Sway Bar / Spring Rate question

Loan Dog · Loan Dog's Garage

I'd like some thoughts from some of you guys who've got experience with different rear spring rates and sway bar combinations.
My car was originally a basic 1.7 (73') with no sway bars front or rear. I've done quite a bit with it as far as upgrades/improvements, but mostly for street driving. I'm not an engine builder, but do everything else myself, including engine removal and reinstalls. (I've got a method that is easier and safer than Dave's method on the PP site.) Besides having a mini big-bore engine built, (1920 9.2:1 Mahle pistons, street perf. Webcam, etc.) I've installed KYB shocks at all 4 corners, and put 100lb springs in. Limited budget here, thats why the KYB's instead of Konis.

My question is, I'm doing track events, DE with Milw. Region PCA, and want to start autoXing next spring as well. I'm looking for balance and know at least a front sway bar is a must. Will adding a 19mm front bar with 140lb rear springs (no rear bar) give the balance I'm looking for and keep me flatter through the twisties? Or should I install the 19mm front bar, a 16mm rear bar and keep the 100lb springs?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can pass my way

Don

chrisreale · 11-17-2002, 03:37 PM

140# springs, 19mm front bar, no rear bar should be a great combo. Add a rear bar to that and it would not be as neutral. I know of others that have 180 rear springs, a 22mm front bar, and no rear, and it is neutral as well. I think a rear is recommended if you have a LSD.

Loan Dog · Loan Dog's Garage

Thanks Chris, glad to hear I'm heading in the right direction. Do you think the 140's will get the rear any lower? Not having the $$ for the adjustable Konis, doesn't give me that flexibility. The 100's give me a firmer ride than stock without the kidney premature kidney damage on the street, but they seemed to have raised the rear end a little higher than I thought they would.
Don

chrisreale · 11-17-2002, 04:12 PM

I think the 140# rear springs will sit 1.5" lower than the stock weight springs, give or tane a little

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

140's with a 19mm front bar is good combo for a street car and autox. The 100's are nearly stock and probably just set the car back to stock ride height. The 140's will lower the car alittle.
I know a guy who ran his street car with Koni sports adjusted to hard, no bars for autox. He did pretty good with that set up in stock class. He has since changed classes and the set up (added front bar) but kept the Koni's.
Geoff

Loan Dog · Loan Dog's Garage

Thanks guys! Now I know what to ask Santa for.

Zeke · 11-17-2002, 06:18 PM

Santa has shocks and sway bars? What a guy!!

Loan Dog · Loan Dog's Garage

I'll find out. I think he'll have to check his list more than twice for me though!

campbellcj · 11-17-2002, 06:55 PM

The 19mm front swaybar, stock t-bars and 140lb rears are a good combo. That is how my old car was set up (I had Bilstein Sports and kept the factory rear swaybar though) and it was nice and balanced and definitely still streetable. It didn't feel "sketchy" to me until my driving got a little better, and I picked up the pace on the bigger tracks. Doing turns at 90-110mph is a big jump from 70-90mph in these little cars...