Hi Folks...a coworker of mine mentioned they recently installed new bushings around their car (2004 Corvette) and said it has made an almost night and day differnece...which got my thinking of course.
My 2008 CS DE1 has 98,000km or so on the clock...but perhaps this is something that can easily be done on these cars? I am fairly mechnically inclined, but not to the point where I would an error in attempting to DIY.
NOTE: Mine has the optional
PASM
feature, and optional 19" Turbo wheels. I don't think any suspension components have been upgraded (i.e. sway bar etc).
That said, rubber wears out, just with time and I do feel the suspension a bit "squishy" especally around higher speed turns (off ramps). I am wondering if this is something I should look into, and curious if anyone can vouch for a "kit" or series of "ideal" bushings to replace and/or upgrade?
Car is not tracked...semi-daily driver for non-winter months, and whenever possible in a spirited manner.
Open to suggestions!
Considering the same for my car (
2006 Cayman S
) as I suspect the suspension is stock and original. I'll probably replace everything rubber or plastic in the suspension next spring. Subscribed.
I don’t have specific recommendation for a street only car, but I will vouch for the difference it makes to upgrade the suspension. Tarret Engineering makes a lot of suspension components. I have almost everything replaced on mine as it’s a 90% track car now.
in my view, these cars can be really transformed into either amazingly precise canyon carvers and back roads drivers. A set of
Ohlins
coilovers in combination with some Tarret sway bars can go a long way to connecting the driver with the road. A bit pricey I know. But I’d much rather have this setup than just about anything else available - new or used. Almost nothing can touch a 98x properly setup for the twisties.
What would you say about this combination for a daily driver/commuter? Is “connecting the driver to the road” a euphemism for harsher ride than stock? Would you be willing to go for a 5+ hour road trip on that setup?
I’m hoping to do a full suspension refresh next summer, and your recommendation is on my short list as an option.
Last year about this time I did every single under car component except the steering rack and the actual swaybars themselves on my 105000 mile 2009 Cayman base. I used the Syder Performance UK refresh kit (waited for a big sale...they happen prett frequently) and some parts form FCP euro.
Koni
Sports (From Gert Carnewal) and R springs (never installed but from a fellow PCA marketplace seller). Added a pedro style bar to reinforce the subframe as well.
Amazing performance upgrade. Car drives like new! Big upgrade over the worn out stock parts.
The
Ohlins
are very adjustable. They have 10 levels of adjustment if I remember correctly. You can make the ride fairly soft for a long trip like that. But then tighten it up for other types of driving.
In terms of sway bars, they don’t have as much effect on how harsh the ride is. They are more about balancing the car between over steer and understeer.
I would definitely take a long drive with a set of
Ohlins
on a softer setting. Probably more comfortable than OEM.
Did you have any big costs with customs buying from the UK? Their stuff seems like a good way to go, but wasn’t sure if tariffs/customs really changed the value proposition.
Thanks for the reminder - I did see that and definitely something I will be aware of, and will be inspecting the bushing internals by seeing if there is a gap in the metal insert or if it can compress.
I think we are deviating a little bit from the OPs question, though, but thanks for sharing your insights.
I'd drive the R/
Koni
combo around every day and do drive it a bunch. Richmond VA rounds aren't super smooth.
The front suspension is the control arm, the "tuning fork", sway bar links, sway bar mounts, bump stop, cover, strut bearing and strut mount. Inner and outer tie roads.
