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

TL;DR

Ohlins Road and Track coilovers, Tarett Engineering anti-roll bars, and Powerflex polyurethane bushes make the Porsche 911 996 sharper, more responsive, and better able to resist understeer and body roll. The roughly £4,000 parts package replaces suspension that was 18 years old while allowing the ride and handling to be adjusted for road or track use. Read on to see what each upgrade changes and whether the transformation justifies the cost.

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: Why upgrade the suspension on a Porsche 911 996?

The original suspension was 18 years old and considered well past its best. The factory setup was also designed to understeer, and the car’s nose could run wide under throttle while its body rolled through corners.

Q: Which suspension upgrades were fitted to the Porsche 911 996?

The overhaul included Ohlins Road and Track coilovers, Tarett Engineering adjustable anti-roll bars, adjustable links, and Powerflex polyurethane bushes. Together, these parts were chosen to sharpen handling, improve grip, and replace worn original components.

Q: How do Ohlins Road and Track coilovers improve the Porsche 996?

The Ohlins dampers adjust compression and rebound together and can remain firm during cornering while opening a valve to absorb bumps. Their settings can be made softer for road use or firmer for a sportier setup or track driving.

Q: Do the Ohlins coilovers make the ride too stiff?

The springs are slightly shorter and stiffer than standard road springs, so the ride can be somewhat firmer. However, most of the technology is in the damper, and the adjustable system can potentially be set more comfortably than the car’s existing setup.

Q: What do the Tarett Engineering anti-roll bars change?

The Tarett sway bars are stiffer and thicker than the standard bars, helping reduce body roll. Their four adjustment positions also let the setup be softened or stiffened to change weight transfer, grip, and the car’s understeer balance.

Q: Why are adjustable anti-roll-bar links needed?

Height-adjustable coilovers can leave small differences between the car’s left and right sides, causing preload if the standard links are reused. Adjustable links can be fitted with the car’s weight on the ground so the anti-roll bar has no preload while driving straight.

Q: What are the benefits of Powerflex polyurethane bushes?

The Powerflex bushes are stiffer than standard bushes, helping the suspension and steering respond more directly. The purple version is intended for road use, while the Black Series is aimed at race cars and experienced track-day drivers; the bushes are also expected to outlast the original type.

Q: How much does the Porsche 996 suspension overhaul cost, and is it worth it?

The suspension parts cost approximately £4,000, excluding labor, which varies with the condition of the old components. Despite that expense, the overhaul was considered worthwhile because it made the 996 feel like a brand-new older car with sharper responses, less understeer, and improved ride quality.

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.