspension. But yes the Stand Alone Kit can also be used with a 991.1.

I'm interested in this kit for my 2012 Cayman S , I've PM'd you and I'm sorry if you got multiple messages, I can't see any PMs in my "sent mail". I'm interested in pricing for the various Bilstein and Tractive options for a car that did not come with factory PASM . Thanks!

I'd love to do this, but I'm restricted to OEM components by SCCA autocross rules. Does your wiring harness work with OEM parts? Can you make a kit from components you've pulled from cars you've upgraded? I'm still looking for OEM PASM parts for my 2010 Boxster S , PDK .

Could TPC, or someone else who knows, kindly reply on the following: I plan to convert my recently purchased car (Boxster S 981 -14, non-PASM standard suspension) to as close as possible to a factory PASM equipped car. What do I need to buy, before handling over the car to the mechanics who will do the work putting it all together? I will of course buy the DSC 981 Stand Alone Kit, including the wiring and dashboard button. I also would purchase the Bilstein Damptronic B4 front and back shock absorbers. Now to the actual question: is that all that is needed, or is there any other, additional, part(s) that needs to be purchased in order to get the car fully functional with the DSC active suspension system? I am really not good at cars and mechanics, that's why I am asking. Thanks. (I noticed a little too late that this is the 987 section, however, the questions asked by me should be as valid for the 987 model as the 981, I presume)

There are multiple ways you can do this, so you should definitely call up and discuss with someone here [phone removed] to wrap your head around the whole picture, but I will do my best to summarize here... Option 1 : Use DSC Sport wiring harness, DSC Sport Stand Alone controller, and dampers of your choice to get basic DSC functions including...g-force, brake pressure, throttle position/acceleration, and steering angle. Use either DSC Sport on/off switch for mode switchability or purchase factory dash component with PASM button for factory-like mode switching and display. Option 2 : Using a factory wiring harness (more expensive option), wire the car for PASM, install standard DSC Sport controller for 991/981 and your choice of dampers and get full DSC Sport features for 991/981 including...g-force, brake pressure, throttle position/acceleration, steering angle, and velocity tuning . Going this route, I would recommend going with the factory dash panel with PASM button to get factory-like mode switching and display. BEAR IN MIND...we have worked with a shop remotely on a project like this before. It requires a shop that's very familiar with the wiring diagrams on these vehicles and is a very big job. I would recommend Option 1 for the vast majority of people. The only people I would really recommend option 2 for are people who want the highest level of performance (considering you're looking at the B4, I assume you're looking for overall balance/ride comfort/etc. rather than motorsport performance) and have a lot of patience, a really great shop to work with, and are prepared for the cost of installation to go over whatever their shop quotes them at, as this sort of project can introduce a lot of unexpected hurdles.

Many thanks for your informative reply. And you are right, motorsport is not my first priority. Thus, Option 1 will suit me just fine, I wonder, you have not considered to include a GPS in your kit so that also speed information can be used? More importantly, going for Option 1, do you know if I can use the standard non- PASM springs on the car, or have new ones be purchased, to fit e.g. the Bilstein B4 ? Any recommendation here from you?