hi, i am wondering if i could use the torsion bars from my s10 front suspension on a locost?
it will have a 4.3 liter chevy v6 and the chassis is going to be built by the mcsorley +4 plans.
if they can be used, how should i build the wishbones to work with them?

Thanks
Dave

Only problem is that once installed you have little or no flexibility in changing spring rates. You will also have to look at where you will move the stresses in the chassis to. Is there much financial benefit over coil-overs?

Certainly the most effective way of reducing unsprung weight/mass but the detail design and sizing of the bar has hidden pit falls also a very high standard of finish is required on the bar and spline to prevent premature failure.

It might be worth looking at the compound torsion bars on some Honda models such as the late 80s Civc/Ballade/Rover213.

[Edited on 25/8/05 by britishtrident]

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Originally posted by britishtrident
also a very high standard of finish is required on the bar and spline to prevent premature failure.

[Edited on 25/8/05 by britishtrident]

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Torsion bars really need careful design of the ends + good standard of finish + shot peening.

Morris tried getting away with shot peening on the early Minors but had to go back to Issigonis original requirement for it. They made the same mistake with the Marina.

The Horizion bars gave a lot trouble after Chrysler/Talbot switched production to the Spainish plant --- Ryton/Linwood/Poissy took a lot of the blame for the quality problems in the Chrysler (Spain) plant. In contrast the Alpine and Simca 1100 ranges rarely broke torsion bars.

Look a E-type Jaguar front suspension :
double wishbones with longitudinal torsion bars

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Originally posted by dpriest
hi, i am wondering if i could use the torsion bars from my s10 front suspension on a locost?

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Originally posted by andkilde

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Originally posted by dpriest
hi, i am wondering if i could use the torsion bars from my s10 front suspension on a locost?

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What year is your s-10 Dave? I'd swear my wife's '92 has coilsprings in front -- I'll have to tuck my head underneath to check...

Cheers, Ted

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