Front anti-sway, Best for performance and best bang for your buck... Options

[PeeGreen 914]

Just curious what the opinions are on the different bars out there. I have used and liked the Tarret bar but there are many other bars out there. Smart bar looks really nice as well. What are your thoughts?

[Chris Hamilton]

I have had good luck with weltmeister swaybars from Automotion. Simple and they were about $300 for a full kit the last time I bought one. I've used their 19mm solid front bar and their 21mm solid front bar.

Be sure and call and mention you are a PCA member and they will give you around %10 off.

[campbellcj]

Smart Racing Products swaybars are probably still the best of breed, but are spendy, around double the Weltmeister. I heard a rumor recently that they may be getting out of the swaybar biz or perhaps already did.

Tarret stuff is also very nice and the price point is in between Welt & SRP.

[Randal]

Smart Racing Products swaybars are probably still the best of breed, but are spendy, around double the Weltmeister. I heard a rumor recently that they may be getting out of the swaybar biz or perhaps already did.

Tarret stuff is also very nice and the price point is in between Welt & SRP.

The Smart Racing sway bar is a nice unit, but one needs to figure out which level of sway bar to install, depending upon autoxing or track.

In my car the heaver bar was way to heavy and the understeer issue wasn't helped until we put in a 23mm.

Of course I have to say that even the 23mm might not be correct with the new differential installed in the 901. Just have to test it and see.

Changes, changes, changes....

[PeeGreen 914]

It is my understanding the a good bar for an AX 914 really isn't that big. I had my Tarret close to full soft and it still felt a bit much at times. However, this is one of the areas of the better bars. You have that ease of adjustability.

I will need to purchase a new bar in the next year while I build my G prepared 914 and may use my current 914 for some testing. I only want to spend the money once so this is why all inout and advice is very welcome (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) .

I want every advantage if I am going to build and take this car to Nationals.

[jjackson]

It is my understanding the a good bar for an AX 914 really isn't that big. I had my Tarret close to full soft and it still felt a bit much at times. However, this is one of the areas of the better bars. You have that ease of adjustability.

I will need to purchase a new bar in the next year while I build my G prepared 914 and may use my current 914 for some testing. I only want to spend the money once so this is why all inout and advice is very welcome (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) .

I want every advantage if I am going to build and take this car to Nationals.

We have run a 22 weltmeister for years.(ran 19 for 3 or 4 years back in the early 90s)With current setup- we run it about one inch in from full loose on the tight twisties - and run it slightly over 2 inches from full loose on grippy fast concrete.
BTW-Was told by Fordahl that Weltmeister was absolute junk.I'm pretty sure they were running a TRG bar (23). Everytime I looked at their car it was set up towards the loose end of adjustment.Upgrade to TRG has been on the "want" list, but never got that far.We did test without a front bar-Tested from 200 coilovers on front all the way to 700s -in 50 lb increments.Conclusion-our cars have to have a front sway bar due to our poor roll center.How heavy will your car be in GP? JJackson

[PeeGreen 914]

Car will be 1800lbs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) TRG? How would that compare to the SRP? So a 23mm hollow bar could be near perfect for what I want?

[PeeGreen 914]

Thinking I like the look of this (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

[jjackson]

Car will be 1800lbs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) TRG? How would that compare to the SRP? So a 23mm hollow bar could be near perfect for what I want?

Really don't have a comparison between the two.Both high end bars.Personnaly I' ve never had any luck communicating with anybody at Smart Racing-Lowly 914 and a redneck to boot-1800 lb teener sounds like a whole lot of fun.We've been running a 1900 lb car for over 10 years now.Look forward to seeing ya at nationals.
BTW-I know a lot of 19mm bar owners disagree.They need to show up at nationals also.22 solid or 23 hollow is our choice.
JJackson

(still cleaning the drool out of my keyboard from your lid pix)

[PeeGreen 914]

I'm likely not even keeping those lids (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) They are too nice and actually something that should go on a GT.

Yeah, I'm kinda thinking that TRG looks very nice. I like the Tarret I posted a picture of. Then of course there is Jonathan's bar at GPR I believe to be a 23mm Tarret made bar with GPR on it. I always like buying from GPR when I have the chance. Jonathan and Eric (PMB) are my two favorite vendors. Though with my 6 I gave plenty of money to everyone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

If all goes as planned you will see me in 2012 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[jjackson]

I'm likely not even keeping those lids (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) They are too nice and actually something that should go on a GT.

Yeah, I'm kinda thinking that TRG looks very nice. I like the Tarret I posted a picture of. Then of course there is Jonathan's bar at GPR I believe to be a 23mm Tarret made bar with GPR on it. I always like buying from GPR when I have the chance. Jonathan and Eric (PMB) are my two favorite vendors. Though with my 6 I gave plenty of money to everyone (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

If all goes as planned you will see me in 2012 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I don't have any experience with the Tarret bar.Running their front monoballs with no issues.Price is right.JJackson
Hope everything goes as planned!

[brant]

I have run 22-welts in 3 different cars.
it was a big step up to the Smart 27mm bar

this picture was taken the first day of running the new bar:

[PeeGreen 914]

Brant,

I know our styles are different but I am sure you understand the concept. For an 1800 lb AX car, if it were you, would you purchase a hollow bar with the effective rate of 19mm 22mm or higher?

[brant]

Brant,

I know our styles are different but I am sure you understand the concept. For an 1800 lb AX car, if it were you, would you purchase a hollow bar with the effective rate of 19mm 22mm or higher?

I'd actually defer to JP or Randal (or someone for an Autox only car)
my experience is really on the track and I like the 27 over the 22.
but I'm not sure that translates to an autox venue exactly.

the pricey bars are more easily adjustable.... but you can do things to a welt to really tune them in if you want to save a few dollars. I drilled zerks into my welt bushings and kep the bushings greased. Plus during install you can fine tune the install to get the bushings absolutely free.
(you need to install the bar alone, and be able to rotate it without drag... if there is any drag from the two bushings then bend the sheetmetal to align the sides better and reduce the drag.)

sorry I'm not sure of the best size for autox only... if also on the track I'd go 22minimum depending on budget

brant

[PeeGreen 914]

I am rather good at installing the bars to have near 0 drag. Spent hours getting my old bar near perfect (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) .

My budget on this bar is fairly high since I am closing on another sale this year. This one makes three this year and I have two more possible clients coming up. Real estate money is now play money since I have my newish job (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) .

[grantsfo]

I think you have to look at the entire setup to determine size bar that will work best. What have you planned for spring rates, use rear bar, what kind of dampers, what size/weight wheels front and rear, what size/type/compound are you using. What kind of differntial? What is your target weight distribution front to rear with driver?

Honestly I have seen few well setup national level AX cars. When I had mine I was focused on budget all around local car. Now that I have had more time with Boxster and a few other AX cars I have some ideas for 914s but it really depends on direction you go with the car in terms of overall setup for the class. I wouldnt build the car from the swaybar however.

The more I look at it a GP car might be real fun to build and actually be competitive

This post has been edited by grantsfo: May 3 2011, 09:19 AM

[PeeGreen 914]

The more I look at it a GP car might be real fun to build and actually be competitive

That's why I'm doing it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[J P Stein]

A 22mm (or effective) front AR bar is all you need. I ran one at around half hard.....which is not a bad target to shoot for.

IMO, a competitive GP car needs all the stuff that an FP or XP car runs.

[PeeGreen 914]

IMO, a competitive GP car needs all the stuff that an FP or XP car runs.

That's what I'm thinking too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ChrisFoley]

At least the tarrett bar pictured has the rod end mounted in double shear.
I hate designs where the rod end attaches to the side of the arm.
I make a 32mm hollow bar setup with an effective rate even higher than the 27mm Smart bar.
The best size bar for a particular application is totally dependent on the rest of the suspension setup, in addition to engine torque, LSD, etc.