Rear anti-sway bar size--super v.s. standard
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slow arnie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2007 3:37 pm
Rear anti-sway bar size--super v.s. standard
Seems like the standards are running a bigger bar in back compared to the front whereas the supers are set up according to the same old rule of thumb, slightly smaller in back. Is this true? I know you can feel the difference between the two types of front suspension. the focus is for a street car. Help me kill my ignorance.
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gcorrado
- Posts: 955
- Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2003 12:42 am
well it's all rather complicated...
remember that the function of the sway bar is to increase roll stiffness without effecting compression stiffness.
so if you use stock springs, i think most people with standards are maintaining maintaining the rule of having a front sway bar that is at least as stiff as the rear sway bar. if the rear sway bar gets too big, we get oversteer.
but things change we you start mucking with the spring rates on the main springs themselves. i put uprated torsion leaves in the front of my standard beetle, and that really changed things. the stiffer spring increase BOTH compression stiffness AND roll stiffness, and so for the first time it seemed like the car wanted a lighter front sway bar than rear.
i'm curious to know if the same thing is happening with the superbeetle folks. you have a lot easier time playing with your spring stiffness with struts up front than we do with leaves.
remember that the function of the sway bar is to increase roll stiffness without effecting compression stiffness.
so if you use stock springs, i think most people with standards are maintaining maintaining the rule of having a front sway bar that is at least as stiff as the rear sway bar. if the rear sway bar gets too big, we get oversteer.
but things change we you start mucking with the spring rates on the main springs themselves. i put uprated torsion leaves in the front of my standard beetle, and that really changed things. the stiffer spring increase BOTH compression stiffness AND roll stiffness, and so for the first time it seemed like the car wanted a lighter front sway bar than rear.
i'm curious to know if the same thing is happening with the superbeetle folks. you have a lot easier time playing with your spring stiffness with struts up front than we do with leaves.
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Ozzie
- Posts: 532
- Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:16 pm
This will not answer your question, but it might shed a little light.
I'm running a '71 Ghia.
I'm running stock front leaves and 28 mm rear torsions (stock are 22).
I'm also running a 22mm front sway bar and a 24mm rear. They are adjustable, and I play with the settings a bit now and then, but typically run them with the same adjustment f & r. My heavy rear reduces body roll & my lighter front keeps the inside front tire on the ground, while at the same time not causing an oversteer problem.
Like Mr.G said, you've got a world of parts available to tune your McP front end. You can get pretty outrageous if you let yourself. On the street, just a bit stiffer, just a bit lower, and you'll be happy as a clam.
I'm running a '71 Ghia.
I'm running stock front leaves and 28 mm rear torsions (stock are 22).
I'm also running a 22mm front sway bar and a 24mm rear. They are adjustable, and I play with the settings a bit now and then, but typically run them with the same adjustment f & r. My heavy rear reduces body roll & my lighter front keeps the inside front tire on the ground, while at the same time not causing an oversteer problem.
Like Mr.G said, you've got a world of parts available to tune your McP front end. You can get pretty outrageous if you let yourself. On the street, just a bit stiffer, just a bit lower, and you'll be happy as a clam.
"When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic."
Ben Franklin
Ben Franklin
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ericsbracer
- Posts: 601
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2000 12:01 am
I don't think the Super is any different. I ran a 7/8" front bar with a 3/4" rear and had very good results. The handling was quite predictable and easy to control with the steering and/or the throttle. I did have some inside front lift issues, but that was more from limiting the struts travel to spare the tires (the 205/50's rubbed, the 195/60's didn't). I ran oil inserts with gas rear shocks, all poly bushings and the stock torsion bars our back.
Eric "Plum Bug" Roberts