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462avi

I had a conversation with a friend who owns an A1 vw rabbit. It dawned on me that my car shares some suspension components with vw. So here is the question. Has anyone looked at Early VW performance suspension for upgrades to our cars? For example Tubular Lower Control Arms for the front suspension. Just a thought.

Geoff
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2005 C230K
2002 grand cherokee with 4.7L

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

I have VW Rabbit control arms on the front of my 924. $30 vs $130 for the Porsche equivalent. I don't see why performance tubular control arms for a Rabbit wouldn't work.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Peter_in_AU · Joined: 29 Jul 2001 Posts: 2743 Location: Sydney, Australia

now there's a great thought.
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1979 924 (Gone to a better place)
1974 Lotus 7 S4 "Big Valve" Twin-cam (waiting)
1982 924 (As featured on Wikipedia)

Learn to love your multimeter and may the search be with you

Khal · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:46 pm Post subject:

From an article I posted some time back:

"The engine was Audi's 1984cc LT commercial unit with an overhead cam head from VW. Suspension used Superbug bits, VW Scirocco lower control arms and steering, and disc/drum brakes from the VW K70."

I've wondered ever since then whether, if someone had the time to do all the parts cross-referencing, we could take advantage of the huge amount of work that's been done on hi-po VW parts? The problem is knowing exactly which parts were used where. It would be a Herculean effort to track down and cross-reference all the part numbers, then search out all the upgraded/after-market/hi-po replacement parts available. But I've got my suspicions it may yield some great upgrade options...
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'80 924 Turbo

924RACR · Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:09 pm Post subject:

That's where my front spherical bearings come from - they're VW A1 chassis aftermarket parts, and cheap - only $285 a set. The equivalent parts from Racer's Edge are about $500 IIRC. Of course, the RE parts are a much nicer design, and I'd go with them next time around...
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Vaughan Scott
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'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
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20v924 · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 205 Location: Phoenix,AZ

The suspension is derived out of necessity from parts already in production. The control arms are not the same but can be used as the VW units have no sway bar tab. The struts are from a super beetle as well as the rear trailing arms. The brakes are unique to the 924 but the drums were sourced from the ROW VW product line. I like to call this:
Parts bin engineering at its best! The door handles give it away as to the bloodline of this car.

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A person is smart. People are stupid

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

20v924 · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 205 Location: Phoenix,AZ

I have both parts in stock. seam-welded and powder-coated for all years. choose your color.

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A person is smart. People are stupid

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

20v924 · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 205 Location: Phoenix,AZ

I think you mean to say that the rabbit arms will fit directly to a 944 with the use of early mounts. The 924 sway bar cannot be used with the stock drop links with Rabbit arms. A simple tab can be made for this to work.
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Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

The 924 front sway (at least the 1980 version) bar can be adapted to the VW Rabbit control arms using the inbound holes on the VW items, without having to mount ears.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

You can use the hole in the arms to mount the links for the sway bar arms, but they are not designed for the that. If you do use them that way, the arms crack. I have seen lots of ruined arms that people have done this do that indicates that the arm holes must be reinforced if you are going to go this less expensive direction.

Since the holes are not located where the original mounts were, the angle that the links hit the swaybar is also changed, which means that the swaybar will not act on the car with the same force that it would will the original factory links in the designed locations.

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

True, with this method the arms must be reinforced at the holes, just as they should be seam welded before installing. The angle of the drop links is changed, but I've noticed no difference in hard street driving. Maybe if you track the car you would notice a change.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

20v924 · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 205 Location: Phoenix,AZ

Why not do it right?
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A person is smart. People are stupid

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Welding plus rabbit a-arms is much cheaper than the $130 each 1980 Porsche a-arms with the ears pre-welded. I don't usually skimp on parts, trust me I've got the binder of receipts to prove it, but I just couldn't stomach the price of Porsche a-arms when there was a reasonable alternative.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan