Rear Suspension differences on 33

[fvk1976]

Hi All,

I've got a G reg 33 Ti - a late S2.. However, it appears that the floorpan is possibly S3, so it's maybe a bit of a Frankenstein edition? Underneath, there is a set of unused locating points for another pair of tie rods between the chassis, and the rear axle (it also has the lower location points for the strengthening bars on the chassis rails in the engine bay too)

My question is whether or not it would be worth sourcing an S3 rear axle with two pairs of tie rods? I have heard it said that the later rear suspension was superior, and wondered if the second pair of tie rods was the reason?

Any information, and/or opinion, would be most welcome.

Peace & Progress,

Joel

[fvk1976]

No one?

[Veesix75]

I was once told that :

The series 3 rear axle with both tie bars going forward induced / created a degree of 'rear' steering , which in theory should improve handling.

No idea if this is true, but Alfa changed it for a reason.

Someone more clued up on suspension and geometry may know for sure.

[PETROLHEAD]

Hmmm, interesting?

I'm pretty sure the best qualified to answer this would be Tom or Bryan of BLS,

I'll see if they can be nudged into the thread for you mate.


So far as my own input goes, i think the change of the arms layout was from a rigidity and roll angle, but could be wrong,

I have been once before! Lol!


Besides that, if you need an axle ive got one, which is probably where my assistance should cease! Ha ha!

[fvk1976]

Word Up Shrew,

What both you, and Veesix, are saying suggests it could probably be considered an upgrade. My memory of a 1.5 IE i once had was that it seemed to handle better in standard form compared to the S2 i got straight after. Had figured the difference was down to the S3 being a heavier car..

Would love to know what the chaps at BLS think, not least because what i have in stock form, is basically what's on Bryan's racer right?

Should've replied sooner, but broke my wrist last week in a collision with a car.. The bicycle is fubar and typing is a complete ball ache

Wasn't quite ready to start collecting the bits, and gonna have to push it all back for a few weeks at least, but would i need a complete rear axle, or can i simply add 2 more tie bars?

[PETROLHEAD]

Ouch!

Wrists are a horrid injury, i have a pretty much bionic left myself thanks to motocross, it still gives me grief 3 years on


If you already have the anchor points on the hub bracket, could you actually have a s3 axle on the car?

The BLS axle resembles a stock s3 axle in the central tube alone, pretty much everything else is customised, including panhard arm, hubs, brackets, susoension mounts etc

Pretty much everything except it has a tube in the middle! Lol!

[fvk1976]

If only it were my left! Looks like i'm stuck with the anti-w**k device for 12 weeks. Both wrists are pretty mangled after years of BMX, so it's familiar territory sadly. Looking on the bright side, at least it's cold and dark out, so is unlikely i'd have done much to the car over the festive/new year period.

I only noticed the pick up points whilst doing the last MOT, and haven't actually checked the hubs out properly
Strikes me that changing the hubs for S3 ones may prove easier than swapping the whole axle, so will have a good look next time i go start her up. Entirely possible i only need the tie bars.

I see what you mean about Bryan's axle, after seeing pictures elsewhere on here.. VERY nice. Am most interested in the panhard rod. Have read before that making an adjustable one is a good idea after lowering, as the whole axle shifts to one side due to the drop. is that correct?

[PETROLHEAD]

It is correct, but, it takes a pretty radical lowering to shift it significantly.

Your average 30ish mm sport springs arent likely to do squat to the axle alignment, but race set up, Worms Eye View as Tom calls it is where it becomes more if a concern.

Ill certainly be looking at making my own once i get tearing into the sud, and the bls way will be blatantly plagiarised im afraid to say!

[Veesix75]

As per Shrews comments, not sure you will notice the difference unless the arches are sat on the wheels

All my race cars have had standard rear axle / panhard rod and I've never noticed anything being offset to any noticeable degree to the eye.

I did have a bent panhard rod, and was told not to fit it when I asked a race car builder if I should.

I also bent one when I crashed and that did make the rear axle sit to one side to crab like degrees......I fitted a straight one to correct it!

The sprint racer is in hibernation now, but I will take a closer look next time it's being worked on post Xmas.