What qualities makes the 914 suspension, so archaic... Options

[olav]

I've been noticing a lot of people mentioning that the suspension system in a 914 is no match for modern suspension system. Some even mention that a Neon's suspension is better.

What are the problems with the 914's suspension that make it so uncompetitive with the newer cars?

Is it that the 914's suspension in some peoples cars is so old ie old bushings, shocks, torsion bars that are worn, etc that newer cars just have newer parts which makes them better or is the actual design of the suspension been superceded?

Just curious.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif)

[Thorshammer]

Ah the suspension, a ten letter curse word.

What makes a 914 a poor design? well it's not exactly a poor design. completely. But it is 30 plus years old and has some limitations. Using the stock components it is very good. Up to a point. The point some of us are speaking is geometry when lowered and things like camber curve and gain toe gain/loss in bump/droop.

Just remember, Suspension is a package, if it lifts the front wheels off of the ground or the rears, you are not getting all the cornering force you paid for in the rubber.OVERSIMPLIFICATION ! As for the commonly driven 914, replace the bushings, and the torsion bars/springs add a front bar and align the thing and it is probably more car than you will ever need.

For racing here are some of the details. Front a arms too short creates camber issues. Rear pick up points in the wrong position, (but this is debatable) I'll let youy know in a couple weeks. Car is somewhat flexible, needs to be stiffer. Standard bushings are not acceptable. only some delrin bushings done a certain way are acceptable, and bearings are only acceptable when the trailing arms are "reamed" to make them fit properly ie... in the same plane "which they aren't from the factory.

My set up:
225 lbs front springs
1 1/4 .110 wall front swaybar
930 Heim rod end coil over front suspension
Spindles moved up 22mm
.7Dgree - camber
4.0-4.3 dgrees of caster
1/64 toe out
Bilsteins

Rear:
275 LBS springs
Suspension pickup points moved up by CFR 3 inches
.7 degrees negative camber
1/8 toe in
Ohlins rear shocks

No rear bar.

This is my EP race set up on bias ply Goodyear slicks. I am fighting a rear grip on turn in issue, and exit on the gas, but that may be me with my foot in it too much.

Hope this helps,


Erik Madsen