Quote:
Originally Posted by The WidowMaker
splined bars allow for easier packaging since you can get custom lengths and arms. the only real advantage is that you can swap bars to change the rate.
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Your first advantage for the splined bars was packaging. The easy to change rates are another, but not the only advantage. I needed them more for packaging. I have a very tight (space) rear section, alot of links. The packaging that the splined bar affords was a BIG advantage. My rear section is mostly modified aftermarket pieces. So there was no such thing as looking through catalogs for a formed bar.
I have splined bars on the rear and front.
Just recently got to take the car on its first drive, after 15 years of messing around. Oh man!! Lemme say, without any tuning of the suspension, not even a tweak of the adjustable shock valves the car is a flat turning car.
And this was only on semi high speed turns, 80 mph highway turns (in a 55mph zone). She was as flat as some of the better cars I have driven.
I havent pushed it on any tight turns yet, I dont have a course to go to. I want to get used to the feel of the car before taking it to the extremes.
I like to feel a car out on an open flat track to find out where the breaking point is. Where the tires break loose so I can get an idea of how its gonna react. I wont do that on the city streets. Limit testing HAS to be done on a closed track with no cars or hard curbs.
But so far I see the air ride suspension being years ahead of the 48 year old stock suspension.
Im gonna put 300 miles on the car then bench it. Ill raise it up two feet on stands and check EVERY suspension fastener and inspect the suspension for any odd wearing or rub marks.
Once I know she is still tight I will find a track and try to loop her. Yes, on purpose, just to find the break away point. I want to feel the limit of grip. If she doesnt break away before I reach my speed limit then Ill still be happy. But Id like to at least get a feel for when she breaks.
At this point I dont know if she is pushing or light at the rear. I havent been able to feel any of the extreme suspension handling yet. I have taken it trough some semi sharp turns on light throttle and it seems to be on the side of oversteer, no pushing at all.
But thats the tendency you have to be VERY careful with on the street, oversteer. A heavy, pushing car will give you more indication of traction loss before you get into trouble. An over steering car will feel great, almost too fast till she breaks free at the back side at the last second. NOT fun on a city street. Lots of fun on a track with enough HP, you have enough room to recover and throttle her back into the lane
Solly, I got side tracked. Umm,, I like splined sway bars. JR