In a message dated 10/01/2005 9:02:56 AM Pacific Standard Time,
owner-mgs-digest@autox.team.net writes:
Paul,
MGBs seem to the work best with stiff front and limber rear suspensions. The
3/4" bar with poly bushes, negative camber A-arms, and uprated damper valves
is
probably your best bet. Forget the 5/8" bar with tires that wide. The 7/8"
bar
works best with a 1/2" rear bar (very hard to find),
____________________________________
I agree that a 3/4" bar makes the most sense with today's tires (much more
grip than in the old days).
I'd also consider upgrading to the stiffer shock valves, with the caveat
that putting these valves in thrashed shocks usually leads to an early demise
(of the shocks).
Anything beyond this gets into the off-road realm, but if you do nothing
else, you'll still make a tremendous improvement in handling.
BTW - I wouldn't bother with hard bushings for the street unless you are
competing - the MGB GT V8 metalastics make a very nice compromise between
original (which given the quality of replacement bushes usually lose no time
in
trying to split and deteriorate) and a really hard bush like Delrin, which
introduces unecessary harshness to the ride.
There is nothing wrong with compliance - I see people making the same
mistake all the time on other cars when they buy Konis - and set them to full
hard,
at which point their suspension has so little ability to comply with rough
road surface that they hit some washboard and chatter off the side of the road.
Cars set up to be really stiff just aren't that pleasant to drive on the
street, and even though youmight feel 'racy', it isn't worth it.
I use a 3/4" bar and stock shocks and springs on my street MGA.
I use a 7/8" bar and 900 lb. springs and decambered front end and stiff
shocks and 3 link rear end with Panhard, and solid bushes etc. on the race car
and believe me, it would not be fun on the street.
Bill
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