New rear springs...

[Ohio Tom (DdK)]

Last year I installed 30mm torsion springs in my race car. It made the car leave better and go straighter at the drag strip.
I was apprehensive about istalling stiffer bars in my "street" car.

So recently with my race winnings, I just purchased a set of 28mm torsion springs for my turbo street car.
Wow, what a difference.
the new springs have 250% more rate than the stockers.
That sounds like alot, but it makes the ride nice and firm, w/o giving up ride comfort.
The car handles so much better both on and off power.
It has totally lost that "floaty" feel under power.
I wish I would have done this sooner, the car is a dream to drive now.
I highly recommend this for anyone who has significant HP out back...

[martin]

Interesting! Pls remind us of the specs on that car, weight, tires, etc.

[Ohio Tom (DdK)]

73 std, full weight and glass.
135's up front with M+H DOT's out back
Turbo 2110 drawthru. 225hp to rear wheels.
Runs 11.30's in the 1/4mi.
 This is primarily a street car. I take it to the track once in a great while just to get a time slip. Otherwise, it's a grocery getter...

[Gabetion2000]

Hi Tom,
Do you thing it would be benificial to put bigger torsion bars on 180 crank hp ( 73 super). I was just at irwindale and went 8.56 at 80 mph. My 60 was 1.94 on radials. But im getting a little bit of wheelhop.

Thanks
Gabe

[brookester60]

I went with 27mm bars on my 1960 turbo street car and I would have to agree. With my stock bars, I would almost touch my rear apron when I launched at the strip and I noticed that it would create so much negative camber that just the inside of my radials were in contact with the pavement.

[Ohio Tom (DdK)]

Gabe. I don't think it wil help your E.T's much, but it will make the car feel much more "Under control" when you are on the throttle.

Example.
I have 30mm bars in my race car. 2 weeks ago, at the pittsburg Classic, I was just shifting into 3rd gear when I hit a patch of oil on the track.
The car pulls pretty damn hard when you hit 3rd gear (turbo 2332). Plus I was going somehwere between 70-80mph when she broke loose and headed for the wall.
I was able to lift and recover the car without issue. No wagging of the tail or anything. Just straightend right out.
I never fealt as thou I might lose it.

Hard to describe other than that confidence it gives you when you are on the gas.

[Gabetion2000]

Its always good to have more control. Maybe ill try going with some 28mm torsions to see how it feels.
Thanks
Gabe

[chuck]

Tom,
How much does your turbo street car weigh? I am going to a 28mm bar also in my heavy 2000lb car with me in it.

[Ohio Tom (DdK)]

It's a full weight 73 std. 1800lbs. w/o driver.

[maui]

With IRS it is a handful when you get a little loose at high speed and the 28s help. With me, I went a cheaper way with my straight axle [what I had in my garage from long time ago] is a camber comp and koni adjustable shocks, and solid mounts and traction bar to get the same results at any speed. She launch hard and straight and that how we ran um from the 70s but I'm sure even the 28s would help me even more but for now I'm happy. Now if I go turbo like you I would have to rethink everything.