is it worth changing sway bars ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Brandon Manitoba
is it worth changing sway bars ?
I am going to be redoing the suspension on my 1980 and I was wondering if there was any improvement in handling from replacing stock sway bars with the ones that are now available ? I need to be convinced that they need to be upgraded . Thanx Brent 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 3
From: far, far away
Brent,
What is the stock setup? Does it include a rear bar? My '81 came with the big front bar (1 1/8" ), so I didn't change that when I rebuilt the suspension and upgraded everything. But it had no rear bar, so I added a 3/4" bar from Vette Brakes. Those bars combined with the 460 front springs, 330 rear composite spring, smart struts, poly bushings, and Bilsteins make a very nice package. The car is flat in hard corners, very well balanced front to rear, and still has acceptable ride quality. If your car had no rear bar or had a small stock rear bar, I would consider adding the 3/4" bar. Check out VBP's site for more info.
http://www.vbandp.com/
What is the stock setup? Does it include a rear bar? My '81 came with the big front bar (1 1/8" ), so I didn't change that when I rebuilt the suspension and upgraded everything. But it had no rear bar, so I added a 3/4" bar from Vette Brakes. Those bars combined with the 460 front springs, 330 rear composite spring, smart struts, poly bushings, and Bilsteins make a very nice package. The car is flat in hard corners, very well balanced front to rear, and still has acceptable ride quality. If your car had no rear bar or had a small stock rear bar, I would consider adding the 3/4" bar. Check out VBP's site for more info.
http://www.vbandp.com/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Ecklers may get their suspension kits from VB&P. If if were me, I'd measure what I have on the car and compare it to the kits offered. If it weren't as thick as the ones in the kits, then I'd upgrade them from either VB&P or VanSteel 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by bams12
I am going to be redoing the suspension on my 1980 and I was wondering if there was any improvement in handling from replacing stock sway bars with the ones that are now available ? I need to be convinced that they need to be upgraded . Thanx Brent
