Why my car has no front or rear sway bars?, Suspension upgrades or not Options

[CCE]

Can anyone explain why my North American sold 1974 2.0, has no front or rear sway bars. Was Porsche so confident that 4 cilinder cars could handle the use without bars?

Is it only an American thing? Did Euro models also came without. Was it an option?

My car leans badly, I am in the process of getting bilstein B6 shocks installed, but anyway, I see 914 cars with bars everywhere and mine has a big NOTHING to stop body lean…
I still love it, buy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
Any comments?

[KELTY360]

Mine was the same way. The mounting tabs were on the lower A arm but no bar. I think it was a cost cutting measure. '73 2.0's came with front and rear bars. I added a front bar and it made a big difference.

[CCE]

Mine was the same way. The mounting tabs were on the lower A arm but no bar. I think it was a cost cutting measure. '73 2.0's came with front and rear bars. I added a front bar and it made a big difference.

My front arms have no tabs, If (or when) I install the bar, I need to put them in and drill the car… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

Sway bars were optional equipment for 1974.

[Freezin 914]

You are not alone, I also have a 74’ 2.0L, no sway bars. My car is as plain as they come, no sway bars, no chrome bumpers, no center counsel. That said, it has grown on me overall. Being these are considered a sports cars, I personally believe sway bars are a must. Almost all modern cars have them, sports cars or not.
I am in the process of doing some mild upgrades, modifications. Sway bars being one of them.

[mepstein]

You are not alone, I also have a 74’ 2.0L, no sway bars. My car is as plain as they come, no sway bars, no chrome bumpers, no center counsel. That said, it has grown on me overall. Being these are considered a sports cars, I personally believe sway bars are a must. Almost all modern cars have them, sports cars or not.
I am in the process of doing some mild upgrades, modifications. Sway bars being one of them.

They are worth the effort.

[wonkipop]

dunno the answer to that.

my lowly 74 1.8 had front and rear sway bars out of the showroom.

i did read somewhere that the sway bars were in conjunction with softer rear springs.

maybe the idea was you got a comfortable ride and the sway bars stopped it leaning at ridiculous angles cornering!?

perhaps the cars fitted with firmer rear springs did not need the sway bars so much.

there were a range of at least three rear springs in 74.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[CCE]

You are not alone, I also have a 74’ 2.0L, no sway bars. My car is as plain as they come, no sway bars, no chrome bumpers, no center counsel. That said, it has grown on me overall. Being these are considered a sports cars, I personally believe sway bars are a must. Almost all modern cars have them, sports cars or not.
I am in the process of doing some mild upgrades, modifications. Sway bars being one of them.

Which takes me to a second question, which brand and model is best bang for the buck?

Its not a cheap accessory, what are you looking at? For options..

Regarding the bumpers I want to change color to anthracite gray, altogether with my steel wheels. Maybe that will get some contrast..
I like the amplitude of the interior.

[rjames]

Find a used stock front bar- it's plenty for an otherwise stock car and IMHO the rear bar isn't needed for a car that is driven only the street.

It'll change how the car handles tremendously for the better. These cars never should've been delivered without a front bar.

[914werke]

You can find the 13mm 912 bars for cheap, but usually they are bare (no arms ect.) from an upgrade. Check the Bird.

[infraredcalvin]

It’s all to create a balanced system. Looks like you’ve lowered your car and are using lower profile tires from stock, that’ll help for starters.

Every change you make to front or rear will have an effect on the other.

Stiffen up the rear with heavier springs, your car will want to oversteer. Stiffen up front with heavier bars and sways bars your car will want to understeer. It’s a balancing act.

1st best option is adjustability, so if you go with a stock bar, get some tarrett or like adjustable drop links.

After that, $$$ will give you all kids of adjustable options…

[914Sixer]

There was a base 2.0 l car for 1973. I was just like the base 1.7l with nothing. It simply had the larger engine. The dealer order guide shows the two models.

[ConeDodger]

Sway bars were optional equipment for 1974.

My ‘75 2L came without sway bars as well…

Putting even the stock bars on is a dramatic improvement.

This corner is being attacked with an elephant bar front and stock rear sway bar. Without sway bars any corner feels like trying to balance on top of a rolling rubber ball.

[CCE]

It’s all to create a balanced system. Looks like you’ve lowered your car and are using lower profile tires from stock, that’ll help for starters.

Every change you make to front or rear will have an effect on the other.

Stiffen up the rear with heavier springs, your car will want to oversteer. Stiffen up front with heavier bars and sways bars your car will want to understeer. It’s a balancing act.

1st best option is adjustability, so if you go with a stock bar, get some tarrett or like adjustable drop links.

After that, $$$ will give you all kids of adjustable options…

Thanks so much, the info helps a lot!, the car is as I found it, I will replace shock absorbers, and see how low it is.

Regarding the front bar which is the best recommendation on diameter? The stock?
Iwill use in highway and backroads, and occasional track days, so the bilsteins I think, will do the trick..
I will see how to get the elephant racing bar, here to Mexico and do the (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif)
Here is a picture as it was for 40 years. Before cleaning

[rhodyguy]

Other than a AXing monster, I see no reason to omit the rear ASB. Stock F&R ASBs, stock front torsion bars, 100# springs on adj perches (ground control system). Excellent manners and ride for a street car. I have ext adj Koni reds on 4 corners and Elephant poly-bronze bushing up front. Firm but not overly so and expansion joints don't rattle my teeth. Don't forget the corner balance and 4 wheel alignment. The route will not come cheaply but well worth the expense in my book.

[brant]

I've always preferred larger front bars than stock...
I (vague memory) believe the stock front was 16mm
the weltmeisters came in 19 and 21 and were my choices usually

currently running a 28mm front bar in my race car with larger than stock rear
and a welt 21mm in the street car with no rear bar

[Root_Werks]

My six conversion is running stock sway bars F/R with 100lb rear springs and likely stock 914-4 torsion bars up front. I have Koni oils in the rear turned max and can't remember what's up front other than it's a 911 3.5" spaced. I like it for a street car.

[CCE]

I've always preferred larger front bars than stock...
I (vague memory) believe the stock front was 16mm
the weltmeisters came in 19 and 21 and were my choices usually

currently running a 28mm front bar in my race car with larger than stock rear
and a welt 21mm in the street car with no rear bar

Are Weltmeister bars still available?

[brant]

I've always preferred larger front bars than stock...
I (vague memory) believe the stock front was 16mm
the weltmeisters came in 19 and 21 and were my choices usually

currently running a 28mm front bar in my race car with larger than stock rear
and a welt 21mm in the street car with no rear bar

Are Weltmeister bars still available?

available used... just like the stock bars are.

H and H made an aftermarket bar also that can be found used.
the welts had a better arm with more adjustability

brant

[Shivers]

My 72' was the same way. I put them front and rear and wow what a difference.

Tabs:

https://www.elephantracing.com/911/swaybars...bars/u-tab-kit/