993 restoration

[Ferry Man]

When I ordered the Bilsteins I asked for the springs to be painted in Mexico Blue. My eye for detail extended right down to the colour of the suspension. Detail is everything, eh?
Bilstein undertook the ‘paint to sample’ for me and they are a superb match.
And then, some weeks later, I received a letter to Herr Madden (in German) which I’ve had translated. It reads: ‘Blimey Paul, your springs look bloody marvellous, everyone here at the factory thinks they look great. We have decided that all our springs will now be painted blue in homage to your insightful vision. Thanks very much, if you’re ever in town pop by for a drink’. Well that’s nice, isn’t it? And I’ve checked, it seems all Bilsteins are now blue. You now know why….

[911hillclimber]

So, on the front suspension issues, did the car have an MoT during the time scale, and if so shouldn't they have spotted the clash and damage?
I try to 'play' the cards until the very very bitter end, as in bitter.
I do not like using specialists as bar 2 in the Porsche world I've found them sadly lacking. Seems the bigger/hyped reputation they are the worse they are in my experience.
Having said this, I have shy'd away from gearboxes since my Vauxhall Viva days, I know when to call Mike Bainbridge for 911 gearboxes (3 so far), but will do the rest myself.

I think you did the right thing to go to your trusted specialist for the geo to be done before you got to the bitter stage with the project. Best go with the heart than the head, and you have the trust in the work, worth every penny.

Why didn't you revert the car to stock suspension as iirc you will use this as a road car?
Trust you are back on track now!

[Ferry Man]

I knew - but didn't really want to admit it - that much of the existing suspension would need renewing.
I didn't know which parts were original and which parts were 'lightly used' replacements but much of it looked old.
Despite being weary of the growing expense I realised that I wouldn't be happy unless it was all restored to new and - having gone so far - why skimp on one important facet.
Lee sourced some more parts from Porsche to accompany the coil-overs.
In addition to these parts were the control arms I'd purchased earlier, along with roll bar bushes.

[Ferry Man]

And rear wishbones too:

[Ferry Man]

All fitted very expertly and at modest cost by Lee at Octane Garage:

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

The Bilsteins are adjustable for comfort with a rating scale of 1 to 10. 1 being Cadillac Comfy, 10 equating to Rock Hard track-day weapon.
I've got mine at 3 all round as a start point.
I haven't driven the car enough to review those settings but it's certainly pleasantly comfortable.
I will go on to try other settings and let you know how I get on. They're easy to change.

[hot66]

I have those on my 964 and love them . Currently running 3 at the front and 4 at the rear although at speed on bumpy dales b-roads I do feel I should maybe soften up the front

[Ferry Man]

I have those on my 964 and love them . Currently running 3 at the front and 4 at the rear although at speed on bumpy dales b-roads I do feel I should maybe soften up the front

Yeah, I've heard folk talk of setting 911's with two clicks firmer on the rear so maybe 2f+4r could work.

[911hillclimber]

Very interesting as ever:
1
Does Octane do full suspension set-ups inc corner weighting?
2
Are the spring rates you now have the same as the original road car or stiffer?
Thanks, Graham.

[Ferry Man]

So, on the suspension issues, did the car have an MoT?

Graham, yes the car came to me with 10 months MoT left to run.
Regarding the other questions, I don't know the spring rates of the Bilsteins compared to my old set-up but I'd say it's softer. The car had been running 'Turbo' springs which - on a lighter C2 - would have given a firmer ride.
I like the PSS10's because they can be so easily adjusted (for both height & ride).
I would certainly be prepared to do track-days in this car and it should be no problem to firm things up for the circuit. Maybe 5 front & 7 back?

[DustyM]

Doesn't sound like Lynn is going to get much chance to use it after all

[Bootsy]

Poor Lynn

[Tp81]

Paul,

Really enjoying watching progress. I haven't driven my car in months so its good to see any 993. I dropped my Alfa off at the body shop this afternoon to try and deal with a couple of niggles, it wont come out again until the spring (cheap winter storage). While I was there I collected my small wing for the RS, its definitely going back on, I much prefer the std non club sport look on the car.

Cheers

Tom