Thread: Beam Bending

FYI, anyone with the intention of stopping by 2J's shop to watch, may want to check with the owner first to see if that's cool.

yeah i was going to email him back monday and check with him first.

That B14 in the first photo on 2J's website is my car. The panhard bar was done last summer. I had my beam bent a few years ago by Steve Foltz during a one day "party" in Atlanta. In talking with Joe at 2J, I think he bends the beam with heat from a torch. Steve's work was all done cold. Joe does his work on an alignment rack, so he can set it exactly as he (you) want. Steve's work was done on a garage floor with toe plates and years of experience regarding how much to overbend for the proper springback. Bending the beam cold generates a small amount of negative camber because the beam axis is not horizontal from front to back.
Bending the beam to zero toe makes a different car out of the B14. (much better) I would not drive one without this mod, even on the street.
Switching to a panhard bar makes a different car again. (much, much better) There are some trade-offs, so it might not be for everyone. Right now, I have bad AGX's that need to be replaced. I think that progressive springs (Hyperco) may allow too much initial deflection so I may need to change them to RM's. As the car rolls in a corner or with bumps, the body moves laterallly as it pivots around the end of the panhard bar attached to the axle. I think I calculated a 1" deflection produces about 3/16" lateral motion.
I'll be at the convention, so you can check out my set-up.
I think we should offer Joe a free track day if he brings his VQ B15 to run and does some instructing.

thanks for the information Old Guy. I know Hank said he is getting his done that Wednesday morning. I am going to call Joe and see if he can do mine after he does Hank's. If I'm already going to be in Atlanta, I might as well have him bend the beam.

hey Hank tried to PM you about this but your inbox is full.

Steve did mine a couple of years ago. I hope I never need to do another, it's hard to get a party going...

Joe at 2J racing in Atlanta does it. I have mine scheduled for right after Hank's that morning.

+1, well, he did my B15 about 8-9 years ago. I'll probably keep this rear beam forever.

I just grabbed the last Wed June 5 appointment to get my beam bent (after pat and hank).

Hank & Pat - Are you guys getting the negative camber as well? Or just the toe correction? I'm contemplating getting the panhard rod. Would the panhard be worth it?

Panhard gets rid of the goofy SRL, so, yes I would say it is worth it.