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Obviously sprints use them and there is some debate in that world between torsion bars and coil-overs and I don't necessarily want to get into that debate. But I am curious if anyone has tried something like this on a late model or what people's thoughts are on why it would or would not work.
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I'd imagine someone smarter than me could make it work.
Torsion bars are more linear in rate than coil springs. -
The bar is, but geometry is what makes it non linear.Originally posted by Lizardracing View PostModern Day Spec Wedge RacingComment
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Dusty Chapman tried them in late 90’s at Brownstown and Twin Cities. I believe he modified a warrior chassis to use them. He was always thinking outside the box.I think there should be lifeguards in the genepool.Comment
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Interesting...I know Dusty and have raced with him quite a bit. I'll have to ask him about his experience with it.Comment
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He and his father were pretty smart folks. Always trying something different.
Newer shock technology may lend a hand in getting it to work.
From what I remember they tried it on the rear. Not sure if they tried on the front.I think there should be lifeguards in the genepool.Comment
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Was on one of Audie McWilliams cars a number of years ago. I actually know where the rear clip is believe it was on a early 2000 Rocket and if I not mistaken they made it illegal a number of years ago.Shocks by BGR armyComment
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I just found Lucas Oi rule 12.21.G. Springs must be made of steel. Torsion bars are not allowed in rear.
And UMP/WoO rule 15.10.A.2. Rear suspension must utilize either coil or leaf spring.
Neither say anything about the front. Now I'm really curious as to why that is.Last edited by Matt49; 11-11-2017, 04:34 PM.Comment
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It's been in most sanctioning bodies rules for as long as I can remember, that they were not allowed and that is going back to the early 90's. Most just said no torsion bars but like I said it did vary some.Originally posted by Matt49 View PostComment
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Probably because they were stock on the mopars from the factory. Pretty sure some old Chrysler guys tried running them when the old 70’s cars were actually a late model car.Originally posted by Matt49 View PostComment
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i remember a guy running a Plymouth duster in street stock several years back , the stock duster bar was to soft so he took a newport bar, which was to stiff and kept turning it down on a lay some how till he got it where he wanted it , he won a few races with it.......Comment
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We ran torsion bars at the old Waukegan Speedway back in the 60's when it was paved. Ran '57 to '64 Ford chassis... one car had four wheel bars the other just rears.
That was back when your innovations weren't hampered by tons of rules.
The cars were fast but not much faster than the guys on coil or coil/leaf suspensions. We had an 18" wide tire rule and those big meats made everybody quick if they had the horsepower. We ran big block Fords... the tunnel port 427 did blow away most of the Chevies but the guys I crewed with always broke something due to poor prep or maintenance.
The whole deal for us was trying to get the unsprung weight down... then we bolted on a 100# tire/wheel....Member of the Luxemburg Speedway Hall of Fame
Class of 2019Comment
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Cool info, guys. Thanks!
My thoughts on it are more related to how it would "free up" the shocks to work a little more efficiently. From what I'm told (and I believe it), coil-overs put a certain amount of side load on the shocks and that creates unwanted drag inside the shock. Maybe I should just consider trying hydraulic spring perches rather than redesign an entire race car.Comment
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I would definitely go with the hydraulic spring perches. Before doing this definitely.
I am thinking of working on a Canti-lever 4 link. Get the spring off the birdcage.
I am a mod guy so nothing in my rules about it.(that I have ever seen)
I am going to definitely work on one for the rf shock.I think there should be lifeguards in the genepool.Comment
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cantilever just on the left side?Comment
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