Rear Swing Arm Setting

I am in the process of assembly of a "Street Beast" Speedster. As I begin to install the rear assembly--the torsion tube and frame horns cut from a '75 Beetle donor car--I have a set of height adjustable arms from Serrano's. Considering the weight difference of the Speedie and the ride or suspension of a sporty car, and the difficulty of adjusting the torsion setting (splines) after the rear assembly is installed....
Should I use the orininal VW setting to maintain a firm spring, stiffen the ride, or soften the ride? I can lower the car with the adjusters from Serrano's. Because this is a frame based Speedie, I would have to remove the rear assembly to change the setting of the torsion arms. There doesn't appear to be enough room to remove the arms if the assembly is installed in the car. I'm sure Merklin could render an opinion, but he's on the road again.

I don't believe the rotation of the torsion bars alter the ride stiffness. They modify ride height.

If you can remove the spring plates and install the adjustable ones from Serano's, then you can adjust the torsion bars. The torsion bars have 44 splines on the outer end and the inner has 40 splines

Does your assemblly instructions give you a degree reference for initially installing the spring plates??? If so, I'd suggest you tighten the adjustable spring plates and then install them as if they were factory rigid plates. This allows you to lower the ride height as necessary.

Most require that you have a magnetic degree wheel obtainable at Home Depot or any tool shop.

If you move the spring plate "up", you will lower the ride height, if you lower the spring plate, it will raise the ride height.

The reason for the 2 different spline patterns on the torsion bars is for initial set up. The inner splines obviously move the torsion bar more degree's. The 44 splines or outers are used to fine tune the suspension.

Each inner spline is worth 9 degree's and the outers are worth 8.18 degree's

I believe the ride will stiffen if you preload the torsion bars more (give them more pressure). I installed the set from Serrano's but they don't come with instructions. As Larry says I suggest you use the angles and instructions specified in the VW Service manual appropriate for your year suspension.

John, I had a one day delay before heading out on the road to Tennessee.
I did the arm adjustment after it was installed on the Street Beasts as there is enough room. Look forward to talking to you over the coming weekend.