The Porsche 928 was designed to be a luxurious grand tourer with a smooth ride and precise handling. However, as these vehicles age, their suspension components wear out and lose effectiveness. Whether you’re looking to restore factory-like comfort or enhance performance for spirited driving, proper suspension tuning can dramatically improve the 928’s ride quality, stability, and cornering ability.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best suspension upgrades for the Porsche 928, covering coilovers, sway bars, bushings, and alignment adjustments to help you achieve the perfect ride and handling balance.
1. Why Upgrade the Porsche 928 Suspension?
Over time, the factory suspension components on the Porsche 928 degrade, leading to loose handling, excessive body roll, and reduced comfort. Upgrading your suspension system not only improves driving feel but also enhances safety and control.
Benefits of Suspension Upgrades for the 928:
✔️ Sharper handling and better cornering stability
✔️ Reduced body roll and improved weight distribution
✔️ More precise steering feedback
✔️ Smoother ride over bumps and uneven surfaces
✔️ Longer-lasting components with modern materials
Whether you’re restoring a classic 928 or modifying it for performance driving, a proper suspension setup will make a noticeable difference.
2. Coilovers vs. Shock & Spring Combos: Choosing the Right Setup
🔹 Upgrading to Performance Coilovers (Best for Adjustability & Performance)
Coilovers are a popular upgrade because they allow you to adjust ride height, damping, and stiffness, making them ideal for customizing handling characteristics.
✔️ Pros:
- Adjustable ride height for a lower center of gravity and improved aerodynamics.
- Tunable damping settings allow for a softer ride or track-focused stiffness.
- Better shock absorption compared to factory suspension.
✔️ Best Coilover Brands for the 928:
- KW Variant 3 – High-performance coilovers with full adjustability.
- Bilstein PSS9 – Well-balanced for street and track use.
- Koni Adjustable Dampers – Budget-friendly with adjustable damping.
🔹 Performance Shock & Spring Upgrades (Best for Comfort & Mild Performance Enhancements)
If you don’t need the full adjustability of coilovers, upgrading to performance shocks and springs is a great alternative.
✔️ Pros:
- Improves ride comfort while reducing body roll.
- More affordable than coilovers.
- Easier installation with factory-like fitment.
✔️ Recommended Shock & Spring Kits:
- Bilstein HD Shocks with H&R Springs – Great mix of comfort and sportiness.
- Koni Sport Shocks with Eibach Springs – Excellent for spirited driving.
3. Sway Bars: Reducing Body Roll for Tighter Handling
Sway bars (anti-roll bars) help reduce body roll in corners, keeping the 928 more stable and balanced. Upgrading to a thicker sway bar setup improves handling without sacrificing ride comfort.
🔧 Benefits of Upgraded Sway Bars:
✔️ Flatter cornering with less body lean.
✔️ Improved weight transfer during turns.
✔️ More predictable handling at high speeds.
🔧 Recommended Sway Bars for the 928:
- Larger Front & Rear Sway Bar Kit (28mm/19mm) – Improves grip and responsiveness.
- Adjustable Sway Bars – Allows fine-tuning for track or street driving.
4. Polyurethane Bushings: More Precise Steering & Stability
The stock rubber bushings on the Porsche 928’s suspension degrade over time, causing loose steering, increased vibration, and inconsistent handling. Upgrading to polyurethane bushings provides tighter handling, better road feedback, and long-lasting durability.
🔧 Why Upgrade to Polyurethane Bushings?
✔️ Reduces flex in suspension components for more precise handling.
✔️ Increases durability compared to factory rubber bushings.
✔️ Improves steering response and chassis stability.
🔧 Key Areas to Upgrade:
- Control Arm Bushings – Reduces movement for tighter suspension feel.
- Steering Rack Bushings – Improves steering response and feedback.
- Sway Bar Bushings – Helps stiffen suspension for better grip.
Polyurethane bushings slightly increase road feel, so they’re best suited for enthusiasts who prefer a sportier driving experience.
5. Alignment & Corner Balancing: Fine-Tuning Your Suspension
Even with upgraded suspension components, proper alignment and corner balancing ensure optimal handling and tire longevity.
🔧 Alignment Tips for the Porsche 928:
✔️ Front Camber: -1.0° to -1.5° for improved cornering grip.
✔️ Rear Camber: -1.0° to -1.3° for balance and stability.
✔️ Toe Settings: Slight toe-in for street use, slight toe-out for track performance.
For track-driven 928s, a performance alignment with more aggressive camber settings will improve grip, while a street setup prioritizes even tire wear and comfort.
6. Final Thoughts: The Perfect Suspension Setup for Your Porsche 928
Tuning your Porsche 928’s suspension is one of the best ways to enhance both comfort and performance. Whether you opt for coilovers, upgraded shocks, sway bars, or polyurethane bushings, these modifications will make a huge difference in how your 928 handles on the road and track.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Coilovers provide the best adjustability for performance-focused drivers.
✔️ Upgraded shocks and springs improve handling while maintaining comfort.
✔️ Sway bars reduce body roll for better cornering stability.
✔️ Polyurethane bushings tighten steering and suspension response.
✔️ Proper alignment and corner balancing optimize grip and stability.
By investing in the right suspension upgrades, your 928 will handle sharper, ride smoother, and perform better, making every drive more enjoyable and precise. 🚗💨
Have you upgraded your Porsche 928’s suspension? Share your setup and experience in the comments below!
A well-tuned suspension is the key to unlocking the full potential of your Porsche 928. Whether you’re aiming for better handling, a smoother ride, or improved cornering stability, the right suspension setup transforms the driving experience. Upgrading coilovers, sway bars, and bushings not only enhances performance but also extends the longevity of your classic grand tourer.
However, choosing the right suspension upgrades and getting a precision alignment requires expertise. That’s where a dedicated Porsche 928 specialist comes in. From coilover installations to corner balancing and bushing upgrades, an experienced mechanic ensures that every suspension component works together for maximum performance.
If you want your Porsche 928 to handle like a dream, trust the expert who knows these iconic V8 grand tourers inside and out.
Thank you for taking the time with me to learn more about what Don Fenton, the Porsche 928 whisperer, can do for you.
Sincerely,
Don Fenton
(AKA) 928 Done Right
For Porsche 928 suspension tuning, repairs, and complete restorations in the greater Austin area (or beyond), contact your premiere 928 mechanic, Don Fenton, AKA Mr. 928 Done Right – Porsche 928 repairs and restoration of Austin, because Don ensures any repairs get Done Right the first time!
📞 Call us now for a free estimate! (737) 900-8179
🌐 Visit us at www.928DoneRight.com
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