Lower
 

Can't believe I'm asking this but here it goes. Nothing urgent but what is the way to lower a 987S that will leave the car closest to stock or OEM -- with minimal aftermarket parts?

I have read in a few places that stock 986 are lower in Europe than they are in the US (Is that true and why?). Is that valid for the 987, as well?

I have a feeling that a stock 987S could use a little lowering. Perhaps not more than an inch. I personally don't think that lower is always better and I'm not a fan of the "slammed" look where the arches of the wheel and the well are way off being parallel. I also like the stiffness of the stock S suspension as a nice compromise between everyday comfort and performance, so wouldn't be looking to increase stiffness by much.

Z.

eibach... i think they have different types of springs to choose from, maybe a type thats closer to stock but wont lower your car too much, i think they usually lower about 1 inch to 1.5 inch.

European cars can be "lower" than US cars due to bumper height regulations. Simple.

Not sure how your 987 is equipped, but you would need aftermarket (non-porsche) lowering springs. I believe that the optional 987 suspension (maybe its part of the PASM package) lowers the car from the standard height.

Unless you do the work yourself, I would imagine it would cost about $1000 to "lower the car" given the amount of labor needed and the alignment the car would need afterwards

Thx for the replies.
I don't have PASM and, yes, PASM equipped models are slightly lower.
I've had conversations before where people have lowered their US mkt Porsches (993) by simply replacing the springs with the European spec ones. Or my question is: Is it possible to bring my 987S to a stock European one?

Who manufactures the OEM Porsche springs (suspension), anyway?

Hi,

Also, in addition to Bumper height, there are differing Headlamp height regulations in the US by the DOT. This is another reason Euro cars are generally higher here than across the pond...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Hi,

You can use Euro Porsche Parts, but will have to source them from europe. One place to check is: http://www.porscheshop.co.uk/acatalog/porsche_boxster_mechanical_parts.html Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim, does this mean that a car lowered to a euro spec would not pass a US inspection?

I think its mainly headlight regulations, thats why miatas and vettes had the flip up lights, so they could be high enough to pass. I dont think anyone measures though.

Hi,

It may not, but it's a nonsequitor since no one will ever check...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Call a dealer such as Brandywine or Sunset who both discount OEM parts and ask for a set of ROW springs or maybe the whole 040ROW setup, for a 986 it is only $975 for everything including sways, so maybe they have a similar package for your car that will get you what you want and still be "original".

Who manufactures the OEM Porsche springs (suspension), anyway?

The adaptive suspension components on the 987 are supplied by ThyssenKrupp Bilstein.

your case aside, consider coil overs if you are tinkering with the suspesnsion.
That way you can adjust the ride height in addition to rebound.

Otherwise its a potentialy expensive crap shoot:
Stick in new coils (springs), pay allot of money to the mechanic dude, realign the car, pay allot of money some more for an overpriced Porsche dealership alignment and say a little prayer and hope your are happy with the ride quality and feel in urban driving. Because where you drop it, is where it stays. Or you can pay some more money for un-installing and realigning=waste of money.

with the coilovers you can even make the ride quality softer than stock, make a few adjustments and in height and carve up the DE with the PCA.
Personally, I think the factory got my BoxsterS PERFECT right out of the box. Although sometimes I wish I could raise it from the cockpit. 18" wheels are 18" wheels.

I too love the stock ride qualty. I was merely asking if I could lower the car to stock european hight thus hopefully not affecting the ride quality.

Might want to give these a shot. Cheap by Porsche parts standards...

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code =987HRSprings&Category_Code=987s