Torsion bars Options

[F4i]

I have #140 welt. rear springs. Bilstiens all around (older but good) No rear sway bar. Stock front bar. My original T bars are rusty. I have a set of new 22 mm T bars but I am concerned this will make for an understeer/stiff ride. Any thoughts on the matter? How bad would it be? Is it worth a try? Thanks.

[4WheelDrifter]

How does the car feel now? Probably oversteer with the stock t-bars and stiff rear springs. Since you already have the 22mm t-bars, put them in! Can always remove them, not like it's hard getting freshly installed parts out again. Understeer is usually preferred anyway.

The ride will be stiffer with the 22mm from the stock 17+mm bars. Maybe someone can trade for a set of 21mm t-bars.

Don't forget t-bar seals. http://www.smartcart.com/Paragon/cgi/displ...item_num=914TBS

[ChrisReale]

I have 22mm Torsions and 200# rear springs. Makes it about even. You are prolly going to experience some plowing

[seanery]

Chris, I need front bars for blue car. I've got yellow konis with adjustable perches and 200#s in the rear. So you like 22mm? Bluecar isn't gonna be driven on the street, would you go higher or is 22 a good all round match?

[F4i]

I should also add that I have not driven the car in several years. It is nearly finished its rustoration. The rear springs I had bought and the T bars came with a parts lot I purchased from a guy. so thats why the odd combo. They are installed but I do not want to get two alignments if I don't like it. Anyone want to trade or have a better solution? #200 springs in the back? The car is only a 4 cyl 2.0 90% street driven. Thanks for the input thus far.

[4WheelDrifter]

Measure ride height before you start replacing the bars. Measure the height on a flat surface like a garage floor. Replacing t-bars and setting the height to the same as before the replacement won't affect alignment.

200lb springs will be a rough ride on the street I'd think. If you want to keep the current ride comfort, find some stock t-bars in good condition then.

[Dave_Darling]

Stock torsion bars, 140 rear springs, and a ~19mm adjustable aftermarket front sway bar. Works pretty well as a combination.

I think the 200 lb/in springs will be too stiff for daily-driver duties, but others disagree.

--DD

[Aaron Cox]

i have a 2 really good looking sets out of 4 banger cars. ~18mm i believe.

lemme know,

Aaron

[J P Stein]

I'm with Dave.

The 140/stock T bars are a good combo (street/AX) setup. I have a set of stockers in good shape. Free +shipping.......free iu gud. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ChrisReale]

Sean, I think the 22mm torsion bar, 200# spring and 22 or 23mm sway up front is a great match. If it is a track car(like, more road race than autocross) I might consider going a bit heavier up front, maybe 23mm torsions...

[seanery]

hey, is your car done? I thought there was an a/x today? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[ChrisReale]

It runs, but it needs to be fine tuned. Waiting on Brad and his lap-top...

[seanery]

kit carlson FI?

[ChrisReale]

Yes. It is a great set-up. Kinda hard to make it look nice cause of the copious ammount of wires, but it gets rid of the mechanical TPS and the MPS. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[F4i]

Thanks for all the feedback. I have sent a few PM's. Ithink stock is gud for now (cheaper too). If I want to get fancy later I can put in th 22's and get #200 springs. Have you run that setup long Chris?

[ChrisReale]

Thanks for all the feedback. I have sent a few PM's. Ithink stock is gud for now (cheaper too). If I want to get fancy later I can put in th 22's and get #200 springs. Have you run that setup long Chris?

Long enough. It is a bit hard on the street (but manageable), works great at autocross.

[J P Stein]

I have 21mms at front and 225# at rear.
I just moved my AR bar another 1/2 in softer. If/when it hits the end, I'll go to 250#.
Still searching for the elusive balance I like. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[4WheelDrifter]

Since F4i is set, I hope he doesn't mind if I hijack this thread.

I have in my 914 what the PO believes are stock t-bars, 130lb rear springs. Also 195/65-15 Yoko AVS tires on Mahles, no sway bars and Boge orange shocks.

The car oversteers predicably but earlier than I'd like with this set-up. I'll be doing more street and a little auto-x. I'd like to balance the handling out if possible. I haven't played with tire pressures either so this might help. New tires are coming next season. I know it's easier to install thicker t-bars than to install a sway bar but I want to do it right. Would jumping from stock to 21mm t-bars create more understeer than desired? Would it be better to leave it alone and just add a front swaybar? Are the 21mm t-bars and 165lb springs a good match? Can the Boge orange shocks handle the stiffer rate of the 21mm t-bars and 165lb springs?



Thanks a bunch!

[ChrisFoley]

Jim,
My first choice would be to add a front adjustable sway bar. You can fine tune the car's balance that way. Since the car doesn't already have a bar, it is a bit of work to install one properly.

[4WheelDrifter]

Chris,

I figured a sway bar was the best way to go but not doing that now. I'll wait until the get the car torn down for the resto and have it done then. Thanks for the input. I'll just let it all hang out for now.