Rear Sway Bar for 205

[DRTDVL]

PeterT originally recommended it to me.

The 306 has 2 different sized end plates for the arb a 24.xmm and a 25.xmm end - remove both end plates and measure the bar against the 205 arb and mark where the 205 bar ENDs on 25.xmm end of the 306 arb.

Double check you have the correct end, then cut the bar. CleAn the now cut arb and clean the 25.xmm end plate. Insert the cut end of the bar into the end plate and slide it all the way to the end. Now weld the end plate to the bar.

It's critical that you align the two ends with the end caps on before you weld to make sure end plates will mount properly - as the cut bar end rotates in the end plate it's pretty easy to do if you have a nice flat surface ( just put the other endplate on before welding).

The downside is you always have to remove from the welded side, but you now have a cheap 24mm arb for the 205.

Same thing can be done for the 309 and 405(I think).

The 306 s16 and gti-6 both run the 24mm arb. Some of the citroens also would no doubt.

Its not too large when you consider the 106 gti and saxo also run a 24mm arb factory. I used it on my 205 with factory torsion bars and it was awesome...

There is a photo of the welded end in my thread - search broom broom

 

[DRTDVL]

Your car is too low pat..... I wont say I told you so though. I have a standard Pug at the moment, you should have a drive. Rips around the bends.

Cam

Cam how much is my car than his - if you can judge by photos??? Because I have no issues with bump steer.

 

[504-504-504]

Been meaning to post on this topic. I have been running a Whiteline ARB on my 205 for a while. Main reason was I could not afford bigger torsions bars/ARB and got offered a very good price so thought I would give it a go.

As mentioned the bar is fiddly to fit, I had to trim a lot of bolts as they were too long. Initially I was running it with aftermarket shocks and lowered springs, made a difference in that in reduced the understeer I was getting on the track. When I installed coilovers, I was over steering and put the ARB back the middle setting. .

Well the bar is fitted and I'm just about to check the tightness of the bolts as recommended by Whiteline.
The preliminary 100 km run took in the Gillies Range Road. Lots of roadwork and lights after the wet weather of a couple of months ago caused a few landslides and a bit of the road to fall off the mountain.

Having a spare beam to practise fitting helped a lot.
Backed the car up on ramps for the fitting.
Time consuming but easy enough job.
U-bolts too large diameter, loose around beam but jamming against torsion bars.
Had to cut down the threading on LHS U-bolt to clear exhaust.
LHS bar saddle sits very close to exhaust but hasn't contacted yet.
Seems to be good clearance between bar and shockers so far.
Whilst driving the car back onto the ramps one of the ramps slipped resulting in one back wheel being higher than the other. Had to tension the bar to get link to fit on one side. Something to think of if I want to change the setting.

Set it up on the firmest setting.
Steering seems much more responsive.
No clunks or bangs so far, wouldn't know it was there in day to day driving.

See what happens tomorrow on the track.
Can't wait.

Paul

“A straight is merely the distance between two corners.”

“Corners: radar free zones.”

Current: Peugeot 205 GTi Mi16 1987
Peugeot 205 Si, one red one silver, both 1991.
Peugeot 504 Wagon, V6 and 5 speed gearbox.
Isuzu (Holden) Rodeo, 4WD dual cab, extended chassis.
Past: Goliath, Isuzu Bellett, Austin A30, Peugeot 203, 403, 404, 504,505.
Subaru 4WD wagon, Toyota Hilux Dual Cab Diesel 4WD.

 

[504-504-504]

Makotrac Sprints 06-05-2012.

Well the fun is over for a while.
Next track day July.
Despite some misgivings the rear sway bar did its job well.
The car was transformed from an understeering monster into a controllable chuckable delight.
No problems with wheelspin except when I tried first gear in one of the hairpins.
Even though exits of the tight hairpins were at relatively low revs in second gear it pulled well.
Instructor/promotor drove the car at the end of the day and commented that it pulled better out of the corners than his EVO 8.
Some valuable tips and instruction from him that will give me something to work on next event.
Car ran well and comments were that it sounded good.
An ellusive miss that the engine had disapeared. Only thing that I can put it down to was securely mounting the fusebox. When I bought the car the lower glovebox section was missing and the fusebox was "secured" by a bungy cord. It used to bounce around a lot.
Whilst fitting some aluminium angle to the inner lower lip of the dash, the rest of the dash fell apart. Series 1 after-all.
Ripped most of it out but still had the airvent nozzels come flying out at me on one run.

Since removing the takeoff point for the charcoal cannister purge valve there is now a small pool of petrol from the cannister when the vehicle is stopped. Looks like I need to plumb that valve in somewhere else.

Coolant issues again. Checked the engine bay between runs to find the whole area covered with baked on coolant.
Searching for the source of the leak revealed that the bleed screw near the thermostat had left home.
Luckily a trim retaining screw from the interior of the car and a bit of thread tape served as a replacement. I'm sure I tightened up that bleed screw.

One tough engine that. Thats the third time its effectively boiled dry and survived.
Took the coolant level sensor out of the header tank and found it was jammed up with mud.
I'm going to have to make up a "critical systems" warning light and buzzer.
No time to look at guages on that track.
Will set it up so that it gives warning of overtemperature, low coolant level, low oil pressure.
Was amazing to hear how many people were letting their rev limiter decide their gear change points.

Day was a bit of a disapointment for the promotor.
Only 13 entries (including himself) after an attendance of about 40 at the training day.
He actually made a loss on the day. Hope future events are better attended, would be a shame to see them die out.

Heading back in July to improve my driving.
Was very nearly the slowest car on the track.
Rally Legend Ross Dunkerton was there, driving a very nicely rally prepared Escort.
He was having a ball, sideways everywhere, must have thought he was on gravel.
Was interesting to see how well the larger/powerful cars handled the track.
Fastest time of day went to a well prepared and driven EVO.
Day ran smoothly but a few cars didn't complete all the laps.
A quick Nissan GTi started trailing a cloud of smoke then caught fire once he was stopped.
Turned out to be an oil line that had contacted the exhaust and broken.
Luckily no damage to car but the track clean up took some time.

Paul

“A straight is merely the distance between two corners.”

“Corners: radar free zones.”

Current: Peugeot 205 GTi Mi16 1987
Peugeot 205 Si, one red one silver, both 1991.
Peugeot 504 Wagon, V6 and 5 speed gearbox.
Isuzu (Holden) Rodeo, 4WD dual cab, extended chassis.
Past: Goliath, Isuzu Bellett, Austin A30, Peugeot 203, 403, 404, 504,505.
Subaru 4WD wagon, Toyota Hilux Dual Cab Diesel 4WD.

Makotrac 06-05-2012 best lap 1 min 20 sec.

 

[PeterT]

Excellent work. Sounds like you had a great day. I hope it keeps going.

 

[patpug]

Yeah, well done Paul, good times.

If the Whiteline bar does become troublesome it sounds like the PeterT/DRTDVL cut down 24mm 306 ARB isn't going to burn a too big hole in the hip pocket. I'm considering that option myself to be honest.

Pat

 

[patpug]

Cam how much is my car than his - if you can judge by photos??? Because I have no issues with bump steer.

Hi DRTDVL,

This low:

How does that compare to yours?

Pa

 

[cam85]

Another 2 or three fingers. Pat, you also have a little extra weight from the 6 conversion. Mine will be on the ground tomorrow so will take a photo and post it up.


Cam

 

[504-504-504]

Yeah, well done Paul, good times.

If the Whiteline bar does become troublesome it sounds like the PeterT/DRTDVL cut down 24mm 306 ARB isn't going to burn a too big hole in the hip pocket. I'm considering that option myself to be honest.

Pat

Thanks Pat, was pleased that my times kept improving as the day went on.
Best time was last lap despite oil having been spilt on the track.
Clean up crew did a good job for such a long oil slick.
At first I was wary of the first corner at the end of the straight, electing to take it in second gear but under the guidance of the instructer after the event finished I found that third was a much better and quicker choice.
Should be able to shave a couple of seconds off and get a bit closer to some of the other entrant's times. Couple of fast Corolla AE86 ? there which are always going to be class leaders in the under 2L.

That cut down ARB certainly sounds like a good option.
Car is handling well at the moment.
As I improve I may reach the limits of the present setup and need to go the full upgrade of torsion bars and ARB.
Bear in mind that this Gokart track is all thats available up here on bitcumen.
Its a very tight track and ideal setup for it may be quite different to a more open and varied track.
Organiser is planning another instructional day where only part of track is used.
At least he gets the numbers on these days and can turn a profit.
Might take the red Si auto along to that one. Its running pepperpots and seems to handle the tight corners really well.

Paul

 

[DRTDVL]

Pat,

I'm probably 1 maybe 1 1/2 fingers higher than you.

With the lower lip on the car i don't need to lower it to get a handling advantage, i'm more concerned with the lack of compressive shock travel. The front lip lowers the front by roughly 2 - 3 inches (50 - 75mmish) i can't remember exactly.

I've got one of the whiteline ARB's at home doing nothing if there are any NZ 205'ers that want to give it a try.

504-504-504 - Are you running the factory 205 rear shocks? I've been running some 306 rear shocks which have a stiffer dampening rate than the 205 shocks. Might be a cheap upgrade until you can get some higher quality rear dampers. The 24mm bar will make a MASSIVE differance compared to the 20mm bar, it is considerably siffer.

 

[504-504-504]

504-504-504 - Are you running the factory 205 rear shocks? I've been running some 306 rear shocks which have a stiffer dampening rate than the 205 shocks. Might be a cheap upgrade until you can get some higher quality rear dampers. The 24mm bar will make a MASSIVE differance compared to the 20mm bar, it is considerably siffer.

Running Koni reds front and back.
No idea what settings the previous owner has them on.
Certainly feel the bumps in the road though.

Here is the layout of the track and some pictures of the pug from the April 1st training day.
The following sequence was used on Sunday.
Pit Lane>10>16>3>6>12>11>17>7>14>4>13>5>2>8>15>10

 

[504-504-504]

Video of Rnd 1 MakoTrac

Some video has been posted on the Nth Qld Motor Sports Promotion site of the 6th May event.
Keep an eye out for the Escort BDA of Ross Dunkerton on turn seven.
He certainly looked like he was having fun.
Must have covered half as much ground again as everyone else.
His style certainly contrasts with that of the winning white EVO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAYIVOUqw5w&list=UULvA-DIkltf3gDjiqfh8W2g&index=1&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQAwamMdguY&list=UULvA-DIkltf3gDjiqfh8W2g&index=2&feature=plcp

Afraid my efforts looked like a Sunday drive compared to the others.
Ah well plenty of room for improvement.

The video camera has picked up the sounds of the action nicely.

Paul

 

[patpug]

Looks like fun, no real surprise that 4wd turbos were very quick on that track.

There is no other way to drive an Esky :headbang: I'v had 3 of them...

Pat

 

[504-504-504]

The rear sway bar continues to defy the critics.
So far no rattling or contacting other bits.
Just back from Cairns.
The annual Motor Spectacular is being held this weekend.
Its mainly a showcase for the bogan brigade and 4wd crashem-bashem crew.
Even the go to whoa event is used as an excuse for a burnout.
The one bright note was the stageing of a time trial by Far North Queensland Motor Sports Club.
Short tight course bit like a bitumen gymkana with a couple of straights thrown in.
Course is laid out with witches hats. Pretty narrow, must be difficult to set up lines in the larger cars.
At first glance the tightness of the course had me worried. My car has no power steering and no LSD.
Was pleasantly surprised how well it handled it. Steering was light enough once car was "dancing" and no wheel spin.
Was mainly using second gear but it was pulling out of corners well and only just getting onto the cam down the short back straight.
I'm constantly amazed at how well this car pulls at low revs and its so tractable that gentle acceleration in fifth gear at 60 kph see it picking up nicely. All this with a PeterT inlet cam.
The car is handling so well that I'm enjoying exploring its potential in its present form.
Very chuckable. Granted lighter more direct steering would be an advantage.
Going back down there tomorrow and will try first gear in the slower section of the circuit.
Suspect wheel spin might be the problem there though.

Here is a link to the Show website which has video of last year's Time Trials.
http://www.cairnsshow.com.au/events/auto-spectacular.html

Paul

“A straight is merely the distance between two corners.”

“Corners: radar free zones.”

Current: Peugeot 205 GTi Mi16 1987
Peugeot 205 Si, one red one silver, both 1991.
Peugeot 504 Wagon, V6 and 5 speed gearbox.
Isuzu (Holden) Rodeo, 4WD dual cab, extended chassis.
Past: Goliath, Isuzu Bellett, Austin A30, Peugeot 203, 403, 404, 504,505.
Subaru 4WD wagon, Toyota Hilux Dual Cab Diesel 4WD.

Makotrac 205 GTi 06-05-2012 best lap 1 min 20 sec.