Camber Truss

[kellzey]

http://www.stableenergies.com/stable/camber.html

Does anyone know anything about this camber truss system.

Is it a bunch of BS or does it have some merit?

[tryan]

looks serious.

[Ron Meier]

It is the beginning of triangulating the chassis, also known as a "camber bar". All metal flexes as the suspension is loaded and unwanted camber changes occur decreasing the tire contact patch on the road. This decreases the road handling ability.

Useful for racing, probably not necessary for street use. Looks cool, but you lose the trunk and spend money. And it's only for the rear. the front suffers the same problem.

Ideally, all suspension points should be triangulated, or boxed for maximum chassis stiffness. Get a book on chassis building and read or look at a tube frame car - you'll figure out whether you need to spend the money.

[campbellcj]

From what I've heard/read over the years, the rear of the 914 really does not need this kind of device. It is already triangulated! See those big beefy shock towers and that rear bulkhead/firewall?

On the other hand, the front end of the 911's definitely seem to benefit from this add-on. The bulkhead is much less substantial and set back from the strut/shock towers.

Of course if your car has significant factory metal cut-away and/or is running mondo (10-12") race rubber then you probably need every reinforcing bar or tube you can get into the car.

[Jim Smolka]

The front of a 914 has a built-in reinforment, the metal infront of the gas tank where as the 911 does not have that 914 feature. Now for the rear, not so sure if the device is a good thing.

[J P Stein]

The only things that mounts in that area are the tops of the shocks/springs. Flex in that area will have no effect on camber/toe. This is not to say that some reinforcement here is not a good thing......for a race car, but I can think of better ways to do it.