Rear Torsion bar size for T3

[Clatter]

So, I am making the rear of my (already heavy) T3 even heavier.
A 915 transaxle and a T4 motor...

Looking at the different sizes of rear torsions, the decision is difficult.

The car will be street driven.
plus, there is no way to increase the stiffness of the front end like you can in a bug.

my experience with bikes has shown that when you stiffen one end a lot,
it transferrs more loading to the other end,
and makes that other end feel softer...

So,
Several people out there run 28 or 27 on the street in a light bug or ghia.
some others (Humble) say 25.5 is a good street/track compromise with a bug, even w/T4 power.

So...
maybe 26?

maybe 27?

Seems that the China Sway-Away copies are $150 vs. M030 25.5s on e-bay for the same price.

Anybody out there running bigger than 26?
Did it make the front end start being too soft?

[Steve C]

Hi

Is your car a station wagon? Station wagons only had the heavier rear bars and I'm sure the wagon had heavier front torsion bars as well.

BTW a T3 is a 3rd generation Transporter, Type 2 or Vanagon, you have a Type 3.

Steve

[evilC]

Why not use coilovers on the rear to add extra springing to assist the TBs? That way you can change the spring rate easily without all the hassle and expense of removing TBs. The only thing is that the top mount may need strengthening depending on the rate you use, say over 100lbs/inch.