Suspension Guru's - Input needed

[Jcon]

I have an '81 SC currently undergoing a 3.6 install. I've been working with my mechanic on suspension. He is suggesting that one option is to stick with stock torsion bars but add 20 mm smart racing sway bars.

Since the car is mostly street with 4-5 DEs a year the ride quality on the street would be relatively unchanged, but the car would have much less body roll at the track. when track time increases then add the torsion bars.

FWIW

Shocks are new
Bushings will be new
7 & 9'" wheels
Adding ERP Bump Steer Kit


Any thoughts


Jeff C

[Chuck Moreland]

Sway bars will change the ride quality. Stiff ones change it considerably. With adjustable bars you can tighten them for the track, then loosen for the street if you want.

This will help control body, but it wont do anything for squat or dive. It's better than nothing but it is not a substitute for properly sized torsion bars.

Since you are replacing the bushings anyway, this is the time to put in new torsion bars. You'll be removing the old tbars in process, so it's a simple matter to swap in the new ones. And they are a lot cheapr than adjustable sways (Smarts bars are what $650/axle?). You'd be unwise to repeat this work, adding tbars at a later time. Plus you'd repeat the alignment, ride height and corner balance that goes along with it.

Sways can always be added later as a stand alone project, without repeating labor steps.

[JonT]

A guy in my local PCA recommended the same thing. You will get 20 different opinions if you ask 20 people here. It seems the better, more experienced drivers tend to steer the inexperienced to spend more time driving the car and improve that first instead of throwing lots of $ and hardware at the car which will make the car faster, but will mask and even hinder the advancement of driving skills. I finished my 3.6 t/p over a year ago and am on track to upgrade suspension next but currently I've got everything else on my car running well and would like to focus on driving this spring and summer although it is hard to dream about a new suspension and not spend any money on it right away.

[Grady Clay]

I agree with Chuck, do it all now.

There are three components; torsion bars, sway bars, and shocks/struts in addition to the bushings for each. Go search on this forum and you will find all you need.

Remember, everything is a compromise. It is up to you to become informed and pick the right one for you.

Best,
Grady

[Randy Webb]

mostly street... You might want to size the rear t-bar to compensate for the heavier engine. Then size the front to match the rear one. IF replacing it makes sense to just get the hollow ones and save a few lbs. - they cost only a little more than solds.

Next, I would work on the sway bars. Last, I would get it all re-aligned and corner balanced, then play with tire pressures to get it tuned like you want. This doesn't mean you do each piece sequentially -- it means you think about each peice sequentially, doing them at different times only if you cannot predict what will happen in advance and have to "try it to feel it."

An SC is pretty old, so I would replace all the rubber in the entire suspension - and don't forget the brake hoses...

[Jcon]

Thanks Guys

Chuck is spot on. I think I want to do it piece at a time to see how I like each change. With that in mind it's smarter money to do the Bushings and T-Bars now. Corner Balance and Align.

I think if I put another season of DE's in on that set up - I can decide on sway bars and do it as a seperate project.


Thanks

Jeff

[rbcsaver]

I went with a 930 setup of OEM sway bars and t-Bars in my 84 Carrera (3.2).
Mostly street with a few DEs and Auto-X each year. Very happy with it but would NOT want it any stiffer for everyday street. Think of torsion bars as your springs and (anti) sway bars as affecting side to side body roll. Not a guru, just know what I researched an fin tuned in my own P-car.