[Alter Ego]

Hi all.



I am curious about what all you 968 drivers out there think of your car's steering feel. Now, this is given, if all is in order such as steering rack bushing, suspension bushings and shock health. I ask this because ever since I purchased my car 2 years ago, I have been searching for more responsive/steering feel. It is getting incrementally better with each upgrade, but I have driven various other cars, even NON-sports, like Nissan 200SX, Acura TL Type S, E36 BMW 325Xi which all have more feedback thru the steering wheel. The Merc C230Sport was just as bad though. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> To me, steering feel equates to faster lap times, more involvement and enjoyment of driving, more confidence.



What do you all think? (BTW, I have read a lot about manual steering conversion, which i am sure improves the feedback, but not an option for most of us, and it is $$$) Plus, all the euro mags of the 90's highly touted the 968's legendary handling traits, with MO30 OEM parts. I am just confused about how it could have ever been one of the greats with rather numb steering? How do you drive 10/10ths, even 8/10ths for that matter, if you don't know what the contact patches are doing under you?



For those who have modded their cars successfully to enhance steering feel, what did you do?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Mark]

It has pretty good feel to me, especially after the electronic assist in the S2000. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

as somebody who came from something with a LOT more feedback and feel, i have to agree



now that i have gotten rid of all of the rubber bushings, significantly increased the tire width, reduced the amount of power steering input, and added the 930 steering wheel, it feels pretty good



in stock form, i think it is fine for what the car is (a GT or touring car) but not what i wanted, and not enough feel for a sports car (which is what i am trying to turn the 968 into)

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tom in Austin]

If you haven't already, Flash's upper and lower braces work wonders for steering feel.



In the end though, I think a lot of the difference is just the structural stiffness of newer car designs. The stiffer the body structure the more precise the suspension and steering action. Every new model that comes out you read the mfg claims of % improvement over the previous design's torsional rigidity. All that finite element engineering and computer modeling is dramatically advancing structural strength.



That must be why new cars are routinely running 18 or 19-inch wheels ... if you put these on an older car you will feel the stress they transfer to the body.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[badberry68]

Interesting, I was impressed with a Solstice GXP that I drove recently. The steering was very direct, but I thought that was due to the short wheelbase. Even though it weighs about the same as a 968, it seems more nimble.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[bob blackwell]

I followed a Solstice GXP at our last DE and was impressed as well. I could keep up with the Pontiac, but never felt the need to pass it. The owner said the Solstice has 260 HP and weighs 2900 pounds so it has a definite power to weight ratio advantage and the roll center is lower too with the convertible top. Pretty impressive for the price, bob blackwell.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968crazy]

I think the 968 has great feedback. My e46 M3 has nothing on the 968 in the steeing or handling department

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='968crazy' post='43437' date='Nov 10 2007, 08:29 PM']I think the 968 has great feedback. My e46 M3 has nothing on the 968 in the steeing or handling department[/quote]



I tend to agree. I've never found my steering to be lacking in feel. Given that there seems to be some disagreement as to how good the road feel is in our cars' steering, I wonder if a lot of it is the brand of tires we're using. Also, varying degrees of wear in the steering racks may also play a part.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Andre]

I think 968's steering feel is superb, especially in hard track driving or autocross. The only downside is slightly vague center-feel in street driving, but it gets very precise and communicative once suspension is loaded in corners (where you really need to feel it). Proper alignment is critical to get the best out of 968 though - the factory settings are geared for safe understeer and numb the steering. The car came alive once I dialed in more aggressive negative camber, reduced toe-in and increased caster. There is a lot of information on proper settings on this site.



I tried a new 3-series "ultimate driving machine" BMW and its steering feel is just non-existent! The steering effort is so light, you can rotate it by one finger with no precision or feedback. It must have been designed for parking lot maneuvers... I can't speak for M3, did not try that one. I really got to appreciate the steering weighting of 968 - solid and not too heavy, hydraulic assist is balanced so well that you don't feel it's there. Our 968s must have been designed by drivers - it almost drives itself.



Andre

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.