Matching torsion bars w/ shocks ?

ubiquity0 · 01-02-2004, 10:06 AM

Pondering my future suspension bushing replacement, I’m thinking that this would be a good time to upgrade torsion bars in my SC. I currently have the old stock bars w/ new Bilstein HD shocks. Would solid 21mm front / 26 mm rear torsion bars be too much for my shocks’ valving? Is anyone out there running this setup?
Thanks!

vesnyder · vesnyder's Garage

Thought I would resurrect since no one responded! I put 21mm F and 28mm R on my '83 SC Cab along with Bilstein HD's last Winter. It worked out great. For street driving and the occasional AX it is just what I wanted

ubiquity0 · 01-05-2004, 01:02 PM

Thanks Vance. It seems more common to go for 21/27 or 21/28 than 21/26. How did you decide on the 21/28 combo?

chrisp · 01-05-2004, 01:27 PM

I went with 21/28 on my SC for two reasons.

1.) They are commonly cast off by PCA G-class racers who are upgrading to the current hot set-up...22/31.

2.) I wanted something that was stiffer than stock by a large percentage but still streetable.

If you are looking for a good f/r balance I think you will find that 26's are too soft in the rear (w/a 21 in the front) on an SC. Perhaps it would would on a 2.0 or 2.2 car. The stock SC is around 25 I think. You will be upgrading the fronts by 3mm and the rears by less than 1mm. As the cars got more modern the rears got heavier and require stiffer t-bars back there. If a 28 is used on an SC than a 29 would give a similar effect on a Carerra for example. Roll stiffness is critical in a 911 and is very hard to achieve with the t-bar set-up. Hence the popularity of coil over conversion. Much higher rates are possible with coil overs. Have fun with it.

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

I have 21 and 26's in my car. Yea, I think the rear's could have been 27's. But, both pairs were pretty inexpensive and nobody had any used 27's at the time. I have a 2.7 with no A/C, so it's not a huge deal. If it were a 3.0 or larger or with A/C, definatley go with 27's.

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

Ohh, I forgot the rest of your question. I have the Bilsteen HD's. Good combination. My car came with Boge's up front originally, so I went with the Bilsteen inserts. I had to disconect the brake line to put them in. Wouldn't clear the fender otherwise. Well worth it though. My shocks were TOAST!

Chuck Moreland · 01-05-2004, 01:53 PM

21/26 21/27 is a good match with HD. Stiffer bars like the sport shocks better.

21/26 is good combo for early cars with lightweight mag case motors. SC and later cars do better with 21/27.

ubiquity0 · 01-05-2004, 03:11 PM

Thanks guys. I think I'll lookout for some 27's based on the feedback (anyone with 27mm Sway Aways want to swap to a pair of 2000 mile 26mm Sway Aways?)
Chuck- I'm thinking of polybronze bushings for the front & neatrix rear. My thinking is that on my budget I am better off going for the almost OEM solution for the rear & polybronzes on the front where the alternatives are more limited & flawed. Is this likely to upset the balance?

Chuck Moreland · 01-05-2004, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ubiquity0

Chuck- I'm thinking of polybronze bushings for the front & neatrix rear. My thinking is that on my budget I am better off going for the almost OEM solution for the rear & polybronzes on the front where the alternatives are more limited & flawed. Is this likely to upset the balance?

No problem with the balance. Many people have used this combination with fine results.