Sway Bars?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
That was option FE7 78-82....you should be able to bolt in without messing with anything...parts involve bushings,brackets...I'd look at a 7 leaf rear spring first and try that before installing a rear sway bar...I pulled my rear sway bar years ago autocrossing...the combination of the FE7 suspension and non-stock stiffer shocks made the rear end to tight..had to loosen it up...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by rihwoods
That was option FE7 78-82....you should be able to bolt in without messing with anything...parts involve bushings,brackets...I'd look at a 7 leaf rear spring first and try that before installing a rear sway bar...I pulled my rear sway bar years ago autocrossing...the combination of the FE7 suspension and non-stock stiffer shocks made the rear end to tight..had to loosen it up...
I had a similar situation on my '77 and I was told that just adding a rear bar would make the car handle badly unless I increased the size of the front sway bar at the same time. I did, and I like the results.
Just a thought.
Brian.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
I just installed a 7/8" rear sway bar on my 81. I do have the heavy duty springs. The only problem I encountered in the installation was "finding" the frame bolt location. After careful measuring I noticed a slight indentation on the frame about 1/4" from my measured mark. After digging around with a ***** punch I discoverd the first hole. They filled mine with some type of caulking before they sprayed the frame. Probably to keep water out of the frame. Anyway after cleaning up the threads with a tap installation was simple. At first I thought I would have to drill the holes and that would have required me to drop the mufflers. Hopefully on your installation finding the holes will be easier.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by C3nMe
I don't think that just adding in a rear sway bar without increasing the size of the front sway bar is going to leave him with the best handling car -- won't it increase the oversteer until the front is increased?
I had a similar situation on my '77 and I was told that just adding a rear bar would make the car handle badly unless I increased the size of the front sway bar at the same time. I did, and I like the results.
Just a thought.
Brian.
I had a similar situation on my '77 and I was told that just adding a rear bar would make the car handle badly unless I increased the size of the front sway bar at the same time. I did, and I like the results.
Just a thought.
Brian.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by rihwoods
I was suggesting he go with the 7 leaf rear spring without the rear sway bar....then go from there...
It will all depend on the final ride quality you're looking for when you're done. Personally, I like to shove it into corners and not feel any body lean -- the "I'm on rails" effect
I had a 9 leaf spring on the rear, and that coupled without a sway bar just sucked. I also installed Billstein's at the same time as part of a package that put 550# in the front and 360# mono in the back. It's firm, and substantial bumps really don't upset the car -- but you do feel 'em
Brian.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by C3nMe
That might help enough, as well.
It will all depend on the final ride quality you're looking for when you're done. Personally, I like to shove it into corners and not feel any body lean -- the "I'm on rails" effect
I had a 9 leaf spring on the rear, and that coupled without a sway bar just sucked. I also installed Billstein's at the same time as part of a package that put 550# in the front and 360# mono in the back. It's firm, and substantial bumps really don't upset the car -- but you do feel 'em
Brian.
It will all depend on the final ride quality you're looking for when you're done. Personally, I like to shove it into corners and not feel any body lean -- the "I'm on rails" effect
I had a 9 leaf spring on the rear, and that coupled without a sway bar just sucked. I also installed Billstein's at the same time as part of a package that put 550# in the front and 360# mono in the back. It's firm, and substantial bumps really don't upset the car -- but you do feel 'em
Brian.
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