Experiences with installing 28mm torstion bars on a SC

First, thanks for everyone who provided my preinstallation advice.

I installed 28mm Sway-Away torsion bars today so with my rear "street-daily driver" set up, along with the Neatrix bushings, is complete. Pretty much an all day project. I only wish I woould have coughed up the $$ for adjustable spring plates. I was also surprise t ofind "VW" stamped on the factory torsion bars. Hummm? Anyways, the installation went well. However the ride height differences regarding the position of the spring plates was unexpected. The stiffer torsion bars did not allow the car to settle back to its original ride heigth. (After I pain stakenly set the ride height three weeks ago when replacing the bushings.) After position the spring plate at the same angle as with the factor torsion bars, the ride height increased 1 1/2 inches. Ouch! Especially since I had completely reassembled one side. I figured out that the upgrade requires three splines on the insode and three turns on the outer to make the ride height 25 1/4, measured from the fender well. So those of you who plan to install 28mm bars, I recommend marking the spring plate at the level before disassembling and then initially positioning the spring plate in the same position. Then, turn the inner splines three up. And then the out three down. Originally my rear ride heigh was 25" but I installed 1 inch wheel spacers and did not want to go lower to avoid the initial "burning" my freash paint if the wheel rubbed on the fender well.

My advice, cough up the cash for the adjustible swing plates. At about $300 I would have saved at least three hours of time. Oh yea, I also maked the camber and toe in setting before disassembling the swing plate from the banana arm. This allowed me to set the alignment pretty good until I can have it done. Now only for the fronts and then off for corner balancing, alignment and fine tuning.

The result, spectacular! The difference in just a ride around the block provided a completely different feeling. More control and an overall better ride. Not bouncy-bouncy either. I highly recommend this upgrade. All in all, a great day spent bonding with my car.
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Paul
78SC Targa

You're making me jealous. I was just telling Warren that I tend to agree with Bruce, that stifer torsion bars is a good first suspension upgrade on these cars. Firmer, more level and predictable ride, with minimum race-suspension 'bang.'

Enjoy...

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'83 SC

How are you going to corner balance your car without adjustable spring plates? I know you can approximate some balance by weight jacking the front ride height adjustment or by manipulating the rear alignment bolts. I have replaced my spring plates with adjustables when I upgraded the torsion bars because my ultimate goal was to corner balance the car. The adjustable's true advantage is not there ability to get your ride height correct, you still have to be precise in your measurements, but in to precisely corner balance with the adjusting bolts at all four corners. It's not too late to get some.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

[This message has been edited by 89911 (edited 12-31-2000).]

89911, I was going to take the car in for corner balancing and let the mechanic worry about setting the height. I heard that factory spring plates are somewhat adjustable. I'll haveto check with them first, however. Your right in that I will probably have to break down and get the adjustable swing plate eventually. Does anyone have impute of the ability to corner balance the car with the factory swing plates, or impute on the ability to alter the ride height with factory swing plates?
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Paul
78SC Targa

I think 89911 was taking you at your word that they were totally non-adjustable and didn't realise that you have factory adjustable ones. Your mechanic should have no problem using the factory eccentric adjustments to corner balance. If you are having someone else do this, then the aftermarket adj. plates won't really help you, just your mechanic. And who really cares about him, right?

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Tyson Schmidt
72 911 Cabriolet

I am going to do the same thing to my 77 911 28 rear 22 front and 22 sway front and rear. my question is did you change to a firmer shock?

s77911,
I was already running Bilsteins. I don't have any plans to go to the sports and the rear suspension feels so good I don't want to change it now.

By the way, I believe Bruce Anderson in his "Handbook" recommends 21mm front and 27mm rear for the 77 because of the lighter weight. Are you going with the heavier bars for a particular reason?
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Paul
78SC Targa

Paul
Thanks for the info. I read that artical also but my car is really an sc now, factory flares, and 3 liter motor. I have updated the brakes to 89 carrera specs. The previous owner even updated all the exterior badging and engine compartment stickers. I am doing the brakes and motor this winter along with the suspension updates.