Video: A Look at the Unique Suspension Used on Modern Formula 1 Cars (Torsion Bars, Really?)

Aren't torsion bars really just coil springs that aren't wound up into a coil?

Or is it like an infinite number of infinitely small coils in one piece?

Coil springs are really just long torsion bars packaged differently.  The majority of the "spring" in a coil spring comes from the twisting of the coil rather than bending.

I've always thought a torsion bar front suspension would be cool for a challenge car.  Weight down low, more room under hood for engine swaps.  

Without watching, I'd bet part of it is to get the CG down as low as possible.

buzzboy said:

Or is it like an infinite number of infinitely small coils in one piece?

Duuuuude. What if we're all just made of springs all the way down? 

Dead_Sled said:

I've always thought a torsion bar front suspension would be cool for a challenge car.  Weight down low, more room under hood for engine swaps.  

There have already been Challenge cars with torsion suspension, because my CRX has them in the front and I know they've been to the Challenge.

It's one of the few things a Toyota truck and a 1st gen CRX share, when I think about it.

Dead_Sled said:

I've always thought a torsion bar front suspension would be cool for a challenge car.  Weight down low, more room under hood for engine swaps.  

Longitudinal torsion bars up front sometimes limit header placement in front-engine cars.  That's one reason there are coil conversions for classic Mopars.  

Me? I like my T-bars.  

My first car(standard beetle) had torsion springs all around. I proceeded to do stupid and regretable things to them.

Ferdinand Porsche, still cutting edge 90 years later.

Keith Tanner said:

buzzboy said:

Or is it like an infinite number of infinitely small coils in one piece?

Duuuuude. What if we're all just made of springs all the way down? 

I did not expect to see psychedelics sprinkled on my GRM this morning.