Which Sway Do I Go
Thread Starter
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Which Sway Do I Go
Top of the weekend to you all. I am in the frame off process with a 69 coupe. I am replacing all of the rubber suspension bushings with either original or poly (not sure yet). During my search for bushing kits that will include everything I need, I found there are various sizes for the front sway bar. The ones I've seen are 1", 1 1/8th" and 1 1/4."
I plan to just pleasure cruise this car on weekends but you all know there may be a temptation for an autocross or two down the road. I would like it to have a decent ride but still be stiff enough to prevent yawing around corners.
Is this a classic case of bigger is better or is there such thing as overkill when it comes to the sway bar?
I plan to just pleasure cruise this car on weekends but you all know there may be a temptation for an autocross or two down the road. I would like it to have a decent ride but still be stiff enough to prevent yawing around corners.
Is this a classic case of bigger is better or is there such thing as overkill when it comes to the sway bar?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
I probably would stay around 1". Bigger front bars induce more understeer (front end "push"), something you're likely to encounter at the "occasional" autocross, and the bigger bar will make it worse. I think the stock bar is 3/4" or 13/16", so a 1" or 1-1/8" bar will be an upgrade for keeping the body flatter in corners in spirited street driving.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Usually, depending on the car itself, ride hieght, ect. A thicker front bar
reduces oversteer and increases understeer. The same result can be had by lowering tire air pressure in the front and increasing it in the back. The opposite to reduce understeer and increase oversteer.
Every peice of the suspension works together, dialing in a suspension takes time and trial and error, If your only going to autocross occassionally, just change tire pressures, it's easier and a lot cheaper.
reduces oversteer and increases understeer. The same result can be had by lowering tire air pressure in the front and increasing it in the back. The opposite to reduce understeer and increase oversteer.
Every peice of the suspension works together, dialing in a suspension takes time and trial and error, If your only going to autocross occassionally, just change tire pressures, it's easier and a lot cheaper.
Thread Starter
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Thanx Loads
Hey everyone, thank you for all of your input. From what I'm hearing then is just stick with stock and rubber at that (for the most part). I again thank you all for saving me some cash that I can now put elswhere on the car. You know how that goes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
Front bars are cheap and easy to install. I'd encourage experimenting and if you find it doesn't suit your taste, it would be easy enough to resell.
I have an extra 1-1/8" bar I'll loan you if you want to at least try it out for free.
I have an extra 1-1/8" bar I'll loan you if you want to at least try it out for free.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
For future reference...
When you DO get to the point where you're ready to improve your cornering capabilities, just remember the solution to the puzzle involves considerably more than simply increasing roll resistance with more bar, so I'd suggest that you not make any changes before determining precisely what you want/need to improve about your car's handling characteristics. Then you'll be better equipped to decide how to spend your $$$ wisely and end up getting positive results without nearly as much trial and error (there'll still be room for plenty of that). Same goes for anyone who doesn't understand more than "I want my car to handle better". And, there's no substitute for testing. My $.02
TSW
TSW
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; May 29, 2009 at 12:19 AM.