Hello, I haven't been really active in the community over the years so not sure what the latest offerings are. One of my struts are starting to leak and need your recommendations to upgrade my suspension. Looking at new springs, shocks, and/or coilovers and would like to lower it an inch or two depending on the 3 wheel sets to be used. I do have experience with
Ohlins
since having upgraded my track bike & motard and see noticeable benefit to handling when properly setup by a professional. However, cost will be a deciding factor on making a price conscience decision. Apreciate your feedback and experiences.
08
987.1
CS w/ 90K miles
Spirited driving w/ no intention for track duty
Adjustable ride height for 18, 19, 20" wheels
Ultimately depends on your expectations and desired outcomes. The more specific the better. If you're not sure then it's just a matter of starting from one product and go from there. I'd be interested in actual experience across different brands of coilovers for the
987.1
. Subscribing to this thread if we can document the subjective experience between different configurations.
eg: Pros/cons
- type of user and preference (eg. I like the rawness of my set up, some prefer more touring comfort)
- Consistency over time
- Differences in response - subjective feeling on the front axel
- Perceived comfort on the street between 1 & 10 and 5 is OEM
Persona:
I used to do 2-3 drive events a year (non-competitive and not-timed). As age through the 10yrs of ownership, Im preferring the rising sun street drive and weekly B-road. I'm in a similar position where I think my PSS9's are wearing (again after 6yrs since last service) and considering different options instead of servicing - including 2-way or reservoir type coilovers. I find myself craving even more stability and suppleness on the front axle though bumps in the road, giving me more confidence that the tyre is glued to the road. Attack corners at street legal speeds where others have to slow down
. In short, I guess I'm a hot-rodder that likes having that confidence inspiring predictability and racing ability on tap, where ever I might be driving. It's all about the fun, not the metric.
Experience:
PSS9 is one of the most widely available options, however, I found the original spring rate too soft for more aggressive driving but comfortable on roads. At my 2016 service, I chose to uprate the springs to 70NM F 80NM R linear springs which reduce the float and comfort was still pretty decent to me @ 3 from full soft but too stiff for my wife and other non-enthusiast who have sat in my car. I would not go higher than this rate in street applications with PSS9 because you start losing a lot of comfort as you stiffen the shock to keep it working with higher spring rates
FYI I sit on 19"
Michelin PS4s
with -2.5 Camber F -2.0 R so the sitting on the sidewall a little would add a little softness to the ride vs less camber sitting on a stiff sidewall
The PSS9 felt great when new or just serviced, supple and responsive. The adjuster is reasonably easy to access from under the car vs some other systems but the one thing I really don't like is that the adjuster becomes more vague over time as you can't feel the clicks. I've had these checked at the local
bilstein
shop and they said that the standard clicking isn't super defined like a PSS10. They can replace it but I would not gain more definition in the click.
Other useful info:
Standard 987 Spring rates from 2006
Front Spring Struts lb/in % vs. basic
Basic chassis Spring Rate 27 N/mm 154 lb/in 100%
PASM
chassis Spring Rate 33 N/mm 188 lb/in 122%
Rear Spring Struts
Basic chassis Spring Rate 40 N/mm 228 lb/in 100%
PASM
chassis Spring Rate 46 N/mm 263 lb/in 115%
F + R lbs (I'll come and clean up the conversion to NM)
Cayman
R: 171 245
PSS9.....: 285 370
KW V1&3 : 230 400
KW Clubsport: 400 685
From my research, I read that higher performing dampers allow lower spring rates. This means that you can achieve the same response with the contact patch and more suppleness (the gentle rock over the bump). Unfortunately there's not huge variety of options for the 987. Coilovers on my list are:
1. Ohilns R&T - still researching whether this would be enough of an upgrade from PSS9 for me today. If I had to do it all again, I'd think I would start here as I feel the DFV would be a better ride than PSS9 so a notch up.
2. research on Reservoir options
Motion Control Suspension - still researching
JRZ RS Pro - still researching
KW Clubsport
MCA Gold suspension (murray coote) - Australian but well known for their suspension. They don't normally have options for Porsche but I'll be checking if they can with their custom options)
Many of these would be out of a smart persons budget but in the realm of a daily toy car
Thank you for the detailed write up. Much appreciated. Please keep updated
Def a lot of different options and since parts & labor is quite substantial to refresh, I want to weigh in all the options with owners feedback.
Do you or anyone looked into Elephant Racing and some of their suspension upgrades?
Elephant Racing • Coilover Sleeve Conversion Kits For Porsche 986, 987, 981 Boxster/Cayman
After 5 years of use, my Ohlin DFV R&T are more than I thought they would be. I was expecting to have to service them by 20k, but its been 35k now. I maybe on borrowed time, but its a hassle to completely strip the cars suspension and send the shocks back, especially in the rear. I use 400 lbs/in f and 458 lbs/in r spring rate and valving to go with that spring rate. I've used 2 clicks from closed/stiff settings for smooth autocross tracks and 17 clicks from closed for normal daily driving. Some tracks like Packwood, seemed to work well with 7 f and 8 r. They are working very well for my use, about 95% road and 5% track.
The ride height adjustment does not interfere with the suspension travel or preload, so with my corner balance I have a ride height of 34mm lower than OEM f and 36mm lower r, slightly less rake than OEM. The car is slightly lower on the passenger side than drivers side when I am not in the seat, 200lbs weight in drivers seat when balanced.
These coilovers work extremely well with Tarett GT adjustable swaybars and down links. I also needed tie rod ends f and rear toe links with bumpsteer adjustments so used Elephant Racing products. Camber is -2.9 f and -2.5 r with Tarett Cup Race Spec LCA;s. These products provide very quick turn in, minimal body roll, and excellent weight transfer control.
The Ohlin golden adjustment knob for compression/rebound is under the shock, similar to the PSS9, however I have not had any adjustment knob click issues.
