anti sway bars or not?
 

I have a 71e targa that I want to restore original. It came with 14 inch fuchs and hydropneumatic struts. I plan to lower it a little, reuse the original 14 inch wheels with probably a 196, 65 tire. I'm thinking about leaving it like it came without sway bars. It is a targa and I'm not going to track it and I read that it will still handle pretty well but ride smoother without the sway bars. The front suspension will be replaced with a stock one with torsion bars.

I welcome any opinions, on sway bars vs no sway bars. Also what brand of shocks and struts should I use. I'm thinking nothing too stiff, boge?

Hi Early Aircooled:

My '73 did not have sways for the first year I owned it and when I added them, I did not notice much of a change on the street. For Autocross, it was a different story. I think you will be fine.

As far as shocks, it is my understanding that Boge will give you the "cushiest" ride. Bilstein HD's are another choice as well. But then again, I defer to my neighbor (and maybe yours), Steve Weiner, on these matters.

Took my stock '71 Targa out on a hill country drive with other 911's and I'm am really thinking I need sway bars. Just driving around it seems great, but when I'm trying to keep up with the guys with tuned suspensions, upgraded engines, roll bars, etc, it's almost dangerous how much the car, and my body, rolls. It was recommended to me from those guys not to go too outrageous with the sway bars since ride quality will suffer. 15mm they said would be great, but no more than 19mmm. They said to keep the 14" wheels to keep the ride quality comfortable...although I wanted to bump to 15". and then the seats could be upgraded since the stock seats are really springy and makes your body roll more than the car. They said just a few simple things is all I would need to make it a fun for everyday and the hill country twisties! Oh yeah, one of the guys with the DE car even disconnected his sway bars (due to some bumpy roads) since his torsion bars were stiffer.

Good info so far, thanks for responding. Any other opinions?