Chapter 13. MCS 3-way : First Impressions

So ... after such an extensive and expensive suspension upgrade the question remains - are the MCS 3-way dampers and other Dundon suspension components worth it?

Prior to my decision to get MCS 3-way when I was researching, I came across a forum post where someone described MCS 3-way as "they change gravity" - I was intrigued. Today after coming back from my first hour long drive in the twisties and over some terrible sections of pavement, I now understand what that poster meant. 

I was quite afraid that perhaps I might have made a very expensive mistake but not only am I relieved, I am actually a bit proud to have taken this leap of faith. This car has now entered a different category in terms of capability and enjoyment. It was already a very very good sporty car and is now an exceptional sports car. This car is now worthy of the Boxster R moniker.

The word visceral is over used when talking about cars but visceral is what this car is now. Not harsh but visceral. With removal of rubber bushings from several components the steering feel is much enhanced and the chassis control is something I have not experienced before. Car feels even more nimble than before. Dundon guys were also correct about NVH. I was expecting some but to my pleasant surprise there’s almost none. The benefits of monoballs are clearly evident without any negative consequences. The 80/100 N/mm spring rates also feel just right even though they are far stiffer compared to OE springs.

One thing I am not totally thrilled about, to be frank, is the final ride height. Even with a different set of helper springs that Dundon provided, the ride height is much lower than what I expected or wanted it to be. I've never had a car this low to the ground so perhaps its a psychological thing for me. In fact when I first saw it at the installation shop, I expected to get some fillings knocked out of my teeth and assumed it would be extremely harsh but through some magical powers it is actually as compliant if not more compliant than the softer PASM, which was previously my preferred setting. This is with Dundon’s recommended high/low compression and rebound values. I am sure I’ll tweak the dials and find even better settings.

All I can say is this - a car this low should be expected to handle quite well due to low center of gravity (given correct geometry) but no one would expect such a low car to drive so comfortably but it does that via the magic of MCS dampers. 


Collectively MCS and Dundon parts net a couple of pounds overall weight reduction, very unexpectedly, which brings the weight of the car to 3087 pounds and that is 101 pounds less than where I started. Losing weight is not easy - whether its from a car or from a human body. 101 pounds is somewhat of a milestone. Now on to next milestones of -150 and -200 pounds.

As to the car's score these parts result in a staggering +5 point improvement in the overall score and now its in the 80s along with some big boys :)


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