[flwbyu]

Greetings,



I just ordered a "M030 Sway Bar Kit" from Schatz Motorsport and was wondering if there is anything else that I need to install this on a 968 w/o M030 option? Schatz Motorsport says that the kit includes the required bushings and hardware. Are there any other issues or problems that I should be aware of? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/huh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Thanks

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[flwbyu]

I noticed in the searches that most people seemed to think that the M030 sway bars used in conjunction with the KLA drop links and Delrin bushings was the way to go. This seemed to help with the "noises". What does everyone else think about this?

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[flwbyu]

I have also added the KLA front sway bar "brace set" to my list. KLA claims that the braces secure the mount points of the sway bar so that it is held in place.

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[flash]

the brace is great - both kla and tarret make a good one



the delrin and droplinks work great, but make a lot more noise than the rubber bushings - i have worked up a mod though that resoves that - i'll try to write it up this week and post it

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[flwbyu]

could someone fill me in to the advantages and disadvantages of using something like the KLA drop links? I am new to this and still learning.

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[flash]

the drop links firm up the action of the rear sway bar, thus efffecitvely increasing its rate - further, they are adjustable, so you can "fine tune" it a bit more



the ups are that you have a lot more flexibility, and potentially a stiffer rear bar rate



the downs are that you have a lot more flexibility, and potentially a stiffer rear bar rate



lol - what i mean is that, if you don't know what you are doing in setup, you can easily create a bigger problem than you started out with



what to put in a car is based entirely on the application - this means the type of driving, and the driver and the style of driving



i like a touch of oversteer, and i have set my car up with a lot of suspension mods that sum up well to get me there - it took a long time though to get everything tweaked just right



my best suggestion, is to change one thing at a time, addressing one issue at a time - drive it and see what it is doing - then make a decision on what to do to get it where you want



first things first - install a strut tower brace, AND set the alignment up with modded specs to improve handling (these two things will make the biggest changes and MUST be done first) - pay very close attention to rear ride height - there is an alignment thread with some example settings



then, you are ready to start playing with it - put the M030 stuff in and drive it - if you still feel you want more, then you can start addressing the bushing and links - these things make far less a difference though, than the rest, and the cost is pretty high, compared to the returns



if you're new ot this stuff, on the street, you won't really be able to figure out where you need anything - you really need to get it out on a track to start figuring out



have fun - be safe - try one thing at a time

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[Jason@Paragon Products]

The primary advantage of the adjustable rear drop links is that they allow you to dial out any preload that may exist in the swaybar. With you seated in the drivers seat you don't want the bar to be preloaded..i.e. tweaked. The drop links give you the ability to change their length and thereby eliminate the preload.

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[flwbyu]

First, I wanted to thank both flash and Jason for your responses. I just recently purchased a white 94 968 with 83,000 miles and find that the suspension seems to drift. I cannot quite describe the problem but something is not right and it makes me just a little nervous.



So, I figured I would start by adding the M030 sway bar kit and a Dynatech Strut Bar and see what happens from there. I hope that this resolves the "loose" feeling in the suspension. This car is my everyday driver and will be used mainly on the street. I would like to take some driving courses and entertain the idea of track time but we will see. Again, I am new to this and learning as I go. Thanks again for all the help, have a happy 4th!

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[Greimann]

If your suspension feels loose, then the next thing on the list should be shocks and struts. I had the same impression until I put on the Koni yellows. Much better.

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[flwbyu]

Greimann thanks for the heads up on the shocks and struts. This is another item that I suspect needs to be looked at and evaluated. I will add this to my list of things to be addressed. I am taking the car to a mechanic I trust on wednesday in the hopes that it can be fully inspected with a fine tooth comb.

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[flash]

"loose" will not likely be helped by swaybars - they just reduce roll - you could easily end up making the loose problem worse



make sure your shocks and struts are perfect - then add the brace - then MOST IMPORTANT - get a performance alignment



then figure out if the car handles like you want, or rolls too much, or understeers (likely), or oversteers (not likely)



something we have not talked about is the condition of your tires - even and flat treatd wear, and proper inflation are extremely important here - you could easily be chaisng the wrong thing



start by making sure everything is up to snuff before adding ANY of the performance components which could easily mask a bigger problem



i'm not saying that you shouldn't add the M030 bars - they are great - i love mine - just get everything else sorted out first, or you may not find the source of the real problem as easily

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[flwbyu]

Before I purchased the car out of state (I never got to see it in person, just inspected by a third party), it had all services current, new pirelli tires, new belts and hoses, new pads and rotors, new water pump, installed 17-piece engine gasket set, replaced both rear control arm bushings, full alignment. So, as far as I know, everything should be good but its not. Do not get me wrong, I LOVE the car and I knew there would be some "issues". I am as you say starting one step at a time by getting knowledge. Flash, I appreciate all the suggestions and will heed the advice. Thanks again.

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[Jason@Paragon Products]

What I tell folks is that shocks are a wear item, sway bars really aren't (except bushings). I'd have to agree with the guys, do the shocks first and then add sway bars, strut braces etc. I kind of look at it as a win-win situation...you're dealing with a normal maintenance item AND you're able to improve the handling of the car at the same time.

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[Eric_K]

I would check all the suspension bushings and the alignment again. A stock 968 should not make you nervous. There could be a problem somewhere.



Eric

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[flash]

yes - check everything first - get the shocks and struts in order before doing anything



i'd wait though on the alignment until the brace, so you don't have to do it twice - that item will allow you a lot better alignment spec than stock, regardless of any other upgrades, and won't be affected by any other upgrades

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[flwbyu]

Greetings,



Well, the tire did not solve the drifting problem but I am feeling a little more confident about the car. It seems like it is pulling to the left. I also noticed that the car seems to pull on the back left when I accelerate sometimes.



In any event, it will go in for an inspection tommorrow and then I will no the answer for sure. Again, thanks to everyone for all of the support. I will let you know what happens. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Jason@Paragon Products]

Pulling under acceleration can be bad rear tires....likely a seperated belt. I wouldn't discount it even on new tires. You can always switch them and see if it pulls the other way.

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[Dave]

A good Porsche race shop is the hot set-up for alignment/suspension check, IMHO. Whoever does all the local PCA club race cars should be able to sort it out. Anything loose? Aligment okay? Shocks not shocking? They should be able to identify these issues.



The two best $-for-$ investments I have ever made in a 944 or 968 are (in this order):



1) A competent alignment at a good race shop (these cars are QUITE impressive, right out of the box, when everything is as Dr. Porsche intended - even with a stock alignment)



2) The M030 sway bars (direct bolt-in, with fresh rubber bushings, all stock), very nice improvement with zero compromise in driving comfort



All of the above assumes tires are acceptable. Alignment, shocks, swaybars... all of it only supports the most critical factor of all... those four little contact patches where the tires interact with the road surface.



Good luck.

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[flash]

the strut tower brace will help a lot though with the alignment - the reduction of camber change really helps pick up speed int he corners



there is a good artical on how these things work and what they can do for you at the kla site

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[flwbyu]

Ok, I thought I would update everyone on the situation. I found out that the new bearing in the back left is bad. The tire in front was not mounted correctly and the car was not aligned properly. Thus, they went and replaced the bearing and re-aligned the car to make sure everything was tracking.



I have driven the car and what an improvement! Everything else checked out and believe it or not the shocks and struts while not new still look good. I am going to probably replace them within a month or so anyway. I am also getting the Dynatech strut brace on a group buy on Rennlist. Now, all I have to do is enjoy my new baby! Thanks again everyone for all the help! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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