Cup style brace/ traction bar for Solo-2 (Auto-X)?
 

Do you guys think i would need a traction bar/cup brace for Auto-X (Solo-2) racing?
If any of you guys dont know what this is, Auto-x starts off with a "drag" style start then moves into a tight and twisty course around cones. Normaly lap times are a minute or less depeding on the track setup.

My Beetle is a 74 super, and i have a 1914cc engine in the works, maybe maknig 110-130HP. I will have 7"/16" inch rims on the rear.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Jonathan

I have heard only good things about the kafer cup stlye brace. I just installed mine on my chassis last night and you can hear the difference in the chassis when you tap on it with a hammer. Before it went "thud..." and with the brace it make "binnnnng..." sound. It just sounds more rigid to me just sitting there on jackstands.

Thanks... but i need to here from some one who has done Auto-X or used the brace in the same manner.

I do think it would help, but to spend 300 bucks on somthing thats not totaly needed or would not help a lot than i dont see why. I could make one my self (that i most likely will do) but again, spending TIME fabing out up and searching for parts is also an issue.

Later
Jonathan

Maybe if there is enough interest we could get another group buy started for a kafer cup brace. I got a sweet deal on mine. :)

BTW, I have a rear swaybar that I was thinking about selling. If you need one let me know. :)

Yeah, perhaps there is some strong intrest in another group buy? I know im intersted if i can get one for a good price. BTW how much did you fork over for yours durring that last group buy?

Ha.. funny you mention a sway bar, becuase as of 15 minutes ago i just instaled a 944 unit :P
Thanks for the offer though.

Later
Jonathan

I don't have a kafer brace, but I have autocrossed with and without a rear traction bar. I think you need something...i have to be very careful when I launch from start because I have huge sticky tires (225/50/15 Kumho autocross tires) and if I launch too hard, i get serious wheel hop...so I usually try and clutch launch it spinning the clutch instead of the tires.

Eventually I plan on getting a kafer brace, but for now, I just baby it a little off the start. For the most part, a drag race style launch doesn't do you much good in autocross. Watch the really competitive racers and most of them take a slow steady launch.

Nick

Me too. I found a 20mm swaybar with shackles and hardware for $30 shipped. I just had to order some swaybar clamps and make the bushing perches on the torsion tube. :D

I might be interested if it's cheap enough. What was the ballpark for the group buy last time?

I made mine and it was easy. Yes for autocross and roadrace it does make a difference. Less understeer, and stiffer rear suspension. also now no wheel hop.

could you give us some details on what materials to use, dimentions and perhaps where you got your supplies at in order to make our own.

Thanks,
Jonathan

I'm in SJ. I'm up for learning how to make one of these. PM me if you want to teach! I'm actually about to drop my subframe, so now would be a good time to get it all in order....

Finally somebody near me! I'm in Castro Valley. Not too close, but it works. Start by measuring between your shock towers in the rear. I beleive it's 32 inches. This will be the length of the horizontal top brace. Next are the two lower diagonal braces. Mine were 13 to 15 inches long. I will measure them, but length of these correspond to where you weld the lower frame horn tabs.

Just had a small earthquake.....

Get 6 feet of 9/16" id steel tube stock and 3 right hand thread 3/8" rod ends, also 3 left hand thread 3/8" rod ends, 3 rh 3/8" 24 nuts, 3 lh 3/8 24 nuts and
3 right and 3 left jam nuts for the rod ends. good luck finding the left hand jam nuts! I couldn't. ACE hardware has the best rod ends, Orchard supply also has them. The only tough part is making the brackets for the shocks. Buy some 2" wide 1/8" thick flat bar stock for this. I'll draw up a diagram for welding. Oh yeah.... 2 rear 944 long shock bolts.