Rear sway bar commonality

[Gawernator]

So, today I realized I do indeed have rear sway bars. Silly of me but since the option code wasn't on the sticker I just assumed the car didn't have it. My '83 didn't either. How common was the rear sway bar for the NA's? What difference does the rear bar make?

[9FF]

Sway bars control body roll in turns. Rear has the same effect as front in controlling roll. Impossible to say which years did or did not have rear sway bars except 88+ all had them, before that many did, some didn't. I think US models all had them 85.5 on.

[Jrboulder]

My 84 had the M456 option which is Koni's and a 23mm bar on the front and an 14mm bar on the rear. It was so awesome. My S2 obviously had the rear bar but it also had the huge front bar so it was a bit more prone to understeer then if you lifted in a corner the rear would come around.

[Gawernator]

That article says the 944 came with variable assist power steering? I have not noticed that feature in my PS

[Techno Duck]

Its just a fancy way of saying power steering was optional on the '83 models. Variable assist basically just means less pump assist at higher engine speeds.

[Gawernator]

I mean I do understand the technology, my dad's 911 has the same. On my 944 it's just only slightly difficult at low speed and not hard at high speed lol. Instead of very easy at low speed and regular resistance at speed. Like my pump isn't changing it's pressure really. Idk

[9FF]

I snapped that pic from the original 1998 Peter Morgan book. What it doesn't say and what we all now know is that a depowered ps rack works quite well as a manual rack. The reason being that the ps rack has a lower ratio than the manual rack and when combined with the later ps smaller steering wheel, it's a wash on the ratio with the manual, plus you get better leg room.

Also what it doesn't say is that there was a "sports" manual rack option for the 944 that has a quicker ratio closer to the ps rack part# 944 347 015 00 It was developed for the early offset turbo cup cars but was offered as a "sports" option on all the models.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by Techno Duck

Its just a fancy way of saying power steering was optional on the '83 models. Variable assist basically just means less pump assist at higher engine speeds.

PS on 83's are very rare. Rear sway bar for 83 was an option.

[Volhv]

Originally Posted by 9FF

ps rack part# 944 347 015 00

Here's a picture of my manual rack with that part number.
Sand blasted,

and painted.


So does this mean the steering will be heavier than if it were part# 944 347 011 00? Oddly enough the only other manual rack I have worked on had the same part number as mine.

[9FF]

"So does this mean the steering will be heavier than if it were part# 944 347 011 00?"

Yes, a little heavier but then all the manual racks for our cars are tough on the biceps at low speed, parking, u-turns, etc.

[Volhv]

Thanks for the info. Haven't swapped it in yet. I will wait for the power rack to start leaking before I do that.