My subaru 1302 build thread

[Bug@5speed(US)]

Eatoniashoprat,

From some of the pics that our work firewall permits it looks like you are running the topline struts (page1) with the Bilsteins and 150 lb springs upfront, as well as topline swaybar and a strut bar, correct?

In the back it looks like, no sway bar, a kafer bar, and those white struts which I can't read or remember who makes, is that correct?

Definitely sounds like the front is sprung a little too stiff when compared to the rear.. hence your comment about thicker TB in the rear?

Couple of questions, were the bilsteins valved or designed for the weight of those springs? While this won't address your turn in issue, I am curious as to the setup, and how the car handled (transition of weight, front to back, side to side).

Having tracked an AWD, a frt Engine-rear wheel drive and a front engine-front wheel drive, puts me at a knowledge disadvantage with how the rear engine-rear wheel drive aught to be set up or handle.. but me thinks lifting 3-4" is a little much.. but not uncommon, as seen in some BMW such as the e30.. guess my point, and I am assuming since you make a comment about new to this.. is that be careful, not to make the car to difficult to drive on the track. Find something that eventually has a little understear and somewhat forgiving.. Coming in hot into a corner about 80 mph in a turbo AWD, and going sideways is not fun, but punch it and the front grabs and pulls you through it, did the same driving my old 330, and it was a little different in experience.. both cars were pretty balanced and could induce a little overstear to help get the rear round quickly if I needed, but under most conditions they were neutral with a little understear.. I use to run (hopefully, next year we get a car out to the track) in the north east, and places like Watkins Glen can be dangerous (125+ straights) if you have a tail happy car.. as can be see by the many Porsches that end up in the wall while lifting to quickly.. There is an art to getting those things to rotate, but I will be right behind you relearning in a few years.. for now I am just a by-stander..

Don't forget tires, brake pads will be part of you upgrade path to more speed..

Depending on the type of track and how these cars handle (SBs) you may want to play around with Springs Lbs vs torsion bar size, vs swaybar size..
Some cars like not having a rear sway bar and running heavy springs and TB, with appropriately matched strut cartriges..

Food for thought, but I am interested in your set up, as I may be ditch my Topline struts for some 944 housings with some koni's (beetle, 944 or custom valving) for the front (unsure of spring weight yet) and TPLINE SB, and for the rear probably sticking with the koni's for the beetle or 944 with 944S SB..
Car will run slicks (avons or khumos), 944 turbo calipers and race pads to complete the package.
VR
Alex

[Eatoniashoprat]

Alex,

You have it right, and the rear shocks are kyb gas-adjusts.

Keep in mind that so far I've only had it doing auto-cross and a few high speed on/off ramps, I won't get to a road-course for awhile.

I knew that going to 150lb springs in the front was going to make it handle worse, but it was the first change I had to make because the topline springs (~70lbs/in) were so soft that I could grab the bumper and push it down to bottom, and I'm not a very big guy.

The Bilstien's are just the non adjustable sport versions (albiet very expensive) and I'm unsure of the valving on them but they are a good bit stiffer than the sachs GTI inserts that came with the toplines.

In my non-expert opinion it feels really good and very tight. With no throttle or engine braking it won't steer, under throttle its even worse (pushes straight), in autocross I can't get it to trail brake. On 60mph off ramps I can steer by trail braking but that's the only way to get it to turn, and you have to be going pretty fast for it to work.

Tires will come once I get the suspension more balanced. On an autocross track I can't imagine needing more brake, maybe once I get tires I'll notice. The 150lb springs helped the brakes out quite a bit, I think its because the topline springs were bottom out and then the tires would skid. I think that's still happening but under much harder braking, which I why I either need to get the front end another 1/2" higher or go with a progressive spring.

Like I mentioned earlier, next step will be 944 TB's and sway bar, adjust sway, and see how it works. Keep in mind I drive this car to work everyday and take frequent road trips so there will be SOME sacrifice in all-out race setup versus being street friendly.

Thanks for the comments

[Eatoniashoprat]

Also, this is an embarrasing question to ask, but in a super beetle in the front k-frame, near the sway bar mounts there are two holes. I don't have any bolts in there, there is a little tab above them on the body but it didn't look like something you would bolt to.

I bought this car completely stripped down and part of the front end had been replaced, is the body supposed to be tied in to the pan there? It would seem to make sense?

Its my first beetle, don't judge me, lol

Mike