Bigger sway bars...
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Bigger sway bars...
I want to replace my stock swaybars with slightly larger ones front and rear. My question is, who makes bars that fit in the stock locations that are 1/4" larger front and rear? My handling is really coming around, and I don't mind some reduction in ride quality to get my improvements on the coast road.
Any tips? Thanks
Hans
Any tips? Thanks
Hans
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Bigger sway bars... (BB68Vett)
Exactly - they come in matched sets (recommended). I wouldn't just
bump them both by the same amount.
Most vendors recommend 1 1/8 in front 3/4 in rear. Most vendors have them.
VBP and ZIP will both give a 5% discount for CF.
EDIT - I meant VanSteel - but VBP may also. Van Steel has the matched Addco sets, too.
:seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 5:30 PM 5/6/2003]
bump them both by the same amount.
Most vendors recommend 1 1/8 in front 3/4 in rear. Most vendors have them.
VBP and ZIP will both give a 5% discount for CF.
EDIT - I meant VanSteel - but VBP may also. Van Steel has the matched Addco sets, too.
:seeya
[Modified by NHvette, 5:30 PM 5/6/2003]
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Re: Bigger sway bars... (BB68Vett)
the largest front available is the 1-1/4" for the front and 7/8" for the rear. From what i've been told, Atco is the only place that makes sway bars and to get a custom bar made is boo-koo bucs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: Bigger sway bars... (Wrencher)
Beware of oversizing sway bars for street use. The rear end will get VERY squirelly and will oversteer. See the Addco web site for a chart that compares the relative change in roll resistance with changes in diameter.
This is NOT a linear relationship. For example a step from a 5/8 to 3/4 inch rear bar will DOUBLE the resistance.
So increaseing both front and rear the same 1/4" will not provide equal increases to roll resistance.
I've experimented with several combos and I've gradually reduced front and rear for better control.
If you increase tire size with 17" wheels, you can carry larger bars. With OE wheel size and tire size, my advice is to stay with OE gymkana sized sway bars.
This is NOT a linear relationship. For example a step from a 5/8 to 3/4 inch rear bar will DOUBLE the resistance.
So increaseing both front and rear the same 1/4" will not provide equal increases to roll resistance.
I've experimented with several combos and I've gradually reduced front and rear for better control.
If you increase tire size with 17" wheels, you can carry larger bars. With OE wheel size and tire size, my advice is to stay with OE gymkana sized sway bars.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Bigger sway bars... (flynhi)
I should have made myself much clearer. I intend this change (ultimately) for track use with 16" wheels and DOT legal racing tires,and I have access to an airport that allows me to test various setups. I find I am much more comfortable with oversteer than understeer (probably from my rear engine experiences), and want to unbalance slightly from what is considered "normal". That said, ultimately I'll want to go to an adjustable bar once I find a diameter that suits me front and rear.
All I want at this point is to swap bars using the stock configuration and experiment. Do the aftermarket bars do this, particularly at the rear?
I appreciate all the feedback. I just love working with suspensions and getting more out of a chassis, and probably messing up at times along the way!
Hans
All I want at this point is to swap bars using the stock configuration and experiment. Do the aftermarket bars do this, particularly at the rear?
I appreciate all the feedback. I just love working with suspensions and getting more out of a chassis, and probably messing up at times along the way!
Hans
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: Bigger sway bars... (Wrencher)
I have not come across aftermarket rear bars that use the OE end links. They use a simple bolt end link.
Once you convert to this type end link, changes are easy.
Install your larger tire before you oversize the rear bar......
Once you convert to this type end link, changes are easy.
Install your larger tire before you oversize the rear bar......
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Bigger sway bars... (flynhi)
Buy 1 1/8th F and 5/8ths R with spring end links. The spring ends allow for small wheel rapid movement before the whole bar comes into play.
Don't forget all poly mounts
[Modified by gkull, 12:13 PM 5/7/2003]
Don't forget all poly mounts
[Modified by gkull, 12:13 PM 5/7/2003]
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,078
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From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: Bigger sway bars... (Wrencher)
I have Vette Brakes and Products front and rear bars. they both bolt up to the stock location. The rear bar just uses a different end link, it does however bolt to the stock location.
-Justin
-Justin
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Bigger sway bars... (Wrencher)
Mine are VB&P. I could not get the rear bar on the car even with weight on the wheels so I had to space the rear bar down 1 - 1.5 inches. anyway it is now parrallel to ground sitting static parked.
Poly mounts:) Just check around on the prices. As I said i have spring ends on the front and rear and I actually have the 3/4 rear bar and "Zero" rear toe. To set the Zero toe I installed Stainless Steel spacer washers on the front attachment points of my rear trailing arms.
With the lighter mono springs, 15X8 wheels, and stock rear toe settings. Auto-Xers seem to do the best with 5/8th or maybe even the smaller 9/16ths
Poly mounts:) Just check around on the prices. As I said i have spring ends on the front and rear and I actually have the 3/4 rear bar and "Zero" rear toe. To set the Zero toe I installed Stainless Steel spacer washers on the front attachment points of my rear trailing arms.
With the lighter mono springs, 15X8 wheels, and stock rear toe settings. Auto-Xers seem to do the best with 5/8th or maybe even the smaller 9/16ths
