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Old 01-14-2011, 11:30 AM   #1
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PSS9 setup questions

I have a 2000"S". I drive the socks off this thing and have since new. I totally wore out the original suspension and some time ago installed a PSS9 suspension.

I run it fairly low and have fooled around with a bunch of different ride heights and shock setting adjustments. It has always seemed, well....not quite "right". Too harsh in some ways and too soft in others..

I just had the need to pile a bunch of stuff in both the front and rear trunk (emergency situation..I hardly ever run with anything not necessary in the car). I haven't weighed what all was in there but I guess about 80lbs rear and 80 or so lbs. in the front. TRANSFORMATION! All of the sudden the car was supple enough not to bang you around but tight enough to feel like a performance suspension.

Based upon this, what does the car need? Would lighter springs help? Changing the shock settings? I do not know which way to go to get the car to feel like it has the weight in the trunks at the extreme ends of the car....without having weight added to the car!

Anyone have any answers? Suggestion? ....help.....................
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Old 01-14-2011, 12:32 PM   #2
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This is tricky because there are many interdependent variables and it is easy to get wrong.
For a mild setting that works:
Use the stock springs and set the shocks to their mid setting.
Set front ride height 1" lower than stock.
Set rear ride height 1/2" lower than stock and have a performance alignment done.

This will improve corner balance, allow more front neg. camber and improve front grip without getting extreme and screwing everything up. For a more precise setup, find a highly experienced chasis guy and gladly pay him to work his voodoo.
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Old 01-14-2011, 03:20 PM   #3
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The added ballast is doing a few things:

1. Lowering the car
2. Adding camber
3. Changing the center of gravity
4. Possibly altering corner weights

I experienced a similar issue with my coilovers. My first track day, the car was plowing like crazy. When it was totally full of gas, it got very neutral. I added a bit of camber up front and all was well.

That having been said, i prefer slightly lower ride heights than topless. I'm probably 2" lower than stock up front and 1.5" lower in back. I like zero toe front and just a TOUCH of toe in at the back (pretty much zero). If you drive mostly on he street, go with topless' ride heights.

Try -.8 deg camber front and -1.4 deg in back. Consider getting it corner balanced.
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Old 01-14-2011, 04:10 PM   #4
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In order for Boxsterund914 to effectively corner balance his vehicle, he will have to install adjustable drop links. Correct ?
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Old 01-14-2011, 05:17 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Danger
In order for Boxsterund914 to effectively corner balance his vehicle, he will have to install adjustable drop links. Correct ?

Yup. Front and rear. Possible to get a decent street setup with measuring tape.
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Old 01-17-2011, 11:04 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by insite
Yup. Front and rear. Possible to get a decent street setup with measuring tape.
I had always assumed that you get the corner balance by fine tuning the height at each corner (@ the spring perches), not really by pre-loading the sway bars..

However, please note that I am a shade tree mechanic and far from any from professional procedures

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