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944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
https://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2393		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Stral944 [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:  944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
Hello all,
Kinda my first post here, been looking through the forums this morning and had to register, nice site & resource, :lol: , okay enough admin butt kissing.

I bought the wee 944 earlier this year, first Porka, and been doing a lot of learning along the way ( like buying oval dash parts that don't fit my car )

I'm looking to renew the suspension on the car, it doesn't look like it's been changed in 24years, and I fancy doing it. Car is a weekend and possible track day car, maybe even take it to the 'Ring having been twice as a passenger in a slightly more power car :oops: , 996 C4s...

So, has anyone updated an 84 car suspension, or have any practicle advice on doing so ?

I was looking at the SPAX PSX kit, p/n TAP314, approx £360 front and back adjustable with lowering springs, it looks good value and I believe good quality... I've purchased new arms and front poly bushes already.

Would be nice to hear some views... All the best
Author:  tr7v8 [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
Firstly Hi & Welcome :wave:
I suspect it is the original suspension, now well knackered. In which case just replacement will make a HUGE difference. We did my ARO's car last year, just replaced bits with standard stuff from Bert at Berlyn, we then set it up using the gauges. At the same time he binned the tyres that were originally off a Roman chariot & fitted D90s with modern, fresh rubber. The difference is amazing, whereas before driving it quick was a white knuckle job now it's smooth & hands off at speed.
Don't forget only the front will have lowering springs, ther rear is torsion bar & they'll need reindexing, do a search 'ere & someone asked about that recently. Check the Anti roll bars as the bushes & brackets for them seem quite short lived.
The early cars are cheaper to get decent struts etc for as they're VW derived.
Author:  944 Man [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
Id look at GAZ, if youre doing anything beyond replacing with original specification parts.

Simon
Author:  944 Man [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
Im not too sure about the above comment about the price of early cars struts. All 924 derived vehicles use what was originally a Super Beetle strut: the price difference between series one and series two 944 (nothing to do with S2) struts is usually only a pound or two though...
Author:  Stral944 [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 3:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
Thanks folks,

Anti roll bar bushes etc all sorted with new stuff ready to go on.

The car is white-knuckle & a wee bit scary in the wet, that's what I'm aching to put right.
Pretty sure it's all original equipment on the car currently, so time for it to go.

Will check out some of the other bits you both mentioned, I wanna get this right.


Cheers again
Author:  tr7v8 [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
944 Man wrote:
Im not too sure about the above comment about the price of early cars struts. All 924 derived vehicles use what was originally a Super Beetle strut: the price difference between series one and series two 944 (nothing to do with S2) struts is usually only a pound or two though...

59 quid vs 85 quid for standard units according to this page from Berlyn, not insignificant, lots more options as well.

http://partsforporsche.co.uk/osc/front- ... 441f7827be
Author:  944 Man [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
I presumed that you were referring to aftermarket parts. I can only presume that economies of scale explain the price difference on the oem parts?
Author:  tr7v8 [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
944 Man wrote:
I presumed that you were referring to aftermarket parts. I can only presume that economies of scale explain the price difference on the oem parts?

Quite likely, lots more choice in aftermarket stuff for the earlier cars generally as well.
Author:  demonfish [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
i've had issues with spax in the past and i'll never buy them again.

Also - worth getting the geometry checked.
Author:  J.J. [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
Mines the late 9442 but just got standard Boge units from GSF (with club discount. If you havn't joined yet you should as you will get back your membership costs in no time!) Car was transformed as Boge make a pretty good shock. Porsche spent lots developing them. Mine now controlled up to 130 above which they need to be stiffer. Not sure if Spax will give you any real advantage other than knocking your teeth out. There are better options but then you may as well sell your '44 & buy a newer one at current values.
Welcome aboard whatever. :)
Author:  Stral944 [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
Good stuff here guys, from first reply till now I've heard nothing great in favour of SPAX, so sounds like I need to review my thinking, standard equipment may be my best option. I'd like to keep my teeth. :wink:

Geo will be done the stuff is fitted, that's a roger !

Selling the car and getting a newer one could work I guess, but you know, it's got under my skin to be honest, I like the wee bugger for all it's inadequacies, imperfections and foibles. It's here to stay for a while.

So back to the drawing board and a bit more surfing... :shock: :roll:

... further opinions / recommendations welcomed.


Cheers to all.
Author:  demonfish [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
my spax gear started leaking after six months, and that was only a punto - but was only their cheap kit.

you'll be suprised at the difference even new standard suspension makes, maybe go for new standard shockers, with some mildy uprated springs, now the '44 isnt my bag, so i don't know whats available, but i'm sure someone around here does!

isnt the 968 CS stuff an upgrade path?
Author:  Fen [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
I would recommend standard except... you say you want to track it. Standard will not be the right choice on track and I'd bet you'd end up frustrated. Particularly if you take it to the 'Ring where the relative lack of power will show badly it would be disappointing if the car couldn't do the corners properly either.

I have KW on my Turbo, but that isn't an early car and I'm not sure if they do a kit for the early ones. It would probably end up costing about what your car is worth (and perhaps more than you paid for it) even if they do.

On the bright side there is some rear height adjustment without reindexing. There is around 40mm of adjustment available in the rear arms. It's there so the factory can fine-tune the ride height to standard specs, so every car is different in terms of initial setting. You might be able to lower it 30mm or you might only get 3mm depending how the factory left it.
Author:  tiptoptech [ Sun Dec 28, 2008 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
I recently asked a similar question, as I am refurbishing my tired suspension on my 86 944, I wanted to strip down my rear axle and send it away for powder coat, I was sent a very usefull link to a website regarding reindexing of the rear torsion bars to lower the ride height or just as a reference to use for strip down and rebuilding, hope you find it usefull

http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/susp-06.htm
Author:  944 Man [ Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 944 1984 Suspension Upgrades... advice
Its only a 25 minute job; if you drill a pair of 60mm holes just ahead of the rear wheel arch... :D
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