Please recommend a swaybar/tbar setup for my '72T
 

Hello.

My '72 T TARGA has NO swaybars at all, although it is setup to take a swaybar up front, and it has swaybar mounts in back, although they are pretty bent up.

I might paint my car in a few months, which will have me removing the engine/trans, which means it's a GREAT time to improve the suspension as well.

I think I would like to install Weltmeister adjustable spring plates, so I can adjust ride height with out reindexing the t-bars.

Aside from that, can you recommend
Front/Rear sway bar sizes, and
Front/Rear T-bar sizes?

I want a subtle improvement to this car, It's a fun street putt-putt driver, will not likely go to the track, and it's a TARGA. I don't want to go crazy, so stuff like Elephant and Tarrett is not really what I'm looking for.

TIA!!! SmileWavy

Try 26 rears and 21 fronts. Stock sways and new ER bushings all around. YMMV.
I have set of extra adjustable swingplates for you Jeremy if you help pull my '72 engine again.

The very best set up on my car after a great deal of time and money was factory S front and rear. So simple. Also lowered the car to European delivery ride height.

Better on the street and track too as the car just behaves better and isn't like one of the ugly sisters trying to wear Cinderella's shoes.

Cheap, correct and readily available S equipment is great but only if the rest (shocks. bushings etc.) of your suspension is in tip top shape. When you are done have it corner balanced.

Forgot to add: mine is a 73
 

I agree with the suggestions provided. However, as good as the ER bushings are, if your suspension bushings are currently okay, I'd stick with them until it's time to replace them. However, I'd also include shock replacement as an integral part of the suspension package along with TBs and SBs. You can do this incrementally. Remember that realignment may be necessary if ride height changes during your upgrade schedule. Corner balancing may be icing on the cake, but may be more important depending on the current status.

Sherwood

How are your shocks? suspensions are systems in which all parts must work in harmony to achieve best results.

I have Bilstein HD's, 19/26 bars and 15/15 factory sway bars, rear adjustable spring plates from an 84, lowered and riding on SO3s. For me, this set-up defines sport street, car feels perfectly balanced, predictable and comfortable.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1270074805.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1270074820.jpg

Whatever you do don't over-bar the front.

You have some options here, and some decisions to make, I have found, having been there done that.
Before you even start you have to decide on what tires and wheels you will be using first. The tire and wheel combination, along with the intended use (AX, DEs ever?) will largely dictate your suspension choices.

For a strictly street car with 6" wheels :
NEW shocks.
NEW ball joints,
NEW suspension bushings
turbo tierods
lowered (stock adjustable torsion arms are good)
stock size adjustable sways.

A fresh suspension makes a world of difference.

Shock choice will be important and have a large influence on your cars personality. Do not under estimate the importance of NEW shocks. IMO koni yellow sports are the way to go. Adjustable, comfortable, and will work with a variety of torsion sizes. Many will argue Bilsteins are better, maybe so, but if you decide to upgrade torsions at some point you will probably have to have them re-valved.

If you want a firmer ride and a very low car, there is no reason to not upgrade the torsions. Unless you have sticky rubber you probably won't NEED the larger torsion bars. With modern sticky rubber larger torsions are a must.

fun putt putt on street says maybe polybronze to me; but to you it might say all new rubber & don't forget the top strut mounts - put new dum dum in under there

powder coat all that stuff while it's off

look in Bruce Anderson's book on this & in Wayne's book too

post a plan first for review (and extended commentary & argument)

final F vs. R balance can be done with tire pressures

For my 1973 T, I have stock torsions with 19 mm adjustable f/r sways, factory rubber bushings in front, neatrix bushings in rear. Seems to work just fine except when I get really aggressive at AX.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1235972033.jpg

On my 73 S Targa I recently replaced all suspension bushings with elephant rubber (these are great!) 21/25 Torsion bars, stock roll bars. I've got Koni adjustable gas shocks. I'm very happy with the setup for the street. I only have second thought about not staying with the 19 front torsion bars. I'm also on 205 16 and 225 16 re11 tires which are the bees knees. Older Targas like ours can't go too stiff as they twist enough already.