Dave,
While I agree that using "used" parts is a good idea, finding a good used
swing-spring is a chore in itself. Most are already used up
and display either broken leaves or sagging ones. Either one of these render
the spring useless. Buying a new one brings you to the
cost of the complete camber compensator.
Bottom line is: The fixed springs on earlier Spits don't display the problems
of sagging and breakage as the later swing-springs do.
And if cost is a factor (as it usually is), most of the time it ends up being
cheaper (and always easier) to simply install the Kastner
designed camber compensator. All who have installed the units swear by them.
As I recall, Brad Kahler's initial comment was something
like, "Yehaw!!!"
Regards,
Joe
Dave Quirt wrote:
>
> Andy:
>
> See my earlier message.
>
> Yes, the improvement is significant - NO arguement. The old system
> allows for near-instantaneous 180 degree changes in direction when the
> rear wheel tucks in during spirited cornering. Been there, did that. As
> I had a '78 1500 parts car, I swapped out the complete rear end (diff
> and suspension) and the front bar. The disk wheels on my '70 were
> already 4.5", but I also put the 1500 wheels on just for looks - both
> had radials. The new set-up cured the end-swapping characteristic of the
> old system. There was still quite a lot of lean during cornering, BUT
> the tires stayed in proper contact with the pavement - and that's what
> counts.
>
> Bottom line?? Use used parts - going with all new parts will likely be
> cost-prohibitive.
>
> Dave Q.
>
> > From Andy Mace:
> > <snip>
> > And that's where the debate comes in. The later Spitfires, with
>swing-spring AND fatter front sway bar (needed to compensate for increased
>oversteer resulting from the swing-spring) arguably handle much better than
>the early cars without compensators. In fairness, I have never seen an honest
>comparison with the same vehicle equipped one way and then the other, and it's
>not fair to compare the relatively light-weight '63 on bias-ply Dunlop Gold
>Seals on 3.5" rims with the much heavier, say, '80 Spitfire on 5" wheels and
>155SR13 or better radials and a wider rear track!<
> >
> > To add the swing-spring setup, one does also need that fatter front sway
>bar, and one needs to plug two then-unused stud holes on the top of the
>differential. IF you figure on all-new parts either way, the swing-spring
>conversion is probably at least twice as expensive. Note also that the camber
>compensator really is NOT necessary on a swing-spring-equipped car (IMHO).<
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