Coilover choice? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

LAP1DOUG · 03-13-2015, 05:36 PM

This is a photo of my struts. Note the large diameter of the chromed rod and compare this to your typical PSS9, etc.

Remember that this is a "strut" and not a "shock", which means it serves to locate the wheel and needs to be as rigid as possible to avoid wheel deflection in a turn.

On top of this, the few damping curves I have seen on PSS9's are a joke. I will never understand the love for the PSS9 in the Porsche community.

Topless · 03-13-2015, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAP1DOUG

I will never understand the love for the PSS9 in the Porsche community.

Well, I think this is a misunderstanding and "love" is the wrong term to describe the guys who do use PSS9s. A coilover is just a tool to control our contact patch, and when the stock ones wear out we have a few choices to make:

Ksports or M030 for around $1400

PSS9s for around $2200

AST or JRZ for around $6500

A lot of guys have experienced difficulty getting Ksports dialed-in and several drivers have reported blown struts shortly after installation. Some have had good experiences but they are not well known or well supported by most suspension shops.

PSS9s are easy to set up, well understood in suspension shops, pretty durable and reliable, and reasonably affordable. A practical tool to replace worn OEM components and adjust ride height and corner balance. Practical but not love.

AST or JRZ offer a lot more advanced technology in a strut really designed for motorsport but the installed price is often more than the car is worth. Guys do love these and they should. They paid big $$ for that love.

Can a top driver be competitive running PSS9s in classes other than Spec and still win championships? Yes they can and many many 986 drivers do. A set of PSS9s is not the best possible tool but it is certainly good enough to win. Simply a practical solution to controlling your contact patch in motorsport.