Sway bar recommendations
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 18
From: Travelers Rest, SC
Sway bar recommendations
Well its getting closer to time to go through the suspension and will be replacing all the bushings and steering components and will go with Bilstein Sport shocks and probably 550# springs up front and either the 360 or 420# composite spring from VB&P, probably the 420#.
My question is, what sway bar do you recommend that I run up front? With the stiff rear spring, should I bother with a rear bar?
My question is, what sway bar do you recommend that I run up front? With the stiff rear spring, should I bother with a rear bar?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
You will get the whole range of advice on this forum. Some good and mostly bad.
The truth is: It all depends on your tires. Then for the front the second item is braking ability and for the rear power level.
Just think about it for a minute. If you have modern ultra performance wider tires, you are going to impart more nose drive while braking , more body roll in the turns, and more squat on the rear when you take off.
So the wimpy stock Vette with crappy 15 inch wheels can reach it's low max potential with equally wimpy springs, small front sway, and no rear sway.
The sunday performance driver is happy with mid range springs and sways.
Neither of these groups understands the need for over 600# fronts and 500+ on the rear because of their limited experience or knowledge. So if you want a grade school opinion you ask somebody still in grade school or even worse the nursery school crowd that just read a book and claims that it is all facts
The truth is: It all depends on your tires. Then for the front the second item is braking ability and for the rear power level.
Just think about it for a minute. If you have modern ultra performance wider tires, you are going to impart more nose drive while braking , more body roll in the turns, and more squat on the rear when you take off.
So the wimpy stock Vette with crappy 15 inch wheels can reach it's low max potential with equally wimpy springs, small front sway, and no rear sway.
The sunday performance driver is happy with mid range springs and sways.
Neither of these groups understands the need for over 600# fronts and 500+ on the rear because of their limited experience or knowledge. So if you want a grade school opinion you ask somebody still in grade school or even worse the nursery school crowd that just read a book and claims that it is all facts
Last edited by gkull; Dec 17, 2013 at 01:24 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 18
From: Travelers Rest, SC
Good point, meant to include info on the car. It's a '69 small block, stock size rally wheels and will be used on the street. That being said, my driving on the street is not slow by any means and I don't mind a harsh ride so long as it handles well.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Do you know about Smart Struts? back in the 80's I installed the VB&P Street and Solam kit with some substitutions. 1 1/8 front bar with spring end links 550# front springs. Poly bushing every where.
rear Smart struts, 3/4 bar with spring end links, and a custom 500+ pound steel because of to much squat at the drag strip with 360 and 420 pound springs.
You could start out with Smart struts with poly ends or the full steel joints. a 420# mono and first try no rear bar
rear Smart struts, 3/4 bar with spring end links, and a custom 500+ pound steel because of to much squat at the drag strip with 360 and 420 pound springs.
You could start out with Smart struts with poly ends or the full steel joints. a 420# mono and first try no rear bar
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,204
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
I have the 550/360 vb&p springs and Bilsteins in my 69 bb which is probably a little heavier than your car. 1 1/8 front anti sway bar and none in the back. I experimented with, I think, the origional 9/16 and then a 3/4 rear, but got the most neutral steering with none at all. The theory is to run a big bar up front then use the rear bar to tune your suspension. 255x15 tires. This give a pretty rough ride for the street but is great for mountain runs.
If I had to do over again, I would probably go with a little softer springs.
If I had to do over again, I would probably go with a little softer springs.
