Rear End Feel - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

blinkwatt · 03-23-2008, 04:39 PM

When I'm pushing my Box really hard around turns the rear end has this floaty feeling that I HATE. It doesn't kick out and spin out the car or anything but I just can't stand the feeling...it doesn't inspire confidence by any means. I'm trying to take care of this before I perform any other mods to the car.

I recently went from 9" wide wheel in the rear w/ a 265 on it to a 10" w/ a 275 mounted,helped but didn't resolve my issue completely.

I'm thinking a Technobrace is a good start and if that's not it I will try a RoW 030 5-spd rear sway bar(it's thicker than the 6-spd Row spec).

Anyone else care to chime in? Anyone else get this feeling when pushing their Box? Could this just be me not used to the extra +50hp that this 986 S had over my old base 986?

Thanks in advance! Have a great Easter!

j.fro · 03-23-2008, 05:24 PM

I went from a 99 to an 00S. I think I know what you mean. I installed the brace system (discussed here) and it helped. FWIW, from what I've read about sway bars, the general rule of thumb is to loosen the end (front or rear) that's not sticking, and tighten the other end. When I get around to replacing sway bars, my plan is to go with something that's adjustable such as the HR's, the GT3, or the Weltmeister.

blinkwatt · 03-23-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.fro

I installed the brace system (discussed here)

Are you referring to the Mantis bar or Technobrace?

boxs2000 · 03-23-2008, 08:14 PM

I you have a floaty rear end, putting a stiffer sway bar is not the fix. A stiffer sway bars is to reduce roll/lean. IMHO I believe your shocks and struts may be worn if you are getting a floaty feeling. This is because as you lift off on the throttle the weights shifts forward and as you put the throttle on the weight shifts to the rear and if your shocks and struts are worn this weight shifting is more evident.

On a different note, the technobrace helps keep your camber by reducing the stress between your suspension arms. This will help your car track better and reduce oversteer. I'm really impressed at how much it changed my cars handling. I used to be able to hit the throttle and be able to flick the rear end out. With the technobrace it just sticks and tracks no drama. I have not had enough practice with it to get some nice power slides, but maybe someday as I get better.

Benny986 · 03-24-2008, 12:27 AM

yup, my guess would also be bad shocks. they are either blown, or well worn.

that is if we are interpreting "floaty" correctly.

j.fro · 03-24-2008, 01:42 AM

I thought the Technobrace and the Mantis bar were essentially the same thing. What I've got is just as boxs2000 described.

chaudanova · 03-25-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blinkwatt

When I'm pushing my Box really hard around turns the rear end has this floaty feeling that I HATE. It doesn't kick out and spin out the car or anything but I just can't stand the feeling...it doesn't inspire confidence by any means. I'm trying to take care of this before I perform any other mods to the car.

I recently went from 9" wide wheel in the rear w/ a 265 on it to a 10" w/ a 275 mounted,helped but didn't resolve my issue completely.

I'm thinking a Technobrace is a good start and if that's not it I will try a RoW 030 5-spd rear sway bar(it's thicker than the 6-spd Row spec).

Anyone else care to chime in? Anyone else get this feeling when pushing their Box? Could this just be me not used to the extra +50hp that this 986 S had over my old base 986?

Thanks in advance! Have a great Easter!

Hey Blinkwatt, I used to have that same feel on the rear end as well (based on what I interpret from your description). I added a Technobrace recently, and it really does wonders for these cars. Compared to the front and rear strut braces that I've added in the past, which, i did indeed notice an improvement on handling from... The Technobrace did so much more to improve handling. The rear feels extremely planted and solid, especially through turns and any sort of road imperfections. It inspires way more confidence to accelerate through turns, as the rear end just feels so much more solidly glued to the road.

I'll be posting a little review on the technobrace soon.

Hope this helps bro..

TriGem2k · 03-25-2008, 05:09 PM

Chaudanova,

Where did you pick up the technobrace from?

racer_d · 03-25-2008, 05:12 PM

Smart arse reply - - Does it feel "floaty" because you are lifting off the gas or eis it floaty even when you plant your foot on the gas? Could it just be the inherant weight transfer of cornering and, by lifting off the gas, also shifting the weight forward.. that makes the rear end feel light? just a thought

boxs2000 · 03-26-2008, 10:13 PM

Thumbs up on technobrace, I put it on and significantly reduce oversteer. The rear end just tracks no drama...although I kinda miss the little wiggle my car would do when accelerating hard out of a turn. You can get it from http://www.pedrosgarage.com/Site/Products.html
simple design, perfect fit, easy install.

easyc · 03-27-2008, 02:30 AM

For those of you that are feeling the movement during acceleration... check your motor mount!!! The fronts wear easily and the engine has a natural tendency to want to shift like that... sometimes when you really feel that shift it is time for a new mount.