V8 Conversion Owners...what springs?, Looking to stiffen my ride! Options

[streetrover]

Took my "in progress" v8 conversion out for a spin the other day. 4.0 liter aluminum v8 from Range Rover. Ran strong but stock suspension was very spongy. Felt like driving mom's Buick. What have you done to retain the wonderful stiffness and handling of the original 914?

[streetrover]

Great feedback so far! Generally this car is to be used as a daily driver. I drive 80 miles round-trip to and from work through the Cajon Pass in sunny So Cal. I've modified the trans with high (H) freeway gears, Occasionally would like to spend a Saturday or two each month enjoying a run around the local mountain roads at elevated speeds. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'm not intending to spend any time on the track ... ever.

So...does anyone have a deal on a pair of these stiffer springs? Say 200 lbs to start. Sway Bars?

I'm also a bit confused...am I to understand the front suspension employs torsion bars? I know the rear is supported by coil springs and NOT torsion bars (like torsion bars on the VW's). I thought the fronts used struts that provided suspension and suspension dampening simultaneously. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

BTW...stock fenders and wheels.

Ohh and here's a little added info from wikipedia about the weight of the engine.

"Known variously as the Fireball and Skylark by Buick (and as Rockette, Cutlass, and Turbo-Rocket by Oldsmobile),[3] the 215 had a 4.24 in (108 mm) bore spacing, a bore of 3.5 in (89 mm), and a stroke of 2.8 in (71 mm), for an actual displacement of 215.5 cu in (3,531 cc). The engine was the lightest mass-production V8 in the world, with a dry weight of only 318 lb (144 kg). Measuring 28 in (71 cm) long, 26 in (66 cm) wide, and 27 in (69 cm) high (same as the small-block Chevy)[4] it was standard equipment in the 1961 Buick Special."

Bob

[stewteral]

Great feedback so far! Generally this car is to be used as a daily driver. I drive 80 miles round-trip to and from work through the Cajon Pass in sunny So Cal. I've modified the trans with high (H) freeway gears, Occasionally would like to spend a Saturday or two each month enjoying a run around the local mountain roads at elevated speeds. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'm not intending to spend any time on the track ... ever.

So...does anyone have a deal on a pair of these stiffer springs? Say 200 lbs to start. Sway Bars?

I'm also a bit confused...am I to understand the front suspension employs torsion bars? I know the rear is supported by coil springs and NOT torsion bars (like torsion bars on the VW's). I thought the fronts used struts that provided suspension and suspension dampening simultaneously. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

BTW...stock fenders and wheels.

Ohh and here's a little added info from wikipedia about the weight of the engine.

"Known variously as the Fireball and Skylark by Buick (and as Rockette, Cutlass, and Turbo-Rocket by Oldsmobile),[3] the 215 had a 4.24 in (108 mm) bore spacing, a bore of 3.5 in (89 mm), and a stroke of 2.8 in (71 mm), for an actual displacement of 215.5 cu in (3,531 cc). The engine was the lightest mass-production V8 in the world, with a dry weight of only 318 lb (144 kg). Measuring 28 in (71 cm) long, 26 in (66 cm) wide, and 27 in (69 cm) high (same as the small-block Chevy)[4] it was standard equipment in the 1961 Buick Special."

Bob

Hey Streetrover,

Thanks for the info on your "Application" with the 914. Since you are LA based, I was thinking dry-weather driving 98% of the time. However, the Cajon Pass can be very treacherous in winter and there is no car I know of WORSE to drive in rain and snow than a 914!

The other side of seeking "perfect balance" is that the car will be tuned to a certain
road condition (dry) while be way too stiff and prone to break loose in slippery conditions. If you watch racing, you hear them talk about "softening the chassis" for racing in the rain.

So I want to back off my early recommendation and suggest 200 - 250 lbs as appropriate for your safety. I would suggest starting with the 200 lb springs and see if you like the car. Also, I'd recommend going with the smoother Bilstein shocks.

BTW: Stock tire sizes (i.e. narrow) are much BETTER in slippery conditions that wide performance tires. When it starts to get nasty, I suggest pump them up high (34 lbs) to get max tread drainage.

Enjoy your ride!

Terry