Do I need sway bars?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,002
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From: Bay City MI.
Do I need sway bars?
Seeing the special on sway bars has me tempted to buy new set. I have the original front small block sway bar and nothing in the rear. We did change to the BB spings up front and I have a fiberglass rear spring. I don't plan on running fast around a race track, but would I be better off with a bigger front bar and a new one in the back?
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Do I need sway bars? (467-Ratman)
I already installed a factory BB rear bar and I'll tell you that it really tightened up the rear end. It's only a 9/16 but has the solid mounts to the control arm.
I'm looking for a stock BB bar for the front now.
I'm looking for a stock BB bar for the front now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: Do I need sway bars? (467-Ratman)
IHMO, most guys on the CF use bars that are larger than necessary on street cars. My experience has been that too large rear bars will induce oversteer.
Start with Zora's design and if you want to change from that. I'd suggest calling Dick Guldstrand and ask him for a rec. He knows more about C3 suspensions than anyone else on the planet.
Start with Zora's design and if you want to change from that. I'd suggest calling Dick Guldstrand and ask him for a rec. He knows more about C3 suspensions than anyone else on the planet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: Do I need sway bars? (My69)
Zora didn't think that most drivers needed a rear bar for street driven Vettes. He knew a lot more about these suspensions than most of us do.
If you want to upgrade, start by replacing all the parts that wear - ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, A arm bushings, T-arm bushings, Camber strut bushings, etc. with poly. Rebuild the steering box and replace the rag joint.
Add the best, stickiest tires you can find in your size.
THEN think about a rear sway bar. If you want one, start small and work up until you become uncomfortable. A good combo for me is 1 1/8 front and 5/8 rear but I have wide 17" tires.
[Modified by flynhi, 12:10 AM 9/21/2003]
If you want to upgrade, start by replacing all the parts that wear - ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, A arm bushings, T-arm bushings, Camber strut bushings, etc. with poly. Rebuild the steering box and replace the rag joint.
Add the best, stickiest tires you can find in your size.
THEN think about a rear sway bar. If you want one, start small and work up until you become uncomfortable. A good combo for me is 1 1/8 front and 5/8 rear but I have wide 17" tires.
[Modified by flynhi, 12:10 AM 9/21/2003]
Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 625
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From: The Villages FL
Re: Do I need sway bars? (467-Ratman)
What I found helped my rear end most was the Vette Brakes Smart Struts that kept the tire camber change less than a 1/4 degree as the suspension moved up and down. Kept the tire patch at maximum, and the tires had longer longevity. Some of the squirrellyness disappeared, too. I have a set I can sell we no longer need, having used the entire suspension from a C4 donor car.
Spike
spikezz4@bellsouth.net
Spike
spikezz4@bellsouth.net
