4kq performance parts

[Rave Racer]

    Having had the opportunity to drive both Frank Dekat's and Eddy's 4000
Q's at the ice racing events, I'm sure both of them will say the same as I
am about to.  Frank put stock front springs in the rear to fix the rear sag
problem, but one side effect of the stiffer springs is a happy tail.
Technically all the sway bar is supposed to do is tie the rear end together
which helps, but isn't the solution.  As per Gran Turismo 3, of which I am a
great fan, the best quote I have seen so far is that the "sway bars should
only be considered the icing on the cake."  Stiffer springs are probably the
best help, and a solid sway bar should help considerably.  Remember, that's
not just stiffer, but stiffer then the front.... to a point.  Or, a la Dave
Hord.... build yourself a roll cage.  I had a site saved somewhere that was
basically suspension setups for dummies, but I lost it.  Someone here may
know more.  The thing about suspension is that it's personal taste alot of
the time and trial and error get to be expensive.   Point : try stiffer rear
springs... cheap, easy, quick.  A combination that is a true rarity in
Automotive tuning.

       Rave Racer
'89 Jetta 1.8L 16V GTX  gone but not forgotten
 http://www.vwot.org/members/Pete.html
'87 Audi 4000 Quattro Sedan    another victim of time
 http://www.audifans.com/registry/view.php?action=viewCar&carid=110
'72 Triumph GT6
 http://www.triumphowners.com/uploaded/34/50-50-111014_20raveracer-gt6-1.jpg
'83 Toyota Tercel (yoda)    ...is no more


>
> Message: 7
> From: lrickert at covad.net
> To: quattro at audifans.com,
> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 09:58:35 -0800
> Reply-To: rickert at whitties.org
> Subject: Re: 4kq performance parts
>
> >If I recall correctly, the front sway bar on a NON quattro 4000 is 22mm.
The
> >front on a quattro is 24mm.  Why not pull the front sway bar off a wreck
at the
> >wreckers and put it on the back?  It's pretty close to 25mm!
>
> I have put a front 4kq bar in the back and it works very well. You can see
> pictures of my install here: http://home.covad.net/~rickert/Audi.html
> It is really very easy and extraordinarily cheap (I spent a total of $10
and a
> couple of hours). I used two pieces of steel strap to attach the inboard
> bushings to the sub frame using the bolts that hold the tie rods on. I
used the
> stock metal brackets and made a square hole in the strap so they would
attach
> just like in front. (this will be clear when you look at a front subframe
> without the bar on it) I used the front end links and made some bushings
using
> big washers and rubber and nylon parts from the plumbing section of a
hardware
> store.  It works great and unlike the aftermarket options I have seen,
doesn't
> effect ground clearance. I have had it on for a couple of years and am
happy
> with it.
>
> Do note that nothing you can do will ever totally remove this car's
tendency to
> understeer. (other than adding tons of power and removing the front drive
shafts
> I suppose)  The combination of lousy weight distribution, awd and strut
> suspension mean that these cars will never be free from this curse. (what
is it
> they say about a pig in a dress) Anyway the rear bar helps but can also
get you
> into trouble if you are not careful or aware.
>
> I do not want to start this argument again but in my experience driving
around
> with the center diff locked does nothing to improve handling unless you
are
> driving generally straight in very slippery conditions. It also makes left
foot
> braking and handbrake turns much less effective. Test it for yourself on
the
> autocross or rallycross course and the clock will tell.
>
> Limited slip diffs or much easier changing hoses around to just locking
the rear
> would be better solutions for improving traction although with low powered
cars
> like our 4kqs working on the suspension so the front wheels stay oriented
> perpendicular to the ground is probably even a better way to go. You
should be
> able to do this with a bigger front bar along with stiffening up the
backend.
> (any comments? Do you folks running coilovers or other stiff fronts find
that
> they help to reduce understeer?)
>
> Luke
>
>
>
>