*Michael.*

I am sure I have annoyed many of you with all of my questions. Here is another, I am now looking at Sway bar sizes to go with my suspension setup that I am slowly purchasing. I have learned a lot from this site in my research by the way. Here is what I am going for.

-Koni Yellow's
-250# Weltmeister Springs (sitting on my floor)
-27mm Torsion Bars (ordering this week)

Now for the questions, what is the stock front sway bar size on my '82 N/A? 22mm right?

What size will go well with it? I was considering a 14mm off of a 951 or the 19mm Cup sway bar on Paragon. I am affraid that the 19mm will be to big and cause my car to be an oversteering beast. Opinions?

As always thanks a lot

keith

I'd run the 19mm with a 27 or 30mm front...

You can get the 27 (ish) cheap, used, off of an '89 - check around...

I'd say you can use the 14mm, but I believe that is large for your front bar. (I could be wrong)

Renntag

Ok...am I the only that is confused here?

These numbers arent making sense.

If you have a 22mm whats with the 14mm, and you have allready ordered 27mm torsion bars...The rest of the numbers make no sense...

OK, I am sticking my neck out...anybody with an axe? ...Tell me I'm being stupid.

Dave

Renntag, Slow down and reread it, it'll come to you
Michael, I am doing the same thing myself, my '86 also has a 21.5/22/22.5 mm front anti-roll bar, and no rear. I have found that the 14mm rear bar is the "correct" to be paired with the stock front bar, as cars that were equipt with a rear bar had this combo. The 18/19mm Rear bars you refer to are meant to be used with a larger part in the front, I picked up a used pair from a turbo S (26.8mm F/18mm R) for $100, they aren't installed yet and at this point there's no rush the winter tires are on and it's snowing. Koni yellows are planned for the spring, it doesn't make much sense to do the struts and not do the springs, but adding torsion bars to the list will blow the budget.
Anyone have thoughts on doing the front springs (200-250 lbs?) without doing the torsion bar at the same time?

Skip

If looking used, the 26.8mm and 18mm is a great match (Porsche thought so anyway)... upping the rear to a 19mm adjustable will change little at the softest setting, so you won't create an understeering pig (all things considered). The stock 22mm sway up front with a 19mm rear is a it of a stretch, but not unmanageable by adjusting some other aspects of the car to reduce the tendency to oversteer. That said, I would not recommend this. The 30mm/19mm setup is best only if it fits the budget.

Only consider the 14mm rear if you are keeping the stock up front. If upping the front to 26.8mm, then go with the 18 or 19mm.

Colin: You are Stupid <jk>

Good Luck!

Renntag

I did, it makes more sense now that I have had something to eat and a newcastle chaser. Long stressful day behind me.

You are wise patient one.

Renntag

Thank god we got that out in the open. Thanks again Skip, but you forgot the, " but its ok....." LOL.

Seriously:got it, cool. thanks. Sorry about taking this OT

David Salama

Dave,

To answer your question, my 87 951 had Konis all around with Welt 250 # springs up front and Cup car sway bars and stock torsion bars. The overall ride and handling was excellent for a mostly street ride. It felt tight, but did understeer at the limits. Being the nut that I am, I upgraded to Powerhaus Bilstein Coilovers all around with removal of the torsion bars. My current spring rates are 500# front, 750# rear. The handling is awesome now, surprisingly comfortable except for city roads in poor condition. I really don't think you need to change your torsion bars to go to the Welt 250 springs. Good luck.

keith

It really should understeer EVEN WORSE with an upgrade to the front and not the T-bars...

You didn't have a problem with that setup David?!?

Longtime76

That sounds insane with the 750# in the rear. I had heard that going that high could be more detrimental unless one had super smooth roads to drive on. Also, why are your rates not equal between the front and the back, or does that not really matter? It seems with a ~50/50 weight balanced car that spring rates should be roughly equal in all 4 corners. It seems like with the rear that stiff, it would over steer a lot. Anyhow, I am confused here...

keith

Alex - the rate at the wheel is much less than the rate at the coilover in the rear, because of location and angle. He is probably balanced or close to it, front to rear.

Longtime76

Thanks Keith,
That makes sense, I didn't think about the angle and location. It is just a really stiff suspension I guess.

Skip

Without T-bars, the effective rate of that 750# spring is only ~405#. Looks to be a good ratio, with the front at 500# (or 450# effective).

David Salama

While I have not taken my car to the track yet with the coilovers, I am finding the aggressive steet drive to be quite neutral with my 500#/750# spring rates. I was shocked (no pun intended) to find how comfortable of a street ride the car still has. I believe Bilstein/Powerhaus matched there shocks so well to the stiff springs that it works great. Nothing is bonejarring, except for the very worst of roads. I do avoid pot holes as much as possible, as well! In terms of my previous suspension, Konis, Welts 250#, cup sway bars, stock torsions, while it did understeer at the limit, it was still well balanced overall, and worth a try for someone who wants to save a little money, still have a tight handling car, and not have to reindex the torsion bars!