Why does my 944 ride so much better....

JagdHamster · Jun 11, 2014

....with 6 bags of compost in the boot?

The difference was absolutely amazing; instead of the ride being quite sharp-edged (the bump setting, I guess it's called), the car was "breathing" across the road beautifully. Even big cats-eyes (normally quite unpleasant) were comfortable.

I have the dampers set to almost full soft, but that's the rebound isn't it?

Any ideas why this should be? Perhaps my car has been fitted with stiffer springs (I know the M030s were rebuilt a while back)?

scam75 · Jun 11, 2014

2 bags of cement probably the same weight as 6 of compost and take less room in your boot!

Seriously you shouldn't have springs in the rear unless you have helper springs on upgraded suspension. Standard they just have the torsion bar so all your adjustment for rebound is really in your adjustable shocks. If they are at "full soft" already you may need to look at less harsh dampers that will skip the need for a boot full of ballast!

Alternatively a nice full geo and corner weight set-up may cure everything and transform the car. [

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Stuart

JagdHamster · Jun 11, 2014

Thanks Stuart,
We have very similar cars (mine is an 89 Turbo), so all good.

I have been thinking about a full geo set-up.

Anyone know of a good geometry place in the SW? Something along the lines of Centre Gravity, or Wheels in Motion?

Russ

tref · Jun 11, 2014

Have a word with Tim O'Dowd of Marque21 in Bridport - he has bought the alignment table thingy from Porsche, but more importantly, he is happy to work with his customers to get what they want rather than impose his ideas of what they might want!

He is also a strong supporter of the PCGB in Dorset, and looks after our members very well.

Tell him we sent you!

George Elliott · Jun 11, 2014

The difference was absolutely amazing;

The way I understand this, is; with extra weight, you have the same loads happening at lower speeds.

For example with 6 Bags of compost at 60mph, the dynamics are similar to no compost at 130mph.

If you tried the load at 130mph, you would observe the car handled better without ballast.

I understand the sensation though, my own M030 car would feel the same.

From memory, an early 220 car had lower rated rear torsion bars, and they were the nicer drive at every-day speeds and over undulating roads.

It did not help that 944's put on a lot of weight between 1982 and 1989, and the spring rates needed to rise accordingly

Interested in how you get on with the alignment

George
944t