[dnwong]

Just upgraded the front struts on the 951 with the Ground Control coil over kit. Thinking about working on the rear. Anyone re-indexed or replaced torsion bars here? How hare is it?

Obviously, removing them and replacing with coil overs is the preferred choice. But I don't track my car, so, don't need the flexibility of swapping out springs. And rear coil overs seem fairly pricey.

[HughA44s]

Well, lets see. I have done this several times and as far as a reco for sizes, that depends on where you are on the S&M scale. If you go with 28mm rear torsion bar, you get a car that is streetable and performs well at the track - fairly standard approach. Fronts would be in the 225 to 250 range with yellow Koni's for shocks. Moving to 30 mm is much stiffer and not really streetable for a period on time. Use 250 -275 fronts for these. Yes this is a pain in the ass but doable. Pelican and/or Clarke's has a excel algorithm for getting the set up as close to possible the first time (which is key to maintaining sanity).

[RedOctober]

Originally Posted by dnwong

Just upgraded the front struts on the 951 with the Ground Control coil over kit. Thinking about working on the rear. Anyone re-indexed or replaced torsion bars here? How hare is it?

Obviously, removing them and replacing with coil overs is the preferred choice. But I don't track my car, so, don't need the flexibility of swapping out springs. And rear coil overs seem fairly pricey.

I replaced mine with 30mm bars a few years back. If I can do it, anyone can. I did not take the measurements before I started as I should have, so considered myself lucky to only have to index them twice (looked like a 4x4 the first time).

*Edit: I'd be remiss if I did not say that a few very generous Dorkis helped me with disassembly, and got me started on reassembly.

[dnwong]

Originally Posted by HughA44s

Well, lets see. I have done this several times and as far as a reco for sizes, that depends on where you are on the S&M scale. If you go with 28mm rear torsion bar, you get a car that is streetable and performs well at the track - fairly standard approach. Fronts would be in the 225 to 250 range with yellow Koni's for shocks. Moving to 30 mm is much stiffer and not really streetable for a period on time. Use 250 -275 fronts for these. Yes this is a pain in the ass but doable. Pelican and/or Clarke's has a excel algorithm for getting the set up as close to possible the first time (which is key to maintaining sanity).

Originally, I had ordered 225 springs for the front. But I backed off and ended up with 200lbs thinking that I would not have to do the rears. But I order the kit three years ago when I did not have a lot of space and did not want to get too deep into mods.

I guess the question is do I need to even upgrade the rear torsion bars with the 200's up front.

[HughA44s]

If I remember correctly the stock 944T torsions were 26.5mm so I would think the 200 fronts would work nice as far as a street setup goes.

[racer]

x2. Really depends how you are using the car. On the street its fine. IIRC, stock turbo front springs were 175lb (base 944s were only 125lb!). So, you really haven't changed that much.

[Lt. Dan]

my memory of 944 stuff is getting pushed out of my brain by Mini Cooper and mountain bike stuff- But I think I remember that you can use Super Beetle torsion bars... Do your research before ordering though, just to be sure

[dnwong]

Originally Posted by racer

x2. Really depends how you are using the car. On the street its fine. IIRC, stock turbo front springs were 175lb (base 944s were only 125lb!). So, you really haven't changed that much.

Actually, my OEM springs had 2 yellow dots which translate to 143# IIRC.

[racer]

mmm TurboS were 175? Makes sense around 150... a 15-20% bump over the base car. Either way, pretty soft. Had I kept my '44, I was considering 250# fronts, 28MM rear torsion bar and at least Turbo or 968 M030 sway bars.