One of the biggest modifications in our Porsche 911 Targa project is a complete change in the suspension concept.
Porsche 911 Targa Suspension Upgrade – From Torsion Bars to a Modern Setup
As standard, the car uses a torsion bar suspension system. For its time, it was a very effective solution – lightweight, durable, and capable of preserving the distinctive driving characteristics of the classic 911. However, for our project, we wanted greater adjustability and a more modern handling setup.
Adjustable MacPherson Suspension for the Porsche 911 Targa
That is why we decided to move away from the original torsion bar setup and switch to an adjustable MacPherson suspension with coil springs. This solution gives us significantly more freedom when setting up the suspension and allows us to fine-tune its parameters to suit the character of our project.
Ride Height Adjustment in a Classic Porsche 911
One of the biggest advantages of this change is the ability to adjust the ride height much more easily and precisely. With the original torsion bar setup, changing the car’s ride height is a more labour-intensive process. With the new system, we can adjust the height much more easily to match our requirements and then fine-tune it with greater precision.
But ride height adjustment is only one of the possibilities offered by the new suspension.
Camber Plates and Front-Axle Geometry Adjustment
At the front, we will also use camber plates to adjust the wheel camber angle. This will allow us to set up the front suspension geometry much more precisely and tailor the car’s behaviour to the way we want to use it. The correct camber setting has a major influence on how the tyre works through a corner, front-end grip, and the precision of the car’s response to steering inputs.
Sports Dampers and Stiffer Springs for the Porsche 911 Targa
Another important element will be sports dampers and stiffer springs. With these components, we want to reduce body roll, improve control over the suspension and achieve a more direct response to steering inputs.
For this project, we decided to use Ohlins dampers. We have been working with the brand’s products for a long time and know their capabilities very well. What we value most is their high build quality, reliability and consistent performance – particularly when the car is driven more dynamically.
Ohlins also gives us exactly what we are looking for in this project: a wide range of adjustment and the ability to precisely tailor the suspension characteristics to the specific car.
It is a solution we know well and trust. With a project like this, we do not want to experiment with random components – we want parts that provide the right quality, durability and, above all, predictable vehicle behaviour.
Modern Suspension Without Losing the Character of the Classic Porsche 911
The overall goal is to make our Targa more precise, stable and predictable, particularly during faster driving and through corners.
However, the aim is not to create an extremely stiff car. We want to achieve the right balance between the character of a classic Porsche and the capabilities offered by a modern, adjustable suspension setup.
We do not want to change the character of the classic 911. We want to bring out more of it.
