jeeper31

I have what I am assuming to be the stock 26.8 frot and 18mm rear sway bars on my '88 951S. I have a 19mm adjustable bar that I took off my old car. I am wondering if I should swap the sways and put the 19mm in? I am taking it to the track this weekend and wondering if there would be any positive/negative result.

Thanks

pjburges

It will reduce roll in the back of the car which will help alot of things, but if you are used to driving the car with the 18mm bar in place, you probably shouldnt switch it out right before taking it to the track.

jeeper31

2 things I should mention is that I haven't been drivng this car that long as I got it in December and my 944S had the 26.8 in the front and the 19mm rear. I have taken that car on the track. That car also had Koni's that I installed but being that they were newer they were probably a bit stiffer than what i have now.

Skip

Since the bar is adjustable, you already own it, and you'll probably end up using it in the future - might as well do it now. But, maybe adjust it down to lowest setting to start, then adjust up for each stint to see how it feels. Consider it a free test day - you're not really used to the car yet anyway and it's not a race.

jeeper31

With the bar iat the center setting (like my old 944S) and the same size front bar as my old 944S, would it feel similar to my 944S?

Tom R.

i agree with skip but think you should leave things alone. it is pocono, not lime rock. one hairpin and a quick left.

jeeper31

I know but got my new bushings ala Jon and want to install it while i am on vacation

Tom R.

forgot you still have two days off. go for it. follow skips advice.

Skip

Assuming you ran the bar at the center setting on the 944S previously, then yes, it would feel nearly the same. The 951S is a bit heavier all around than the 944S, but most of that is unsprung (wheels, brakes) or in the front - the rears of the cars are nearly identical (lower rear spoiler). So, the rear sway bar is doing nearly the same thing on each car.

You didn't say how much experience you have at the track, but if a lot, then still try the sway in all 3 settings. Since it's the only convenient track-side change item available to most, it's fun to play with then measure actual performance - corner for corner. As well, the 951S has just a little more punch out of the corners... if you go too stiff in the rear to start, you may be showing followers your doors a little too often - think throttle-on oversteer - savvy?

jeeper31

As far as experience I have about 4 DEs under my belt. I am still using street tires but plan on switching to r-compunds toward the end of the season.

Z-man

My $0.42:

1. Do what skip says -- either set it as the softest setting, or the middle setting for starters, since you've already had a car with a 19mm on the middle setting. With a stock suspension, you will notice a difference, but it won't be that great a change to need to worry about it.

2. Hold off on the R-compounds for the track. With 4 DE days under your belt, you're probably not extracting the most out of your street tires yet. With R's, you'll be wasting your $$. Wait till you get into the solo groups - and then start considering them...

-Z-man.