Eibach Progressive Springs

[roygarth]

I'm re-visiting idea of lowering my C2 for primarily aesthetic reasons. Been told that the Eibach progressive springs will not adversely effect perfomnace of car on less than smooth Norfolk B roads.

I've been offered the springs and the fitting FOC so I'm keen for this to be true!!

What do you guys think?

Thanks
Piers

 

[j1mw1ll1s]

Piers

I fitted the Eibachs to my C4, primarily to keep the car stable and straight at high speeds. The transformation was amazing- I can take my hands off the wheel at 140 (on the Autobahn I hasten to add!) and the car is rock steady, whereas previously it felt about ready for a very scary take-off at that speed. There is a bit of a trade-off: the ride is inevitably a bit harsher and the car is indeed a little jittery on poor surfaces (I too live in Norfolk)- though if you trust it and let it find its way, it's OK; nothing horrific. I suspect that some of this could be sorted by an expert geometry set-up (as opposed to the bog standard one I had done after lowering the car, which you have to do; wish I'd saved the hundred quid and gone to Center Gravity in the first place). Wheel balancing also seems more critical with the lowered set-up.
Hope this helps
James

 

[W1TAK]

Ive also been considering a set of lowering springs such as the Eibachs. Can I ask if its acceptable to only change the springs and not do anything to the shocks ? Its the cheap option I realise but appears to be around £500 fitted rather than £1500 for the shocks and springs.

I have a 1989 C4.

Many thanks

 

[roygarth]

Thanks James, good to get a viewpoint from somebody who knows the roads up here!

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Whether it's acceptable or not really depends on the state of the existing shocks. If they're more than, say, 50-60,000 miles old then the chances are that they are past their best. The standard (Boge) shocks are not best suited to shorter springs like Eibach or H&R although they WILL work OK.

The thing to bear in mind is that, from a labour point of view there is no difference since the struts have to be dismantled whether the shocks are changed or not. Similarly, the geometry has to be re-done, whether the shocks are changed or not. The ONLY difference is the cost of the shocks themsleves. On a rough average the fit/refit is about 3-4 hours labour and a geo is around £200 for a decent job, so there's the best part of £400-£500 without any hardware at all. Is it worth saving the cost of the shocks (around £500-£700 for a decent set of Bilsteins) when you may have to do the whole thing again sooner rather than later.

To be honest, I did exactly that. I had the H&R springs fitted retaining the standard shocks - and a year later paid out for the whole thing again when I discovered that the front shocks were on their way out. IMHO it would be cheaper to give the flexible friend an outing and get it all done at once rather than convince yourself you're saving money.

Regards

Dave

 

[j1mw1ll1s]

I didn't change the shocks, on grounds of cost but also because I preferred to make the modifications progressively. I don't for a moment regret the change of springs, subject to very slight reservations, above. Dave obviously has a very valid point- but I wouldn't be deterred, nonetheless. The Eibachs, even on their own, really make a difference; and of course, the car looks great!

James

ORIGINAL: W1TAK

Ive also been considering a set of lowering springs such as the Eibachs. Can I ask if its acceptable to only change the springs and not do anything to the shocks ? Its the cheap option I realise but appears to be around £500 fitted rather than £1500 for the shocks and springs.

I have a 1989 C4.

Many thanks

 

[deutschland dobson]

Has anyone trialed coil-over suspension on the 964. Im using it with without problem on my present car and would like to fit it to the 964 when I buy.

Any thoughts?

Chris

 

[j1mw1ll1s]

Dave

When you changed the shocks, which did you go for, and have you found them compatible with the lowering springs?

Regards
James

 

[George Elliott]

James, I put H&R's with Bilstein HD's and the results are OK, its a bit stiff if I am critical, but a huge improvement on the previous dampers.
George

964 C2
944T

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

James,

I'm sorry - for some reason I missed your question until this morning. I went the same route as George - H&R Greens with Bilsteins. It's one of the most common combinations and it seems to work well. As George says, it's a little stiffer than the standard setup so not the best for pot-holed roads but for decent surfaces it works really well.

Regards

Dave

 

[madmoog]

ORIGINAL: deutschland dobson

Has anyone trialed coil-over suspension on the 964. Im using it with without problem on my present car and would like to fit it to the 964 when I buy.

Any thoughts?

Chris

Yes, I've got coil-overs on mine as have many others. No reason why they shouldn't work as long as the kit is of decent quality and spec, set up well and Goe done. Good gains to be had.

 

[deutschland dobson]

Thanks madmoog, just wanted to be sure before splashing the cash!

Chris

 

[deutschland dobson]

If you dont mind a non-Porsche specialist I can recommend Revolution Motorsport in Gateshead.

They sorted the geometry on my RX7. Very friendly and helpfull

Chris

 

[mwcarrera]

I fitted Eibach lowing springs and Koni adjustable shocks to my previous 964 cabby and the result was very satisfactory. The front Konis were shock inserts ( so called for the shock of having to cut off the top of your existing strut!) No really, the work was worthwhile and although I ran this set-up on the softest damper setting, I could see the day when I would want to adjust a bit more damping in. The rear Konis are complete damper units and only need your threaded spring seats from the old units. The effect of Eibach and Koni is a lowered, stable and (I would say) better ride than the originals - albeit that they might have been past their best at 70k miles. Hope this helps. Martin