GermanLook Forums - 1302 vs 1303

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- - 1302 vs 1303 (https://www.germanlook.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11299)

Hi guys,

The question is simple: is the 1303 front suspension better than the 1302?

Steering and durability are in the focus while 944 spindle & brake conversion is out of play as well as the R&P steering (that's obvious).

HQ coilovers and sway bars are available for both models..however 1303s are more popular. So I'm sure I've missed something (maybe adjustability, control arms etc), but can you spot me the pros and cons please?
Thanks

2bolt is somewhat more self centering than 3bolt, even more so with the R&P instead of the box
3bolt can be lowered approx 3" more than 2bolt but the 2bolt setup should be more than enough for a useful car
each to their own, go with whatever you have more access to i say, i guess the later ones could have a power rack added later with slightly more ease if thats an issue?
oh and with 2bolt you have the ability to adjust camber on the bottom of the strut slightly
when steve & my car are finished we should be able to compare differences in the real world fairly easily :)

It's much of a muchness, I've had both and even converted my 2 bolt front end to the earlier 3 bolt.
handling difference between the two is minimal.
The Rack and pinion can be fitted to the earlier front end, I'm in the on going process of converting mine.

Here's a reply I put on the samba on the same subject

Quote:

Cons for 3 bolt is they are not a zero scrub radius like the 2 bolt so don't self center as well and the spindles rust to the struts which can be a bitch to seperate.
They do have a slightly narrower track which some argue makes a difference but I certainly don't notice it and I push my car pretty hard through the bendy stuff.

The pros which are why I swapped mine to 3 bolt is the narrower track makes fitting big rims under stock fenders easier, can be lowered more than 3" and can be fitted with a bump steer kit.

THe 2 bolt front end has the wider track which allegedly improves stability, and they are zero scrub radius so self center out of corners better and supposedly brake in a straight line during lock up better.
Adapting Porsche 944 components is alot easier too.

The balljoints are a PITA to replace as they have to be pressed out, they cant be lowered more than 3" without causing geometry issues, cant be fitted with a bumpsteer kit. and it's hard to find big rims with the right offset to suit stock fenders.

Thank you guys for the inputs. Based on these for a daily driver it doesn't really matter if it is a 2 or 3 bolt one.

The 2 bolt strut gives negative scrub radius on the steering that is a safety feature in the event of a blow out as the steering will tend to self centre. This is different to the normal self centring that comes from the cater angle.

The 2 bolt strut assembly does have an added bonus that it is readily adaptable to the 944 strut that will give a significant upgrading in brake potential and the strut appears to be better made and more durable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joel (Post 81164)

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The Rack and pinion can be fitted to the earlier front end, I'm in the on going process of converting mine.

Any upgrade with this? Would you share what you have done yet? Thanks

I will when somethings actually happened :lmao:
I just have a few to many other projects on the go.