Skip to main content

Didn't someone offer a set of narrowed IRS rear arms...1.5" per side.....????

I cant seem to find them. Looking for a set but not an exchange. I want to get the rear prepped for winter swap, add disc brakes in the rear and a few other things...

I dropped my Ghia and air bagged it myself, soon to do a torsion elimination kit. I'm just not sure I want to go to that extent on the 356. The Ghia is a cruiser to drop n roll slow... I would like the 356 to remain a bit spirited...However, I will be making my own a-arms for the Ghia and ditching that front beam .... just not sure the extent of me and the 356 suspension, either front or rear. 

Just some contemplation out loud. Wife said no touchy for a year... haahahaahahaaa--right, like that is going to happen....

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I use 1" narrowed IRS arms on the new speedster chassis, and Kevin from Cool Rides is the one who makes them for us.  He does a nice job on them, but I know cores seem hard to come by lately, so we've been supplying our own and hoarding more for future use.

One note on the discs is that you cannot use the forged caliper bracket with his modifications, you have to use the stamped sheet metal bracket version of the rear disc kit.

We make our own a-arm front suspension, but it is specific to our tube chassis and not suitable for a conversion.

Are you planning to switch the new Speedster chassis to the same suspension as the Coupe at some point?  I know the Coupe has a longer wheelbase and wider rear track, but I am assuming that the Speedster retained the original dimensions.

This is a great question for @chines1.

There's definitely a market for a rear-engined, stock-wheelbase speedster with a real front suspension and narrowed trailing arms. Built with a Berg 5 and a tasty T4, and it'd be very nearly perfect for somebody like me.

@DannyP posted:

That front beam is the achilles heel of most of us here. Interested to see what you come up with.

I can't really help with the rear IRS narrow arms other than to say I remember the thread.

I have a few ideas, I have built a few "things"...I have all the build manuals. NOW I need read and study, see how it is all done. The front beam seems to always be some sort of issue. Are these beams narrowed? I narrowed my bean on my Ghia 4". My 356 has adjusters in it and it still sits high to me. Definitely would like to see it more grounded...

Thanks. 

Todd

Are you planning to switch the new Speedster chassis to the same suspension as the Coupe at some point?  I know the Coupe has a longer wheelbase and wider rear track, but I am assuming that the Speedster retained the original dimensions.

I will use what I have. I'm not going to swap an entire pan. I love this little car but seems I might not be doing anything to it if all these issues as still floating around with no resolutions ..... 

Same issues in the VW world. Nothing new. 

Thanks....

Some reading-

TheSamba- Narrowing IRS...

TheSamba- IRS Axles 101 - narrow

TheSamba.com- Narrowed & Adjustable Beams - The Good the Bad the Ugly

Look for the June '94 issue of Hot VW's for a full description of Bruce Tweddle's method of narrowing irs arms. I don't know if he was the first to do it, but it was the first time I'd heard it done. I've posted those pages in a thread here before but you'll have to find them yourself- I'm packing up to go 4wheeling with my oldest... Al

Last edited by ALB
@Stan Galat posted:

This is a great question for @chines1.

There's definitely a market for a rear-engined, stock-wheelbase speedster with a real front suspension and narrowed trailing arms. Built with a Berg 5 and a tasty T4, and it'd be very nearly perfect for somebody like me.

I'm sure not looking to redesign this thing but man a tube chassis, A-arms front and even keeping the rear IRS... as well as a T4 power plant...  

This will not be another project, just drive

This will not be another project, just drive

This will noooooooo, cant do it....must change

@chines1 posted:

I use 1" narrowed IRS arms on the new speedster chassis, and Kevin from Cool Rides is the one who makes them for us.  He does a nice job on them, but I know cores seem hard to come by lately, so we've been supplying our own and hoarding more for future use.

One note on the discs is that you cannot use the forged caliper bracket with his modifications, you have to use the stamped sheet metal bracket version of the rear disc kit.

We make our own a-arm front suspension, but it is specific to our tube chassis and not suitable for a conversion.

Dune buggies have been making tube trailing arms as well as boxed trailing arms...2" and 3" longer.

Not sure why this is even an issue these days, no chores needed. I might be pulling out the table and setting up some jigs. Man I dont have time....but could be of interest...just the rear arms. I will ponder, get into my 3D and see.

As far as the disc caliper mount, my guess is it has to do with welds and or material build up on the newly narrowed arms. Thanks for the heads up.

Interesting in your arms. Thanks. I will have a gander and check them out....

@ALB posted:

Some reading-

TheSamba- Narrowing IRS...

TheSamba- IRS Axles 101 - narrow

TheSamba.com- Narrowed & Adjustable Beams - The Good the Bad the Ugly

Look for the June '94 issue of Hot VW's for a full description of Bruce Tweddle's method of narrowing irs arms. I don't know if he was the first to do it, but it was the first time I'd heard it done. I've posted those pages in a thread here before but you'll have to find them yourself- I'm packing up to go 4wheeling with my oldest... Al

Thank you sir. I probably have that magazine hiding someplace. Hahahaa

I will use what I have. I'm not going to swap an entire pan. I love this little car but seems I might not be doing anything to it if all these issues as still floating around with no resolutions ..... 

Same issues in the VW world. Nothing new. 

Thanks....

Actually I had intended that to be addressed to @chines1 but forgot to include the redirection.  Ah well.

@Stan Galat posted:

This is a great question for @chines1.

There's definitely a market for a rear-engined, stock-wheelbase speedster with a real front suspension and narrowed trailing arms. Built with a Berg 5 and a tasty T4, and it'd be very nearly perfect for somebody like me.

I am also interested in this. In 5 years I’ll qualify for Medicare. I want a convertible that is comfortable and water proof. I’m assuming if the new suspension can be fitted to a speedy it can be fitted to a Conv D. And yes it would have to be rear engine. A Conv D with the new bits would fit my needs perfectly. 

Last edited by 550 Phil

@Wright Conceptz

Todd, perhaps contact Kevin Zagar, owner/operator of CoolRyde Customs in San Diego, CA. Here is a link to his shop...

https://www.coolrydescustoms.com

Kevin is a long time SOCer and is a cool dude. I know he has done many shortened IRS axles for customer projects. I'm sure he would be ale to provide the info you're seeking. 

Best of luck in your endeavor. I look forward to following the progress of your build! 

@MusbJim posted:

@Wright Conceptz

Todd, perhaps contact Kevin Zagar, owner/operator of CoolRyde Customs in San Diego, CA. Here is a link to his shop...

https://www.coolrydescustoms.com

Kevin is a long time SOCer and is a cool dude. I know he has done many shortened IRS axles for customer projects. I'm sure he would be ale to provide the info you're seeking. 

Best of luck in your endeavor. I look forward to following the progress of your build! 

Thank you sir.....I will do so.

Didn't Mango do his own rear trailing arms? I thought it involved flipping them side to side and notching or sectioning. 

Pretty sure he documented it here.

As I recall, you can't make them narrower than about 3/4" on each side—1.5 inches total.

Correction: 1.2 inches per side.

Here's @MangoSmoothie.ca selling a set he made 11 years ago...his last.

 

Last edited by edsnova

@Lane Anderson @Stan Galat @550 Phil

Yes, our new speedster chassis already is the same as the coupe form the front suspension to the area of the rear torsion bar.  A-arm front suspension, QA-1 coilovers and rack and pinion steering.  The speedster then utilizes either stock Porsche aluminum trailing arms, stock VW trailing arms, or narrowed VW trailing arms.

We've been building this chassis since the end of 2019, however every one of them was an export car in RHD for other countries.  The very first LHD built for the US in in upholstery currently.  No that it is any different, just had a ton of overseas orders to fill. (there are a few differences that require custom parts, but thats another story).

Narrowed rear trailing arms is our standard spec for the Speedster since it allows for stock wheels and larger tires.  Stock arms or Porsche arms require custom wheels...

We kept the same body size/shape/dimension and lowered the floor just over 1.5"

I currently have builds being fit with reversed R&P Subaru 5 speeds, stock VW 4 speeds and Porsche 915 gearboxes.  While I would do a Berg 5 speed if someone desired, I'd rather see the car with a 901 or 915, but that is just my personal taste...

 

All of that sounds fantastic, @chines1.

It's ticks every box-- low floor, A-arm front end, IRS rear with narrowed trailing arms, etc. I understand your preference for a 901 or 915 transaxle-- for me, the ability to select every single ratio in the box (for about 1/2 the money) makes a Berg more appealing, along with the weight of the thing

... but no matter. The hype has all been around the coupe-- but for guys wired like me, this is really "it". This seems like it might be the perfect foundation for Project X.

Thanks for response Carey. Really sounds like a nice setup. Definitely beats front beam and rear swing arm. Would like to hear if Conv D is still an option. My last car will be my retirement car. I’ll be on a fixed income with little possibility of building another. And that car has to be fast and comfortable which must include role up windows. I do like the looks of the coupe but I’d really like to be able to drop the top. So at this point I’m looking at buildings a coupe or an IM. Sorry to sound like a broken record but I’m just looking for options. Saw your Conv D at Carlisle a few years back and I came away impressed. 

Last edited by 550 Phil
@550 Phil posted:

Thanks for response Carey. Really sounds like a nice setup. Definitely beats front beam and rear swing arm. Would like to hear if Conv D is still an option. My last car will be my retirement car. I’ll be on a fixed income with little possibility of building another. And that car has to be fast and comfortable which must include role up windows. I do like the looks of the coupe but I’d really like to be able to drop the top. So at this point I’m looking at buildings a coupe or an IM. Sorry to sound like a broken record but I’m just looking for options. Saw your Conv D at Carlisle a few years back and I came away impressed. 

You probably should have just bought Marty's car........

Carey wrote:  "While I would do a Berg 5 speed if someone desired, I'd rather see the car with a 901 or 915, but that is just my personal taste..."

Both are good transmissions.  I have had both.  The 901 with the dogleg 1st takes some getting used to, as it's a long shift to 2nd, but the H pattern once you get out of 1st is nice.  Porsche figured having gears 2-5 in an H pattern is better for racing, and 1st gear is only to get you rolling.

The 915 that I currently is also good, but 915 transmissions are not known for their smooth 1st to 2nd shift.  The 4th to 5th shift is long, but smooth.

Five speeds is the way to go.  

 

 

Post Content
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×