Suspension systems

[racer81]

So the new year has started and design has continued. I have the responsibility of putting together this year's suspension and was looking at various options.
Does anyone run any type of suspension other than classic coil over shock design?

Does anyone know anything about a torsion bar system? pros/cons?
I have looked in various areas and can not get a solid grasp on it.

Thanks for your opinions.

[racer81]

So the new year has started and design has continued. I have the responsibility of putting together this year's suspension and was looking at various options.
Does anyone run any type of suspension other than classic coil over shock design?

Does anyone know anything about a torsion bar system? pros/cons?
I have looked in various areas and can not get a solid grasp on it.

Thanks for your opinions.

[Peter7307]

No experience with torsion bars in this context but some thoughts are...

They have a really annoying habit of terminating in some inconvenient place like the mid point of a tube ;

They need a space in a straight line which may not be easy to find ;

Adjusting rapidly for changing circumstances can be done but it is an art well practiced first ;

They do allow for a low C of G and can be made to be a nice fit for aero (ie along the long axis of the vehicle and not across it);

Compounding the bars will save some space but may add to costs ;

Don't overlook other types of springing as well...rubber cones for instance.

Cheers and good luck ,
Pete.

[Chris Lane]

UWA run torsion bars. They tell us they are exceptionally easy to change, and they can choose whatever rates they like.

There's an article about their latest car in Race, an Aussie motorsport magazine