Upgrading 964 Suspension
 

I'm upgrading my suspension with new coil overs. What would you recommend for spring rates? 600 front and 800 rear seems to be popular, but is that the best? Am just running DE's, but may move to Club Racing sometime in the future.

Thanks.

964s perform best on track with stock suspension. :lol:

I have nothing to offer, but I would ask one of Intersport guys, or just take it to Charlie with a sack full of $100s.

Remember that suspension is more than just coilover and springs. You need ARB, solid bushings, and proper alignment.

Rick your talent in my car would be interesting...........

What you have been running? Stock?

For the past 9 years, I've been running the stock euro RS suspension (http://carreracupusa.org/street/S-Su...Suspension.htm) and its taken me from Green to Red and Club Racing. These can be tough to find if you want OEM, but easy enough to replicate in spring and valving from someone who knows what they are doing.

However, if you are looking to upgrade with something adjustable, I'd tale a look at MCS. For springs, I'd start 600/800. This is what the 964 euro cups ran, so figure its a good starting point.

Forklift runs stiffer springs but it will come down to personal preference. The stiffer you go, the less grip you will get on a bumpy surface like Summit, but at the Glen and VIR it won't bounce as much as the softer stuff.

In my attempt to be brief, I've clearly left out some background to better frame my question.

Upgrading the coil overs is the last step in this process for me. I've installed upgraded sway bars and solid bushings throughout. While so much of the car was apart, put in new front wheel bearings, tie rods, and ball joints. I now have JIC Cross coil overs (installed by the previous owner), but the left rear is leaking and is very soft (makes T1 & Oak Tree interesting at VIR). So replacement is a necessity, not an option.

While taking the car to Charlie at Intersport is a very solid recommendation, I really to enjoy wrenching on it myself! Besides that, I'm pretty much a cheapskate (just ask my wife!).

Nader, hope this clarifies what my situation is.

Hunter, thanks for the compliment. Looking forward to being on the track with you soon!

Comments / recommendations from the collective are much appreciated!

Lane, thanks for your comments.

As you suggest, I ordered a set of MCS (Motion Control Systems out of the Atlanta area). They come highly recommended from a number of sources and they're a good bit cheaper than JRZ's.

I didn't know that the euro cups ran 600 / 800. That certainly strengthens your point!

I hear you about DIY. But at some point, CR and cheapskate do not get you past the lower mid range unless you have excellent ability. BTW, spending money without talent only gets you to where I am. :bang:

In the spirit of do it once, I suggest that you go with double adjustable shocks like Moton, JRZ, or Motion Control. They are more money up front, but ultimately give you more room to adjust and play around.

BTW, I had 700 and 900 on the 993, but I think it is being changed to 700 and 800 with further lowering.

Depends on your driving style. 600 front and 800 rear would be a good starting point. Going up in rates will depend on your driving style. Good choice on the MCS shocks. Reach out to a 964 racer to get recommendations on can pressures, compression and rebound settings for a baseline.

600/800 is a reasonable place to end up; as was advised to me by Steve Weiner at Rennsport Systems, it is heavier than recommended to start with.

I started with 514/680 and it was a good place to start; even 100# increase in spring rate is a huge jump. I am a big fan of Moton and they worked great on my RSA. I have a set of like-new rear Moton Club Sports (2-way with remote reservoirs) with 680# main springs, tender springs, hats/perches/separators that I will let go for $750 complete. You would need to add new fronts, but I have the 514# main springs.

MCS makes good stuff, as do Moton (obviously). Of the three, I've found I have had the most trouble with JRZ (from a consistency/reliability/adjustability perspective) and they seem to require rebuilds more frequently than the rest. It is all relative and you can certainly be quite competitive with the JRZ hardware -- and it's entirely possible what I've experienced is nothing more than anecdotal.


Two recommendations worth mentioning, regardless of which system you choose:

1) Make sure the coilovers are compatible with standard, 2.5" ID springs, or at the very least ensure your vendor has a wide range of spring rates available for your shocks at a reasonable price. For example, Hyperco is one of the best brands out there; they can usually be had for <$150/pr.

This will enable you to rest a bit easier, knowing you're not limited to 600/800 if you don't wind up liking the balance.

2) Get AT LEAST 2-way adjustable coilovers, preferably remote reservoir. If you're serious about any kind of racing, this is a MUST.