Shocks? Shocking!

[The Pirate]

Ok so now I need to ask some thing. I need to know what stiffnes my new shocks for the rear will need to be.

Here are the stats

1975 SB

T-4 engine

G50 0r 915 tranny

944 trurbo trailing arms early

944 breaks

Tires and rims undecided.

I will most likley need some stiffer torsion bars as well.

Any suggestions on torsion bar / shock combos for this ride?

[The Pirate]

Echo echo echo..........

[ricola]

Get some aftermarket coil-over dampers, that way they will be fully adjustable to your needs and you can add springs if you fing the torsion bars aren't up to the job..
Rich

[Bruce2]

It is my observation that you can go with a very stiff shock and still have a good ride. That's because a Beetle has a LOT of weight on the rear.

I found a pair of Koni Yellow Sport shocks on a 944 at the wreckers and put them on my Beetle. I set them at full soft, which is equivalent to a Koni red at mid setting. The ride is just fine.

[OldeFahrt]

Get some aftermarket coil-over dampers, that way they will be fully adjustable to your needs and you can add springs if you fing the torsion bars aren't up to the job..
Rich

Sounds GREAT! Where do I get those?

[ricola]

I presume you are in the US, then I guess hte best places to find advertisers are hot rod and kit car magazines, most of them use those types of coil-overs..
Here in the UK we have quite a few different manufacturers who will sell varying specs or even custom dampers. I've used AVO, Gaz and pro-tech in the past
Rich

[OldeFahrt]

Do you have any links? Model numbers? Specs?

[volkdent]

Look at Summit Racing's website, search for 'coilover shocks'. They've got a lots of stuff. They have a large selection, price is right, easy to get.

These are my QA1 double-adjustables:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/232501.jpg

Jason

[ricola]

Do you have any links? Model numbers? Specs?

Google the above names. For rears, I bought coilovers that are 15" extended, 10" closed length, for 1.9" ID springs..

My preference is going towards protech at the moment, all aluminium body and built to order with springs for about £200, I guess about $300..

Rich

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Rich

How did you come up with your specs/

Did you compare to a remmelle setup or similar..

Going similiar route.. any info appreciated..
Alex

[ricola]

For the length those are actually the same as a stock rear damper, I don't run extremely low so that works for me. If you go shorter you also get reduced stroke.
The two standard damper body sizes are to either take 1.9" or 2.25" internal diameter springs, the smaller ones fit, the bigger ones don't so easy choice there! The main clearance problem is to the trailing arm, also the size of the cup that the lower mount fits into.
For spring rates, there is a site that compares torsion bar diameters to coil-over spring rates which gives a good start for spring rates..

Hope that helps!
Rich

[OldeFahrt]

Can you link me to the coil v. torsion chart?

[ricola]

http://www.tech-session.com/kb/index.php?page=index_v2&id=22&c=4