Thread: Beam Bending

I really don't care what it is anymore, it's nice not being on the ditch with the nose when I boost in a turn.

As for jacking points, interesting, I've always used two spots by where the the exhaust bends (on the p11). B15 doesn't have those spots so I've always been struggling with it. SRL it is now!

Interesting, I think I would be very disappointed to not notice the improvement of a bent beam or panhard bar on the street after having gone to the trouble of the upgrade. I'm really considering this. I'd like to believe that even small differences like replacing worn bushings are noticeable to me, but who knows. A more planted feel through turns, especially in the rear would be nice. I'm really just looking to take the driving feel and feedback up a notch without adding any more nvh to the car. I had thought about starting with a bent beam or panhard bar and then adjusting with sway bar choices, but you guys seem to be saying that's a bad way to go.

I also have used the rear beam as a jack point since "day one" 17 years ago... no issues yet.

Go back a few posts and read my note. The bent beam to zero toe was noticeable to me as soon as I took the first corner. I can feel the difference even on the street just making normal turns. The panhard bar is noticeable when you start cornering hard. The rear end stays put, doesn't lift. The car corners flat and the rear end just follows the front wherever it goes. It is not so noticeable in street corners, but does show up on X-way ramps and tight curves.
The zero toe beam makes the car feel completely different. It needs to be done. Changing lanes on the freeway is no longer a "pitch and catch" proposition. The car tracks much better. The extra money for a panhard bar has to be a matter of personal preference. If you are not planning to do this before the convention, you can ride a couple of laps with me to feel what the panhard bar does.

After having the beam "bent" by 2Jracing last week, my impressions mirror Old guy's. It definitely a noticeable improvement. I also think the very precise front end alignment Joe @ 2J did, contributed a lot in turning my car from a butter knife into a razor.

In hindsight, I should have just bit the bullet and just gone all the way and have the panhard put in. The lift from the rear roll center being so high on the scott russell setup is definitely noticable on the limit. After having a long conversation with Joe, he assured me the panhard is fine for the street. He has many customer cars on the street with this setup and none of them has issues going over speed bumps etc. Which was my initial concern with the panhard. If I lived closer to 2J, I'd be back there to have the panhard done as soon as I had the $ saved.

After replacing the rear AGX's and mounts, I can definitely say that the panhard bar is fine for the street. I still have an annoying rattle on the right rear and I may need to return to 2J to have him pinpoint the source. I ran the rear AGX's at 6, so i have some room to stiffen them up. There are several pics of the car at mid-corner (Autumn Sunburst with a front bra) and you can see less lean on the front or the rear compared to other B14's. The bar hangs pretty low and the heim joints are all metal, so winter driving might cause some long term problems. i am definitely glad that I had it done.

Hank, if you come down to 2J, we have a spare room and can put you up for a couple of nights. We are about an hour southwest of the shop.

Just an update. I've been using the car for daily commute these past few weeks and I have to say, the "bent" beam and pro alignment really make this car a pleasure to drive on the street. For street use, you never really reach the point where it feels like it's running itself over, like on the track. I recently hooked back up the 1.6 front bar to take some of the lag out of the steering. I know it's going in the wrong direction as far as handling balance is concerned, but the response it gives now inspires more confidence. Which, in the end, could actually be quicker in the real world. It's also a little bit safer for raining days. In summary, for guys that don't track, the $250 that Joe charges is well worth it.

I think the best way the look at mods to the B14 rear beam car would be in stages something like this:

Stage 1: whiteline bar & poly bushing
Stage 2: stage 1 + front camber plates, 2J bent beam with 4 wheel alignment with 1.5-2.0 neg camber in front
Stage 3: stage 2 + 2J panhard bar + front/rear camber changes to suit needs

I would say all 3 stages could be used for street use as long as the neg. camber wasn't too crazy. So there you have it.

Hank, did you swap the rear bushings, or are you talking about the front ones?

All of them. Front and rear. The fronts are whiteline offset. I left the lateral link bushings stock.

Is the guy out in Colorado still bending beams? Anyone know?

:EDIT: Looks like this is Steve Foltz. Anyone know if he still lives out there?