[trytryagain]

I accidently left PSM turned on at a recent skidpad session (just for the first minute or so). With PSM on I could not make the car to break loose. Very impressive.

[CanAm]

Originally Posted by trytryagain

I accidently left PSM turned on at a recent skidpad session (just for the first minute or so). With PSM on I could not make the car to break loose. Very impressive.

Just remember that PSM isn't as infallible on the track, where speeds are higher and geometry is more variable and more complex than the skidpad.

[trytryagain]

Yep. I already found that out!

[ausgeflippt951]

Ok, so for those of us who don't have fancy things like PSM, PASM, TC, SC, ABS, etc...

The difference between PASM and PSM is...:

- PSM has yaw control and ensures the car doesn't spin or lose control. Souped-up (and much smarter) version of traction control.
- PASM is the variable/dynamic shock absorber technology which softens and stiffens the ride depending on the road conditions.

So in sum, PSM is what you want your students to leave on. Don't care about PASM?


How wrong do I have this?

[vranko]

Originally Posted by Fumes

I'll play "channel which Porsche acronym Otto meant" and disagree. I think he's talking about a non-PASM car (likely a Cayman) as in non-Porsche Active Suspension Management.

I don't think you can spec any modern cars without Porsche Active Stability Management - but you can remove it if the car is cracked (991 isn't, 997 is).

Yes. My bad. I Meant Porsche Active Suspension Management in my comments above.

[blipshift]

Originally Posted by ausgeflippt951

Ok, so for those of us who don't have fancy things like PSM, PASM, TC, SC, ABS, etc...

The difference between PASM and PSM is...:

- PSM has yaw control and ensures the car doesn't spin or lose control. Souped-up (and much smarter) version of traction control.
- PASM is the variable/dynamic shock absorber technology which softens and stiffens the ride depending on the road conditions.

Bingo.

AFAIK PSM comes standard on all newer Porsches???

PASM, however, is definately an option. PASM is a simple two way electronically controlled suspension system with Normal and Sport operating settings. Sport mode adjusts ride height (~30mm lower IIRC) and stiffens the ride.

If you're planning to buy a car which will occasionally see track duty I'd get PASM. If you're buying a car and eventually plan to swap suspension don't waste your money. As far as buying something that will break I've never heard of maintenance issues or anyone complain about it....other than CanAm who wishes he had it back

Interesting thread we have here though...I wonder how many instructors/students/drivers don't know the difference between PSM and PASM and inadvertently turn PSM off when they think they have PASM in Sport

[joep]

PASM on the Cayenne is generally desired, although it is one more thing to eventuality require extra maintenance. It will also add to the re-sale value in the same way an automatic transmission is preferred over manual in that more buyers will be interested just because.

Few Cayenne owners that I've talked too seem to use it much but it expands the options of where and how you might drive.

[BMAN]

Originally Posted by blipshift

Sport mode adjusts ride height (~30mm lower IIRC) and stiffens the ride.

PASM comes with shorter springs, -10mm, and stiffer springs, +15% compared to stock. So the ride height difference is fixed and PASM does not adjust the height, only the dampening rate. Little lower helps allow for more camber. btw, PASM with PTV lowers the car an additional 10mm over PASM.

It's nice for a dual purpose car, street and track.

[blipshift]

Originally Posted by BMAN

PASM comes with shorter springs, -10mm, and stiffer springs, +15% compared to stock. So the ride height difference is fixed and PASM does not adjust the height, only the dampening rate. Little lower helps allow for more camber. btw, PASM with PTV lowers the car an additional 10mm over PASM.

It's nice for a dual purpose car, street and track.

Gotcha. I knew there was a distinct difference in ride height between the cars but couldn't remember how much exactly....and apparently if it was adjustable!

The C2 non-PASM cars look damn near lifted next to a PASM car!

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/91...nagement-pasm/

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)

PASM, the electronic damping control system, is standard in the 911 Carrera S models and available as an option for the 911 Carrera models. It actively and continuously regulates damping forces according to driving style and road conditions. In addition, the suspension is lowered by 10 mm.
PASM has two modes, which can be selected using a separate button on the centre console: ‘Normal’, which is a blend of performance and comfort, and ‘Sport’ where the setup is much firmer.
To ensure efficient control interventions, a multitude of sensors in the 911 record the body movements that accompany powerful acceleration, braking or uneven road surfaces. The PASM control unit evaluates the driving conditions and modifies the damping force on each of the wheels in accordance with the selected mode.
In ‘Sport’ mode, the suspension is set to a harder damper rating. On uneven roads, PASM immediately switches to a softer rating, thereby improving contact between the wheels and the road. When the road surface improves, PASM automatically reverts to the original, harder rating. If ‘Normal’ mode is selected and the driver’s style becomes more assertive, PASM automatically switches to a harder rating. Damping firms up, and driving stability and road safety are increased.
The results are tangible: increased driving stability, improved comfort and enhanced performance.
PASM sports suspension

The PASM sports suspension is available as an option for the 911 Carrera Coupé models in conjunction with 20-inch wheels and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) or Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus).
The ride height is 20 mm lower than with the standard suspension or 10 mm compared with the PASM suspension. The springs are harder and shorter, and the anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles are stiffer. The front spoiler lip has a more sporty geometry, the rear spoiler extends even further. These not only further reduce lift at the front axle, but also provide downforce at the rear axle for improved aerodynamics and even better performance.

[987kmns]

To complicate matters further, Bilstein now makes a version of their sport shocks, HD shocks, and PSS9 system that are PASM compatible. They will plug into the car's PASM module and continue to do what the original PASM shocks did, but in a slightly more sporty manner (aka they are stiffer). So, if you do want to upgrade your suspension down the road, you don't have to necessarily lose PASM functionality.

TPC Racing makes a replacement for the original PASM module called Dynamic Suspension Control (DSC), which essentially changes shock stiffness while cornering. This is akin to Williams F1's active suspensions in the mid 90s. I think their DSC system can even be installed on non-PASM cars, but the cost is greater as there are more system components that need to be retrofitted.

All this to say that PASM might be a plus even for the more track oriented folks out there. I have no direct experience with any of the above products, so can't comment on their effectiveness. Personally, I like fewer driver aids rather than more, but that's just me.