Jeremy
05-19-2008, 12:10 PM
I have been playing with my VBP system for a year now, I think, and was wondering if a sway bar is needed. The reason I ask as it still had some funny quicks, even with the DA shocks. I started with switching from poly to rubber endlinks and ride got better with no noticeable change in handling. I then backed the rubber links off until I could just barely turn the spacer and once again better ride and this time better handling as the front and rear seemed more balanced and quicker turn in.
I then read a post about should endlinks be verticle and checked mine and they tilt back and in towards the center of the body. I figured the only I had to loose was some time, so I backed them off to where I could just barely get a double nut on the top and went for a drive.
No more popping and much much better ride. Turn in was sharp and body roll didn't seem noticeable. I even pushed it a bit in a round a bout and attained speeds higher than before, although body roll was more pronounced then before. The car felt more balanced front to rear and understeered at the limit. It had a very factory feel to it.
My initial conclusions are that the sway bar is binding and contributing to the pogo feeling when both tires encounter a large bump. I will drive some more with the bar as loose as it is and see if something changes, but if the car is tuned the way I want it, do I need a bar?
From my research of a transverse system on the vettes, I believe the initial goal was to do away with a front sway bar due to the better roll resistance of the transverse leaf so I know in theory it could work this way.
If not, at least I know I need to re work the angle of the endlinks as the bind seems detrimental.
Let me know what you think.
I then read a post about should endlinks be verticle and checked mine and they tilt back and in towards the center of the body. I figured the only I had to loose was some time, so I backed them off to where I could just barely get a double nut on the top and went for a drive.
No more popping and much much better ride. Turn in was sharp and body roll didn't seem noticeable. I even pushed it a bit in a round a bout and attained speeds higher than before, although body roll was more pronounced then before. The car felt more balanced front to rear and understeered at the limit. It had a very factory feel to it.
My initial conclusions are that the sway bar is binding and contributing to the pogo feeling when both tires encounter a large bump. I will drive some more with the bar as loose as it is and see if something changes, but if the car is tuned the way I want it, do I need a bar?
From my research of a transverse system on the vettes, I believe the initial goal was to do away with a front sway bar due to the better roll resistance of the transverse leaf so I know in theory it could work this way.
If not, at least I know I need to re work the angle of the endlinks as the bind seems detrimental.
Let me know what you think.