Torsion Bars, What brand to buy?
01-23-2003, 12:36 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Torsion Bars, What brand to buy?
Hello Everybody: I'm starting to think about the second phase of my Suspention upgrade.
I did The shocks, Bilstein Sports rear and HD's in front. The car is lowered and has SO3's and I've noticed a big improvement so far.
So the next phase I would like to do is torsion bars, bump steer kit and turbo tie rods. I also ordered one of the strut braces from KLA that was on special on the board.
Steve W.(thank you) recommended Sander Engineering tubular torsion bars and Smart Racing ajustable sway bars.
I forget the exact cost of the Sanders bars but think it was about 1000.?.I Thought I might visit there shop as there in my area and check out all the cool stuff they make.
My question is why are these bar's preferred over others? And do I need to do the sway bars at this time too?.
All advice is appreciated, Thanks
I did The shocks, Bilstein Sports rear and HD's in front. The car is lowered and has SO3's and I've noticed a big improvement so far.
So the next phase I would like to do is torsion bars, bump steer kit and turbo tie rods. I also ordered one of the strut braces from KLA that was on special on the board.
Steve W.(thank you) recommended Sander Engineering tubular torsion bars and Smart Racing ajustable sway bars.
I forget the exact cost of the Sanders bars but think it was about 1000.?.I Thought I might visit there shop as there in my area and check out all the cool stuff they make.
My question is why are these bar's preferred over others? And do I need to do the sway bars at this time too?.
All advice is appreciated, Thanks
01-23-2003, 02:25 PM
#2
Technical Specialist
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Rennlist
Lifetime Member
Bob,
You might check with Jason at Paragon Products on pricing, as he sells the only two brands made in the US: Glen Sander and Weltmeister/Sway-a-way. I've used both bars. The Glen Sander bars are not coated with anything, so you should consider painting the bar to prevent rust. Being **** on some things, I used POR15 and greased them too. Weltmeister/Swayaway bars bars come with a covering over the middle of the bar, so no additional work is needed there. I like the hollow bars, as they are a tad lighter. The ends on the Sander bars may be a formed a bit better than the ends on the Weltmeister bar, however, they both have worked for me.
On the bump steer kit, I used the Weltmeister disks that go under the steering rack. Not too expensive and, for me, it got the job done. Other vendors offer a similar solution too. If you still have bump steer problems, then there's a pricey ERP kit that gives you alot of adjustment.
Do the Turbo torsion bars, the difference is huge! Foreign Intrigue in Maine has them on sale thru February for $109. You'll notice every time you turn the steering wheel that it's more precise.
And no, you don't have to do the sway bars at the same time. Adjustable sway bars are really nice to have, as you can dial in neutrality in how the suspension behaves. Of course sway bars are an integral part of the suspension, so as you upgrade the other parts, the sway bars should also be on the list in short order.
You might check with Jason at Paragon Products on pricing, as he sells the only two brands made in the US: Glen Sander and Weltmeister/Sway-a-way. I've used both bars. The Glen Sander bars are not coated with anything, so you should consider painting the bar to prevent rust. Being **** on some things, I used POR15 and greased them too. Weltmeister/Swayaway bars bars come with a covering over the middle of the bar, so no additional work is needed there. I like the hollow bars, as they are a tad lighter. The ends on the Sander bars may be a formed a bit better than the ends on the Weltmeister bar, however, they both have worked for me.
On the bump steer kit, I used the Weltmeister disks that go under the steering rack. Not too expensive and, for me, it got the job done. Other vendors offer a similar solution too. If you still have bump steer problems, then there's a pricey ERP kit that gives you alot of adjustment.
Do the Turbo torsion bars, the difference is huge! Foreign Intrigue in Maine has them on sale thru February for $109. You'll notice every time you turn the steering wheel that it's more precise.
And no, you don't have to do the sway bars at the same time. Adjustable sway bars are really nice to have, as you can dial in neutrality in how the suspension behaves. Of course sway bars are an integral part of the suspension, so as you upgrade the other parts, the sway bars should also be on the list in short order.
01-23-2003, 03:16 PM
#3
RL Technical Advisor
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Bob's flat-six:
<strong>Hello Everybody: I'm starting to think about the second phase of my Suspention upgrade.
I did The shocks, Bilstein Sports rear and HD's in front. The car is lowered and has SO3's and I've noticed a big improvement so far.
So the next phase I would like to do is torsion bars, bump steer kit and turbo tie rods. I also ordered one of the strut braces from KLA that was on special on the board.
Steve W.(thank you) recommended Sander Engineering tubular torsion bars and Smart Racing ajustable sway bars.
I forget the exact cost of the Sanders bars but think it was about 1000.?.I Thought I might visit there shop as there in my area and check out all the cool stuff they make.
My question is why are these bar's preferred over others? And do I need to do the sway bars at this time too?.
All advice is appreciated, Thanks</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">HI Bob:
I've found that the Sander Engineering torsion bar splines, fitment, and heat treatment to be far superior to the Welmeister/Swayaways to the point that we will not longer use the latter ones. Glen's QC is much better.
I usually coat them generously with some grease and that lasts for many many years.
FWIW,.....we sell them for $ 660/set of 4.
You can certainly add swaybars later, but since torsion bars & swaybars perform different, yet complimentary duties, you will not have the same handling and adjustability for understeer/oversteer until you have both in use.
<strong>Hello Everybody: I'm starting to think about the second phase of my Suspention upgrade.
I did The shocks, Bilstein Sports rear and HD's in front. The car is lowered and has SO3's and I've noticed a big improvement so far.
So the next phase I would like to do is torsion bars, bump steer kit and turbo tie rods. I also ordered one of the strut braces from KLA that was on special on the board.
Steve W.(thank you) recommended Sander Engineering tubular torsion bars and Smart Racing ajustable sway bars.
I forget the exact cost of the Sanders bars but think it was about 1000.?.I Thought I might visit there shop as there in my area and check out all the cool stuff they make.
My question is why are these bar's preferred over others? And do I need to do the sway bars at this time too?.
All advice is appreciated, Thanks</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">HI Bob:
I've found that the Sander Engineering torsion bar splines, fitment, and heat treatment to be far superior to the Welmeister/Swayaways to the point that we will not longer use the latter ones. Glen's QC is much better.
I usually coat them generously with some grease and that lasts for many many years.
FWIW,.....we sell them for $ 660/set of 4.
You can certainly add swaybars later, but since torsion bars & swaybars perform different, yet complimentary duties, you will not have the same handling and adjustability for understeer/oversteer until you have both in use.
