Porsche 911 996 - my suspension upgrades make it drive better than new | Mat Vlogs

TL;DR

Upgraded suspension transforms Porsche 911 996 into a better-than-new driving experience.

Transcript

I've done an absolute load of suspension mods on my Porsche 996 so I've had new coilovers fitted I've had new anti-roll bars fitted I've had all the bushes replaced with poly bush has it been worth it let's find out there were two reasons for having the upgrades the first was that after 18 years the original suspension will be well past its best th... Read More

Key Insights

• The Porsche 911 996 received a comprehensive suspension overhaul to improve handling and ride quality, featuring Ohlins coilovers, Powerflex bushes, and Tarett anti-roll bars.
• The upgrades aimed to address the original suspension's age-related wear and inherent understeer, enhancing the car's sporty feel and performance.
• Ohlins Road and Track coilovers provide adjustable compression and rebound settings, allowing for a customizable driving experience that balances comfort and performance.
• Tarett Engineering's adjustable anti-roll bars reduce body roll and understeer, providing better grip and feedback from the front and rear tires.
• Powerflex polyurethane bushes significantly improve the car's responsiveness and steering precision, making the 996 feel like a new vehicle.
• The suspension modifications cost around £4,000, not including labor, which varies based on the condition of the old components.
• The upgrades make the 996 feel like a brand new older car, combining the best of classic driving dynamics with modern suspension technology.
• Despite the cost, the suspension overhaul delivers a unique driving experience, transforming the 996 into a responsive and enjoyable sports car.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the main reason for upgrading the Porsche 911 996's suspension?

The primary reason for upgrading the Porsche 911 996's suspension was to address the age-related wear of the original components and the inherent understeer in the factory setup. The owner wanted to improve the car's handling and make it feel not only like new but better than new, enhancing its sporty driving dynamics.

Q: How do the Ohlins Road and Track coilovers improve the car's performance?

The Ohlins Road and Track coilovers improve the car's performance by offering adjustable compression and rebound settings, which allow for a customizable driving experience. This adjustability enables the driver to balance comfort and performance, making the suspension firm when needed and compliant when desired, thus enhancing the car's handling and ride quality.

Q: What role do the Tarett Engineering anti-roll bars play in the suspension upgrade?

The Tarett Engineering anti-roll bars play a crucial role in the suspension upgrade by reducing body roll and understeer, providing better grip and feedback from the tires. These adjustable anti-roll bars allow for fine-tuning of the car's stiffness, enhancing the vehicle's handling characteristics and making it more responsive and enjoyable to drive.

Q: Why are Powerflex polyurethane bushes important in this suspension overhaul?

Powerflex polyurethane bushes are important in this suspension overhaul because they significantly improve the car's responsiveness and steering precision. By replacing the worn-out original bushes, these stiffer and more durable polyurethane bushes eliminate slop in the suspension and steering, making the 996 feel like a new vehicle with more direct and predictable handling.

Q: What challenges were encountered during the suspension installation?

During the suspension installation, challenges included dealing with seized components due to the car's age, which required grinding and pressing to remove old parts. The installation of the bushes was particularly labor-intensive, involving chiseling and hammering to replace the worn-out components, highlighting the complexity of such a comprehensive suspension overhaul.

Q: How does the upgraded suspension affect the car's ride quality?

The upgraded suspension affects the car's ride quality by making it firmer yet more comfortable than the original setup. The new suspension components, including the coilovers and bushes, handle bumps better and provide a more stable ride, while also allowing for a more engaging and sporty driving experience with improved handling and feedback.

Q: What is the cost of the suspension upgrade, and is it worth it?

The cost of the suspension upgrade is approximately £4,000 for the parts alone, with labor costs varying based on the condition of the old components. Despite the expense, the owner believes it is worth it, as the modifications transform the 996 into a unique sports car that feels like a brand new older vehicle, combining classic driving dynamics with modern suspension technology.

Q: How does the suspension upgrade impact the car's handling and performance?

The suspension upgrade significantly impacts the car's handling and performance by reducing body roll and understeer, enhancing grip, and providing better feedback from the tires. The upgraded components make the 996 more responsive and enjoyable to drive, with improved stability under acceleration and braking, resulting in a driving experience that exceeds the original factory setup.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Porsche 911 996 underwent a significant suspension upgrade, including Ohlins coilovers, Powerflex bushes, and Tarett anti-roll bars, to improve its handling and ride quality. These modifications addressed the car's original understeer and aging suspension components, resulting in a more responsive and enjoyable driving experience.

• The Ohlins Road and Track coilovers offer adjustable settings for compression and rebound, allowing for a customizable balance between comfort and performance. Tarett Engineering's adjustable anti-roll bars enhance grip and reduce body roll, while Powerflex bushes improve steering precision and overall vehicle responsiveness.

• The suspension overhaul cost approximately £4,000, excluding labor, which varies based on the condition of the existing components. Despite the expense, the upgrades transformed the 996 into a unique sports car that feels like a brand new older vehicle, combining classic driving dynamics with modern suspension technology.