Porsche 993 History
The Porsche 993 911 will always be remembered and cherished as the last generation of the air-cooled Porsche 911.
It was the brain child of English designer Tony Hatter.
The next generation, water-cooled 996 variant was extremely polarizing and frowned upon as it shared much of its DNA with the not so loved Boxster which launched in 1997 when the 993 was still in production.
The 993 was also completely redesigned from the previous 964 model.
The Porsche 993 years are loved the most by many enthusiasts who didn't appreciate the shift to water-cooled engines that were becoming necessary to make more horsepower, and to meet more stringent emissions regulations.
Being the last air-cooled Porsche, and the fact that the next generation 996 was not well received will ensure the 993 cars will continue to increase in value.
A short 4 year run between 1995-98 produced a limited number of examples.
Popular Porsche 993 variations included:
Porsche 993 Carrera, Porsche 993 Carrera 4S, Porsche 993 Turbo, Porsche 993 Targa, Porsche 993 GT2, Porsche 993 GT3, and the Porsche 993 convertible.
My favorite being the classic Porsche 993 911 Turbo in silver.
Contact us if you have a Porsche 993 911 for sale.
Porsche 993 Upgrades
With these cars now being over 25 years old, some have seen better days and are in need of restoration, repairs, and upgrades.
That's where MGC suspensions comes in. We don't restore or repair vehicles here, but we do shine at offering some of the best suspension and exhaust upgrade parts available for the Porsche 993.
Advances in technology and manufacturing have created a strong aftermarket source of performance upgrades that will make the 993 handle even better than it did from the factory.
I have created a small list of suspension upgrades that I think are smart for street driven, or sometimes track driven cars. Nothing crazy at all. Just some mild improvements that will help you enjoy your 993 just a little bit more. Or to help some people finish a resto-mod type project.
At the end I have a surprise bonus upgrade you will probably enjoy...
Top Suspension Upgrades for Porsche 993
1. KW Variant 3 Coilovers
This is KW's top of the range coilover kit designed for street cars.
Separate, 12 way compression and 16 way rebound adjustability to fine tune the ride exactly to your preference, or to optimize modifications like weight, tires, or additional bracing.
Individual compression and rebound adjustment dials make setting the response quick and easy.
Right out of the box, the dampers are preset for you to baseline response settings determined by KW, as an optimal starting point for your vehicle.
Micro tuning from that point to meet any need makes this V3 kit extremely versatile.
Variant 3 coilovers work within an approved lowering range that maintains proper suspension function and travel after lowering, usually 10-50mm.
Ride height adjustments are ultra smooth using dirt repelling, trapezoid shaped shock body threads and collars.
This means even after dirt and debris make their way into the shock body threads, the height adjustment collars will still turn freely with minimal effort.
Spanner wrench, adjustment dial, and instruction manuals included.
All corrosion resistant parts are mounted to stainless steel struts for a lifetime of performance, even in harsh weather conditions.
2. AST 5100 Series Coilovers
Using your 993 on the track? Just want to upgrade the handling of your street driven Porsche?
Or is it a combination of both you are looking for?
Then the 5100 series Porsche 993 coilovers by AST are a perfect choice.
Inverted strut design to cope with (heavy) side load and braking loads.Ride height adjustable. Gas pressurized dampers (gas and oil are divided by a floating piston).
Designed to be used with your Porsche 993 OEM top mounts. 1-way adjustable, the 12 positions give clear feedback with each adjustment, each offering a different driving experience.
3. Bilstein PSS10 Coilovers
Looking for the best adjustable coilovers for your 993 Carrera?
The Bilstein B16 (PSS10) kit is one of the best selling coilover kits ever.
10-click compression and rebound damping adjustable with the easy turn of one dial on the shocks.
10 preconfigured stages change the feedback from soft to firm.
Inverted, gas pressurized mono tube dampers are matched with progressive rate coil springs for superior handling at any ride height.
Zinc based, triple coated corrosion resistance coatings are used for trouble free performance year after year.
Finely threaded shock bodies and a supplied spanner wrench make height adjustments fast and easy.
Complete suspension control from one affordable kit by Bilstein.
4. Tarett Porsche 993 Sway Bars
Simply some of the best sway bars for Porsche 993.
Front and rear bars available on the MGC website.
For a perfect fit, reliability you can depend on, full adjustability, and optimum performance, the factory RS sway bar is the best on the market.
These are OEM Porsche RS sway bars, designed and tested by Porsche factory engineers, and proven over years of competition use.
Beware of aftermarket kits that claim to be better and stronger than the OEM Porsche parts.
Five attachment hole positions on the 993 bar allows for quick and easy sway bar stiffness rate adjustment, to fine tune your car's handling for various track conditions and driving styles.
All components are designed and manufactured to the highest quality standards, resulting in the finest and most reliable sway bar on the market.
Complete with fresh 993 sway bar bushings for a tight fit.
5. Tarett Porsche 993 Sway Bar Drop Links
Keep geometry correct at lower ride heights.
Upgrade your stock or adjustable front sway bar with this simple bolt in replacement for the factory drop links.
Left and right hand threaded rod ends allow for simple length adjustment to eliminate swaybar preload. Correctly sized, Teflon lined rod ends for long life, smooth operation, and reliability.
Eliminates the factory compliant plastic drop link bushings that deflect under loading. High misalignment, stainless steel spacers allow for superior bind free operation and corrosion resistance.
Precisely connects the sway bar to the front strut assembly for improved feedback and sway bar response.
Overall length is adjustable to accommodate either stock or adjustable sway bar requirements.
Fits all C2 964/993. For standard front uprights, use #993C2FDLNK). For RS or Evo uprights, use 993C2FDLNK-R.
6. H&R Porsche 993 Sway Bar Kit
26mm front bar (adjustable)
24mm rear bar (adjustable)
Looking for even better suspension performance after installing Porsche 993 coilovers or lowering springs?
H&R sway bar kits are made of high tensile strength (hf) 50CrV4 steel alloy that produces reduced roll response time and increases cornering stiffness over stock.
Larger diameter, stiffer sway bars increase lateral stability and reduce body roll, which improves cornering grip.
H&R sway bars are cold-formed and heat treated and have seamless, no-weld end flanges.
Shot-peened for lifetime durability.
To finish off these great sway bar kits, they come with new urethane/teflon composite bushings that won't squeak or need lubrication.
7. Tarett Porsche 993 Tie Rod Bump Steer Kit
Need to eliminate bump steer after lowering your Porsche 964 or 993?
This competition tie rod kit by Tarett engineering is the best solution.
In addition to gaining additional toe adjustment, it will also allow you to correct bump steer.
Constructed with only the finest materials for stress free service.
Features:
- A precision Teflon lined spherical rod end is used for smooth operation and long life.
- The large range of adjustment is enough to accommodate both wide and narrow body cars.
This kit comes complete as shown. One kit needed per car.
See Application Table Below
8. Vogtland Porsche 993 Lowering Springs
The 993 came with a fairly tall ride height from the factory. A set of lowering springs really changes the look.
German spring manufacturer Vogtland has been winding coil springs since 1903.
Experience the difference a set of their progressive rate lowering springs will make.
1.2 inches of perfectly leveled lowering for a dropped stance that will get noticed.
Designed to be 10-15% stiffer than stock for a great blend of improved handling and daily driver comfort.
Wound cold, then heat treated and powder coated for excellent performance and long service life.
Finished in a durable, cherry red powder coating.
Dont be tempted by cheap, no-name knock-offs. Insist on quality the first time. Go with Vogtland.
The best lowering springs for Porsche 993 are available at MGC.
9. Tarett Porsche 993 Front Camber Plates
In addition to increasing the front camber, these front upper shock mounts replace the rubber bushings with a precision grade Teflon-lined spherical bearing to eliminate the sloppy feel and limited feedback associated with factory rubber mounts.
They precisely and solidly position the top of the front strut relative to the chassis.
Features:
- The unique housing design positions the strut top on the arc that allows for camber adjustment without effecting caster.
- The housing is CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and anodized for an attractive long lasting finish.
- Increased camber, precise and accurate strut positioning and FK Motorsports Teflon-lined spherical bearings.
- Can be fully rebuilt.
- CNC machined 6061 anodized aluminum construction.
- Can be used with all factory and aftermarket struts, including factory non adjustable units.
Comes as a set of two mounts.
10. Wevo Porsche 993 Engine Mounts
Not technically a suspension upgrade but they are on our list of smart upgrades to do along with suspension changes. If your current mounts are blown out and sloppy, a new set of Wevo mounts will make a huge difference.
Mounts are sold individually. Order 2 for a pair.
Fits 964, 993, Boxster, Cayman, 996, and 997.
Using the proven components from the 911 SS Engine mounts, these Wevo Semi Solid Engine mounts are designed to replace all 1990 to 2013 engine mounts and all 986/987 transmission mounts.
These semi solid mounts offer more precise location than the factory RS mounts - and do so at a lower price.
An ideal compromise between the harshness of solid mounts and the cost of the factory RS mounts. The end result is a tighter feeling chassis, one with quicker left- right response, more predictable gear change precision and stability under braking.
All with minimal increase in niose transmission. The kit includes the correct M12 bolt to install these mounts as replacements for the Hyrdoelastic O.E. mounts (that uses an integral stud). Sold as each - Two mounts required per car.
Technical Note: The M12 bolt through the Engine or Transmission mount should be tightened to 40 ft/lbs or 55 Nm for the 993/964 & 986/987 mounts, and 60 ft/lbs or 83 Nm for the 996/997 mounts.
The M8 hardware should be tightened to 18 ft/lbs or 25 Nm using the original arrangement of washer and nut.
11. Tarett Porsche 993 Rear Toe Links
Restore proper suspension geometry with this adjustable lower rear control arm.
The factory control arm can’t compensate enough when lowering your 993, leaving you stuck with as much as ½” of toe in.
The result is poor handling and rapid tire wear. This kit will provide the additional adjustment needed.
The adjusting link has a left and right hand thread on each end.
Rotating the link will increase or decrease the overall length of the arm.
A precision Teflon-lined spherical rod end replaces the compliant rubber factory bushing for improved suspension response and feedback, and also reduces toe changes during acceleration and deceleration.
Recommended additional part-Porsche 993 toe link locking plates
12. Tarett Porsche 993 Rear Upper Control Arms
Sold individually.
2 camber arms and 2 kinematic arms required per car. (1180.00 total)
Want the best suspension upgrades for your Porsche 993 project?
These are direct replacements for the factory rear upper camber and kinematic links, and will improve handling, stability, and increase adjustability and precision.
A precision Teflon-lined, spherical rod end replaces the compliant factory rubber bushing for improved suspension response and feedback.
The result is improved stability and control.
The two adjusting links have left and right hand threads on each end. Rotating either of the links will increase or decrease the overall length of the arm.
13. KW Variant 1 Coilovers
A simple, very high quality kit that is height adjustable and affordable.
A perfect upgrade for a street driven Porsche 993.
This is KW's entry level coilover option, but don't mistake it for a generic, mass produced kit that isn't designed and engineered just for your vehicle.
With an average 30-70mm (1.2-2.7 Inches) of lowering range, the V1 kits have preconfigured shock damping and spring rates for the 993 giving a perfect balance between comfort and improved suspension performance.
Stainless steel shock bodies and powder coated coil springs ensure a lifetime of dependable, corrosion-resistant service.
Dirt repelling, friction optimized trapezoidal shock body threads make height adjustments simple by requiring less force, even after years of use.
Enjoy a big improvement in handling and a lower stance you'll love with the affordable V1 coilover kit from KW.
KW is the gold standard in performance coilovers.
Be sure to read our other blog content to see product recommendations for other vehicles.
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Bonus Idea:
14. SOUL Catalytic Converter Bypass X-Pipe
SOUL products are hand made per order. Delivery time is 6-8 weeks.
Enhance power and sound on your 993 Carrera with a high quality X-pipe section and 2.5″ large diameter piping.
Unique solutions for the several combinations of flanges (Bischoff and Gillet) and OBD1 and OBD2 vehicles ensure the ECU gets proper O2 sensor readings balanced from all cylinders.
United States based customers purchasing this product are required to sign and submit a cat-less exhaust component waiver here.
Orders are not shipped until waiver is received. Form goes directly to SOUL.
Details:
+ Fits all Porsche 993 Carrera models (1994-1998)
+ Peak power gains of 14 hp and 12 ft-lbs of torque – max gains over 15 whp
+ Weighs 9.55 lbs / 4.3 kg less than the factory exhaust components (13.9 lbs vs 23.85 lbs (Bischoff))
+ All Soul Performance exhaust components are backed by a lifetime warranty
Description:
DEVELOPMENT: SOUL took a fresh look at the 993 Carrera and how we could craft the best possible exhaust components.
Large diameter 2.5″ piping will yield max power gains over the factory system.
The OBD1 variants use a centrally located single O2 bung for the most accurate readings from all cylinders.
This leads to consistent, good performance compared to a design compromised system built around both OBD1 and OBD2, on which one bung would be plugged and one offset O2 sensor would be monitoring primarily from one bank of cylinders.
POWER: Independent dyno testing and the average of three dyno runs revealed peak gains of 14 WHP and 12 ft-lbs of torque.
Max power gains of over 15 whp can be found in the upper midrange to make street driving more pleasurable. Expect gains to be increased with an ECU tune.
Want an X-pipe with high-flow, 200 cell catalytic converters? Click here.
Porsche 993 exhaust systems at MGC.
AST Suspension Options:
Vogltand Production: