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81 Sway bar

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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 07:22 PM
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Default 81 Sway bar

I am redoing the rear in my 81 with offset trailing arms and new shocks. When looking at it there is no rear sway bar. Does anyone know if they didn't come with one or maybe someone removed it. I also noticed that the rear leaf is a mono fiberglass so someone did some work on it. Any help would be appreciated
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 09:23 PM
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My 1981 is set-up the same way-fiberglass rear spring and no rear sway bar.

1981 was the first year Chevrolet used a fiberglass rear spring to save weight.
I'm not too sure if a rear sway was offered this year........can anyone clarify?
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 09:45 PM
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glass spring is factory and no sway bar.
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Old Aug 4, 2010 | 11:01 PM
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Originally Posted by BadBaran
I am redoing the rear in my 81 with offset trailing arms and new shocks. When looking at it there is no rear sway bar. Does anyone know if they didn't come with one or maybe someone removed it. I also noticed that the rear leaf is a mono fiberglass so someone did some work on it. Any help would be appreciated
only the Gymkahna suspension cars came with a rear sway bar and steel leaf spring and a larger front sway bar and sport shocks(mine has it) it was an option on the 81. Otherwise the regular 81 had the new composite spring and no rear sway bar and smaller diameter front sway bar.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 09:32 AM
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I recently added a rear bar to mine, got it from VanSteel. I have the stock front bar so they recommended a 9/16" rear bar, and I can tell you it certainly tighted up the rear end!!
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by 81pilot
only the Gymkahna suspension cars came with a rear sway bar and steel leaf spring and a larger front sway bar and sport shocks(mine has it) it was an option on the 81. Otherwise the regular 81 had the new composite spring and no rear sway bar and smaller diameter front sway bar.

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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 11:51 AM
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Ok so it looks like everything was stock in the car then. Next question is it worth it to put a rear sway bar in or will it handle better with the offset trailing arms and wider tires. I also got the adjustable strut rods and new blistien shocks.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 12:41 PM
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Originally Posted by BadBaran
...is it worth it to put a rear sway bar...
Probably. You can find complete stock set ups on eBay. 100% bolt in unless your trailing arms are not drilled for the brackets.

Here's the factory set up at the trailing arm:



Last edited by Easy Mike; Aug 5, 2010 at 12:57 PM.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 05:27 PM
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I have a 81, I always thought the original owner changed the rear to a steel spring? What size is the Larger front sway bar, and how many leaf in the rear spring for the Gymkahna suspension option?
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 05:28 PM
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I don't have any of the brackets for the sway bar but if i get them will they work on offset trailing arms or do i have to make something for it to work with offsets and wide tires. Im looking to put the c6 Z06 rims on it
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by bruced267
I have a 81, I always thought the original owner changed the rear to a steel spring? What size is the Larger front sway bar, and how many leaf in the rear spring for the Gymkahna suspension option?
In 81, the automatic cars had the composite spring and the manual cars came with steel springs. No rear bar for stock suspension cars.

The Gymkahna was the optional item and I don't know what it did to either version above.
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Old Aug 5, 2010 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by bruced267
I have a 81, I always thought the original owner changed the rear to a steel spring? What size is the Larger front sway bar, and how many leaf in the rear spring for the Gymkahna suspension option?
It is called an FE7 car, that is the option. It has a 1 1/8 inch front bar and the rear leafs are 7 springs. They are actually stiffer then the 9 leaf springs. And way stiffer than the comp spring..The setup does provide increased cornering and braking stability. But a harsher ride. I like mine.
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Old Aug 6, 2010 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by BadBaran
I don't have any of the brackets for the sway bar but if i get them will they work on offset trailing arms or do i have to make something for it to work with offsets and wide tires. Im looking to put the c6 Z06 rims on it
Don't know. I don't have offset trailing arms, but even with offset arms, you have to mount the rear spring which -- I assume -- is stock width. If so, then the rears of your offset arms should be in the stock position.

Did your offset arms require a narrower rear spring?

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Old Aug 6, 2010 | 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by BadBaran
I don't have any of the brackets for the sway bar but if i get them will they work on offset trailing arms or do i have to make something for it to work with offsets and wide tires. Im looking to put the c6 Z06 rims on it
I have VBP offset trailing arms and rear swaybar. The swaybar was part of their Performance Plus kit that I bought, but you can buy a rear swaybar for the offset trailing arms from them. I also have C6 Z06 wheels 17"x9.5" all around.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ew-wheels.html
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Old Aug 6, 2010 | 06:26 PM
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I still have the original rear spring so maybe I wont have any problems getting a sway bar on. Those c6 rims look awsome! Do you have any clearence issues? Expecially with 9.5 up front. Im looking to put a chrome set on
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