brat handeling

[lonnie]

working with 85 brat and want to reduce roll.

 

replace all shocks

 

replaced sway bar with larger one from RX, however could not find new bushings.

 

question: has anyone used metal bushing as part of bar mount. am guessing there would be some vibration transmitted to body, however this may help reduce roll. also, anyone know of rear sway bar application for brat?

 

thanks for help.

[edrach]

Whiteline makes a rear swaybar for the brat. I installed one on my '84 and it improved handling quite a bit. Only downside is that Whiteline's instructions are generic and totally useless for the Brat. I believe I posted our installation on the USRM a while back.

 

Here's the thread: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=76011

[lonnie]

Whiteline

 

this is really great many thanks. do you have contact info for them.

[GeneralDisorder]

EA82 turbo rear sway bars fit better but you have to weld the brackets to the control arms after you cut them off the turbo control arms. The fit is as close to stock as you can get though.

 

GD

[edrach]

Whiteline

 

this is really great many thanks. do you have contact info for them.

Google is my friend:

http://www.whiteline.com.au/default.asp?page=/swaybars.htm

 

 

Local supplier is Rallitek in Portland. I'm sure there are others. http://www.rallitek.com/ Tell them edrach at the USMB sent you.

[edrach]

EA82 turbo rear sway bars fit better but you have to weld the brackets to the control arms after you cut them off the turbo control arms. The fit is as close to stock as you can get though.

 

GD

I don't think we had to weld the Whiteline version. Worst part was figuring out how it needed to be mounted since the generic instructions had it pointed in the wrong direction for the Brat.

[GeneralDisorder]

I don't think we had to weld the Whiteline version.

 

Probably not, but the way it's mounted looks cheesy. And even though it has to be welded, the EA82T rear sway is going to be cheaper.

 

I'm sure either would work, but the way the EA82T bar functions makes more sense to me and it was designed for the same type of trailing arm setup.

 

GD

[lonnie]

so is the ea82t application you suggest generic in that i could take the rear sway bar from any ea82t and adapt to my use 1985 brat?

[edrach]

so is the ea82t application you suggest generic in that i could take the rear sway bar from any ea82t and adapt to my use 1985 brat?

I think that's what GD said. Just be sure that you'll be able to weld in the portion that he said. If I remember correctly you have to cut a part of the original bar off to get it to fit. I have neither the welding stuff for that install so I opted for the Whiteline; more expensive but do-able for me.

[carfreak85]

I've done a few things in my own quest for "handling." I have an XT6 rear anti-roll bar and DIY mounts that have yet to be installed. If you want to make your own mounts, get some 1" square tubing and cut it into 2 seperate 3" lengths. Then cut it down the middle lengthwise, giving you four U-shaped brackets. If you saved the EA82T brakets and bushings, it is an easy job to drill a hole for the nut/bolt combo and a slot for the... Better yet, here are a few pics:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is where the brackets need to be welded on your semi-trailing arms:

 

 

 

 

Like I said, I haven't done the install yet, but the pictures were e-mailed to me by a fellow board memeber who had.

 

As for the front anti-roll bar, try to grab one from an EA81 equipped with and automatic transmission, or a turbocharger, or both. If it is a turbo, the front springs will lower it a little and are a tad stiffer too.

 

Or you can source a front or rear bar from Addco. They will even give you a deal if you order both, and they pop up on ebay from time to time. About $150 each if I remember correctly.

 

2WD front struts have a spring perch that is mounted lower on the strut housing, which will lower you front end another small amount and at the same time increase your front suspension travel.

 

Reclock the rear torsion bars to lower the rear end. This will also have the effect of making the rear suspension slightly stiffer. Be aware that you will probably have to trim your rear bump stops if you reclock the rear torsion bar. I only rotated the bar one tooth, and I was nearly resting on the bump stops.

 

I have done all this, minus the rear bar to my EA81 turbo wagon, and it is pretty entertaining to drive quickly. Much better than it was origionally, and would be even better with some additional negative camber, but as it sits, I'm around 0* at the front which is unheard of for an early Subaru.

 

 

Good luck with your quest for handling!

[edrach]

Or you can source a front or rear bar from Addco. They will even give you a deal if you order both, and they pop up on ebay from time to time. About $150 each if I remember correctly.

Interesting, looking at the Addco rear bar on another member's Brat, I saw how the Whiteline swaybar needed to be mounted. They are virtually identical (if I remembered the name correctly).