Another Suspension Kit thread

[V-Rod]

So here we go, I simply wanted to start my car and break it out of hibernation and now it's going in the shop for new tires and some kind of suspension kit.

I contacted a nearby Porsche specialist and was impressed by his shop and the vehicles he is currently working on. Some cost nearly as much as I paid for my house.

I am really confused...what suspension? which parts? He did assume and highly recommend Bilstein shocks as if there were no other choice at his shop. He read off a whole long list of parts and said $3600 parts and labor...

I need to see the list and make some decision...but he said he could get it in and have it done when I get back from a two week business trip. I am so tempted.

This is a stock 99 base with 17"s that has not been raced and will not be seeing track, but will be seeking on and off ramps without slowing down.

I need to get it right without breaking the bank.

I am open to suggestions and please point out the gotchas and don't forget this!

[Stroked & Blown]

What shop?
RoW M030 is your best bet for your needs. $1000 kit includes springs, blistein struts, & swaybars.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by V-Rod

So here we go, I simply wanted to start my car and break it out of hibernation and now it's going in the shop for new tires and some kind of suspension kit.

I contacted a nearby Porsche specialist and was impressed by his shop and the vehicles he is currently working on. Some cost nearly as much as I paid for my house.

I am really confused...what suspension? which parts? He did assume and highly recommend Bilstein shocks as if there were no other choice at his shop. He read off a whole long list of parts and said $3600 parts and labor...

I need to see the list and make some decision...but he said he could get it in and have it done when I get back from a two week business trip. I am so tempted.

This is a stock 99 base with 17"s that has not been raced and will not be seeing track, but will be seeking on and off ramps without slowing down.

I need to get it right without breaking the bank.

I am open to suggestions and please point out the gotchas and don't forget this!

What shop ? And, specifically what parts and equipment ?

[jacabean]

for that money I hope it is PSS9 with corner balance and alignment .

[thstone]

For that kind of money, it should be something like this:

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/35845-suspension-upgrade-week.html

This is the Spec Boxster racing suspension configuration (except most full spec race cars use the Swift 500# springs instead of the Bilstein springs).

Get a list of exactly which parts so we can give you some useful feedback.

[V-Rod]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

What shop ? And, specifically what parts and equipment ?

Eurotech Advanced Automotive - HERE

I talked to Bill today, he mentioned it would include 4 RoW Springs, 4 Bilstein Shocks, 4 Upper Strut/Shock Bearings, Some Upper Ball Fitting (UN-sure what that is) and an Alignment. He did not mention sway bars (which I thought was strange).

After seeing the cost of the PSS9's could he be using a higher end shock than the ones that come in the RoW kit? The RoW kit for a little over 1K seems weirdly low in cost as when you start putting those pieces together in your own kit. I question the quality of those parts.

I do not want to touch this suspension again for many years as I only plan on putting 6k to 10k per year. I will probably upgrade before any of these parts need replacing.

I am thinking that I want this suspension to feel better than brand new. It does not need to be track adjustable but I do want it lowered slightly and feel more like a go-kart which it does not feel like now.

What about upper and lower control arm bushings? What set of links other than sway bar links are there? Should I do a full set of wheel bearings while we are in there? I do not want to be in there fixing something in 6-12 months that could have been tackled now for the cost of parts alone (like getting free labor). What about rear trailing arms? Does my car have these? Do they wear? Is this also the time to do rear CV boots?

BTW, For those that remember my posting from December when I purchased this car without my wife's approval. My wife has warmed up to my buying this car and it is the last time I will ever pull something like that again. So those of you that gave me some harsh words, I accept your criticism and admire your sense of values.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by V-Rod

Eurotech Advanced Automotive - HERE

I talked to Bill today, he mentioned it would include 4 RoW Springs, 4 Bilstein Shocks, 4 Upper Strut/Shock Bearings, Some Upper Ball Fitting (UN-sure what that is) and an Alignment. He did not mention sway bars (which I thought was strange).

After seeing the cost of the PSS9's could he be using a higher end shock than the ones that come in the RoW kit? The RoW kit for a little over 1K seems weirdly low in cost as when you start putting those pieces together in your own kit. I question the quality of those parts.

I do not want to touch this suspension again for many years as I only plan on putting 6k to 10k per year. I will probably upgrade before any of these parts need replacing.

I am thinking that I want this suspension to feel better than brand new. It does not need to be track adjustable but I do want it lowered slightly and feel more like a go-kart which it does not feel like now.

What about upper and lower control arm bushings? What set of links other than sway bar links are there? Should I do a full set of wheel bearings while we are in there? I do not want to be in there fixing something in 6-12 months that could have been tackled now for the cost of parts alone (like getting free labor). What about rear trailing arms? Does my car have these? Do they wear? Is this also the time to do rear CV boots?

BTW, For those that remember my posting from December when I purchased this car without my wife's approval. My wife has warmed up to my buying this car and it is the last time I will ever pull something like that again. So those of you that gave me some harsh words, I accept your criticism and admire your sense of values.

Ah, Bill Pfister ! He did some work for me years ago .

[thstone]

Originally Posted by V-Rod

...include 4 RoW Springs, 4 Bilstein Shocks, 4 Upper Strut/Shock Bearings, Some Upper Ball Fitting (UN-sure what that is) and an Alignment. He did not mention sway bars (which I thought was strange).

This seems to be similar but fewer parts than the M030 kit. The springs are M030, the shocks are likely very similar to M030 (clearly not PSS9's), and the other parts are OEM replacements for the worn pieces now on your car.

Originally Posted by V-Rod

After seeing the cost of the PSS9's could he be using a higher end shock than the ones that come in the RoW kit?

Possible. I am assuming that they are planning to use the Bilstein HD/Sport which is essentially the same as M030. The next step up the ladder is the PSS9.

Originally Posted by V-Rod

I am thinking that I want this suspension to feel better than brand new. It does not need to be track adjustable but I do want it lowered slightly and feel more like a go-kart which it does not feel like now.

I'd suggest getting out and making some friends in the local Porsche community and riding in their cars to see what different levels of suspension modifications feel like. Your definition of "feeling better than new" and "more like a go kart" might be different than mine or someone elses.

Before I selected my suspension upgrade, I rode in a M030 car and two PSS9 equipped cars. After this, I knew right away that I wanted a PSS9-based upgrade. Going even further, Topless was nice enough to give me a ride in his car at the track so I would have some idea of what the full Boxster Spec suspension felt like under track conditions. This last experience sold me on the Boxster Spec suspension.

Getting some real-world experience takes a lot of the guesswork out of the equation and you'll know exactly what to expect after the work is done.

Originally Posted by V-Rod

What about upper and lower control arm bushings? What set of links other than sway bar links are there? Should I do a full set of wheel bearings while we are in there? I do not want to be in there fixing something in 6-12 months that could have been tackled now for the cost of parts alone (like getting free labor). What about rear trailing arms? Does my car have these? Do they wear? Is this also the time to do rear CV boots?

Yes, those are all likely suspects. Have them checked to determine wear and future life or replace everything with a bushing if you are so inclined.

[V-Rod]

So I think this may be the way I do a major rebuild of the suspension in my '99

with a RoW M030 Kit from Suncoast; $1,095

Boxster Euro Suspension Kit (ROW M030)

The ultimate suspension upgrade, this is how they should all come from the factory. The ROW M030 kit upgrades your car to European spec sport suspension. Each kit will increase the suspension's firmness, and reduce bodyroll. Typically the front is lowered 20mm, and 10mm in the rear.

Parts Included:
Front Springs & Shocks
Rear Springs & Shocks
Front Sway Bar & Bushings
Rear Sway Bar & Bushings

Fitment: 1997-2004 Boxster models with a 2.5 or 2.7 liter engine.

And this complete control arms, links and bushing kit From Pelican; $2017.50

101P-986-P059B

Suspension Overhaul Kit, Boxster w/ M030 Sport Suspension Option (1997-04) $2017.50

Includes:
996-341-053-17-M80

Control Arm, Front/Rear Suspension - Lower, Left or Right
Brand: TRW
4 $191.25
996-341-043-06-M80

Control Arm Link, Front/Rear Suspension - Front Lower, Left and Right, each, 911 Carrera 2/4 (1999-05), 911 Turbo (2001-05), Front - Boxster/Boxster S (1997-04)
Brand: TRW
2 $112.25
997-331-045-04-M80

Control Arm Link, Rear Suspension - Rear Lower, Left and Right, each, 911 Carrera 2/4 (1999-05), 911 Turbo (2001-05), Boxster/Boxster S (1997-04)
Brand: TRW
2 $101.00
986-331-043-07-M80

Control Arm Link (Track Arm), Rear Suspension, Left and Right, each, Boxster/Boxster S (1997-04)
Brand: TRW
2 $178.00
996-347-131-04-M80

Outer Tie Rod End (sold per each, 2 per car), 996/996 Turbo (1999-2004), Boxster/Boxster S (1997-04)
Brand: TRW
2 $42.25
996-347-322-03-M80

Inner Tie Rod (sold per each, 2 per car), 996/996 Turbo (1999-2004), Boxster S (2000-04)
Brand: TRW
2 $42.25
996-347-191-04-OEM

Tie Rod/Steering Rack Boot, for original rack #996-347-011-06 or #996-347-011-07 (2 Per Car, sold individually)
2 $39.50
996-343-069-04-M80

Front Sway Bar Droplink, left front: 996 (1999-2005); left front or left rear: Boxster/Boxster S (1997-2004)
Brand: TRW
2 $50.00
996-343-070-04-M80

Sway Bar Droplink (sold per each), right front 996 (1999-2005), right rear or right front Boxster/Boxster S (1997-2004)
Brand: TRW
2 $33.00
996-343-792-12-M100

Front Sway Bar Bushing, Stock Rubber, 2 Per Car, 996 Carrera 2/4 Coupe w/ M030 (1999-05), Boxster w/ M030/Boxster S (1997-04), each
Brand: Genuine Porsche
2 $10.25
996-333-792-25-OEM

Rear Sway Bar Bushing, Stock Rubber, 19.8 mm (sold per each, 2 required), 996 (1999-2004), M 030 Boxster (1997-99)
2 $17.75

I figure $3200 Parts with S&H

Another $800 Labor (Does this seem in line?)

$100 Alignment

$4100 Total

[Johnny Danger]

Shop the internet for the the best price on either a high quality set of coilovers like the PSS9's, KW's, H&R's ect... or an RoW kit. Take the recommendation that I gave you regarding a good "indy" and go for it. Expect the install to take around 10 hours +/-, along with a good alignment that can take upwards of a couple of hours. With the exception of replacing additional worn out parts, you should be able to complete the project for around 4k. Less if you go with the RoW kit.

[DFW02S]

You don't need the sway bar bushings from Pelican because they come with the M030 kit.
Ask Suncoast to beat the Pelican pricing, you might be surprised.
Labor rate is within reason, if your shop charges actual time, it should be lower. If they charge book, it could 100 to 200 higher (1 or 2 hours). I believe the book is 5 on the rear and 4 on the front.

You can do it yourself, just plan on 2x the book labor time. Your local auto parts store will lend you the spring compressors and the only other special tool that helps is an impact wrench. Oh, and a thin 15mm (check size to be sure) open end wrench for the droplink mount.

[BruceH]

So what did you end up doing? Curious which way you went and what your opinion of the upgrade is if you had it done.