Torsion Bar suspension set ups.

I am going to state up front I did search all different kinds of ways...

I'm looking for someone that has a build thread with someone setting up of longitudinal front torsion bar set up.

seen some pics, but on completed cars with stuff in the way

Any leads?

thanks
levi

 

I to would like to see more info on this. there was a 29 2 door tub at the nsra Louisville nationals a few years ago that had torsion bars. they were hidden in the frame rails. I was told they were racecar stuff but never could get any more info.

 

I agree I haven't seen a lot of info. Just enough to make me wonder.

 

Search sprint cars.

Better yet,
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=740789&showall=1

 

Check my build thread in my signature. The Chemical City Coupe uses torsion bars front and rear.

Ch***is was built by Jokerr Fabrication using a combination of sprint car parts and one-of custom stuff.

Let me know if I can be any help.

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http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356019&highlight=16+years+in+the+making

Prego, it's in there

 

A friend of ours, Jim, from another forum, has a cool little A coupe with torsion bar suspension front and rear. He is an old sprint car guy and used sprint car parts and technology to do it. You would never know it was on the car unless he told you, it is totally hidden behind the frame.

Don

 

my deuce roadster has front and rear longitudinal torsion bar suspension, but i bought it that and have no idea who or what. it really rides and handles great, but a little ugly and certainly not a HAMB setup.

i suspect its re-engineered chrysler stuff, and i need to find out!!

 

Have you looked at the pictures on Moal's website? http://www.moal.com/04_gallery/10moalch***is/index.php?directory=.&currentPic=6

Not sure if they show everything you need but there is quite a bit of detail visible; here's one pic for example:

 

Parallel bars aren't used much, on open wheel race cars, anymore but here's a example of how they use to be set up.

 

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Here are a few quick highlights of my ch***is...



















And all ****oned up...






In posting this, it's became apparent that I really need to get some better, more detailed pics of the suspension. Oh well...


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This A has the bars running in the frame in the front then the arms set in the wishbone yoke. The back are parallel with the arms facing forward. We also mounted the axle over the frame to get the car low yet still have plenty of trunk space.

 

If it's the one that I am thinking of, Lee Osborn built that '28 tub. Last I knew of it, a guy named David Wilder owned it. Here's some pictures that David sent me of the tub and his sedan.

 

I bought a torsion bar front end from Gibbons and installed it in my 55 F100....in less than 6 Mo, I jerked it out and installed a 71 monte suspension clip...then it was like night and day..

The worst riding vehicle I ever drove was that torsion bar suspension....!!!

Even their own 56 F100 had a volare and not their own kit in it.....told me all I needed to know.

 

Someone told me about using the Volare setup in a 40 Ford pickup; Sounded interesting; I never saw this setup in use,...anyone ?

4TTRUK

 

Wrong! One ride in a poorly designed system does not mean they aren't done properly and don't work. One ride in a C body Mopar will give you a Cadillac ride as good as any Cadillac. 1" t bars in a 60's B body will give you a seriously good handling road car.

You have to know what you're doing and get it right before deciding. Cross mounted bars are too short for a street car and can't give the proper spring curve. That's why even new cars/trucks use longer parallel bars for suspension and cross bars are used as anti sway bars.

 

Very cool! I have a '37-41 axle and wishbone and have given some thought to using it with the torsion ars that are already in my '36 pickup, currently riding on a complete early 80's Toyota ch***is.
Fixing up the rear that way would sure clean it up, too.

 

Agreed. My 61 GMC's front suspension is smooooth (for an old work truck). The rear coil-overs, not so much

 

That is a bad example. Dwight Bond told me a few years back that they/Gibbons could never make that Volare based setup work so they quit selling them. One of the issues we had fixing a customer car was that all the pieces didn't fit with the same geometry as the stock Volare. Mix n match plus bad geometry make for a ****ty setup not the fact that it was torsion bar.

Great thread BTW.

 

BTW...the '28 tub was in R&C, Jan 2002, page 64.

 

D'O'D...

Have any good shots of the sway bar arm to wish bone connection?

 

DAMN! This inspires me to do a build like that... Great info.

 

Check mine out here http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=685236

 

Schroder, the steering box people, also sell T-bars and arms. They have a lot of engineering data on there site.

http://schroedersteering.com/OWbarsPage.html

Moal sells their bars as a kit. About $6K an end if I correctly recall.

 

Kona, I ***ume you mean the torsion bar to wishbone connection?

I can take better pics pictures when I get home. I'm up at the cottage for the weekend.

Also, keep an eye out for the Chemical City Coupe in Street Rodder Magazine. The photo shoot happened a couple of weeks ago and I expect the feature in about three to four months. I'm excited to see the car get some print.

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Can a salvage yard torsion bar system be used ***uming the vehicle weights are the same?
Has anyone used one? The aftermarket are pricey.

 

I'll call ******** on the aftermarket parts being pricey.

Grab a speedway race car catalog, sprint car parts are relatively cheap. Whats expensive is the talent to make them work in a hot rod.

The pre-sorted and pre-engineered kits are expensive, but the individual parts are affordable.

If your crafty and can get some input from someone who has "been there, done that" the cost of a torsion bar set up is reasonable.

Just sayin'...

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This picture does not show the roller that attaches to the inside top of the bat wing. If you look closely you can see the hole through the bat wing knuckle that takes the bolt that holds the roller in place. A very slick bit of engineering.

 

With bars just like with coil springs it is very easy to adjust and get the right spring rate also man do they go though a corner just plain fun!

 

I sell all the torsion pieces as well. You are right, they are pretty affordable, that 6K number is crazy!