Board Logo
Go To Bottom

Printable Version  
[ Total Views: 1415 | Total Replies: 6 | Thread Id: 76861 ]
Author: Subject:  To Narrow or not Narrow????
Memberjohnnyk
Casual Dubber
*


No Avatar


Posts: 48
Threads: 17
Registered: June 23rd, 2006
Member Is Offline

Location: Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )

posted on May 28th, 2009 at 11:02 PM
To Narrow or not Narrow????


Hello All,

I am in the process of updating the suspension on my 62 original Beetle and I have a few questions with regards to the front beam.

Firstly, I will let you know what I am doing:

Wide 5 Disc Brake (Front) upgrade using the Vintage Vee Dub kit - Narrows track by 6mm
Dual Master brake cylinder
Sachs super tourer shocks all round

I have already:
Installed a Camber Compensator on the rear
Upgraded the front sway bar


I would like to lower my ride by 1 - 2 inches, however, can not install drop spindles because of the disc brake kit.

What are the Pro's and Con's of a narrowed beam (apart from cosmetic)?
Would a narrow beam enhance handling, improve or worsen the drive quality?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
John
Member57 Chook Shed
Custom Title Time!
*****


Avatar


Posts: 1021
Threads: 116
Registered: October 23rd, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Adelaide Hills
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: ? No thanks.

posted on July 6th, 2009 at 10:01 PM



All I can say is if it is the look you are after then go for a narrowed beam.
I didn`t notice a huge difference in the way my Bug handled (with a 6 inch Narrowed Beam) but I didn`t push it that hard.
Sounds like you are more into the handling side of things and to be honest you shouldn`t have any tyre to guard clearance issues with just lowering 1-2 inches.
Just fit a pair of beam adjusters.
Graham.

Error
Sorry, you must be a registered user in order to download attachments.




One mans cancer is another mans patina

[img]http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?action=attachment&tid=87480&pid=815561&aid=84900[img]
Super ModeratorBizarre
Super Moderator
The artist formerly known as blue74l
*******

Rank Avatar

Avatar


Posts: 12755
Threads: 731
Registered: August 25th, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Abbotsford, Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )

posted on July 6th, 2009 at 10:31 PM



What wheel/tyre combo do you want to run??



Futue te ipsum!!!
Member68AutoBug
A.k.a.: Lee Noonan
Aircooled Master
Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138% - YIKES --
**********


Avatar


Posts: 11654
Threads: 449
Registered: August 31st, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: SCONE in UPPER HUNTER VALLEY NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Yellow
Mood: Really Mentally Ill - all of the time -

posted on July 7th, 2009 at 12:44 AM



Quote:
Originally posted by johnnyk
would like to lower my ride by 1 - 2 inches, however, can not install drop spindles because of the disc brake kit.

What are the Pro's and Con's of a narrowed beam (apart from cosmetic)?
Would a narrow beam enhance handling, improve or worsen the drive quality?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
John


Hi John,
I don't believe that by narrowing the front end You would get any enhanced or improved handleing...

Quality ride goes out the window so I'm told...
only drive on flat roads.... no bumps..

Just lower Your front end so that You can still turn etc without rubbing on the guards...

The only problem I have is when Im turning and hit a large bump/hole in the road... then the tyre is pushed up to the fender lip...

cheers

LEE

Error
Sorry, you must be a registered user in order to download attachments.


Error
Sorry, you must be a registered user in order to download attachments.




- [size=4]Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY--- [/size]
Memberblutopless2
Veteran Volks Folk
DAMSLO
*****


Avatar


Posts: 2457
Threads: 187
Registered: January 8th, 2004
Member Is Offline

Location: melbourne
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue

posted on July 7th, 2009 at 07:22 AM



lowering the car will impact the ride quality depending upon how it is done.. i have found that narrowing the beam has not effected the handling of my car.



see.... air and water do mix ;)

1974 1300
1997 MK3 Golf GL
2003 NB Cabrio
2012 Golf VI GTI
2014 Audi A4 Quattro
Member57 Chook Shed
Custom Title Time!
*****


Avatar


Posts: 1021
Threads: 116
Registered: October 23rd, 2002
Member Is Offline

Location: Adelaide Hills
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: ? No thanks.

posted on July 7th, 2009 at 10:05 PM



Quote:
Originally posted by 68AutoBug
Quote:
Originally posted by johnnyk
would like to lower my ride by 1 - 2 inches, however, can not install drop spindles because of the disc brake kit.

What are the Pro's and Con's of a narrowed beam (apart from cosmetic)?
Would a narrow beam enhance handling, improve or worsen the drive quality?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
John


Hi John,
I don't believe that by narrowing the front end You would get any enhanced or improved handleing...

Quality ride goes out the window so I'm told...
only drive on flat roads.... no bumps..

Just lower Your front end so that You can still turn etc without rubbing on the guards...

The only problem I have is when Im turning and hit a large bump/hole in the road... then the tyre is pushed up to the fender lip...

cheers

LEE


Hey Lee, sounds like you need to narrow your beam, that`ll stop that tyre to frnder lip problem!!
Graham.




One mans cancer is another mans patina

[img]http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?action=attachment&tid=87480&pid=815561&aid=84900[img]
Memberjohnnyk
Casual Dubber
*


No Avatar


Posts: 48
Threads: 17
Registered: June 23rd, 2006
Member Is Offline

Location: Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )

posted on July 8th, 2009 at 04:55 PM



Thank you everyone for your feedback.

I have decided to have adjusters welded into the beam and it will not be narrowed.

I have not installed the beam yet as I found some rust in the front heater channel as well, so I am treating that first.

I will post some before and after photo's once complete.

Cheers,
John


  Go To Top


Powered by GaiaBB, © 2011 The GaiaBB Group
(C) 2001-2024 Aussieveedubbers

[ Queries: 40 ] [ PHP: 12.0% - SQL: 88.0% ]