Suspension upgrade confusion

Guys, help me out here. I need to tap into your vast knowledge and experience about suspension upgrades. I have a MY99 C2 Coupe with everything stock. I want to upgrade the suspension but I don't have any idea what the pros and cons are of all the different options. I've read about the ROW 030 kit and I'm tempted to go that route, but I've also seen posts about H&R HD, USA 030, Bilstein, X74, PSS-9 coilover kits, PSS-9 coilover with stabilizers, etc... I never would have realized that it could be so confusing. I don't intend to track the car (yet!) , I'm just looking for improved handling on the street for now. Any guidance is appreciated. Thanks, Mark P.S. I love being a part of this discussion board. Thanks!

I have a 99 C2 as well and have been researching suspension for 4 months now. Here is what I have learned: X74 - Not available for MY99. ROW M030 - Great compromise for street & track use. Stiffer than stock & US M030 but not harsh for street. Lowers car by 10mm. Front camber can be adjusted to up to -1 degrees. Complete kit including thicker sway bars for around $1,200 shipped from carnewal.com. H&R Coilovers - Adjustable ride height. Really stiff, some say too stiff for the road. About $1,800 from tirerack.com. Bilstein PSS9 - Adjustable ride height AND damping. More aggressive camber adjustments are possible. Current price is $2K - $2,500. ArthurK is arranging a group buy --> https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=110055 I haven't considered aftermarket shock & spring combos. The adjustable GT3 sway bars can be made to work with most options. I will be getting the PSS9's if the group buy can get the price down to below $2K shipped. I will try this first and maybe add the GT3 sway bars later. BTW, my C2 is my nice-weather weekend car and a 4-6 event a year track car.

you can't get more than -.75 degrees from the row mo30. the H&R, pss9 and x74 will allow up to or close to -1.5 degrees neg front camber. this a boon to those who track frequently and like to 'play' with their set-up.

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Gents, Thanks for the great info. I appreciate it. Based on your guidance, I think the ROW030 will suit me fine for street use... a tighter suspension but not too harsh.

labor is about the same for all options, so why not spend a few hundred x-tra bucks and get the PSS9 coilovers which leave you with so many more "easily" customizable settings? i had the H&Rs and found them noisy. the PSS9s that i replaced them with are much quieter, and ride better on the street. i've still not found the exact setting though that makes them feel as sure as the H&R. my opinion is that the PSS9s from about setting 3 or 4 (takes about a minute to set each!) all the way to 10 is more compliant than the 030. lastly, one of the best way to get rid of the excessive understeer 996s come from the factory with is GT3 adjustable sway bars. i didn't think you could put those on the 030 (can on the H&Rs and PSS9s), but maybe you can.

Ben, Great insight. I like the idea of having an easily adjustable system that I can adjust in a couple minutes. Doesn't every adjustment require a new alignment or corner balencing?? Also, how are the GT3 adjustable sway bars adjusted? Is there a dial on them or what? Thanks, Mark

Mark, height adjustments will require realignment. Damping adjustments will not. There are several holes on the ends of the GT3 sway bars where the links are mounted.

Mark, The PSS-9's are great on the street and will grow with you when you decide to go on the track. Adjustment is simple and makes a marked difference in handling and ride. If you're not tracking the car yet, I would hold off on getting the adjustable sway bars unless you feel like you need to have the best set up on the street. You can always add them on later without too much of a hassle.

"There are several holes on the ends of the GT3 sway bars where the links are mounted." yep, and that's just a single nut adjustment which also only takes a couple minutes

Anyone know what a GT3 sway bar costs??

At carnewal.com: PSS9 = $2,378 shipped PSS9 w/ GT3 sways = $2,880 shipped GT3 sways only = $558 shipped They also have the GT3 sways packaged w/ H&R coilovers. Depending on w/c suspension you go with, you may need special links for the swaybars. Gert at carnewal should be able to answer your questions. Also check the following US retailers who sell Tequipment parts: Foreign Affairs Motorsports (2fam.com) - I got a great price on GT3 seats from them. schatzmotorsport.com - I got a decent price on my rollbar from them. FAM was out of stock at the time.