Charlie Stylianos

I know this question has been beaten down, but I have
not found much written information (Pelican or
Rennlist) regarding torsion bar and shock combinations
for the 'not as stiff as a coupe' Targa.

I've read that a 22/28 t-bar and Bilstein HD front /
Sport rear are very popular for a street driven coup.
I'm just wondering if this same combination would
apply to a Targa as the Targa chassis stiffness is
somewhat questionable. I've read that you don't
really want to go to stiff as the body will start
compensating (twisting) for the stiff suspension. Any
thoughts?

This is mostly a street driven vehicle with plans for
5-10 DE's yearly.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Hi Charlie:

That setup is very good for street/DE cars; coupe or Targa's. No problems.

You can add some adjustable swaybars in the 20mm range that will help even more and a strut brace is necessary, too.

The real issue about Targa's is the lack of chassis rigidity; one cannot install & take advantage of really large swaybars, due to chassis flex. The above setup is well proven over 20+ years and is very effective.

Charlie Stylianos

Steve, or anyone else who has this setup,

Would you advise a different combination (stiffer / softer) of T-bars or shocks. Like most, I still want to keep a relativcely smooth, not harsh, ride on the streets, but want to lean towards performance.

Would 29's in the rear be too much, same with the Bilstein sports up front.

What kind of ride would can I expect with the 22/28's, HD front, Sport rear. Please speak in terms of cush, firm, harsh, teeth rattling, no passengers would dare ride with you, etc....

-Thanks

pbs911

I have the set up described above in my 78SC Targa, but with 22/2089 Carrera OEM sway bars. I find it very good for street and DE events. The bigggest degregation in ride quality was not made in these areas, however. But when I went to 17" wheels the little cracks in the road became more noticable. I would not classify the set upo as harsh by any means, but you do feel the road a little more.

Targa88

Everything is a question of planning. Where do intend to end up with this car/project. You might find that DEW is addictive; in which case : 1) suspension-lowering-corner balance; 2)brakes/cooling. In that order. One thing to remember stiffer components have to attach to something - make sure those points are reinforced. Whether you choose to upgrade to larger torsion bars or adjustable sway bars - these are incremental and have to be properly integrated. The same goes for shox.
In my mind it is an ongoing project. Despite what anyone might say Targas are fine track cars.....
<img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

tomt

I left the sway bars alone, but added Konis and had the car lowered and corner balanced. I also added a strut brace and a harness bar with extra bars that tie the upper seat belt mounts to the lower outside mount points. Oh yeah, new Kumho's too. I couldn't tell you what made the biggest difference becasue it was all done together for the most part, but the car rides and corners VERY nice.
Rgds,
TT

Chuck Harmon

I run with the 22/28 t-bars and sport Bilsteins with the Netrix bushings and lowered, strut tower brace and harness bar for extra rigidity on my 83SC Targa, it is a daily driver and she handels beautifuly, I have Bridgestone RE730's which I really like, I'm on my second set of 'um !
The ride quality is not a problem, my CD player doesn't skip anymore than usual, I have not had any complaints, just complements !

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

[quote]Originally posted by Charlie Stylianos:
<strong>Steve, or anyone else who has this setup,

Would you advise a different combination (stiffer / softer) of T-bars or shocks. Like most, I still want to keep a relativcely smooth, not harsh, ride on the streets, but want to lean towards performance.

Would 29's in the rear be too much, same with the Bilstein sports up front.

What kind of ride would can I expect with the 22/28's, HD front, Sport rear. Please speak in terms of cush, firm, harsh, teeth rattling, no passengers would dare ride with you, etc....

-Thanks</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hi Charlie:

Here's what I recommend for street cars like yours. This package rides very nicely and will NOT beat you to death,.... I call it firm, not harsh at all. Easy on passengers, too.

1) 22/28 tubular torsion bars (Sanders preferred!)

2) Bilstein HD (front) and Sport (rear)

3) SRP 20mm adjustable swaybars on both ends

4) Strut brace (your choice)

Turbo tie rods also help.

Charlie Stylianos

Thanks for all the input folks.

I'm in the process of sourcing all the various bits for my suspension upgrade/refurbishing. Hope to have everything and start the upgrade process late November. I'm thinking about going with the Sway-Away torsion bars 22/28's as they have the plastic coating. Steve, why do you reccommend "22/28 tubular torsion bars (Sanders preferred!)"?.

Here is my rough list of items. Please add/remove and suggest as you wish:

-22/28 Sway-Away torsion bars.
-Bilstein HD Front / Sport Rear
-Neatrix Rear Bushing set
-Replace all a-arm bushings front/rear
-Replace all sway bar bushings front/rear
-Replace front torsion bar dust cover (both sides)
-Turbo Tie Rods
-Lower car to 24.5 to 25 all around
-Allignment and Corner balance

For the future as these will not require another allignment or corner balance:

-Camber Brace (Elepahnt Racing triangulation type)
-Harness and triangulation bars for the interior
-Sway bars (have not decided)

-----Any more thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks again,

Charlie Styliaos
82 SC Targa

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

[quote]Originally posted by Charlie Stylianos:
<strong>Thanks for all the input folks.

I'm in the process of sourcing all the various bits for my suspension upgrade/refurbishing. Hope to have everything and start the upgrade process late November. I'm thinking about going with the Sway-Away torsion bars 22/28's as they have the plastic coating. Steve, why do you reccommend "22/28 tubular torsion bars (Sanders preferred!)"?.

Charlie Styliaos
82 SC Targa</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hi Charlie:

The reason I prefer the Sander Engineering ones is due to their FAR better quality control. The splines are made much better and they fit as perfectly as Porsche OEM ones. IMHO, there is no comparison. I simply put a generous coating of grease along the entire length of the torsion bar and this prevents any possibility of corrosion.

Roamer

Hey Charlie, when you are done, please post your results. I plan on making the same mods to my 86 Targa by next spring, and would like to know how it turns out!

Good Luck!