Correct Sway Bar Size???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 904
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From: Murphy NC
Correct Sway Bar Size???
Im almost ready to put my body back on and havent really figured out what size sway bars to use. Now I dont want the debate about you shouldnt need them blah,blah,blah. I know they are used to compensate poor suspension design. My corvette has poor suspension design. There I admit it. Im not about to refab it so what rates work? I have a 77 with 550 springs up front, a composite 360 in the rear, poly bushings, plan to up size the wheels to 17 or 18 inchers, smallblock with a in the works t5, and new everything as far as steering. Im very much into autocross and road racing so I will want something stiff with just a bit of understeer. Thanks to all in advance!
Friend Request Magnet
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From: ♫ ♪ ♫♫ ♪ ♫ ♪♪ ♫
Originally Posted by hosspowerinc
Im almost ready to put my body back on and havent really figured out what size sway bars to use. Now I dont want the debate about you shouldnt need them blah,blah,blah. I know they are used to compensate poor suspension design. My corvette has poor suspension design. There I admit it. Im not about to refab it so what rates work? I have a 77 with 550 springs up front, a composite 360 in the rear, poly bushings, plan to up size the wheels to 17 or 18 inchers, smallblock with a in the works t5, and new everything as far as steering. Im very much into autocross and road racing so I will want something stiff with just a bit of understeer. Thanks to all in advance!
Not too many "modern" vehicles I know that doesnt have anti-sway bars...that being said; its really not because of "poor suspension design" or that would be said of all modern cars and trucks.
As far as diameter and lengths goes; it will kinda be a crap-shoot until you have all components on, and vehicle road tested to know your "specific" needs...all road racing components act differently per vehicle.
Different tires will corner better or less; requiring more or less anti-sway.
Different vehicle weight, different rim offsets and COMPLETE wheel heights; all factor in to "what is needed" vs. "what is already bought, and/or will be installed".
Heck; even certain roads require more or less anti-sway.
I know thats not a lot of help...you could always start with the stock bar with the poly's, and decide where to compensate from there.
Jim
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
You already have 550 pound springs, your sway bar won't be as effective as running light springs and a heavier bar.
550 pound springs tie up the suspension so pot holes and bumps cause the tire to skip over the road surface but it does mask alot of the problems
550 pound springs tie up the suspension so pot holes and bumps cause the tire to skip over the road surface but it does mask alot of the problems
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
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From: San Antonio TX
There are books on suspension design that will allow you to approach this intelligently.
Just off hand, though, with 550 in/lb front springs and 360 in/lb rear, you're probably going to want to go to a small bar and tune the suspension with shocks. I'd start with the stock bar(s) and test it out before throwing money at it. You may end up needing nothing or only shocks to get it where you want it.
Just off hand, though, with 550 in/lb front springs and 360 in/lb rear, you're probably going to want to go to a small bar and tune the suspension with shocks. I'd start with the stock bar(s) and test it out before throwing money at it. You may end up needing nothing or only shocks to get it where you want it.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
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From: San Antonio TX
550s up front with factory small bar, factory steel 9-leaf in the rear with no bar, and KYBs all around. All poly bushings and tubular tierod centers up front as well as bb idler. Rear is just a Guldstrand strut assembly.
Nothing real fancy. Works for me. May not be right for you.
Nothing real fancy. Works for me. May not be right for you.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Apple Valley MN
im running the same spring rates also, im gonna shoot for the bilstein gas shocks. Sounds like you need a set of these babies. It that isn't enough then go for stiffer sway bars i would say. A vehicle like that will not have a lot of body roll thats for sure.
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by hosspowerinc
Thanks for all the replies. I have always thought that those rates were the normal for a decent handling suspension. What rates are you guys running?
I have a lightened Vette. Smart Struts With 550# F and @420# R 1 1/8th front sway 3/4 rear sway both with spring end adjustables. 17 inch wheels 9 & 11 inch I would recommend 18 inch wheels do to better tire choices.
I would maybe use a 5/8th rear bar and I would even consider 600+ springs on the front end if your road racing track has any kind of long banked turns. Because I managed to blow out a front shock out on the track this spring and had to resort to a small spring shim on the A-Arm to lift the front end.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Murphy NC
Originally Posted by gkull
I have a lightened Vette. Smart Struts With 550# F and @420# R 1 1/8th front sway 3/4 rear sway both with spring end adjustables. 17 inch wheels 9 & 11 inch I would recommend 18 inch wheels do to better tire choices.
I would maybe use a 5/8th rear bar and I would even consider 600+ springs on the front end if your road racing track has any kind of long banked turns. Because I managed to blow out a front shock out on the track this spring and had to resort to a small spring shim on the A-Arm to lift the front end.
I would maybe use a 5/8th rear bar and I would even consider 600+ springs on the front end if your road racing track has any kind of long banked turns. Because I managed to blow out a front shock out on the track this spring and had to resort to a small spring shim on the A-Arm to lift the front end.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by hosspowerinc
What size tires are you running in the rear? I was going to ask if you had any oversteer but with an 11 inch rear wheels Id say you have enough traction to handle the swaybar and high spring rate. Have you played with any other combos?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
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From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by 70 LS1
I plan on using 460 fronts, stock style 7-leaf in the rear, 1.25" bar up front and Bilstein shocks. I like the idea of softer springs and bigger sway bar.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by supervette77
I have 550lb VB&P springs up front and I am running the stock 1-5/8" sway bar up front that came on the car originally along with poly bushings.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
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From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by gkull
You might want to measure your bar. I'm pretty sure that stock bars were all less than one inch dia. on any C-3. I have or had a 79 L-82 with the suspension package and the 1 1/8th made my stock bar look wimpy. The 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 are actually heavy to pickup.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
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From: Long Island New York
Originally Posted by gkull
You might want to measure your bar. I'm pretty sure that stock bars were all less than one inch dia. on any C-3. I have or had a 79 L-82 with the suspension package and the 1 1/8th made my stock bar look wimpy. The 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 are actually heavy to pickup.