New Shocks/Spring to "Break In"..., ...or in need of adjustment? Options

[Rick986]

Had the shop put new 85lb springs and Bilsteins on the car and it's definitely riding high. Tech set the snap ring in the same spot as old shocks and suggests I should let the new eqpt. "settle in" before thinking about adjusting. Is he right...or should they be adjusted?

Seems like if the new gear is "settling", it's wearing down. And if he's right, how much time is needed?

Of course, it's not a big deal...but I'm just trying to have the car look/handle as stock. Rides a bit stiff now but a definite difference in handling. I freaking love driving this car....

Thanks!

[Mikey914]

85 is actually on the low end. The factory de-tuned the suspension. We set up and made the 100 as the street version and have sold about 100 sets so far. The response is that it feels better.

The 85 should not be a problem. I suspect the problem is in the shock (I'm assuming that AA made their springs to the factory length).
It should not be higher. It may sort itself out. Put some mileage on it.

[Superhawk996]

The factory de-tuned the suspension.

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Have to laugh (not at you) but this generalized mythology that I see all over the place regardless of whether its a GM, a Ferrari, or a 50 year old Porsche 914 being referred to.

I'm sure they tuned it to what they felt was important to a 1970's customer, relative the the sports car standards of the day, and within the cost, and weight targets they had to live within.

By what metric is it condidered to be detuned?

Ride:
primary or secondary ride?
Road noise transmissability?

Handling:
Roll gradient?
Transient cornering response?
Steady state cornering?
Front lateral compliance vs. rear?
Tire Grip vs. transient corner loading?

Don't forget that tires of the day (155's on 4.5" rim if I recall for /4) didn't have nearly the grip modern tires do and were easily overwhelmed by suspensions that were to "stiff" for them.

Again, want to reaffirm I'm not making a personal attack.

Just want to make sure we give credit to the tuning they did back in the day and not act like Porsche engineers had no idea of what they were doing with this unique little car that we all love!


To answer OP's question. When cars are set up for media fleets, nothing goes out before it has at least a couple hundred miles on it to let bushings, springs, dampers, etc., get settled in. Ideally would do more but not always possible.