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how do i get rid of my torsion bars

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 6:58 am
by southsidebugs
ok. i have a 74 super with an irs rear end. i'm wondering what all i would need to do to get rid of my torsion bar and replace my shocks with a set of coilovers like theese.
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Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:27 am
by ericsbracer
I suppose you could just remove them, put polly bushings in and give it a go... but if I may ask - what are you trying to accomplish? What do you hope to gain?

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:37 am
by southsidebugs
well plum what i hope to gain is the adjustability of coilovers. i don't really like the idea of having to take apart the rear suspension to lower/raise the height and i would like to be able to lower (for cruising or whatever) or raise (for winter or just daily driving). i just like the idea of being able to fine tune my ride height with a little more ease

can't wait till sbo comes back online

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:12 am
by Marc
The shock absorber mounting points were never intended to carry the weight of the car. The towers will flex and the pockets on the control arms may rip right off. You could lower the ride height by resetting the torsion bars and then use the coil-overs to adjust up from there (at least that way if something breaks the car won't drop completely). Have you considered using adjustable springplates instead?
You can also get adjustable inner anchors for the rear torsions, similar to those on an adjustable front Standard Beetle beam - those require welding and aren't as convenient to adjust but are arguably the best method.

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 10:15 am
by southsidebugs
i figured they wouldn't be strong enough. is there any way to reinforce the mounts?

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 12:38 am
by racelook
Mount an Cup-Strebe and you'r doing right!

Wiebrand

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:40 am
by southsidebugs
so i take it that the top support is the weak one. how much would a Cup-Strebe cost and what exactly is it.

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:10 pm
by racelook
There are bugs without Cup-strebe and with coilovers on the back (so without or verry lose torsionbars). But for better stiffnes I think you should use an Cup-strebe.

This is my home-made one (an 5-bar)
Image

This is an kit from CSP.
http://www.csp-shop.de/cgi-bin/shop2/sh ... 0727723993
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:28 am
by southsidebugs
sweet. so all you have to do is remove the torsion bars and bolt in some coilovers and the brace. does anything else need to be removed/ installed.

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:37 am
by Ephry73
If you are realy planning on doing that, you may also want to look into reinforcing the joints and boxing the tower mounts, plus the triangulating kafer bar setup.





E

Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:22 am
by 2088 bob
allthough i think this was posted once a long time ago you might want too have a look at www.eagleperformance.com they have a rear coilover kit

my baby brother has had this kit in his car for close to 4 years now he has 70 standard running a 2000cc rabbit/golf motor his rad is mtd up front he runs no upper brace but we did gusset his lower trailing arm mtds with some simple plates he is really hard on his car you know the whole drive it like you stole thing and has not yet experienced any failures

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:34 am
by southsidebugs
2088 bob what type of coilovers is you brother running. any pics?

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:47 am
by 2088 bob
the coilovers are from afco as far as the rating of the springs i don't recall exactly will have to ask him the car is stored in our hauler for the winter will get pics as soon as i can they are the aluminum versions though

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:36 am
by southsidebugs
sounds good. just waiting for pics now.

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:16 pm
by Pooter
You should also note that coil overs do allow adjustability in ride height, but aren't designed to be a adjusted up and down all of the time like a bag set-up. but it is also crucial if you want safe handling to have the corner weights checked after each adjustment.