914 Track Suspension, Torsion Bar & Springs Options

[trapper]

I need some suspension advice! I bought a 914-6 track car last spring and it is very soft. I don't know what I have installed yet but I suspect I need an upgrade over the winter. The car is a 2.8 liter with full cage. Any recommendations as to torsion bar size and rear springs? The car has front and rear sway bars, Bilsteins and monoball
front mounts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[J P Stein]

I am in the ongoing process of strengthening my chassis to adsorb the loads that my relatively stiff springs, sticky tires, and metal suspension (in place of rubber) bits place on it...albeit a bit late. The metal bits are necessary, IMO, to hold suspension alignment which would otherwise deflect with rubber...toe in particular. As I wrote, I did find a bit of cracking/shifting at the very bottom of the rear tower/long interface.

I hesitate to recommend stiff springing to anyone that is not willing to go the some
radical lengths to protect their chassis from the punishment of these "improved" pieces.
The car rides very stiffly, but the revalved shocks are up to the task of keeping the tires under control 98 % of the time. There always seems to be a very rough patch on every venue I run.

That said Andy, your planned springing seems a bit stout. My 21mms & 275s give me about 2 inches of shock travel with a bit of safety margin thrown it. I ran 300s for a while but backed off as they gave a bit too much oversteer with the front bar at half hard. Your 3.6 is maybe 50-60lbs heavier than my 2.7, so 25 lbs stouter at each rear spring should do the trick. Are your f & r shocks up to these spring rates? Is your chassis?

[SirAndy]

That said Andy, your planned springing seems a bit stout. My 21mms & 275s give me about 2 inches of shock travel with a bit of safety margin thrown it. I ran 300s for a while but backed off as they gave a bit too much oversteer with the front bar at half hard. Your 3.6 is maybe 50-60lbs heavier than my 2.7, so 25 lbs stouter at each rear spring should do the trick. Are your f & r shocks up to these spring rates? Is your chassis?

good question ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

i currently run 19mm t-bars in the front with a 21mm sway bar. the rear has 250lbs springs on adjustable perches with a stock rear sway bar.
full rollcage but no other stiffening.


that setup worked fine with the 1.7L motor.
but now with the 3.6L, the car *understeers* (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

and i get front wheel lift again. also, the front is too soft, the car rolls too much under heavy load.
i also get rear wheel lift now under power in tight corners. probably time for a limited slip ...

the 2" shock travel is about right. i run koni adjustables front/rear.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) Andy