sway bars

[whiteboyspooky]

Ok guys so I am looking for some larger diameter sways for my 69 Beetle. I currently have the 3/4 empi bars but would like more roll resistance. im currently setting it up for shorter road courses (streets of willow mainly) and autox. I keep reading articles where people recommend 7/8 and larger bars for race setups. Has anyone made custom sways? Does anyone know where to get them made? Ive contacted several places but no one wants to take the time to do it.
current setup
Front
3/4 empi sway
1 set of caster shims
extra eccentric camber adjusters (about to be added)
KYB GR2 shocks
195/55/15 BFG Sport comp 2 tires
rear
3/4 empi sway
944 torsions (24mm if i remember right maybe larger)
KYB GR2 shocks
195/55/15 BFG Sport comp 2 tires

[4agedub]

I'm using 3/4" sway bars on my race cars. The front suspension seems to be stiff enough. The rear suspension has been the problem, even with 22mm torsion bars it simply squats too much.

[Bruce.m]

3/4" is a massive increase over stock. Perhaps you might consider decent coilover dampers to boost the low spring rate.
944 torsion bars are +30% spring rate increase over stock.

[whiteboyspooky]

I just dont like the handling balance it gives, too much understeer. I would at least like a larger rear bar. say 24-26mm perhaps?
Would adding a kafer cup bar to the rear help? I know that doesn't directly affect anti-roll but it will add rigidity to the rear? just spit balling here.

[helowrench]

whiteline 22mm
http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Whiteline- ... /bwr11.htm

sorry I was late to the party

[whiteboyspooky]

whiteline no longer produces that bar and will not. i already directly contacted them...ive been in contact with several sway bar companies, no one wants to make a custom sway. which is understandable. If i can just get a stiffer rear bar i would be happy.

[helowrench]

what 944 bars are out there?

[helowrench]

944/968 with the M030 option carried a 20mm rear sway bar, or barely larger than your 19mm

although, I would expect the Porsche unit to be of better material

[helowrench]

what mounting points are you using?
\
thinking outside the box, about maximizing effectiveness of the bar you currently have......

[helowrench]

Wait a minute, what symptom are you trying to fight?

[whiteboyspooky]

im trying to fight understeer (front end push) and overall bodyroll. larger rear bar should remedy understeer and help with the body roll right?
im using the stand mounting hardware that comes with the empi kit which mounts to the spring plate area

[whiteboyspooky]

ive basically been following this setup that is mentioned in this article
http://www.aircooled.net/vw-handling-suspension-tuning/
any thoughts on what he wrote?

[ONEBADBUG]

Read some Carroll Smith books, http://www.amazon.com/Carroll-Smith/e/B001H6MCS4, "Work on the end with the problem." So, in this case, reduce the front bar.

[helowrench]

Read some Carroll Smith books, http://www.amazon.com/Carroll-Smith/e/B001H6MCS4, "Work on the end with the problem." So, in this case, reduce the front bar.

Reducing front bar dia= less understeer + more body roll.
Increasing rear bar dia= less understeer - bodyroll

Either works.

[helowrench]

im trying to fight understeer (front end push) and overall bodyroll. larger rear bar should remedy understeer and help with the body roll right?
im using the stand mounting hardware that comes with the empi kit which mounts to the spring plate area

correctamumdo
now, you do have a few choices.
#1 stiffen up the mounting, such as move the mounts further outboard and/or adding a secondary set of mounts to make the center section as stable as possible
#2 larger diameter bar, or stiffer material
#3 changing the relationship of the lever arm of the sway bar drop link attach point. (gonna have to thunk on that one.)
#4 tire pressures