Balanced suspension upgrade, Selecting right parts for street use Options

[william harris]

My 74 2.0 is undergoing a long restoration process. The restoration will include installing Porsche OEM front and rear sway bars (my preference to use original equipment - like sticking with the D-Jet). All of my suspension parts are basically shot. I intend to upgrade the front and rear suspension. My thoughts are Bilsteins all around and 100 lb springs in the rear. This car will be used almost exclusively for regular street driving. I don't mind a "sport" suspension, but the roads here in Taxachusetts are very bad, so a track like ride would be impossible. Am I on the right course? My goal is to balance all the suspension components so they work well together and give a predictable handling experience. Also, are the Turbo tie rods the way to go?

[DNHunt]

I just did a suspension upgrade from stock that was without factory bars. I chose Koni yellows all around, Weltmeister street bushings all around, 150 # rears on adjustable perches, 21mm hollow torsion bars, a 19mm adjustable front swaybar, new ball joints, turbo tie rods and bump steer spacers. I lowered the car about 3/4" all the way around. Tires remained the same, Dunlaps 195 60 X 15s on Empi 15 X 6" rims. Did an aggressive street alignment with a corner balance. It's a completely different car.

I'm still trying to sort out what it will do. It certainly is a lot more fun. It's much flatter in the corners and I think the rear end stays hooked up better. It pushes on really tight slow corners but I can massage that with the throttle. The biggest change is the positive steering. Whatever you do with the suspension treat yourself to the turbo tie rods and a good alignment. It is so sweet.

I haven't hit any real teeth rattlers yet, but our recent cold and thaw has some pavement breaking up so my times coming. That's probably gonna hurt my 54 year old back, we'll see. It certainly rides mre stiffly and is more noisy, but I think the trade off is worth it. What so far has been the most annoying to me is on concrete on the interstate. The expansion joints pitch the car fore and aft so it sort of hobbyhorses. Kind of like when a boat porpoises only much quicker and much smaller amplitute. I find the smoothest lane and it's doable but really long trips (couple hundred miles) are going to be tiring.

All in all I'm really pleased. I just wish the weather would allow me to drive it more.

Dave