I want to replace the factory sway bar on my '82 as it seems a little bent. But there are at least 4 different sizes. How does one go about choosing between 15/16", 1", 1 1/8", or 1 1/4? I'm assuming rubber is preferred over urethane?

Thanks!

 

Rubber: street
Urethane: track (harsh)

Softer springs with stiffer bars and rubber bushings are usually the way to go for better handling/smoother ride in the street.

Stiff everything for the track.

 

Sway bars are basically tuning devices. Assuming you are happy with your current springs and you are not changing them:
1. Measure your current front swaybar
2. If you like the balance of your car, then stay with the current size
3. If the car has too much oversteer (back end comes loose in corners), then I would go up one size. EDITED

 

Hi p9,
The sway original bars have a slight curve in them on each side just before the bar enters the bushing.
By any chance is that what you're seeing?
Regards,
Alan

 

Thanks for all the info! No one end of the sway bar reaches closer to the ground than the other side. My current bar for my '82 is 1 1/8" so I think I will upgrade to 1 1/4" with rubber.

 

with an 1-1/8 front bar what size is your rear bar?

 

Agree. If you change the size, your handling will change. Depending on YOUR car and many variables, it may get better or worse.
Generally, after deciding which size front bar you want to get to your level of performance, you would size the rear bar to fine tune the handling--oversteer, understeer, neutral. Different people like things a little different.
Many people believe in the bigger is better theory, and that a bigger front bar will improve their handling. The front bar is only 1 part of the handling equation. Every change has consequences. Some good, some not.

 

A larger front bar will cause more understeer. I think if the rest of your suspension is stock, you should stick to the stock size.

 

You're right, thanks for correcting me . That's what I get for responding when I'm half a sleep .

 

The end links are the same length and have no deteriorated rubber bushings? You many be better removing the bar first and making sure it is bent and that the problem is not occurring due to something else in the suspension. It would take a lot of force to bend a 1 1/8" bar.

 

The simplest way to put choosing a sway bar would be to size as per the rubber you have mounted!

Stock- the spring rates and material and method of attachment are in consideration of the tire holding capability. Therefore the stock bars ideally when the suspension is pushed exert more spring pressure to the outside cornering tire hopefully to the tires grip and downforce holding capability. It also to the limitation of the tire will assist with roll. Basically once you start to slide, the pressure comes off and the car roll will flatten!

So so when you increase the tire holding capability (alignment a factor), you to take advantage of that can exert even more spring pressure and can go larger on the sway bar! The heavier the component, it would be advisable to better the mounts and attachments! The heavier the reactive ability and force, the better and most consistency of control you want.

I really tried to write this in English avoiding a technical engineering explanation!

Lastly some people putting larger sway bars get the sensation of better handling from the stiffer bar's leveling affect on the body, eliminating roll, at the point where you would normally instigate some lean with a lesser bar, even though they are no where near the envelope of maximum force, and not anywhere near the tire holding limitation. The car feels like it is handling better in normal or slight performance driving with a larger bar, because the car is held more level!