Getting started with a VW in IT

[Greg Amy]

Nope, it wasn't the Volvo I was thinking of; it was the VX Racing Opel Astra. December 2004 Race Car Engineering, article name "Light Beam".

Quote: "When is a beam axle not a beam axle? VX Racing managed to stay the right side of this definition yet designed a suspension that brought four consecutive titles."

[rsportvolvo]

That Volvo S60 has a multi-link rear suspension. Pretty decent setup out of the box. Heck the S60 would make for a nice IT car for the FWD fans. The mono-arm strut is the cool part. I believe the Super Touring BMW's used a mono-arm setup to shift the bending loads to the upper mount. Unfortunately in IT we can't reinforce the strut towers so a less than tank like structure may not see the gains of this design.

The beam or live axle, whether FWD or RWD, is pretty much open in IT. It's just a matter of going the extra mile to design and fab it up. A good example of this for a FWD car is the World Challenge Nissan Sentra's from a few years back. They had a 3-link rear end. Everyone bitched until they actually read the rules. Then they appreciated it, although most begrudgingly.

Anyone have examples of IT folks exploiting the beam axle section?

[JLawton]

I'm not convinced the A1 can't be made competative at least on the shorter tracks. Horse power isn't everything. I'd love to give an A1 another try.

[JeffYoung]

I'd like to understand this thinking some more.

I know you can add a panhard bar (I have one), or a watts link, and any "traction bar." Sway bars are free. Bushings are too, essentially. But, you can't move suspension pickup points and you can't delete parts unless specifically allowed.

So, with my car -- live rear, RWD -- I can add a panhard, and basically any other bar I want attaching the rear to the chassis. but I can't move springs or shocks, or where the upper and lower links attach to the chassis. Yes, I know I can use air bushings on them and locate the axle using the free sway bar and traction bar rule, but other unbinding the upper linkes and adding a third link, not sure why you would want to do any of that.

I'm all ears though.

That Volvo S60 has a multi-link rear suspension. Pretty decent setup out of the box. Heck the S60 would make for a nice IT car for the FWD fans. The mono-arm strut is the cool part. I believe the Super Touring BMW's used a mono-arm setup to shift the bending loads to the upper mount. Unfortunately in IT we can't reinforce the strut towers so a less than tank like structure may not see the gains of this design.

The beam or live axle, whether FWD or RWD, is pretty much open in IT. It's just a matter of going the extra mile to design and fab it up. A good example of this for a FWD car is the World Challenge Nissan Sentra's from a few years back. They had a 3-link rear end. Everyone bitched until they actually read the rules. Then they appreciated it, although most begrudgingly.

Anyone have examples of IT folks exploiting the beam axle section?

[Knestis]

It's not as simple as "any beam axle is wide open."

The rear axle of an Golf/Jetta is literally an antiroll bar, by the definition in the GCR and in its function. Further, there's a specific provision in that definition that recognizes that an ARB can serve other functions - specifically, that it may locate the suspension. ARBs may be added, modified, or removed/replaced...

ERGO, that thing on the back of my Golf is free game - as long as it mounts in the stock chassis pick-up points and bolts to the stock stub axles, etc. I figure it would cost me a couple grand to make it happen - not counting someone actually doing some engineering math to help make sure it doesn't break in half.

Now, if it were a straight axle like on the back of an Audi, located by arms, the same allowance wouldn't apply.

K

[rsportvolvo]

Just copied from the ITCS posted at SCCA.com:

c. Suspension Control

1. Any anti‑roll bar(s), traction bar(s), panhard rod or watts
linkage may be added, removed, or substituted, provided
its/their installation serves no other purpose. The mounts
for these devices may be welded or bolted to the structure
of the vehicle. No suspension control mount or component
shall be located in the trunk or driver/passenger compartment
unless installed by the manufacturer as original equipment.
Traction bars used to control axle rotation shall be
one piece solid bar or tube. Heim rod ends may be fitted.

2. On those cars where an anti‑roll bar also acts as a suspension
locating device, the diameter of the bar may be
changed. Bar attachment and pivot points on the chassis
and control arms shall remain as stock, except as provided
for in these Rules, Sections D.5.d.1., and 3.

I can add, remove or replace any suspension locating device and the respective mounts. Looks pretty open to me. Hmm... de-coupled 3rd link:

http://www.unbalancedengineering.com/Camaro/TA/

**I am not referring to the trailing arms, shock or spring locations being altered. Those must remain stock.

[quadzjr]

speedlife: just buy my ITB VW gti and be done with it. there may be advantages to other VW's but typically a cost wise a Mk1<Mk2<Mk3 as you would expect.

[chewy8000]

Beran and Tom are building a MK4 golf, it will be interesting to see how it does. As Kirk knows there ain't nothin cheap about building a MK3...

[speedlife]

Yea I was looking at an 85' thats in the classifieds section. Former Bilstein cup car? Nice list of spares.

quadzjr what are you selling?

Has anyone had much luck tuning CIS on the 85+ MK2? Would you even be able to keep up with a tuned motronic car (as far as power goes)?

[fornetti14]

I just sold a MK1 IT roller for $600. You missed it!

[speedlife]

Going to check out an 85' ITB GTI this coming week. We'll see!

Funny thing is SCCA just called me yesterday to recruit me after I let my membership lapse last year.

[Knestis]

No way! I assume that was your region...?

K