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Which compensator is better? original or scat?
pete wood - February 2nd, 2014 at 07:39 AM

So after my first motorsport event, I need to fit a camber compensator. What I'm wondering is, which sort is better?

https://www.classicveedub.com.au/cvd_ne  ... s_id=15377
The scat style "push up" sort...

Or the oldschool sway a way reissue...
https://www.classicveedub.com.au/cvd_ne  ... s_id=17992

They'll cost pretty much the same, so which do I choose?


Camo - February 2nd, 2014 at 11:37 AM

Pete,

neither of those links are working for me. Will make it harder for people to answer.

Kev


Craig Torrens - February 2nd, 2014 at 12:20 PM

http://www.classicveedub.com.au/cvd_new/part_detail.aspx?parts_id=17992 

http://www.classicveedub.com.au/cvd_new/part_detail.aspx?parts_id=15377 


oldtub356 - February 10th, 2014 at 09:31 AM

I like these....except for the cost...shipping would be extreme.

http://www.356enterprises.com/SuspensionAndBrakes.html 

These are adjustable, the fronts should be too.

The outsides mount on the lower of the x3 SpringPlate bolts - with a longer bolt.
I also use a turnbuckle at BOTH ends.
Should be able to home make one - used to be a car spring manufacturer at Penrith??

Also needs a locator to stop swivelling on the centre..on 'push-up'.

Do a search on racing Isuzu Bellets and Triumph Spitfires to see what they have done. (scary).

Because this set-up provides a variety of potential suspension tuning arrangements...everyone has their own favourite set-up opinions ....I definitely don't want to get into that discussion!!


pete wood - February 10th, 2014 at 06:12 PM

Have you ever used one?


hellbugged - February 10th, 2014 at 06:48 PM

Contact Greg Mackie, he will push in the right direction.


HappyDaze - February 10th, 2014 at 07:37 PM

Daimo, I can't comment on any proprietry compensating spring, as I have always made my own.....the first was in 1960.

There are a number of things to consider in the design of the spring....such as the type of car, what it will be used for, wheels & tyres, etc. Formula Vees [as a rule] use the 'compensating spring' as the only rear suspension, with 'zero roll-resistance', and droop-limit cables or rods.

Pete, I would suggest you do some research, and 'get your head around' the whole swing-axle thing. Just bolting on a spring possibly may not help at all. My 1.5c worth.:smilegrin:

Cheers, Greg


hellbugged - February 10th, 2014 at 07:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by HappyDaze
Daimo, I can't comment on any proprietry compensating spring, as I have always made my own.....the first was in 1960.



Cheers, Greg


I'd say that's a shove in the right direction then.

Exchange phone numbers, Pete would learn a shirt load from a few minutes of your time. You have lots of knowledge to impart on us mere mortals


oldtub356 - February 10th, 2014 at 09:05 PM

Yes, I agree.

Pete, It depends upon what sort of racing that you are doing. If Historic, you will need to research what mods/aftermarket bits are allowed in Groups Na/Nb. I know that Compensator/Regulators are allowed on 356s in Class Sa/Sb for all years, even though they were first used in 1959.
Last year, Vic Skirmants...who makes the Regulators (above), did couple of races at Eastern Creek with his regulator installed and timed at '1:55' in Group Sa with a 1500cc engine. The car sat dead flat everywhere.

I have had two road cars with a Regulator. The first was one that I made and it replaced the factory Compensator. It was about the same length as the ones that you mention above but with about three times the cross section. The other one, in my current 356 is a Kevin Pedders copy of the Skirmants bar but with only the single spring for road only use....with a matched front roll bar.

Find out what you are allowed in your Group of racing and suck Gregs brain dry... before he forgets it all.


sander288 - February 10th, 2014 at 10:12 PM

Comp springs are permitted in Na and Nb for beetles too.


pete wood - February 10th, 2014 at 10:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by HappyDaze
Daimo, I can't comment on any proprietry compensating spring, as I have always made my own.....the first was in 1960.

There are a number of things to consider in the design of the spring....such as the type of car, what it will be used for, wheels & tyres, etc. Formula Vees [as a rule] use the 'compensating spring' as the only rear suspension, with 'zero roll-resistance', and droop-limit cables or rods.

Pete, I would suggest you do some research, and 'get your head around' the whole swing-axle thing. Just bolting on a spring possibly may not help at all. My 1.5c worth.:smilegrin:

Cheers, Greg


Thanks Greg. I've spent the last few years looking into swingaxle stuff just out of curiosity. When I got the 56' I did so with the intention of making it go round corners properly and safely.

I'm not racing in a class per se, just doing khanas on dirt and the skid pan, maybe the odd lap dash at Marulan or similar. It's a road car that will do club days and drive home afterwards. I wish I could do something like your new black track car, but no cigar.

Love to hear your thoughts though. The car is essentially stock at the mo, did my first skid pan the other day, so I have something to work from now.


sander288 - February 10th, 2014 at 10:19 PM

You may find a rear ride height tweak and bigger front sway bar may achieve some good results. Greg Mackie helped me lower my car to get around 1.5 neg camber and that alone improved my Wakefield lap time by 7 seconds!! Only changes since have been bigger front bar 19mm and comp spring.
Difference between before and after is basically more composed handling with the comp spring.


HappyDaze - February 11th, 2014 at 07:08 AM

The '56 Cabriolet that I've just finished is completely stock in the suspension. The only mods are....Koni shocks, zero rear camber, and 5.5"x15" wheels. No comp. spring, no front A/R bar. The tyres are old GT Radials that came off the Spyder, a few years back. Is it fun to drive? :yes:

One area that is often overlooked is tyres. They can sometimes make more difference than any other change.

C.T. Hansen would be worth talking to about tyres.


pete wood - February 11th, 2014 at 12:16 PM

Ok, just replaced the back tyres with some cheapish 165s. Fronts will need some new ones soon though.

I was more thinking the comp as a way of ensuring safety.


HappyDaze - February 11th, 2014 at 12:59 PM

You want safety?......put the "cheapish" ones on the front, and get some "goodish" tyres on the back.


pete wood - February 11th, 2014 at 03:59 PM

Wow, really, I thought you wanted your best tyre on the front for steering and the worst tyre on the back for slidi... I mean... throttle control. :yes:

But seriously, what's your thinking behind this?